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Mainland Spain, alongside most of Western Europe and the Balearic Islands are one hour ahead of the UK. That basic time difference remains the same all year round - the UK is one hour behind mainland Spain. (see the Greenwich Mean Time weblink right for details and Spanish Time). Currency in Spain is the Euro. In a euro there are 100 cents and coins come in 1 euro, 2 euros, and in cents 5, 10, 20 and 50. Euro notes come in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200. Take Euros with you (it's a good idea to take lower denominations up to 20 notes, rather than a chunk of 50 euro notes), but it's quick and easy to obtain more Euros from the many cash machines and banks located in the main Spanish Costa resorts, in Spanish cities and towns. Petrol stations and shops will take visa, credit cards, and Debit cards, but they'll usually ask you for identification either a passport or driving license when you use them, especially in petrol stations. Not all outlets have a chip and pin facility in Spain (as at 2007). Order Euros online safely and securely via the weblink right.
Driving is on the right hand side in Spain, with the main AP7 Mediterranean motorway running up the Spanish East coast, many parts of which are a toll motorway. A toll free minor road (N340) runs parallel. (recommended, take the N340 for short drives, and the AP7 motorway for a longer journey). Opening hours in Spain for most businesses are from Monday to Saturday 9 or 10am to 1.30-2pm, followed by siesta hours until around 4 or 5pm when businesses/shops usually open for another 3 hours up until 8 or 9pm. Supermarkets and tourist shops tend to stay open longer and on Sundays. Watch museum times as often Monday is a closing day. Big department stores such as El Corte Ingles with departments across Spain will stay open usually from 10am to 10pm. British Consulate offices on the Spanish Mainland are in Alicante, Bilbao, Malaga, Barcelona and Madrid. Madrid serves as main consulate-General.
Travellers to Spain, including the Canary Islands and the Balearic Islands, are advised that the Spanish Government has now introduced new requirements for airlines to provide personnel information on passengers to the Spanish authorities prior to aircraft departure from the UK. This requirement is referred to as Advance Passenger Information (API or APIS data), and has been effective for travellers to the United States since 2005.
Spain is the first EU country to implement API, effective from 19 June 2007, but all EU countries are expected to implement API within the next year. The information you will need to provide to your airline, either at check-in or more typical when making your flight booking, are details contained on your passport photograph page such as your full name, date and place of birth and passport number. Both EasyJet and British Airways have set up facilities on-line for passengers to provide these details at booking stage, and the Department of Transport advices passengers to both check with their air carrier and to provide these details prior to arrival at airports.
For up-to-date advice on Advance Passenger Information (API) requirements affecting travellers to Spain and elsewhere see the Department for Transport web guide right.
Entry requirements for UK citizens visiting Spain are with passport identification (no visa needed). Telephone codes for contacting Spain from the UK, are with prefix international dialling code 00 then the country code for Spain 34 followed by the Spanish regional code, then telephone number. eg. to contact the main tourist office in Benidorm tel. 00 34 96 585 13 11, or to contact the Picasso Museum from in Barcelona from the UK, tel. 00 34 93 319 63 10. (Benidorm/Costa Blanca regional code 96, Barcelona code 93). To telephone the UK from Spain prefix 00 then UK country code 44, then the regional code of the area omitting the first zero followed by the number, eg. For Manchester Airport tel. 00 44 161 489 3000.
Spain uses AC electricity at 220 volts, 50hz and plugs have the distinctive two round pins so don't forget adapters. No problem with tap water, it's safe to drink but you may prefer the taste of bottled water. Be aware on the Costa resorts sunshine is strong especially in peak summer season, and wearing sunscreen, with constant reapplications, is important to avoid sunburn (see the NHS Fit for Travel weblink right for further advice and details). Avoid or stay in shade during peak sunshine hours in the middle of the day. For minor sunburn or heat rashes, a top tip is Aloe Vera juice or gel which works a treat (available from most health food shops). Aloe Vera gel is also a good tonic for insect bites. Mosquitoes, although not the malaria kind, are prevalent in Spain, even in late season. Mosquito bite effects can range from minor irritation to ruining a holiday if you suffer severe allergic reactions. The NHS Fit for Travel site gives advice on how to avoid Mosquito bites (see weblink right). Top tips are pre-buying plug in mosquito killers. These will last through your holiday, and come with in-built adapters. For larger accommodations buy two. Turn them on early evening, or leave them on all day to ensure mosquito free accommodation. When out and about wear natural mosquito repellent perfumes such as bergamot, lemon grass and citronella. Use a Deet based mosquito insect repellent in conjunction. Aloe vera gel is again good for treating mosquito bites should you get the odd one. You won't regret making the effort to avoid irritation, especially for children.
