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Before you go to Spain: what to know

Must know

  • Barcelona’s city surcharge is EUR 5 per person/night from 1 April 2026, in addition to the Catalan accommodation tax. Check the category-specific official tariff.
  • Walking around towns in swimwear or bare-chested is fined in Barcelona, Palma, Málaga and other resorts.
  • Drinking alcohol in the street is banned in most cities; fines can be hundreds of euros.
  • Schengen EES applies on arrival; ETIAS is not yet live.

Entry and visas

Spain is in the Schengen area. Non-EU visitors are registered in the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) on first entry: fingerprints and a facial photo, no passport stamps. Visa-free visitors may stay 90 days in any 180 across all Schengen states. ETIAS is not operating yet: its launch is now expected in 2027, so ignore sites selling "ETIAS" approvals.

Passport validity: Non-EU passports: valid at least 3 months after you leave the Schengen area and issued within the last 10 years.

At the border you may be asked for

  • EES registration at the first Schengen border: fingerprints and face photo (children under 12 give no fingerprints). Allow extra time at passport control.
  • Border guards may ask for a return ticket, accommodation proof, travel insurance and funds for your stay.
  • Your 90/180 days are counted across all Schengen states together; use the EU short-stay calculator to check.
  • Hotels and rentals must record your passport and stay details for the police under 2024 rules.

Customs

  • From outside the EU: 200 cigarettes, 1 L spirits or 2 L fortified wine, 4 L wine, 16 L beer; other goods up to EUR 430 by air/sea (EUR 300 by land).
  • Personal imports of meat, milk and dairy products from non-EU countries are banned (small exceptions for infant food and medical needs).
  • Declare cash of EUR 10,000 or more (or equivalent) when entering or leaving the EU.
  • Prescription medicines: carry the prescription; narcotic or psychotropic medicines need a Schengen certificate (Article 75) or a doctor's letter.

Checked October 29, 2026 · Sources: home-affairs.ec.europa.eu ↗, travel-europe.europa.eu ↗, home-affairs.ec.europa.eu ↗, home-affairs.ec.europa.eu ↗, taxation-customs.ec.europa.eu ↗, finance.ec.europa.eu ↗, gov.pl ↗

Money

Cards are accepted almost everywhere. Cards are widely accepted.

Payment networks: Visa, Mastercard, Amex

Apple Pay — works · Google Pay — works

Where to exchange money

  • Withdraw euros from a bank-owned ATM in town, or bring euros from home.
  • Pay by card or phone in euros; contactless is near-universal.
  • Withdraw larger sums less often: many Spanish bank ATMs charge foreign cards a EUR 2-5 fee (shown on screen).

Where not to exchange

  • Airport and station exchange bureaux (poor rates, high commission).
  • Independent ATMs such as Euronet in tourist zones: high fees and currency-conversion offers.
  • Exchange counters on Las Ramblas and Puerta del Sol.

ATMs: Most bank ATMs charge foreign cards a fixed fee and show it before you confirm; compare a couple of banks. Refuse the conversion offer.

Tipping: Not obligatory. Round up in bars; 5-10% in restaurants for good service.

  • When a card terminal or ATM offers to charge you in your home currency, decline and pay in local currency: dynamic currency conversion adds roughly 3-10%.
  • Cards issued by Russian banks (Visa, Mastercard and Mir) do not work here because of sanctions; bring enough cash or a card from a non-Russian bank.
  • Cards and phones are accepted almost everywhere, including small bars.

Checked October 29, 2026 · Sources: spain.info ↗, gov.uk ↗, bde.es ↗, support.apple.com ↗

Rules and bans

Prohibited

  • Swimwear or bare torsos in streets away from the beach (Barcelona, Palma, Málaga, Benidorm and others): fines up to EUR 300-750.
  • Drinking alcohol in public streets and parks ("botellón"): fines up to EUR 600+ depending on city.
  • Balearics: no shop sales of alcohol 21:30-08:00 in parts of Magaluf, Playa de Palma and San Antonio; party boats restricted.
  • Urinating or sleeping in the street or on beaches at night: municipal fines.
  • Drones need registration and permission in cities and near airports (AESA rules).
  • Low-emission zones (ZBE) in Madrid, Barcelona and other cities: older cars banned; foreign cars may need to register before entering.
  • Buying from unlicensed street sellers ("top manta") can be fined in some cities.

