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Salsa Holidays in Spain - Travel Advice
Updated FCO Website: 12 September 2006 - please visit FCO website for the very latest travel information.
SUMMARY
- On 22 March 2006, the Basque terrorist organisation ETA announced a "permanent ceasefire", effective from 24 March 2006.
- You should remain aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks, which could be against civilian targets, including places frequented by foreigners.
- In March 2004, 192 people died and over 1400 were injured following bomb attacks on three trains in Madrid. A group purporting to represent Al Qa’ida claimed responsibility on 13 March.
- Around 17 million British nationals visit Spain each year. The main types of incident for which British nationals require consular assistance in Spain are theft and pickpocketing. You should also be alert to the existence of street crime.
- We strongly recommend that comprehensive travel and medical insurance is obtained before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake.
Street crime is occasionally accompanied by violence. Remain alert at all times. Guard valuable personal items and do not keep them all together.
The incidence of rape and other sexual offences is statistically low. Nevertheless attacks occur.
The Spanish authorities have warned that you should also be alert to the availability and possible use of "date rape" and other drugs, including "GBH" and liquid ecstasy. You should purchase your own drinks and keep sight of them at all times to make sure they cannot be spiked.
In Madrid, you should take particular care in the Puerta del Sol and surrounding streets including the Plaza Mayor, the Retiro Park and Lavapies. Beware of approaches by strangers offering help even when they may appear to be police officers, there have been cases of bogus policemen reported in the Madrid area. Drivers, especially on the M30 and M40 Madrid ring roads, the A4 and A5 should be wary of approaches by bogus policeman, without a proper uniform, and travelling in unmarked cars. If in any doubt, drivers should converse through the car window and telephone the Spanish Police on the 112 emergency number.
In Barcelona, you should be especially vigilant in the Plaza Catalunya, Ramblas and surrounding streets of the old city and be aware of the possibility of violent muggings in the Monjuic area.
Motorists should be on the look out for "highway pirates" who target foreign registered and hire cars, especially those towing caravans. If you decide to stop to check the condition of your vehicle, you should be extremely wary of anyone offering help.
At Malaga Airport robbers are particularly targeting rental vehicles on the exit road and nearby highways by indicating that there is a problem with the vehicle's tyres. When the vehicle stops the robbers will offer assistance and take advantage of distractions to steal bags, etc from the interior of the vehicle.
Lottery Scams
There have been complaints about lottery scams, in which a person receives what appears to be official notification from the Spanish Inland Revenue office (Hacienda) that they have won the Spanish lottery and are required to deposit an amount of money in a bank account to secure their substantial winnings. It is likely to be a scam if you have not entered a lottery, are asked to pay anything up-front or if the contact telephone number is for a mobile phone
Road Travel
You should take particular care when driving in Spain as regulations and customs are different from those in the UK and the accident rate is higher.
It is a legal requirement for motorists travelling to or transiting Spain to carry two red warning triangles to be placed, in the event of an accident or breakdown, in front of and behind the vehicle. In addition, drivers must have a spare pair of spectacles (if needed for driving), a spare wheel, and a full set of spare bulbs plus the tools to change them. If at any time you have to descend from your vehicle due to accident or breakdown, or whilst awaiting the arrival of the emergency services, it is obligatory to wear a reflective jacket. Failure to do so could result in a heavy fine.
On 6 September 2006, a coach carrying 16 UK nationals was involved in a traffic accident on the motorway between Portugal and Seville (near the town of Huevar). Of the 16, there were two fatalities, two serious injuries, and a number with minor injuries.
Rail Safety
On 3 July 2006, there was a serious accident on the metro in the city of Valencia, causing 42 fatalities, and injuring 39.
On 21 August 2006, there was a serious train accident at a small town called Villada between Leon and Palencia causing six fatalities and 36 injured
| LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS |
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Respect Spanish laws and customs. Parents should be aware that their children, particularly young people who go on holiday to Spain, often with groups of school or college friends and unsupervised by a responsible adult, could face legal problems. Unlike in the UK, Spanish law defines anyone under the age of 18 to be a minor, subject to parental control or adult supervision. Minors, most likely under 17 years old, who are in Spain unaccompanied and who come to the attention of the authorities for whatever reason, could find themselves taken into care by Spanish Social Services. This could last until such time as they can be released in to the custody of a parent or other responsible adult.
Restrictive legislation against smoking in public spaces came into effect on 1 January 2006. Smoking is totally prohibited in areas such as, but not limited to, all enclosed public areas including sports stadia, food preparation and sale areas, lifts, telephone booths, and any areas that cater for minors including discos and schools. No smoking will be allowed on public transport, bars or restaurants except in designated areas. Fines imposed for breach of the regulation could range from 30 euros to a maximum of 600 euros.
