Travel to Spain

Spain: travel info

Formalities, visas

No visa is required for travelers from EU countries. Spain belongs to the Schengen area, so there are no more regular controls at its borders with the EU.

Issuing of visas in Germany

Should a stay last longer or serve other purposes than tourist, the visa department of the embassy should be consulted.

Consular department of the Embassy of Spain

Steinplatz 1

10623 Berlin

Tel: 0049 – (0) 30 – 31 50 92 51/-53

Fax: 0049 – (0) 30 – 31 50 99 62

Email: botschaft.spanien@t.online.de

Import and export of foreign currency

  • National currency, the import and export of foreign currency in the national currency is unlimited allows the export of amounts in excess of € 6,010 must be declared, however.

Import and export of goods The import and export of weapons, ammunition or explosives is strictly prohibited. In addition, the import and export of plants and animals protected under the Washington Species Protection Act is prohibited. Violation can result in severe penalties.

The following articles can be imported duty-free when entering from non-EU countries:

  • 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 g of tobacco
  • 1 liter of spirits (over 20% alcohol content) or 2 liters of alcoholic beverages up to 22% alcohol content
  • 2 liters of wine
  • 250 ml eau de toilette and 50 g perfume
  • 500 g coffee or 200 g coffee extract
  • 100 g tea or 40 g tea extract
  • Gifts worth € 37

Note

Tobacco products and alcoholic beverages may only be imported by people aged 17 and over.

Arrival and transport

How to get to Spain?

With a few exceptions, visitors come to Spain by plane, which is particularly true for the Balearic or Canary Islands. Nevertheless, other ways of getting here should also be briefly presented here

plane

Hardly any other holiday destination is as easy to reach from Germany by plane as Spain. All noteworthy destinations in the country can be reached from Germany by plane.

The main airports in Spain are:

Madrid-Barajas, Barcelona -El Prat, Palma de Mallorca and Málaga- Costa del Sol.

These places are regularly served by all major airports in German-speaking countries.

If you look for offers from low-cost airlines, you can reach Spain very cheaply. The Irish low-cost airline Ryanair offers flights from Berlin-Schönefeld to the Spanish capital Madrid and from Cologne/Bonn to Barcelona from 20 euros each. From Frankfurt/Hahn you can even get to the Catalan metropolis for 15 euros.

Flights to holiday islands like the Balearic and Canary Islands are of course a lot cheaper in the off-season than during the summer holiday season. Sun can be of Dusseldorf from Mallorca in autumn with TUIfly from 29 euros reached in the summer can be found after all, still German Wings flights for around 50 euros. In spring you can fly from Cologne/Bonn to Tenerife with Ryanair from 32 euros, in midsummer (July) there are hardly any flights below 100 euros to the Canary Island.

If you want to save money when booking a flight to Spain, it pays to stop by Reiseeals.com while planning your vacation. Often, among the “deals” presented here, you can find very cheap offers for air travel to the Iberian Peninsula.

railroad

You can also get to Spain by train – much faster than before, since the high-speed network was expanded in Spain and France.

The easiest way to travel is with the French TGV, but here you usually have to change trains, usually in Paris. With a good connection, Barcelona, for example, can then be reached from southwest German cities in around 16 hours. You have to reckon with costs of 120-150 euros upwards (booked early) for this train journey.

Travel in the country

Bus

If you are a little more patient, you can also choose to travel to Spain by bus. The company Eurolines, for example, offers bus trips to Spain from various major German cities. The tours from Berlin to Barcelona or Munich to Madrid can be booked early enough from 100 euros – but you have to be prepared for a tour of over 24 hours.

Railways, dogs on the train

The Spanish rail network covers a total of 14,190 km, of which around 7,640 km are electrified

  • State railway company RENFEE (broad gauge)
  • High-speed network (AVE, mainly 525 km route)
  • Narrow gauge lines of regional companies

It should be noted that dogs weighing over 6 kilograms are no longer allowed on the country’s railways. Animals up to 6 kilograms in weight must also be transported in a cage and must have a veterinary certificate that excludes infectious diseases. Violations will be punished with fines, and a ban on driving to the next train station is to be expected.

AVE network

Spain’s high-speed network (Alta Velocidad Española) now has a length of around 2,700 km, making it the longest in Europe – Germany’s ICE network, for example, is 1,285 km long. There are connections from Madrid to Valencia, Seville, Malaga and Barcelona. The trains reach top speeds of up to 330 km/h.

Roads

The total length of the road network is around 663,800 km, of which around 657,100 km have been developed, of which around 10,350 are motorways.

Ferry connections

There are daily ferries between the Canary Islands and the Balearic Islands.

