Spanien - Reseinformation och reseförsäkring

Översikt

Capital: Madrid (pop. 6.751 million)
Population: 47,889,958 (2025 est.)
Other Urban Areas: Barcelona (pop. 5.687 million); Valencia (pop. 838,000)
Religions: Roman Catholic 58.2%, atheist 16.2%, agnostic 10.8%, other 2.7%, non-believer 10.5%
Languages: Castilian Spanish, Catalan, Galician, Basque
Time Zone: UTC+1; daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March, ends last Sunday in October; note: Spain has 2 time zones, including the Canary Islands (UTC 0)
Driving side: Right
Calling code: +34
Electrical plug(s): Type C and Type F

Pengar

The local currency in Spain is Euros (EUR). As of 6 October 2026 100 EUR is equal to 112.17 USD.

Currency exchange can be done at airports, banks and hotels.

Travellers should be prepared to use credit or debit card payments in urban areas and cash in rural areas. Credit cards are accepted in some establishments but cash remains the preferred payment method in rural parts of the country. Credit cards are widely accepted. ATMs are available in most places.

Most banks are open from 0830-1330 from Monday to Friday.

Tipping is determined by the time and place you are dining. Leaving 1 euro per person is fine for a daytime meal, but leave 10% for an evening meal. Tip room service 1-2 euro and leave 2-3 euros for hotel housekeeping at the end of your stay.

El

The power supply in Spain is reliable. Electricity operates on 230V at 50Hz using plug type(s) C and F.

Pass

Most travellers will need a passport to enter Spain. The passport must be valid for at least three months after the date of departure, have been issued within the last ten years and have two blank pages.

Nationals of the European Union (EU) can enter the Schengen area with a valid ID.

Visum

Visumfri inresa är tillgänglig för vissa resenärer som uppfyller kraven baserat på nationalitet och resans syfte. Alla andra resenärer måste skaffa visum från närmaste ambassad eller konsulat eller ansöka online (e-visum) före resan.

Inreseregler för visum varierar beroende på nationalitet, resans syfte och andra faktorer. Enskilda resenärer ansvarar för att säkerställa att de uppfyller alla visumkrav, vilka bör bekräftas med myndigheterna på resmålet före resan.

Visumfri resa

Visumfri resa inom Schengenområdet: Medborgare i något land som är del av Schengenavtalet kan fritt resa in och vistas i vilket Schengenland som helst utan visum. Vissa utländska medborgare från icke-Schengenländer har också rätt till inresa utan visum, inklusive medborgare från Storbritannien (UK), USA och Kanada bland andra, som kan resa visumfritt för korta vistelser upp till 90 dagar inom en 180-dagarsperiod.

Visum

Korttidsvisum för Schengen (typ C): Utländska medborgare från utvalda länder behöver Schengenvisum för att få inresa till något land i Schengenområdet.

Resenärer får vistas i något av Schengenländerna med enkel-, dubbel- eller flergångsvisum upp till 90 dagar (tre månader) under varje 180-dagarsperiod, oavsett vistelsens syfte.

Från och med 7 november 2025 utfärdas inga flergångsvisum till ryska medborgare.

Visum som utfärdas för Schengenländer gäller för hela Schengenområdet. Med ett Schengenvisum kan en tredjelandsmedborgare resa in i ett Schengenland och sedan fritt resa inom hela Schengenområdet, eftersom gränskontrollerna för personer som reser över Schengens nationella gränser har tagits bort.

Ansöknings- och handläggningstider kan variera beroende på individ och ambassad.

Lokal resor

Overview

The country has an excellent public transport network that includes boats, ferries, trains, subways, trams, taxis and buses, which are reliable and safe. Air travel is widely available and safe. The road network is extensive and generally well-maintained; speeding drivers are the biggest concern and cause a high number of accidents.

Travel Safety

Air Travel

All airports throughout Spain adhere to International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and European Union (EU) security and safety regulations. The country has several international airports, the busiest of which is Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport (MAD/LEMD), located about 13km (8 miles) from central Madrid. The airport has four terminals and is the main hub for the national carrier, Iberia Airlines. A variety of domestic airlines operate alongside Iberia to service routes connecting Spanish cities. Air traffic control safety standards remain compliant with international norms and maintenance facilities are of the highest standards.