Security in the main Spanish Costa resorts is generally excellent (resorts often feel safer with familiarity), although common sense can ensure you don't become the victim of petty theft. Don't leave valuables unattended on beaches, watch out pickpockets in crowded areas such as markets (particularly Marbella markets), don't leave valuables exposed in car hires and use the hotel safe for valuables storage. Further advice is available from the British Embassy via the weblinks right. Car hire drivers should be aware some instances of car stopping scams have been occurring exiting Malaga Airport, and on the main AP7 motorway running along the Costas. This usually involves someone flagging you down, trying to convince you there is something wrong with your car, assisting you when you stop and at the same time emptying the contents of your car. On day trips or holidays in bigger Spanish cities such as Malaga, Barcelona, Madrid, Granada, and Seville take extra care. Only take the amount of euros you think you'll need for the day, carry valuables under clothing if possible, not in back pockets and beware of anyone engaging you in conversation for no apparent reason, for example asking to take their photograph, offering you flowers or charity pins and so on. Whilst you're chatting, someone may well be emptying your pockets. The precautions are the same you would take in any large city or resort, especially one you were not familiar with.
Holiday travel insurance cover for Spanish holidays is a must as there are many accidents, incidents and emergencies that could occur during your holiday, for example lost luggage or stolen passports. In the event that your holiday is cancelled or shortened because of illness or injury, or if your money is stolen, Travel Insurance is an imperative back-up. You'll need to check the small print on all travel insurance policies to see exactly what you are covered for.
A range of Travel Insurance policies are available, (check the Holiday Travel Insurance weblinks right for details and booking online). Double check you've the right travel insurance policy to suit you and your family. Cheap travel insurance is not always best, although most will opt for it. If you're undertaking some extreme watersports or activity holiday check you're covered for all possible risks or accidents. Check the weblink right for Travel Insurance with 'Insure and Go'.
Huge costs have been incurred to individual holidaymakers who have discovered that cheap travel insurance policies did not cover particular accidents and emergencies. If you're planning to undertake watersports such as jet skiing or para-gliding, or other potentially dangerous sports it's advisable to ensure you're covered for such activities in the event of an accident (the company providing the rides is likely not to have inclusive insurance cover. Holiday makers have been caught out here, thinking the 'Spanish' document they sign before the ride covers them for potential accidents. It's more likely to be an indemnity document saying you agree that the company has no responsibility should you injure yourself! Check the small print.
Travellers to Spain with pre existing medical conditions needing comprehensive travel insurance for both themselves and their fellow travellers should contact Freedom Insurance Services Ltd tel no 0870 774 3760 quoting Reference No IKM01. Freedom is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority reference number 306536, and is a subsidiary of the NW Brown Group Limited, also based in Cambridge, UK. Freedom offers quality pre existing medical condition travel insurance to suit your specific requirements and needs, including medical travel insurance for both single trips and where possible annual policies.
Freedom are especially recommended for travellers to Spain with specific pre-existing medical conditions and they work in partnership with medically based affinity groups and entities within the NHS. Freedom employs a combination of insurance and medically trained staff, and has an emphasis on care, sensitivity and confidentiality when searching for the most appropriate pre existing medical condition travel insurance for your needs. Freedom specialises in finding insurance solutions for people living with pre-existing medical conditions. We aim to provide security and peace of mind thereby allowing the policyholder to enjoy their holiday in the knowledge that they are covered by a comprehensive insurance policy should an emergency arise.
The Freedom project works in partnership with several leading medical charities, entities within the NHS, leading travel agents and High Street financial services companies. Contact Freedom Travel Insurance Services Ltd on Telephone Number 0870 774 3760, Quoting reference number IKM01.