Air connections

There is an airport in around 40 cities in Spain, while Madrid and Barcelona have the highest passenger numbers. Each of the Canary Islands and all of the Balearic Islands, except Formentera, have their own airport. El Hierro is usually only served by the north airport of Tenerife.

Traffic rules

The rules and regulations in road traffic in Spain are similar to those in Germany. There is an alcohol limit of 0.5 per mille, towing it with a private car is prohibited, you must wear seat belts and you are not allowed to use your mobile phone while driving. Usually high fines are demanded for offenses. Tolls are required for certain motorway routes, bridges and tunnels.

Motorways

Spain has a motorway network of around 13,000 km. The state highways – autovia – are toll-free. When driving on private motorways – autopista – on the other hand, a toll is levied. The autovias are abbreviated with an A and the autopistas with an AP. Since March 7, 2011, the maximum speed on all motorways has only been 110 km/h – at least for now.

Caution

Since 2008, the sanctions for traffic violations have increased dramatically. For example, anyone who drives faster than 200 km/h on motorways and faster than 110 km/h in urban areas can expect prison sentences of between 3 to 6 months. The same penalties are imposed for alcohol offenses exceeding 1.2 per thousand. But exceeding the maximum speed by 20 km/h costs more than 100 €. Telephoning with cell phones behind the wheel costs at least € 200 and parking violations can cost up to € 200.

Emergency

In case of an accident or other problems with the car or motorbike to reach information and assistance at the following numbers:

Tel.: 93 508 28 28

Mobile: 0034-93508 28 28

The ADAC can be reached 24 hours in Munich on the following number:

0049 – (0) 89 – 22 22 22

International license plate

According to Abbreviationfinder, the international license plate of Spain is:

E.

Tourist office

Spanish Tourist Office in Berlin

Kurfürstendamm 63, 5th floor

10707 Berlin

Tel: 0049 – (0) 30 – 88 26 543

E-mail: berlin@tourspain.es

Spanish Tourist Office in Düsseldorf

Grafenberger Allee 100 – “Kutscherhaus”

40237 Düsseldorf

Contact for professionals

Tel: 0049 – (0) 211 – 68 03 981

E-mail: dusseldorf@tourspain.es

Spanish Tourist Office in Frankfurt/Main

Myliusstr. 14

60323 Frankfurt/Main

Contact for experts

Tel: 0049 – (0) 69 – 72 50 38

E-mail: frankfurt@tourspain.es

Spanish Tourist Office in Munich

PO Box 15 19 40/Schuberstrasse 10

80051 Munich

Tel: 0049 – (0) 89 – 53 07 460

E-mail: munich@tourspain.es

www.spain.info

Spain: travel medicine, risks

Infectious Diseases

In Spain, namely on the Iberian Peninsula and the Balearic Islands, the following infectious diseases, which are not or rather less common in Germany and Central and Northern Europe, are to be expected:

  • Malaria, there is no risk of malaria
  • Borreliosis, nationwide, transmitted by tick bites
  • Intestinal infections caused by contaminated food or water, including amoebas, lamblia, salmonella, shigella, worm infestation and all kinds of viruses and bacteria
  • Hepatitis A and B
  • Kala Azar disease, especially in the Balearic Islands and the Mediterranean coast
  • Lambliasis
  • Leishmaniasis disease, especially in the Balearic Islands and the Mediterranean coast

In the Canary Islands

In the Canary Islands only the above-mentioned intestinal infections can be expected.

Vaccination recommendations

When traveling to, the following vaccinations recommended:

  • Diphtheria, a vaccination against diphtheria should always exist in your home country
  • Hepatitis A and B
  • Tetanus, a vaccination against tetanus should always exist in the home country

Vaccination requirements There are no vaccination requirements when entering or staying in the country.

Hazards/current warning notices

Foreign Office (AA) of the Federal Republic of Germany

Citizens’ Service

Telephone: 0049 – (0) 30 – 5000 – 2000

Fax: 0049 – (0) 30 – 5000 – 51000

Spain: currency, shopping

The national currency of Spain is the euro (€) = 100 cents.

The following banknotes are – as in the entire euro area – valid in the country and in circulation:

  • 5 €
  • 10 €
  • 20 €
  • 50 €
  • 100 €
  • € 200
  • 500 €

Bank opening hours

Banks in Spain are open during the week mornings from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and on Saturdays until 1 p.m.

Shop

Shop opening times

There are no statutory shop closing times in Spain. Most shops are closed in the afternoon (for siesta) between 2:30 p.m. and 5 p.m., in smaller places they are often closed completely. In the cities, the opening times in the evening are usually until 8 p.m.

Spain: Diplomatic missions

Visit Countryaah for a full list of Spain embassies and consulates in each country around the world.

