Spain’s travel rules are comprehensive, with beach, alcohol and passport warnings

Millions of people in the UK are now preparing to embark on their long-awaited summer holidays, with many expected to jet off to Spain. The European nation is extremely popular with tourists due to its stunning coastlines, vibrant cities and resorts.

While going on vacation is an exciting time, it’s important to make sure you’re prepared and well-informed before you go. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) provides information and guidance on the risks of traveling to any of the 226 nations and territories in an attempt to help people make informed decisions and stay safe.

Government department updates can include things like security risks, passport and visa requirements and health warnings, and it’s important to keep up to date with the latest guidance. And there are a number of rules people should be aware of if they’re heading to Spain, related to passports, alcohol, beaches and more.

Passports and border control

Spain follows the rules of the Schengen Area, and post-Brexit this means your passport must have an “issue date” less than 10 years before the date you arrive and must have an “expiration date” of at least three months by the date you intend to do it. leave. If you do not have a valid travel document, you will not be able to enter Spain.

Anyone traveling on a British passport can visit the Schengen area, which includes Spain, for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Your passport must be stamped upon entry and exit.

You may also need to show a return or departure ticket, proof of travel insurance, proof that you have enough money for your stay and/or a hotel booking address or confirmation of where you will be staying in while in Spain at Spanish border control. If you’re entering Spain from Gibraltar, border controls here can cause delays, according to the FCDO.

There are also strict rules about what goods can be taken into and out of Spain. For example, you cannot take meat, milk or products containing them into EU countries, although exceptions include baby formula, baby food and special food required for medical reasons.

People are also being warned that they must declare if they take cash or traveller’s checks worth €10,000 or more into Spain. If you do this without declaring, your money could be confiscated when you leave.

Terrorism and security

Gov.uk guidance states that terrorists are “likely to attempt to carry out attacks in Spain”. It adds that attacks “could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreign nationals” and advises people to “remain aware of their surroundings, be aware of local media reports and follow the advice of local authorities”.

UK travelers must provide photo ID if asked by a police officer, and the police have the right to detain you at a station until your identity is confirmed. However, people are warned that some thieves pose as police officers and may ask to see your wallet for identification.

You never have to hand over a wallet or purse, real cops will only ask to see ID. All police officers carry official ID, which you can ask to see.

Alcohol

Many of us like to have a drink or two on holiday, but it is illegal to drink alcohol on the street in some areas of Spain. If you are caught doing this in a restricted area, you can be fined on the spot.

There are also some alcohol laws in the Balearic Islands that limit the sale and availability of alcohol in some resort areas. These include Magaluf, Playa de Palma and San Antonio, with bans restricting happy hours, alcohol sales from vending machines, pub crawls and party boat trips.

how you dress

In some parts of Spain, it is illegal to be out on the street wearing only a bikini or swimming shorts, as is being bare-chested. For example, you could be fined if you are caught wearing a bathing suit on the seafront promenade or adjacent streets.

For security reasons, some public authorities in Spain do not allow burkas or niqabs to be worn in their buildings. If you visit city council buildings wearing a burka or niqab, you may be asked to remove it while inside, according to Gov.uk.

BEACHES

Many people visiting Spain enjoy trips to the beach, but it’s important to be vigilant. Every year people drown in the sea in Spain and children should always be supervised, even if they know how to swim or if there is a lifeguard.

People are advised to take care when swimming as some beaches can have strong undercurrents. Hidden rocks or shallow depths can cause serious injury or death, and you should not dive into unfamiliar waters or swim at beaches where a river flows into the sea.

Many beaches have a flag system, with a red flag meaning do not enter the water. You should know the system, follow any warnings and take extra care if there are no lifeguards or signaling systems.

Medical treatment

If you need medical assistance while you are away, FCDO has a list of medical providers in Spain where some staff will speak English. To be eligible for medically necessary state healthcare in Spain, you need a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) or a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) and you can find out more about getting one here.

The EHIC or GHIC is not an alternative to travel insurance, which you should purchase before leaving the UK. The cards may not cover costs such as changes to travel or accommodation bookings, additional treatment costs and treatment that is considered non-urgent.

Most Spanish hospitals, according to Gov.uk, provide “adequate care”, but in some tourist areas there may not be public health facilities nearby. Your insurance or healthcare company will be able to give you more details.

Driving in Spain

Spain has strict drink driving laws, with police regularly carrying out road checks for alcohol and drugs. Penalties include fines, loss of license and a prison sentence.

Drivers can also be hit with on-the-spot fines for speeding and a whole host of other driving offences. Seat belts are mandatory for all front and rear seat passengers, and children under 1.35m tall must use an approved child safety seat in the rear seat.

Children are only allowed to ride in the front seat of the car if the back seats are already occupied by other children or if the vehicle has no back seats. Car rental providers may lend car seats, so let them know when you book your car.

It is illegal to use a mobile phone while driving, even if you have pulled over on the side of the road. You have to be completely off the road and using a headset is also illegal, with only hands-free units allowed.

If you are driving a UK vehicle in Spain, it must have a UK sticker on the left-hand side of the number plate.