Travel Information From Pakistan to Spain

112

Routine Vaccines

Make sure you are up-to-date on all routine vaccines before every trip. Some of these vaccines include

• Chickenpox (Varicella)
• Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis
• Flu (Influenza)
• Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)
• Polio
• Shingles

COVID-19

All eligible travelers should be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines.

Hepatitis A

Consider for most travelers; recommended for travelers at higher risk (e.g. visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas where exposure might occur through food or water; or prone to "adventurous eating")

Hepatitis B

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers of all ages to Spain.

Measles

Infants 6 to 11 months old traveling internationally should get 1 dose of measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine before travel. This dose does not count as part of the routine childhood vaccination series.

Rabies

Spain is free of dog rabies. However, rabies may still be present in wildlife species, particularly bats. CDC recommends rabies vaccination before travel only for people working directly with wildlife. These people may include veterinarians, animal handlers, field biologists, or laboratory workers working with specimens from mammalian species.

You will need 3 months validity remaining on your passport from the date you intend to leave.

Local Phrases Language : Spanish

Local Phrases :

Greetings

Hello = Hola
Good morning = Buenos días
Good afternoon = Buenas tardes
Goodbye = Adiós
Nice to meet you = Encantado

Conversational

How are you? = Cómo está usted?
I am good thank you = Muy bien, gracias.
What’s your name? = Cómo te llamas?
My name is … = Me llamo …
Do you speak English? = Habla usted inglés?
I don’t speak Spanish = No hablo (bien) español
How do you say… in … = Cómo se dice _____ en español
I don’t understand = No entiendo

Basics

Yes = Sí
No = No
Please = (Por) favor
Thank you = Gracias
You’re welcome = De nada
Excuse me please (as a question) = Disculpe
Excuse me (as sorry) = Perdone
Wait = Espere
Hurry up = Apresúrate
Let’s go to = Vamos a
I want to go to … = Quiero ir a

Shopping & Eating Out

Restaurant = Restaurantes
Do you have? … = Tienes..?
Not too spicy = no demasiado picante
It was delicious = Estaba delicioso
The bill, please = La cuenta, por favor
How much? = Cuanto/ Cuanta
Very expensive = Muy caro/ cara
Can you reduce the price? = Puedes reducir el precio?
Please can I have a beer? = Una cerveza

Transportation & Directions

Taxi = Taxi
Car = Coche
Bus = Autobús
Right = derecha
Left = izquierda
Straight = todo recto
Stop here = Deténgase aquí

Places

Downtown = al centro
Street = Calle
Hotel = Hotel
Museum = Museo
Mall = Centro comercial
Market = Mercado
Hospital = Hospital
Doctor = Médico/Médica
Police = Policía
Post office = Oficina de correos
Bank = Banco

Time & Dates

What time is it? = ¿Qué hora es?
Today = hoy
Tomorrow = mañana
Yesterday = ayer
When? = ¿Cuándo?

Emergencies

Where is the toilet? = ¿Dónde está el baño?
Help me, please = ¿Puede usted ayudarme por favor?
Call an ambulance = Llame una ambulancia
I don’t feel good = no me siento bien

• Barcelona: +34682533802
• Madrid: +34913459260

Type C / Type F View Plug-Type

Spanish law defines anyone under 18 to be a minor. Any unaccompanied minors that come to the attention of the Spanish authorities (for whatever reason, but particularly in connection with criminal incidents or when in hospital) are judged to be vulnerable and may be taken into a minors centre until a parent or guardian can be found. You must provide photo ID if requested by a police officer. This includes the Guardia Civil and national, regional and local police forces. The police have the right to hold you at a police station until your identity is confirmed. Ignoring direct requests or challenging a police officer may be viewed as ‘disobedience’, which is a criminal offence. Hotels have a legal duty to register the passport details of tourists on check-in. Wait until the hotel staff have registered your passport details or taken a photocopy of your passport. Don't leave it at reception to collect later. Possession of even a small quantity of drugs can lead to arrest and detention. Possession of large quantities will probably result in prosecution and a prison sentence if convicted. Some local councils in Spain have banned the consumption of alcohol in the street and on-the-spot fines may be issued. There are strict controls on drinking and sexual activity in public places, including beaches. Legislation introduced by the Regional Government in the Balearic Islands, covering designated areas within the resorts of Magaluf (Calvià) and Playa de Palma on the island of Mallorca, and San Antonio (San Antoni de Portmany) on the island of Ibiza, places limits on the sale and availability of alcohol. In designated areas of the resorts of San Antonio, Magaluf and Playa de Palma there are prohibitions on happy hours, open bars (such as all you can drink in 1-hour offers), the sale of alcohol from vending machines, self-service alcohol dispensers and the organising of pub-crawls and party boat trips. The law also prohibits “off-licence” sales between 9:30pm and 8am. In addition, hotels and other establishments are obliged to evict clients found to be behaving dangerously on balconies, with fines for both the client and the establishment. There have been a number of serious accidents involving people attending irregular commercially promoted parties in villas and private homes on the islands of Ibiza and Mallorca. Licensed clubs and bars are required to meet safety and security standards, including emergency exits and capacity limits, and to have trained, licensed security staff. Irregular commercial parties may not meet these standards. You should take care of your belongings, ensure you know where emergency exits are located and not take unnecessary risks. Heavy fines may be imposed by local authorities to anyone attending irregular commercial parties. Spain is a tolerant and progressive place for LGBT travellers. There are active LGBT communities and social venues, particularly in big cities. Same-sex marriage has been legal in Spain since 2005. As of 17 March 2007, the law allows a transgender person to register under their preferred sex in public documents such as birth certificates, identity cards and passports without undergoing prior gender reassignment surgery. Spain does not recognise a third gender. In some parts of Spain it’s against the law to be in the street wearing only a bikini or swimming shorts/trunks. Being bare-chested has also been banned in some areas of Spain. Some local councils will impose fines if you're caught wearing swimwear on the seafront promenade or the adjacent streets. For security reasons, some public authorities in Spain Don't allow the burqa or niqab to be worn in their buildings. If you visit town council buildings wearing a burqa or niqab, you may be asked to remove it while inside. You cannot take meat, milk or products containing them into EU countries. There are some exceptions for medical reasons, for example certain amounts of powdered infant milk, infant food, or pet food required for medical reasons.

