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Weather & climate
Weather in Spain
Spain
25°
Clear sky
Thu
10°
25°
Fri
10°
26°
Sat
14°
27°
Sun
15°
26°
Mon
13°
27°
Tue
13°
24°
Wed
12°
20°
SPF level in Spain
Recommended: SPF 50
Spring
SPF 30
Summer
SPF 50
Autumn
SPF 30
Winter
SPF 15
Suncream is often more expensive in tourist zones. Pack your preferred SPF from the UK, especially for beach holidays. Always carry travel-size (100ml max) for hand luggage.
Before you go
Entry requirements for Spain
What British travellers need to know
British citizens do not need a visa for stays of up to 90 days in Spain for tourism, visiting, or business.
Your passport must have been issued less than 10 years before you arrive and expire at least 3 months after you plan to leave Spain.
Be prepared to show a return ticket, proof of travel insurance, and sufficient money for your stay at border control.
On your first entry to the Schengen area, you may need to register your fingerprints and a photo under the new Entry/Exit System (EES).
Make sure you get your passport stamped on entry and exit, or be ready to show boarding passes as proof, to avoid overstay issues.
Good to know:
Declare cash or travellers cheques if the value is 10,000 euros or more when entering Spain.
You cannot take meat, milk or products containing them into Spain, with limited exceptions.
Safety in Spain
Tips when travelling
Spain is tourist-friendly but has some key cultural and legal rules:
Take care of your passports, money and personal belongings, particularly when at airports and arranging car hire, as thieves often work in teams using distraction techniques.
It is illegal to drink alcohol in the street in some areas, and there are strict controls on drinking in public places including beaches, with on-the-spot fines possible.
In some parts of Spain, it is illegal to be in the street wearing only a bikini or swimming shorts, and you could be fined if caught on the seafront promenade.
Avoid splitting up from your friends, do not leave drinks unattended, and do not go off with people you do not know to reduce the risk of attacks or sexual assault.
Do not take unnecessary risks around balconies or other high places, particularly if under the influence of drink or drugs, as falls can be fatal and you may be fined or evicted.
Bonus tips:
You can be heavily fined for not following rules against lighting outdoor barbecues in forest areas.
Children under 1.35m in height must use an approved child safety seat secured on the back seat of a car.
More information
Driving in Spain
A valid UK driving license is accepted in Spain. Ensure you have your physical license with you. If you are a resident, you may need to exchange your UK license for a Spanish one.
Side of road
right
Motorway speed limit
120 km/h
Urban speed limit
50 km/h
Alcohol limit
0.05%
Remember: Spain drives on the right. Take extra care at junctions if you normally drive on the left.
Health in Spain
As a UK resident, you can use a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) or European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for state healthcare in Spain. However, neither covers all medical costs, including repatriation. Comprehensive travel insurance is still recommended for peace of mind.
Generally, no specific vaccinations are required for Spain. Ensure your routine vaccinations are up-to-date. Tap water is generally safe to drink, but bottled water is readily available. Be aware of mosquito-borne diseases like Zika or Dengue fever, especially during warmer months, and take precautions against mosquito bites.
Cards & payments
Widely accepted in urban areas, tourist locations and large establishments. Acceptance may be limited in rural areas or smaller shops.
Visa
High
Mastercard
High
American Express
Medium
Lost card? Call Visa: +1-303-967-1096
Tipping in Spain
Tipping is appreciated in Spain for good service but is not obligatory. Locals may round up slightly or leave a small amount.
Restaurant
5-10% for exceptional service. Rounding up is common for good service
Bar/Café
Rounding up to the nearest Euro or leaving small change is common
Taxi
Rounding up to the nearest Euro is appreciated
Hotel Porter
1-2 EUR per bag
Hotel Housekeeper
1-2 EUR per night of stay left at the end of the stay in the room
Tour Guide
5-10 EUR per person for a good tour
Mobile & roaming
Since Brexit, the guarantee of EU-wide free roaming for UK mobile users has ended. Check with your mobile provider for their roaming charges in Spain. Some providers may still offer inclusive roaming, but it is not guaranteed. Consider purchasing a local SIM card if you plan to use a lot of data.
Local SIM
20 GB for 20 EUR (~£17)
Network coverage
4G, 5G
Electrical in Spain
Voltage
230V / 50Hz
Plug types
Type C, Type F
WiFi & internet
WiFi is widely available in hotels, cafes, restaurants, and public spaces in major cities and tourist areas.
Average speed
50 Mbps
Spain offers good internet connectivity, with widespread WiFi and decent mobile data speeds, especially in urban areas.
Emergency numbers
Universal emergency
112
Police
091
Ambulance
061
Fire
080
Save 112 in your phone before travelling.
Calling Spain
Country code
+34
To call the British Embassy in Madrid, you would dial 00 34 917 14 63 00.
The country code for Spain is 34. The exit code from the UK is 00. Spanish phone numbers are 9 digits long.
Languages in Spain
UK Embassy
British Embassy Madrid
Torre Espacio, Paseo de la Castellana, 259D, 28046 Madrid, Spain
Phone
Website
Recent updates
Entry requirements
6 days ago
Passport validity
- Passport validity rule now explicitly states a passport with a 'date of issue' over 10 years old is invalid for entry to the Schengen area.
Entry/Exit System (EES)
- The EU's Entry/Exit System (EES) is now described as 'being implemented' rather than 'being rolled out'.
- The reference to a 'phased' introduction and the specific start date of '10 April 2026' has been removed.
Frequently asked questions
While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, AtoBeach cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies. We recommend verifying details with official sources before travelling.