Representations of Spain in Germany

The embassy of the Kingdom of Spain is located in a corner building on Lichtensteinallee and Thomas-Dehler-Straße directly at the Großer Tiergarten.

The striking building – in the neoclassical style – was planned and built between 1938 and 1943 by the brothers Walter (1888-1971) and Johannes Krüger (1890-1975). On the other side of the street, Lichtensteinallee, a cafe with a beer garden on the “Neuen See” invites you to linger.

Embassy of the Kingdom of Spain in Berlin

Lichtensteinallee 1

10787 Berlin

Tel: 0049 – (0) 30 – 25 40 070

Email: emb.berlin.inf@maec.es

Web: www.spanischebotschaft.de

Consulate General of the Kingdom of Spain

Homberger Strasse 16

40474 Düsseldorf

Tel: 0049 – (0) 211 – 439080

E-Mail: cog.dusseldorf@mae.es

Consulate General of the Kingdom of Spain

Nibelungenplatz 3

60318 Frankfurt am Main

Tel: 0049 – (0) 69 – 9591660

E-Mail: cgspfkfurt@mail.mae.es

Consulate General of the Kingdom of Spain

Mittelweg 37

20148 Hamburg

Tel: 0049 – (0) 40 – 414646-0

E-Mail: cgsphamburgo@mail.mae.es

Consulate General of the Kingdom of Spain

Bödekerstraße 22

30161 Hanover

Tel: 0049 – (0) 511 – 31 10 85

E-Mail: consphannover@mail.mae.es

Consulate General of the Kingdom of Spain

Oberföhringer Strasse 45

81925 Munich

Tel: 0049 – (0) 89 – 99 84 790

E-Mail: cgspanienmunich@mail.mae.es

Consulate General of the Kingdom of Spain

Lenzhalde 61

70192 Stuttgart

Tel: 0049 – (0) 711 – 99 79 800

E-Mail: cg.stuttgart@mae.es

Honorary Consulate of the Kingdom of Spain

Neumarkt 12

01067 Dresden

Tel: 0049 – (0) 3222 – 33 23 249

E-Mail: info@honorarkonsulat-spanien.de

Web: www.honorarkonsulat-spanien.de

German representations in Spain

Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Madrid

Calle de Fortuny, 8

28010 Madrid

Tel: 0034 – 91 557 90 00

Email: info@madrid.diplo.de

Web: www.madrid.diplo.de

The German embassy in Madrid is still responsible for Andorra.

Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany

Passeig de Gracia 111

08008 Barcelona

Tel: 0034 – 932 92 10 00

E-Mail: info@barcelona.diplo.de

Web: www.barcelona.diplo.de

Consulate of the Federal Republic of Germany

Edificio Eurocom, Bloque Sur, c/Mauricio Moro Pareto, 2 – 5 °

29006 Málaga

Tel: 0034 – 952 36 35 91

E-Mail: info@malaga.diplo.de

Web: www.malaga.diplo.de

Consulate of the Federal Republic of Germany

Calle Albareda, 3 -2 °

35007 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.

Tel: 0034 – 928 49 18 80

E-Mail: info@las-palmas.diplo.de

Web: www.las-palmas.diplo.de

Consulate of the Federal Republic of Germany

C/Porto Pi, 8, 3 ° -D

07015 Palma de Mallorca

Tel: 0034 – 971 70 77 37

E-Mail: info@palma-de-mallorca.diplo.de

Web: www.palma.diplo. de

You can find other consulates in: Aguadulce, Alicante, Bilbao, Ibiza, Cádiz, Mahón, San Sebastián, Santa Cruz de La Palma, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Valencia, Vigo and Zaragoza.

Austrian representations in Spain

Austrian Embassy in Madrid

Paseo de la Castellana 91

28046 Madrid

Tel: 0034 – 91 55 65 315

E-Mail: madrid-ob@bmeia.gv.at

www.aussenministerium.at/madrid

The Austrian Embassy in Spain is still responsible for Andorra.

Consulates

Austrian Honorary Consulate General

Marià Cubí, 7, 1 °, 2a

08006 Barcelona

Tel: 0034 – 93 368 60 03

E-Mail: barcelona@consuladodeaustria.com

Austrian Honorary Consulate

Calle Club, 8-bajo, Apartado Correos 146

48930 Las Arenas/Areeta (Bilbao)

Tel: 0034 – 94 46 40 763

E-mail: cons.austria.bilbao@corzac.com

Austrian Honorary Consulate

Calle Hermano Apolinar 12

38300 La Orotava/Tenerife

Tel: 0034 – 922 325 961

Email: juan@cullenabogados.com

Austrian Honorary Consulate

Hotel Reina Isabel, Calle Alfredo L. Jones, 40

35008 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

Tel: 0034 – 928 76 25 00

Austrian Honorary Consulate

Alameda de Colon, 26, Piso 2., Esc.izq.

