Country information
General
Time
Spain uses Central European Time (CET) which is one hour ahead of BST (and 2 hours ahead of GMT). Set your watches and clocks one hour ahead. This applies to both summer and winter months as the clocks change on the same dates throughout Europe.
Languages
Spanish (Castilian) and the regional languages of Catalan, Basque and Galician.
Border formalities
Travel documents
Spain is a member of the European Union. UK citizens (including children under 16) and citizens from other EU countries need only a valid passport. Holders of non-EU passports should check with the appropriate consulate to see if a visa is required.
Car papers
- valid UK (or other EU) driving licence (not a provisional licence)
- car registration document (‘log book’)
- international green card - extra motor insurance is not compulsory but is advisable
- GB sticker on the back of the car and caravan (or integral in the registration plate)
Caravans
Caravans need a separate green card if they do not have the same registration number as the towing car.
Pets
Under reciprocal regulations some pets may be taken into Spain if accompanied by a passport, chip and the relevant vaccination. The regulations cover proof of vaccination, breeds and health certificates etc. You are strongly advised to check with your vet for the most recent information and restrictions. Take care to request information in plenty of time. Some vaccinations need to be administered a considerable time in advance. You will need to inform the ferry or tunnel operator when booking. Depending on the route your pet may need to stay in the car or in special cages which can usually be rented on the ferry. Bringing pets back into the UK is strictly controlled with severe penalties for infringement. More information is available on http://europa.eu/abc/travel/pets/index_en.htm .
Currency
The currency in Spain is the euro, which is divided into 100 cents. Approximate exchange rates (September 2007): £1 = €1.48. Most debit and credit cards issued in the UK can be used in cash machines and to pay for goods and services in Spain. Cards with the Cirrus logo can be used to obtain cash and cards with the Maestro logo can be used at some outlets as Chip&Pin cards. Credit cards are accepted in many places though not as widely as in the UK. Make certain you know your PIN code before you leave as signatures are not always accepted. UK bank cheques (except travellers cheques) and Eurocheques are no longer accepted.
Banks are open Monday to Friday from 08:30/09:00 to 14:00/14:30, some offices are also open on Saturdays from about 08:30 to 13:00.
Customs regulations
For travel between EU countries you are permitted to take as much luggage ‘as you would reasonably need for personal use’. You may be required to prove that your possessions are personal and not for commercial use. Borders between EU and non-EU countries are more strictly controlled. There are restrictions on the amount of tax-free goods you may import from non-EU countries. More information from HM Revenue & Customs on http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/.
Medical cover
UK and Irish citizens should apply for the free EHIC (European Health Insurance Card which has replaced the old E111 form). Each member of your group will need a separate EHIC Card. It covers the cost of basic emergency expenses in Spain (and all other countries in this guide except Andorra, Croatia and Turkey). It can be ordered online, by phone or by post. More information on http://www.dh.gov.uk/ or http://www.oasis.gov.ie/ .
Opening times and Public holidays
Post
In general post offices are open on weekdays from 08:30 or 09:00 to 14:00 or 14:30 and on Saturdays from 08:30 to 13:00. Stamps can only be sold officially at tobacconists, the so-called ‘Estancos’ or ‘Tabacos’ and post offices. The words ‘correos’ and ‘España’ must appear on the stamps.
Shops
Open from Monday to Saturday from about 09:00 to 14:00 and from about 16:30 to 20:00. In tourist centres the shops usually stay open later in the evenings and food shops are open on Sunday mornings. Times vary by region. Department stores in larger towns are open continuously from Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 20:00 or 21:00.
Museums
Museums are genereis closed on Mondays.
Public holidays
- New Years Day
- 6 January (Epiphany)
- Maundy Thursday
- Good Friday
- 1 May (Labour Day)
- 15 July (Corpus Christi)
- 15 August (The Assumption)
- 12 October (National Day)
- 1 November (All Saints)
- 6 December (Constitution Day)
- 8 December (Immaculate Conception)
- Christmas Day.
In the week before Easter (the Semana Santa) the shops open for half the day. Every town also has two extra public holidays. Furthermore each town celebrates its own Patron Saint.
Roads and traffic
Road network
Many roads (in particular motorways) have been reclassified during the past year. Toll roads are indicated by the letters AP, while toll free motorways are indicated by the letter A. These numbers are shown on the section maps.
Traffic regulations
Remember, all traffic in Spain drives on the right and overtakes on the left! Headlight deflectors are advisable to prevent annoying oncoming drivers. Spain uses the metric system, so distances are measured in kilometres (km), speeds in kilometres per hour (km/h) and fuel is sold in litres (l). You must give way to traffic from the right, even slow traffic, except on priority routes. A sign before an intersection (a yellow triangle with a red border) with the words ‘ceda el paso’ means ‘Give Way’. It is an offence to drive over a continuous white line. Mobile phones may only be used handsfree and not on the hard shoulder or with headphones (so only with a loudspeaker). Seat belts are compulsory, also in back seats. Two emergency triangles are required. Drivers who wear spectacles must carry a reserve pair.
Private cars are not allowed to tow other vehicles. Use of the horn is compulsory on blind corners in mountain areas. Speed limits where not otherwise indicated: roads in built-up areas 50m/h (± 30 mph), outside built-up areas 90 km/h (± 56 mph) and 70 km/h (± 44 mph) for cars with a trailer . The maximum speed on roads with separated carriageways or with four lanes is 100 km/h (± 60 mph) and 80 km/h (± 50 mph) for caravans. On motorways the maximum is 120 km/h (± 75 mph) and 90 km/h (± 56 mph) if towing a trailer. Alcohol limit: 0.05%. Penalties are severe and foreigners must pay on the spot fines.
Fuel
Lead free petrol ‘gasolina sin plomo’ is readily available. There are service stations in Spain where you can buy LPG gas. Ask at the filling station for a list showing the places where this is available in Spain. Blue camping gas bottles cannot be refilled in Spain. You are advised to buy a Spanish container which can be returned when you leave the country.
In the event of breakdown
For breakdown or other motoring problems on motorways, members of UK motoring organisations can use the services of the sister organisations in Spain; RACE (in Catalonia RACC) subject to their membership conditions. Yellow and blue patrol cars with the words ‘race asistencia’ cover the whole of the country and have a network of associated garages. Reflective jackets must be worn by drivers and passengers who are standing by the side of the road following a breakdown in Spain. They have a fluorescent colour and white stripes (logos and other text must only be small). Permitted colours are fluorescent yellow or orange. They can be recognised by the EU safety standard EN471 which can be found on the label in or on the jacket. Always inform your motoring organisation or insurance company in the event of an accident. The national emergency number for fire, police or ambulance is 112.
Mountain passes with caravans
Bonaigua Pass: is not prohibited for caravans but snow chains must be used in the winter months when there is snow on the ground, and the pass may sometimes be closed.
Portillón Pass: is not prohibited for caravans but the road is not very wide and going in the direction of France is even narrower; driving with a large(r) caravan may then be difficult.
Camping
Camp sites in Spain are classified by category. Category 1 is the most luxurious. Free camping is not allowed. If you still want to camp where there is no camp site, permission from the landowner must be sought.
Useful addresses
Spanish Embassy
39 Chesham Place
London SW1X 8SB
Tel: 020 7235 5555
Fax: 020 7235 9905
Spanish National Tourist Office
22-23 Manchester Square
London W1M 5AP
Tel: 020 7486 8077
Fax: 020 7486 8034
Brochure request: 09001 669920
e-mail: londres@tourspain.es
internet:: http://www.tourspain.co.uk/