Laws visitors break unknowingly

  • Carry passport or ID; police checks are common.
  • Drink-drive limit 0.5 g/l (0.3 for new drivers).
  • Smoking banned in bars, restaurants and on some beaches.

Checked October 29, 2026 · Sources: gov.uk ↗, idealista.com ↗, dgt.es ↗, atc.gencat.cat ↗

Culture and clothing

Religion: Mainly Roman Catholic, largely secular in daily life.

Clothing: Casual is fine; cover up away from the beach. Shoulders and knees covered in cathedrals.

Etiquette

  • Lunch is 14:00-16:00 and dinner from 21:00; many restaurants are closed outside these hours.
  • Greet with "Hola, buenos días"; two cheek kisses among friends.
  • In Catalonia, Basque Country and Galicia local languages are official; a few words are appreciated.
  • Shops in smaller towns close for a siesta around 14:00-17:00.

Checked October 29, 2026 · Sources: spain.info ↗, gov.uk ↗

Climate

Hot dry summers inland, mild Mediterranean coast, green rainy north, subtropical Canary Islands. Figures are Madrid average highs/lows.

Month by month
  • January: Jan: 10/3°C, cold, sunny
  • February: Feb: 12/3°C, cool
  • March: Mar: 16/6°C, mild
  • April: Apr: 18/8°C, spring, Easter
  • May: May: 22/11°C, pleasant
  • June: Jun: 28/16°C, hot
  • July: Jul: 32/19°C, very hot inland
  • August: Aug: 31/19°C, very hot, coast crowded
  • September: Sep: 26/15°C, warm, good
  • October: Oct: 19/11°C, mild
  • November: Nov: 13/6°C, cool, rain
  • December: Dec: 10/3°C, cold, festive

Best season: April-June and September-October; Canaries year-round.

Checked October 29, 2026 · Sources: aemet.es ↗, spain.info ↗

What to pack

  • Sunscreen, sunglasses and hat
  • Light clothes plus a layer for evenings
  • Type F plug adapter (230 V)
  • A cover-up for walking from the beach
  • Comfortable walking shoes

Do not bring / prohibited to import

  • Walking in town in swimwear.
  • Meat and dairy from outside the EU.
  • Leaving bags on chairs or the floor in cafés (bag snatching).

Practical

Plugs: Type F (Type C fits); 230 V, 50 Hz

Water: Tap water is safe; taste varies (Barcelona chlorinated, Madrid excellent).

Traffic: drives on the right

Mobile and eSIM: EU roaming: SIMs from any EU/EEA country work at home prices (fair-use limits). Ukrainian and Moldovan SIMs too since 1 Jan 2026. Swiss, UK, Serbian and other non-EU SIMs pay roaming; an eSIM data plan is cheaper.

Apps: Renfe, Cabify / Uber / FreeNow, Citymapper, TMB (Barcelona), TheFork

Internet: Excellent 4G/5G and widespread Wi-Fi.

Health: EU/EEA/Swiss and UK (GHIC) cardholders get state healthcare at local rates with their EHIC/GHIC. Others pay in full, so bring insurance. Pharmacies (green cross) handle minor issues.

Insurance: Schengen visa applicants must hold travel medical insurance of at least EUR 30,000 valid in all Schengen states. Everyone else: strongly advised.

Emergency: 112 (all emergencies)

Checked October 29, 2026 · Sources: europa.eu ↗, europa.eu ↗, digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu ↗, gov.uk ↗

Entry rules change. Before your trip, check the website of the embassy or immigration service of the country.