47,076,781

Madrid

Madrid, Spain's central capital, is a city of elegant boulevards and expansive, manicured parks such as the Buen Retiro. It’s renowned for its rich repositories of European art, including the Prado Museum’s works by Goya, Velázquez and other Spanish masters. The heart of old Hapsburg Madrid is the portico-lined Plaza Mayor, and nearby is the baroque Royal Palace and Armory, displaying historic weaponry.

Customs Allowances : Click Here

Theft and pickpockets

You can easily avoid becoming a victim of street crime by not making yourself look like a vulnerable tourist.

Spaniards dress elegantly, so wearing shorts anywhere than the beach will instantly make it clear to locals that you are a tourist – men and women alike.

Excessive jewelry, expensive cameras and obvious displays of wealth will also get a criminal's mouth watering. Try to dress like the locals, in casual, comfortable attire.

Here are a few easy ways to show you are alert to the threat of pickpockets, which is often enough to deter them:

Carry your bag in front of you, close to your body when on public transport or in crowded areas
Keep your wallet in your front pocket and occasionally brush your hand over it to make sure it's still there and to catch out any pilfering fingers
Don't ever put your bags or luggage down unless you can keep a constant eye on them. One second is enough for an opportunistic crook to swoop off with your stuff
Even if you are hopelessly lost, maintain an air of confidence. Standing on a street corner, squinting at a map screams, "I'm vulnerable, rob me"
Only carry what you need for the day to minimize your potential losses. Keep your valuables separate rather than dumping them all in a backpack like a neatly wrapped present for potential thieves.

Common scams

By recognizing common scam tactics and techniques, you'll be ready before you're targeted. Here are several scams to watch out for in Spain. Most scams are variations on the misdirection theme.

Women offering flowers are looking to either extort a few euros from you or pocket as you try to fend them off
If anyone offers to clean bird poo off your back, walk away. While they "help" clean the mess, they'll try to pickpocket you
Delays at Metro doors, escalators and bus lines are used to keep you still and distracted long enough to rifle through your bag. This is often paired with a "divide and conquer" technique – so don't let anyone get between you and your friends or family in this situation.
Be wary of bogus undercover police officers who flash a phony ID and try to intimidate or confuse travelers with a charge or story. They'll ask for your documents and try and get you to hand over your wallet for "verification".

There would rarely be any reason for a plain-clothed policeman to deal with tourists in Spain. If they did, they'd only ask for your documents, never your wallet.

If you run into any counterfeit cops:

Don't be confrontational, as they have been known to resort to violence
Politely ask to see their ID again, and if they persist, ask to walk to the nearest police station before handing over anything
Never get into a car with them.

Stranger danger

Anyone who is overly friendly or persistent should be treated with caution, whether they're offering an opinion, service or advice. Most Spaniards won't approach you out of the blue, and they certainly won't try and touch a stranger.

This doesn't mean adopting a constantly cranky demeanor, but maintaining an air of vigilance is a good idea.

Card skimming

Card skimmers are becoming common in Spain, at ATMs and at some dishonest shops and cafes. Skimming devices on ATMs are easy enough to spot if you're looking out for them and are usually attached over the top of the original card slot, sticking out awkwardly from the machine.

When handing cards over to pay for a meal or goods, don't let them out of your sight. It only takes a second for someone dishonest to collect all the data from your card.

One way to ensure you're not completely cleaned out, should you fall victim to the skim, is to keep a separate account for traveling that you only top up as needed.

Roadside crime

In Spain, be aware there are gangs trying to rip off tourists who occasionally target rental cars or cars with foreign plates, particularly those towing caravans.