For applying for your EHIC - European Health Insurance Card online see the weblink right for details. The EHIC health card will only cover you for basic health care, not for things like repatriation or air ambulances if needed. You could end up with a health care bill of 20,000 pounds or more. The risk isn't worth it! Check the health advice for travel weblinks to the right for advice on travel insurance cover, and additional health insurance cover. The NHS 'Fit for Travel' website is particularly useful for health travel advice, and taking out travel and health insurance.
All British Citizens with UK passports travelling to Spain will need one of the relatively new European Health Insurance Cards (EHIC). These replaced the old E111 form. EHIC cards are free, and very easy to obtain, either online via the weblink right, or by obtaining an EHIC form from your local post office. EHIC entitles UK travellers to emergency medical treatment whilst in Spain on the same terms as Spanish nationals. However, the EHIC will not cover things like on-going medical treatment, medical repatriation or non-urgent medical treatment. The Department of Health (see weblink right) advises additional comprehensive medical and travel insurance alongside obtaining your EHIC. Travellers to Spain with particular medical conditions are advised to take out additional health cover, to insure health cover for all eventualities.
British Consulate Offices exist in 9 locations across Spain including in the Costa Blanca and Costa Del Sol area Alicante and Malaga Offices, in Northern Spain at Bilbao, and in Barcelona (serving the Costa Dorada and Costa Brava) and Madrid. British Embassy offices also exist on the Spanish islands at Las Palmas/Gran Canaria, Santa Cruz Tenerife, Palma de Mallorca and in Ibiza and Formentera/Balearics. Should you fall sick, are a victim of crime, face an emergency and traumatic experience or lose/have your passport stolen the British Consulate offices can help in conjunction with reporting the offence to the Police in Spain (you're unlikely to get goods back, but you need to report incidence of theft for insurance purposes). See the advice on procedure via the Lost or Stolen Passports British Embassy weblink right.
British Consulate Alicante Office, Plaza de Calvo Sotelo, 1, 2, Apdo. de Correos 564 03001 Alicante. Tel. 96 521 61 90/96 521 60 22. Opening Hours to the Public are from Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 1.30pm. For Barcelona, British Consulate General Barcelona, Consulado General Britanico, Avda Diagona 477-13 08036 Barcelona Spain. Te. (00 34) 933666200. Open to the public Monday to Friday 8.30am to 1.30pm.
British Consulate Office in Malaga, Consulado General Britanico, c/ Mauricio Moro Pareto, 2, Edificio Eurocom, 29006 Malaga. Tel. (00 34) 952352300. Opening hours to the public are Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 1.30pm. In an emergency outside office hours contact the 24 hour Duty Officer in the British Embassy in Madrid on (00 34) 917008200 weekdays until 8pm. After this or at weekends or public holidays call (00 34) 606 987 626. For Bilbao (Northern Spain region) contact Bilbao British Consulate/Consulado Britanico, Alameda de Urquirjo 2-8 48008 Bilbao Vizcaya. Tel. (00 34) 944157600. Open to the public from 10am to 2pm, Mondays to Fridays.
The main British Consulate Embassy office in Spain is in Madrid. British Consulate Office Madrid Consulate-General, Paseo de Racoletos 7/9, 4, 28004 Madrid, Spain. Tel. 91 524 97 00. Consular Services are open from Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 1.30pm. See the British Embassy/Consulates in Spain weblink right for more information on contacting British Embassies in Spain and how they can assist. Information is also here on British Consulates in Andorra (in capital Andorra La Vell) and on Honorary Consulates in Almeria, Cadiz, Gerona, Lanzarote, Seville, Vigo, Denia, Granada, Menorca and Valencia.
Another Spanish holiday essential you may want to consider is pet sitting services for your pets whilst you are abroad. Pet sitting services/businesses are becoming extremely sophisticated, to the extent of not just pet sitting but also offering other services such as taking care of your business whilst you're on holiday, a live in pet sitting service and keeping an eye on burst pipes and other household emergencies. Absentia Pet Sitting Service is an excellent pet sitting company choice (see their website link to the right). They offer individually tailor-made pet sitting packages to suit your needs and requirements. For advice on pet travel, obtaining pet passports and general advice on taking your pet abroad check the DEFRA pet travel weblink right.
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