There are several transport options for reaching Madrid from the airport. By car, Madrid Airport is easily accessible from the A-2, M-12 and M-14 highways. The Airport Express bus connects the airport to central Madrid in approximately 40 minutes. Metro trains also operate every five minutes from stations located at the new Terminal T4 and Terminal T2 from 06:00 to 02:00 local time. The new Nuevos Ministerios Metro in central Madrid is only a 12-minute journey on Line 8. Taxis are also available from outside the arrivals hall, and the journey to the city centre takes about 20-25 minutes.

Spain also has major airports in Barcelona, Majorca, Malaga, Gran Canaria, Alicante and Tenerife and smaller airports in many other cities. Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN/LEBL) has a local train service connecting the airport to Barcelona (30 minutes to Passeig de Gràcia) and other towns in Catalonia. Several bus lines run from the airport to central Barcelona (35 minutes to Plaza Catalunya), nearby towns and other places in Catalonia and Andorra. Travellers should be aware of pickpockets while waiting in the taxi service area of El Prat Airport.

Airspace

Following the European Union (EU) Commission announcement that all EU airspace will be closed to Russian-owned, Russian-registered and Russian-controlled aircraft, including private planes and for overflights, all flights to and from Russia will be banned until further notice, in line with EU sanctions on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.

Borders and Entry

Border measures: Temporary border controls with Italy will be enforced with random checks until 24:00 on 22 October, in response to a similar measure imposed by Italy. Arrivals from Italy will be required to show IDs, passports, visas and additional documentation upon arrival at Spanish airports and seaports.

Identification

Most travellers will need a passport to enter Spain. The passport must be valid for at least three months after the date of departure, have been issued within the last ten years and have two blank pages.
Travellers with passports where gender is indicated as "neutral" may be denied entry. Contact the nearest embassy, high commission or consulate to confirm if entry is allowed with passports where gender is indicated as "neutral". The country's overall social acceptance of LGBTQ people is good.

Road Travel

Spain has an extensive road network, controlled and maintained by each province, and made up of toll roads (autopistas), non-toll roads (autovias), and local roads (carreteras). Roads are generally well-maintained, though some rural roads can suffer from large potholes. Speeding drivers are the biggest concern and cause a high number of accidents. Traffic signs are easy to understand on the autopistas and autovias, and become a bit more difficult to follow when travelling in and around urban areas.

Traffic moves on the right side of the road. A valid foreign driver's licence may be used but the driver must be at least 18 years old. An International Driving Permit (IDP) is recommended if you are not an EU national. The speed limit is 50kph (31mph) in built-up areas, 90kph (55 mph) outside built-up areas on 2nd-category roads, 100kph (62mph) on 1st-category roads and 120kph (74 mph) on motorways. Front and rear seatbelts are mandatory and headlight converters must be used. Although widely flouted, traffic police enforce these laws strictly using radar detectors. Drivers caught with a blood alcohol content of greater than 0.5 milligrams of alcohol per millilitre of blood face heavy fines, licence confiscation or imprisonment. Talking on a mobile phone while driving is prohibited, unless on a hands-free device. It is compulsory to carry a warning triangle in case of breakdowns. When travelling long distances, particularly in northern mountainous regions near the border with France, drivers should use a reliable vehicle, carry an up-to-date map or GPS, be equipped with water, appropriate clothing, a telephone and an emergency kit and plan their route before departure.

Rail Travel

Spain has a well-developed train network, with both domestic and international services available. There are two main types of trains in Spain: high-speed trains and regional trains. High-speed trains, known as AVE (Alta Velocidad Española), are operated by Renfe, the national railway company. These trains can reach speeds of up to 310 km/h (193 mph) and are used for long-distance travel between major cities such as Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Valencia and Malaga. The AVE trains are modern and comfortable, with amenities such as Wi-Fi, power outlets, and food and drink service available on board. Renfe also operates regional trains, known as Cercanías, which provide transportation between smaller towns and cities. These trains are slower than the AVE trains and typically make more frequent stops, but they are still an efficient and cost-effective transportation option for short distances.

