Spain

Terrorism is a threat worldwide. Terrorist attacks could occur anywhere and at any time. Be alert to possible threats, especially in public places. 

The national terrorism alert level for Spain is 'high'. Attacks could be indiscriminate and could occur anywhere, at any time and without warning.

In recent years, terrorists have staged attacks in Spain and other European cities. Targets have included:

• public transport
• transport hubs
• places of worship
• sporting venues
• public places popular with tourists

Spain has increased security in public places, such as:

• shopping areas
• tourist sites
• transport hubs
• major events that attract large crowds

Security services have stopped some planned attacks.

To reduce your risk, you should:

• be aware of possible threats when planning activities
• be alert in public places known to be possible terrorist targets
• monitor the media for updates
• report anything suspicious to the police
• follow official warnings
• follow the advice of local authorities

If there’s a terrorist incident, leave the area if it’s safe to do so and follow the instructions of local authorities. 

More information:

• Terrorism

Demonstrations occur regularly throughout Spain.

Demonstrations and strikes can disrupt traffic and transport, including air, rail and other public services.

Some demonstrations held close to tourist areas in large cities have ended in clashes with police and resulted in injuries.

Public protests and events that draw large groups of people can turn violent.

To reduce risks:

• avoid protests and demonstrations, and exercise caution if you're caught up in large gatherings/protests
• monitor local media for possible strikes and unrest
• avoid affected areas
• follow the advice of local authorities

In the event of a protest or demonstration, contact your travel agent or tour operator for information on your transport bookings. Be ready to change your plans.

More information:

• Protests and civil unrest

Petty crime is common in large cities. It's a serious problem in popular tourist destinations, including Barcelona, Ibiza and other major cities, especially on public transport and tourist areas.

Petty crimes includes:

• bag snatching
• pickpocketing
• theft from cars

Thieves are very active during the peak summer tourist season. They target:

• tourist attractions
• public transport, railway stations and cruise terminals
• airports, including airside, after passing through airport security
• museums
• beaches
• restaurants and cafes
• nightclubs and bars
• hotel foyers
• car parking areas or car hire companies

Take care when placing bags on chairs or the ground in restaurants and outdoor cafes.

Thieves often work in gangs. While you're distracted, another thief steals your belongings. Thieves try to distract you by:

• asking for help or directions
• deliberately spilling something on you

Violent theft is less common but may also occur. 

To protect yourself from petty crime:

• take care of your personal belongings, especially in crowds
• leave your passport and other valuables in a safe location
• avoid walking in quiet, poorly lit streets
• monitor local sources for information about possible safety or security risks

Keep your passport and other ID separate. We recommend you carry a copy of your passport for ID, either as a photocopy or as a photo on your phone.

Road crime

Road crime occurs throughout Spain.

Take care driving from Marseille in France to Valencia along the Mediterranean coast. Cars with foreign number plates are often targets.

Thieves working in pairs may convince you to stop because of a 'problem' with your vehicle, then offer to help with a flat or slashed tyre. While one helps, the other steals your belongings.

Never leave your luggage unattended, even inside your vehicle. Keep luggage and personal belongings out of sight.

To stay safe when on the road:

• never leave valuables in your vehicle
• be wary of offers of help
• always keep car doors locked, even when driving
• use secure parking facilities when you can, especially overnight
• don't leave your vehicle unattended for long periods

Thieves also break into caravans and motor homes, particularly in public parking areas.

Credit card fraud

Credit card and ATM fraud can occur.

Avoid using ATMs that open onto the street, especially at night. Use ATMs in banks, shops, and shopping centres.

Scams

Scams are common.

Be aware of the latest scams. Don't become a victim.

Some complex scam operations are based. Inheritance scams are the most common.

Inheritance scams involve receiving an email from someone claiming to be a lawyer. They tell you an unknown Spanish relative has died and left you money.

If you've been a victim of a scam, don't travel to Spain. Seek legal advice.

More Information:

• Scams

Gender-based violence

Spanish authorities have various emergency numbers for victims of gender-based violence. 