29001 Malaga

Tel: 0034 – 95 26 00 267

Austrian Honorary Consulate

Avenida Alexandre Rossello 40-5 °

07002 Palma de Mallorca

Tel: 0034 – 971 27 47 11

E-Mail: okpalma@fiolabogados.com

Austrian Honorary Consulate

Calle Cardenal Ilundáin 18, Edificio 1 – 5 ° F

41013 Sevilla

Tel: 0034 – 954 98 74 76

E-Mail: oksevilla@yahoo.es

Austrian Honorary Consulate

Calle Convento Santa Clara 10-2-3

46002 Valencia

Tel: 0034 – 96 35 22 212

E-Mail: consuladoaustriaco@hernandez-marti.com

Representations of Spain in Austria

Embassy of the Kingdom of Spain in Vienna

Argentinierstrasse 34

1040 Vienna

Tel: 0043 – (0) 1 – 505 57 88

E-Mail: emb.viena@maec.es

Consulates

Honorary Consulate of the Kingdom of Spain

Wimmatweg 4

6830 Rankweil

Tel: 0043 – (0) 5522 – 423 59

Honorary Consulate of the Kingdom of Spain

Arbeitergasse 26

3108 St. Pölten

Tel: 0043 – (0) 664) 506 19 00

E-Mail: w.kristof@gmx.at

Honorary Consulate of the Kingdom of Spain

Hof 54

5302 Henndorf

Tel: 0043 – (0) 6214 – 602 60

E-Mail: cati.hofmann@gutaltentann.com

Honorary Consulate of the Kingdom of Spain

Maria-Theresien-Straße 38

6020 Innsbruck

Tel: 0043 – (0) 512 – 588 189

E-Mail: holding@trapp.co.at

Honorary Consulate of the Kingdom of Spain

Hasnerstrasse 2/9b (pA Integral Insurance Broker GmbH)

4020 Linz

Tel: 0043 – (0) 732 – 2595

E-Mail: hp@iib.at

Swiss representations in Spain

Swiss Embassy in Madrid

Calle de Núñez de Balboa 35 A, 7. °

Edificio Goya

28001 Madrid

Tel: 0034 – 91 436 39 60

E-Mail: mad.vertretung@eda.admin.ch

Web: www.eda.admin.ch/ Madrid

Consulates

Consulate General of Switzerland in Barcelona

Gran Via de Carlos III, 94.7 °

08028 Barcelona

Tel: 0034 – 93 409 06 50

Email: bar.vertretung@eda.admin.ch

Web: www.eda.admin.ch/barcelona

Swiss Consulate in Bilbao

Calle de Telésforo Aranzadi, 3-3 ° B

48008 Bilbao (Vizcaya)

Tel: 0034 – 94 470 43 60

E-Mail: bilbao@honorarvertretung.ch

Swiss Consulate in Las Palmas de GC

Urbanización Bahía Feliz

Edificio de Oficinas, Local 1

E-35107 Playa de Tarajalillo

Gran Canaria

Tel: 0034 – 92 815 79 79

E-Mail: laspalmasgc@honorarvertretung.ch

Swiss Consulate in Malaga

Apartado de correos 7

29080 Malaga

Tel: 0034 – 64 501 03 03

E-Mail: malaga@honorarvertretung.ch

Swiss Consulate in Palma de Mallorca

Antonia Martinez Fiol, 6, 3 ° A

07010 Palma de Mallorca

Tel: 0034 – 97 176 88 36

E-Mail: palmamallorca@honorarvertretung.ch

Swiss Consulate in Valencia

Calle Cronista Carreres, 9-7 ° -i

46003 Valencia

Tel: 0034 – 96 351 88 16

E-Mail: valencia@honorarvertretung.ch

Representations of Spain in Switzerland

Embassy of the Kingdom of Spain in Bern

Kalcheggweg 24

3000 Bern 15

Tel: 0041 – (0) 31 – 350 52 52

Email: emb.berna@mae.es

Consulates

Consulate General of the Kingdom of Spain

Marienstrasse 12

3005 Berne

Tel: 0041 – (0) 31 – 356 22 20

Email: cgesp.berna@mail.mae.es

Consulate General of the Kingdom of Spain

58, Avenue Louis Casaï, 5ème étage

1216 Cointrin

Tel: 0041 – (0) 22 – 749 14 60

Email: cgespginebra@mail.mae.es

Consulate General of the Kingdom of Spain

Riedtlistrasse 17

8006 Zurich

Tel: 0041 – (0) 44 – 368 61 00-11

Email: cgspzurich@mail.mae.es

Travel to Spain