In January, two deadly accidents took place in the country. One in Adamuz, Córdoba province in Andalusia and another in Barcelona, Cataluña. Rail travel remains safe despite these accidents.

There are also several private train companies operating in Spain. These companies offer both high-speed and regional train services, with some specialising in tourist-oriented routes, such as the luxury tourist trains operated by Renfe Viajes.

Spain is also connected to other European countries through its international train services. The Eurostar service operates between Madrid and Paris, and there are also trains connecting Madrid to Lisbon, Porto, and other Portuguese cities.

Public Transport

Public transportation in Spain is well-developed, efficient and widely used, making it a convenient and popular choice for both locals and tourists.

Ferries and Boats: Spain has a well-developed ferry network that connects various parts of the country with nearby islands and neighbouring countries.

Ferry routes in Spain are divided into two main categories - domestic and international. Domestic routes operate between different parts of Spain, including the Balearic Islands, the Canary Islands, and the Spanish mainland. International routes connect Spain to neighbouring countries like Morocco, Algeria, France and Italy. All ferries in Spain conform to European Union (EU) standards and can be considered safe.

Buses: Spain has a well-developed bus network that offers an affordable and convenient way to travel within the country. Buses are operated by several companies, including ALSA, Avanza, and Alsa Supra. These companies provide regular bus services to destinations across the country, including popular tourist destinations like Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Seville and Granada.

In addition to domestic bus services, several companies offer international bus services that connect Spain with other European countries, including France, Portugal, Italy, and Switzerland. Most of these international services terminate at Madrid or Barcelona. International buses are generally reliable and safe, though petty theft can be a problem. Always keep your valuables on your person in a secure pocket and do not leave bags unattended away from your seat. A typical tactic is for criminals to wait until travellers are asleep before going through pockets and bags.

Private buses are used for various purposes such as tourist transportation, school transportation, airport transfers and intercity travel. Private buses in Spain are typically modern and well-maintained, and they come in different sizes to accommodate different group sizes. Each city maintains its own bus system. City buses are a cheap and easy mode of transportation and are generally considered safe. Tickets are bought from the driver or at bus terminals and must be stamped if there are machines on board. The threat of petty theft and pickpocketing is higher on public transport than in other areas. On night bus services, violence by drunken revellers occurs from time to time. Avoid travelling alone if using the bus at night.

Metro: Several large cities in Spain have metro systems. The Madrid metro system is among the largest in the world, with 12 lines, 301 stations, and spanning a total distance of 294 km (182.7 miles). Metro stations are typically well-lit, clean, and considered safe, even at night. There are often performers and beggars in the walking tunnels of the subway, but they typically pose little threat, while petty crimes remain an additional risk at busy times.

Taxis: Taxis are widely available in urban areas and can be called for pick-ups in rural areas. Each city regulates the taxi companies in its area and mandates the use of meters. Most vehicles are recent models and are well-maintained. The biggest concern for foreign visitors is overpaying for trips. Ensure any taxi you use has a meter switched on before the driver begins the journey. This helps guard against overpaying and the risk of unlicensed taxi operators. However, taxi drivers may still not use the most direct route to increase the fare.

Shared taxis are often found in small towns and rural areas in Spain. Typically, the driver is a town local and knows everyone in the taxi. This method of transport is generally inexpensive and safe, but be sure to keep valuable belongings with you. An unsuspecting traveller may be considered a soft target for theft.

Trams: Almost all large cities in Spain have tram networks. They face similar petty crime problems to the bus networks but experience fewer accidents. The separation of many sections of the tram track from the main roads reduces the risk of collisions.

Vehicle Hire: Vehicles can be rented in cities and towns across Spain. Both local and international firms operate and all are generally considered safe. Nevertheless, it is advisable to check any vehicle you intend to hire for damage before driving. Bubbled tire sidewalls commonly affect hire cars and can cause blowouts at high speed.

Reportedly authorities banned hire cars in the centre of Sollér, Balearic Islands, since an unspecified date in March 2025, designating the area as Zona de Bajas Emisiones (Low Emission Zone). Officials will only allow vehicles owned by residents and essential services to circulate.