• Call 112 for 24-hour assistance from any of the emergency services in Spain. English-speaking staff are available.
• Call 016 (Whatsapp 600 000 016 or email 016-online@msssi.es). This is a 24 hours a day, 365 days a year helpline for victims of gender-based violence. It's accessible to people with hearing difficulties and available in 53 languages.

More Information:

• Sexual assault

Drink spiking

Food and drink spiking can occur at popular nightclubs and markets, often leading to sexual assault.

Methanol poisoning

Cyber security

Spain experiences natural disasters and severe weather,  especially along the northern coast and islands.

Heavy snow in winter (December to February) can affect northern areas.

If there's a natural disaster, follow the advice of local authorities.

Earthquakes

Spain experiences earthquakes, but major quakes are rare.

Volcanic eruptions have occurred in the past. There's seismic activity on the Canary Island of El Hierro. The risk level set by local authorities is Green, which is level 1 of 3.

More information:

• Canary Islands Government

Forest fires

Forest fires can occur from May to September. The risk is higher in rural areas.

Strict fines apply for any actions that could start a fire. If camping, ask local authorities for advice on fire danger and fire restrictions.

If there's a forest fire:

• follow the advice of local authorities, including evacuation orders
• keep in contact with family and friends
• monitor the media for updates

Floods

Floods and heavy rainfall occur. People have lost their lives due to flooding.

Exercise caution around affected areas and follow the advice of local authorities.

Register with the Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System to receive alerts on major disasters.

Running of the Bulls

Taking part in the Running of the Bulls is dangerous. Every year, people are badly injured and sometimes killed.

People are also killed or badly injured jumping from fountains during the festivities in Pamplona.

Ensure you have travel insurance and that your policy covers you for planned activities. Don't take unnecessary risks. 

Your travel insurance may not cover you if:

• you take part in the Running of the Bulls
• jump from fountains
• take other risks

Medicare doesn't cover you if you're in Spain.

Swimming safety

Every year, several people drown in the sea and in swimming pools.

Some beaches, especially around Spanish islands, may have strong undercurrents. 

Swim at supervised beaches and follow the flag system that warns against dangerous swimming conditions. 

If you plan to spend time in or on the water:

• regularly check weather reports
• take warnings seriously
• check media and local sources for information about potential dangers
• speak to your travel provider about safety equipment and weather conditions before continuing with planned activities
• if possible, take a friend or family member with you when you undertake swimming or water activities
• ensure you have travel insurance and that your policy covers you for planned activities

Health risks are similar to those in Australia.

Follow the advice of Spain's Ministry of Health

Ask your doctor about health risks and vaccines before you go.

More information

• Infectious diseases

There’s no agreement between Australia and Spain for free healthcare. Tourists must pay for all medical care, even if they need to stay in hospital or be evacuated. This can be very expensive. Make sure your travel insurance covers you. The Australian Government won't pay for these costs.

The standard of medical facilities is similar to those in Australia.

Most doctors don't speak English. A list of English-speaking doctors and medical facilities can be found on the Australian Embassy website. 

More information:

• Arrested or jailed

Drugs

Penalties for drug offences include heavy fines and prison time.

More information:

• Carrying or using drugs

Other laws

Always carry a personal ID. This may include:

• your original driver's licence (digital driver's licences are not accepted)
• a copy of your passport, either as a photocopy or as a photo on your phone

Police may ask to see ID. They can detain you until they can confirm your identity.

Don't photograph military installations.

Spain doesn't recognise dual nationality.

If you're a dual national, this limits the consular services we can give if you're arrested or detained.

Always travel on your Australian passport.

More information:

• Advice for dual nationals

Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. Contact your airline or your nearest Embassy or Consulate of Spain for details about the latest visa and entry requirements. 

Spain is a part of the Schengen Area, along with many other European countries. This allows you to enter without a visa in some cases. 

You'll need a visa if:

• you plan to stay longer than 90 days
• your reason for travel changes, and you no longer qualify for visa-free travel.

Ensure you get a legible entry stamp in your passport when you first enter the Schengen Area.

Some airlines may want to see proof of entry in the Schengen Area or to check you haven't overstayed the 90-day period. 

Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. Contact the nearest embassy or consulate of Spain for the latest details on entry requirements before you travel.