Their approach is subtle. They'll try to convince you to pull over, by indicating there's something wrong with your car or that you've damaged their vehicle. When you stop to take a look, they will either forcefully rob you, or sneak off with anything they can grab while you're busy looking under the hood. Some of these trouble-makers will wait at rest stops, puncturing tires and following victims down the road until they stop to change it.

If at all possible, avoid stopping on isolated stretches of road in Spain, especially during the night. The exits from Malaga airport and the surrounding highways are known targets for these gangs, as well as the AP7 Highway between Barcelona and the French border.

Civil unrest

The COVID-19 pandemic has thrown many European countries into turmoil, and it will remain unclear what the long-term effects are. Spain has experienced periods of civil unrest, and with unrest, riots and demonstrations are common.

Political unrest in the Catalonia region has resulted in large demonstrations that often turn violent. Stay across developments by reading local news reports, and avoid protests or crowded public spaces as best you can if you know protests are taking place.

Overall, Spain offers very little danger to careful travelers. The biggest threat to your health and safety is likely to come from a plate of artery-clogging chorizo. Use your common sense, stay up to date with local news and media, and you'll have a safe, enjoyable time in Spain.

You do not need an International Driving Permit to drive here for periods up to 6 months.

• In Spain, be aware there are gangs trying to rip off tourists who occasionally target rental cars or cars with foreign plates, particularly those towing caravans. Their approach is subtle. They'll try to convince you to pull over, by indicating there's something wrong with your car or that you've damaged their vehicle. When you stop to take a look, they will either forcefully rob you, or sneak off with anything they can grab while you're busy looking under the hood. Some of these trouble-makers will wait at rest stops, puncturing tires and following victims down the road until they stop to change it. If at all possible, avoid stopping on isolated stretches of road in Spain, especially during the night. The exits from Malaga airport and the surrounding highways are known targets for these gangs, as well as the AP7 Highway between Barcelona and the French border.
• Don't dally watch the street entertainers, the pickpockets are there making a living too.
• Don't try to go shopping at 3:30 pm, usually the small shops are closed between 2-5 pm. Only tourist goes shopping at local lunchtime.
• Don't carry on your wallet in back pants pocket, don't leave your bags hanging on back of chairs.
• Don't ignore the flag system of beach signs and warnings.
• Don't necessary talk about the religion - avoid crossing the line in this topic.
• Don't always think noon is at 12pm. Noon (mediodia) means lunchtime, which could be anytime between 01:30 - 4 pm.
• Don't stop for a plainclothes police officer at tourist places - it might be a scam.
• Don't wear your swimwear on the streets.
• Don't necessarily consume alcohol or expose alcohol consumption in the street - most cities have banned it.
• Don't be surprised if you see some nudity on the beaches. It's not specifically banned, but they are some areas where it's prohibited - always check. There's also an official list of nude beaches (hundreds) around Spain.
• Don't drink the hot chocolate - use it for dipping your crispy churros only.
• Don't leave your id card at hotel - you'll need to show it at the door to every club or party.
• Don't stay in San Antonio if you're over 30 - it's wild young persons scene these days.

Do I need travel insurance to travel to Spain?

Travel insurance is very important when traveling overseas. We strongly recommend that you take out cover to travel to Spain. You can usually take out single trip or annual multi-trip cover to give you peace of mind should anything happen.

It can be a better and cheaper option to take annual multi-trip cover as it usually covers any number of trips taken in one year with a maximum of up to around 60 days away per trip.

We work with the top names in the industry and have already pre-selected the easiest, cheapest and best quality travel insurance on the market to save you time and money trying to find the best cover.

Travel insurance typically covers the following; however, you can tailor a policy to suit your needs depending on where you are traveling to, your activities and how long you are away.

• Medical Expenses
  Medical treatment can be extremely costly and add up very quickly, and include Overnight stays in hospital, minor or major surgery, accident and emergency treatment, drugs, COVID-19 treatment, journey home if you cannot use the original ticket, dental treatment, and many more unexpected expenses.
• Baggage and personal belongings
  If your baggage is lost, stolen, damaged or delayed it is extremely frustrating. If you must buy new clothes, toiletry products or personal belongings it can be very expensive and time consuming.
• Cancellation
  Sometimes due to unforeseen circumstances you may need to cancel your trip. This could be due to several reasons such as illness, injury, a bereavement or many other scenarios. Usually airlines, tour operators and hotels have large cancellation fees, so buying travel insurance that covers this is recommended.

Health Care

Healthcare System in Spain

Healthcare of Spain is ranked 24th in the world. The Spanish public healthcare system is generally of high quality, with well-trained medical staff.

Health Risk

Leptospirosis

Caused by bacteria of the genus Leptospira.

Leishmaniasis

Occurs from sand fly bite.

Hantavirus

Less commonly, being around someone sick with hantavirus.

Tuberculosis (TB)

Caused from an infected and contagious person coughing, speaking, or singing.