USEFUL TIPS ON SPAIN

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS AND PAPERWORK:

The documents you need vary depending on where you are from.

If you are a citizen of the European Union, Switzerland , Norway , Iceland , and Liechtenstein all you need is your Identification Card , or a valid passport.
Norwegian and Icelandic nationals need no visa, regardless of the length or purpose of their visit to Spain . However, if they stay beyond 90 days they are required to apply during their first month for a (tarjeta de residencia) residence card.
Spain is one of 25 member countries of the Schengen agreement whereby all EU (European Union) member countries ( except the UK and Ireland ) plus Iceland and Norway abolished checks at internal borders in 2000. The other EU countries are Austria, Belgium, Czech republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia and Sweden.
Legal residents of one Schengen country (regardless of their nationality) do not require a visa for another Schengen country.
Nationals of many other countries, including Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland and the USA, do not need a visa for tourist visits of up to 90 days in Spain, although some of these nationalities (including Australians and Canadians) may be subject to restrictions in other Schengen countries and should check with consulates of all Schengen countries they plan to visit.
Those needing a visa must apply in person at the consulate in the country where they are resident. You may be required to provide proof of sufficient funds, hotel bookings, return tickets and a letter of recommendation from a host in Spain . Issue of the visa does not guarantee entry. You can apply for no more than two visas in any 12-month period and they are not renewable once in Spain.

TIME ZONE:
Peninsular territory and Balearic Islands go by the Greenwich Meridian time zone (GTM) plus 1 hour in the winter, and 2 hours in the summer.
In the Canary Islands the time zone is that of the Greenwich Meridian, plus 1 hour in the summer ( always one hour behind peninsular Spain )

DIALLING CODE: 34

ELECTRICITY: 220V ,50 Hz.
Plugs conform to the European system of round pins with two holes.
Standard North American and UK plugs won't work . Buy an adapter before you leave.
If you use an electric wheelchair try to get wheelchair battery charger with settings for 110 and 220 volts (you won't need a separate converter).
Gel cell batteries are safer and more acceptable to airlines than wet batteries.

WEIGHTS & MEASURES: Metric System

EUROTAXIS:
"Eurotaxi" is a minivan wheelchair accessible and equipped with a ramp. They are available in all major cities and most of smaller ones, mainly in tourist areas. It's advisable that you call well in advance to make a booking (usually 24 hours).

DRIVING IN SPAIN:
To drive in Spain you must be at least 18 years old. To rent a vehicle, you must be at least 21.
If you are a citizen of the European Union, Switzerland , Norway , Iceland , or Liechtenstein all you need is your valid driver's licence . If you are other country, you will need an International Driver's Licence .

CURRENCY: Euro
In Spain , as in other countries of the European Union, the official currency is the euro since January of 2002.
One euro has 100 cents.
There are eight different coins: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 cents, € 1 and € 2.
There are seven different notes: € 5, € 10, € 20, € 50, € 100, € 200, and € 500.
Credit and debit cards are widely accepted at hotels and restaurants, especially from the mid-range up, and also for long-distance train tickets

FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE:
This service is available at all bank offices, open to the public Monday through Saturday, from 8.30 to 14.00 h (except in the months of June through September, when they remain closed on Saturday).
It is also available at currency exchange shops at all major cities, as well as selected hotels and travel agencies.
Travellers cheques in Sterling pounds can be easily exchanged.

SALES-TAX (IVA) REFUND:
If you country of residence is outside of the European Union , you may request a sales-tax refund for your purchases. Travellers to Spain are entitled to a reimbursement of the 16 % V.A.T. (Value Added Tax, IVA in Spain) they pay on all purchases as long as the purchases add up to no less than 90 Euros in the same store and on the same day. The vendor must provide the purchaser with a duly filled out invoice which includes the price of each good, the V.A.T. paid for each item, as well as the identification (name and address) for both vendor and purchaser. The goods must be brought out of the European Union within three months from the date of purchase.
A 7 percent V.A.T. (Value Added Tax) tax is added to rates for all restaurants and hotel rooms. Service is included. This 7% V.A.T. tax on services is not refundable.

At the time of departure from Spain and final departure from the European Union territory, and before checking in your baggage, you must bring your invoice(s) and the merchandise purchased to the Spanish Customs in order for them to process your V.A.T. refund claim (there is a specific booth for this purpose just prior to the entrance to the international area at the international port, gate or airport).

SHOPS AND BUSINESSES OPENING TIMES:
Most common business hours are Monday through Saturday, from 9.30 h to 13.30 h, and from 16.30 to 20.00 h.

Big shopping centres and department stores open from 10.00 h to 21.00 or 22.00 h uninterruptedly ( sometimes on Sundays).

FARMACIAS / PHARMACIES:
Medications are obtained at pharmacies.
They are all marked with a green cross and usually open from 9.30 to 13.30 h, and from 16.30 to 20.00 h.
In all major cities you can find some pharmacies that open 24 hours . Pharmacies follow a rolling late-hour schedule, which is published in the newspapers, and is posted outside all pharmacies.
You will get your prescriptions from your doctor. If you come from a country in the European Union, or your country has health agreements with Spain , you will have the same prescription drug benefits as Spanish citizens.

EMERGENCY TELEPHONE NUMBER:
Dial 112 anywhere in the EU to reach the emergency services.

HEALTH:
The Spanish National Health Care System has a vast network of medical centres and hospitals, spread across the country. They offer all primary care services, as well as specialised attention.
You will require your European Health Card (EHC) which entitles you to the same medical care as before and identical to that received by Spanish citizens. It is available from the relevant healthcare organisation in your country of origin and valid for the period shown on the card.
Having shown your European Health Card (EHC), you will be seen by a GP at a local health centre or at your accommodation if you are unable to make the journey. If you need to see a specialist or go into hospital, the GP will give you the relevant medical certificate or referral. Accident and Emergency services are available at hospitals.

Private doctors and private hospitals in Spain do not accept the European Health Card. If you require private healthcare you must settle your own bills or take out an insurance policy that covers it.

Remember that the following are not covered in Spain : dental treatment (apart from emergency extractions) and repatriation for medical treatment.

If you forget your European Health Card you will have to pay any hospital, medical or pharmaceutical bills in advance, and then seek reimbursement from the relevant organisation in your country of origin, providing all receipts.

If you are not a citizen of the European Union although you will be treated in case of emergency, you will need to pay for medical attention.

Countries that follow European Community rules are Switzerland , Norway , Iceland , and Liechtenstein . Their nationals enjoy the same health care benefits as member countries.

Countries with which Spain has bilateral agreements: Andorra , Brazil , Chile , Ecuador , Paraguay , and Peru .

You will receive free medical care and hospitalisation in the case of a medical emergency, or accident, by showing the corresponding certificate from your country of origin. If you forget your certificate, you will have to pay upfront for hospitalisation, doctors, and medicines, and then ask your insurance provider or health care service to refund your expenses, always showing your receipts.

COMPLAINTS FOR A TOURIST SERVICE:
You have the right to receive quality services that correspond to what travel companies/hotels/restaurants advertise. If you do not, you have the right to lodge a complaint.
All commercial establishments must have complaint forms at the disposal of the client, by law.
Such complaints can be made at the establishment itself, at tourist information offices, and at Public Administration offices (Local, Autonomous, and National). You must keep a copy of the complaint and if it is proven to be truthful, the Public Administration will fine the firm, or tourist service and send you a letter informing you of the taken action.