The European Union's (EU) Entry/Exit System (EES) for registering all non-EU nationals, including Australians, travelling in or out of the Schengen area, has started.

European countries using the EES will gradually introduce the system at their external borders. Data collection will be introduced at border crossing points with full implementation by 10 April 2026.

After it is fully implemented, EES registration will replace the current system of manually stamping passports. ​

The registration process should only take a few minutes but there may be longer border queues when the system starts.

When travelling into and out of the Schengen area, for short stays, you may need to 

• have your fingerprints and photo taken
• answer Schengen Border Code questions

This creates a digital record that registers your biometric details.

If you revisit the Schengen area within 3 years of creating your digital record, you'll only need to provide either your fingerprint or photograph at the border on entry and exit.

If you frequently travel to Schengen areas for work and/or leisure purposes, you must ensure that your total stay in the Schengen area is no more than 90 days in every 180 days. Be aware of immigration penalties and enforcement for exceeding the limit in any individual country you plan to travel to or through.

Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. Before you travel, contact the nearest embassy or consulate for details on entry requirements .

More information:

• Visas and entry requirements in Europe and the Schengen Area

Carry copies of your passport as a photocopy or as a photo on your phone in case authorities stop you (See 'Local laws').

Validity

Lost or stolen passport

Passport with 'X' gender identifier 

The currency of Spain is the Euro (€).

If you're travelling to or from any non-European Union (EU) country, declare funds of 10,000 Euro or more, including the equivalent in another currency. This covers all forms of currency, not only cash.

If you fail to declare currency or give wrong information, you'll be fined.

You don't need to declare funds if you're travelling to or from another EU country.

Carry your passport when crossing borders, even within the Schengen Area.

To avoid delays:

• monitor the local media for border conditions
• ask your transport provider for updates

Tourist information

Some areas of Spain are popular party destinations. See Safety

If you're travelling to Morocco, read our travel advice for Morocco. 

Driving permit

To drive a vehicle, you'll need both:

• a current Australian driver's licence (digital driver’s licences may not be accepted)
• a valid international driving permit (IDP). Contact the Australia Automobile Association for further information.

If you drive without an IDP, you may be fined and your car impounded.

Road travel 

Be cautious when you drive or travel as a passenger. Keep your doors locked, even when moving. Lock your vehicle when you leave it.

Check your vehicle has 2 red warning triangles and a reflective jacket. You must use these in an accident or breakdown.

You can be fined if your vehicle doesn't have these items.

If you hire a vehicle, get safety equipment. Ask the rental company about local traffic rules.

When pollution levels are high in Madrid, temporary car-use restrictions may apply.

To contact the English-speaking 'Línea Madrid' citizen information and support line:

• call 010 from Madrid
• call +34 915 298 210 from outside Madrid

In addition to the general traffic regulations, there are specific regulations regarding the use of electric scooters.

More information:

• Driving or riding

Air travel

Check Spain's air safety profile with the Aviation Safety Network.

More information:

•  Air travel

Depending on what you need, contact your:

• family and friends
• travel agent
• insurance provider
• employer
• airline

Emergency phone numbers

Fire and rescue services

Call 112.

Medical emergencies

Call 112.

Police

Call 112.

For non-emergency criminal issues, contact the local police.

Always get a police report when you report a crime.

Your insurer should have a 24-hour emergency number.

The Australian Government aims to provide high quality consular assistance. There are limits to what we can do. Read the Consular Services Charter to understand how we can assist you overseas.

The Embassy provides the full consular services as described in the Consular Services Charter.

Australian Embassy, Madrid

Level 24, Torre Emperador Castellana Building
Paseo de la Castellana, 259D
28046 Madrid, Spain

Phone: +34 91 353 6600
Email: consular.madrid@dfat.gov.au
Website: spain.embassy.gov.au
Facebook: Embajada de Australia en España, Andorra y Guinea Ecuatorial
X: @AusEmbEsp

Check the Embassy website for details about opening hours and any temporary changes.

24-hour Consular Emergency Centre

In a consular emergency, if you can't contact an embassy, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on:

• +61 2 6261 3305 from overseas
• 1300 555 135 in Australia