In Spain, possession of small quantities of classified drugs in itself is not normally treated as a crime - only when other circumstances (such as quantities involved) indicate an intention to trade, smuggle or manufacture. Nevertheless, at a practical level, being found in possession of even a small quantity of drugs can cause significant problems, such as arrest and detention - even if there are no later charges. Being found in possession of large quantities is always taken very seriously, and will probably result in prosecution and a custodial sentence upon conviction.
In particular, the authorities in Palma de Mallorca and Ibiza are likely to prosecute anyone caught taking or carrying drugs in clubs or other public places.
The Madrid City, the Balearics and Canary Islands Regional Governments have banned, other than in registered street cafes and bars, the consumption of alcohol in the street. Failure to respect this law may result in the imposition of fines.
Hotels have a legal obligation to register the passport details of tourists on check-in. You are advised to wait until the Hotel staff have registered your passport details or taken a photocopy of your passport, rather than leaving the passport in reception and collecting it later. It may help to take your own photocopy.
British minors can travel to Spain unaccompanied if they hold a valid individual British passport, although some airlines operating in the UK may also require a letter of authorisation from a parent or legal guardian. In the case of children under 12, the airline may require an adult to hand over the child to airline staff on departure from the UK, and another adult to meet the child on arrival in Spain. Each airline has its own policy regarding unaccompanied minors, and may require prior notification to arrange it. It is therefore essential to consult the airline beforehand.
 We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling especially full "dangerous sports" insurance cover. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake.
The Form E111 is no longer valid. You should obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before leaving the UK. The EHIC is available free of charge through most UK post offices or through the UK Department of Health via their website at: www.dh.gov.uk or by telephoning 0845 6062030 (from outside the UK call: +44 191203555). The EHIC is not a substitute for medical and travel insurance, but entitles you to emergency medical treatment on the same terms as Spanish nationals. You will not be covered for medical repatriation, on-going medical treatment or treatment of a non-urgent nature.
You should seek medical advice before travelling and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date. For further information on health, check the Department of Health's website at: www.dh.gov.uk
| PURCHASE OF PROPERTY, TIMESHARE OWNERSHIP AND HOLIDAY CLUBS |
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If you intend to purchase a property in Spain you are strongly advised to engage a local lawyer. A full list of English speaking lawyers can be found on the British Embassy's website: http://www.ukinspain.com. British nationals purchasing property in Spain are strongly recommended to deal only with established and reputable estate agents or with other contacts whom they know to be reliable and genuine, and to make all payments within bank premises and/or through banking channels. Make sure that the full purchase price of the property is reflected on the escritura (deeds) and do not pay 'black money' in cash to the seller, even if persuasive arguments about taxes are advanced: you could end up having to pay the capital gains tax that should have been paid by the person from whom you bought your new home.
In the Valencia Autonomous Community (the Provinces of Castellon, Valencia and Alicante) and, increasingly, in other parts of Spain your land tenure rights can be severely curtailed by local legislation. Should your ownership of property in these Provinces be threatened by local legistation you should engage the services of a lawyer immediately. Also, you should contact the NGO, Abusos Urbanisticos No, whose website is at: www.abusos-no.org for more information and details on how they may be able to help. Please note that the British Consular Services cannot help specific property cases.
Timeshare ownership is well established in Spain with many known and respected companies, agents and resorts operating legally, fairly and successfully. However, there are equally many unscrupulous companies in operation, some of which claim to provide various incentives (including stock market investments and discounts on airfares and accommodation) when exchanging existing timeshare ownership or taking out membership of holiday clubs. More often than not, such inducements do not materialise once a deal has been signed and sealed. If you are approached by agents operating such schemes, you should treat the approaches with the utmost caution.
Contacting a British Consulate office in Spain
Telephone and location of British Consulates in Spain see:
Opening hours, telephone numbers and addresses of all British consular posts in Spain can be found by clicking on “consular offices”. For help between 8pm to 8am Monday to Thursday, and from 8pm Friday to 8am Monday, call (00 34 – if outside Spain) 606 987 626, and from 6pm to 8pm Monday to Thursday call (00 34 - if outside Spain) 91 700 8200
CONTACT DETAILS
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Address: |
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British Embassy
C/ Fernando el Santo, 16
28010 Madrid
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Telephone: |
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(34) (91) 700 82 00 |
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(34) (91) 524 9700 Consular Services |
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Facsimile: |
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(34) (91) 700 8309 Chancery |
(34) (91) 700 8307 Defence |
(34) (91) 700 8329 EU/Economic |
(34) (91) 700 8311 Commercial |
(34) (91) 700 8272 Press & Public Affairs |
(34) (91) 700 8210 Management |
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Office Hours: |
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GMT (Loc = +1hr):
Winter: (Mon-Fri) 0700-1530
Summer: (Mon-Thurs) 0630-1300
(Friday) 0630-1230
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