GoSpain Visa Requirements

Visa Entry

1、 Visa

（1） Chinese citizens entering Spain do not need to apply for a visa in the following situations:

1. Holding a Chinese diplomatic passport and staying in the West for no more than 90 days every 180 days

2. Holding a Hong Kong SAR or Macau SAR passport and staying in the West for a maximum of 90 days every 180 days

3. Holding a residence permit or return permit issued by Spain

4. Holding a residence permit or long-term visa issued by other Schengen countries and staying in the West for a maximum of 90 days every 180 days

（2） Except for the above situations, Chinese citizens entering Spain must obtain a visa in advance

Holders of official and ordinary official passports should submit visa applications to the Spanish Embassy or Consulate General in China through the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or other authorized units; Holders of ordinary passports can submit visa applications to visa application centers in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Xi'an, Hangzhou, Shenyang, Wuhan, Chengdu, Changsha, Jinan, Shenzhen, Fuzhou, Kunming, Chongqing, and Nanjing. Applications submitted in Beijing, Xi'an, Shenyang, Wuhan, Chengdu, Chongqing, and Jinan will be accepted by the Consulate General of Spain in Beijing. Applications submitted in Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Nanjing will be accepted by the Consulate General of Spain in Shanghai. Applications submitted in Guangzhou, Changsha, Shenzhen, Fuzhou, and Kunming will be accepted by the Consulate General of Spain in Guangzhou. For specific procedures for applying for a visa, please refer to the website of the Spanish Visa Center: https://china.blsspainvisa.com/chinese/

Spain is a Schengen Agreement country. Chinese citizens who only travel to Spain can apply for a visa at the Spanish Visa Application Center. If traveling to multiple Schengen Agreement countries at the same time, they should apply to the member state with the longest stay; When the duration of stay is the same, apply to the first country to be visited. Apply for a visa from the same country using the visa application form. The Schengen visa requires visa holders to stay continuously for no more than 90 days at a time or accumulate multiple stays of no more than 90 days every six months. In principle, visas cannot be extended. Long term visas exceeding 90 days are issued by Schengen Agreement countries with their own country specific visas.

2、 Entry and exit

Chinese citizens entering Spain must prepare the following documents (carry them with you and do not put them in checked baggage):

1. Chinese passport (valid for at least 3 months after the expected departure date from the Schengen area)

2. Valid visa or residence permit

3. Proof of entry purpose and economic ability to stay in the West

If you visit the West for tourism or other personal reasons, you may need to check your accommodation certificate (or invitation letter from individuals within the West), return ticket, travel itinerary, etc. upon entry.

If visiting the West for other reasons such as occupation, politics, technology, sports, religion, etc., upon entry, one may check the invitation letter, proof of relationship with the inviter, exhibition and conference certificates, and other materials proving the purpose of the visit.

If visiting the West for learning, training, or other reasons, upon entry, registration materials for relevant schools or training courses, as well as proof of learning or training courses, may be checked.

3、 Special Reminder

（1） Transit in the west. Chinese citizens transferring in Spain, if holding a connecting flight ticket and the next destination (or transit destination) is a non Schengen country, do not need to apply for a visa without leaving the international transit area of the airport. If the destination (or transit point) of the following station is a Schengen country, regardless of whether it leaves the airport or not, a Schengen visa must be obtained in advance.

（2） Cooperate with the inspection. The type of visa applied for should be consistent with the intention of traveling to the West. Please actively cooperate with the inspection of the Spanish border department upon entry, truthfully explain the situation, and ensure smooth travel. When communicating with others, it is important to remain calm and rational, and avoid extreme words and actions. When the border inspection has doubts about your entry intention, duration of stay, number of entries, etc., even if you have obtained a visa, the border inspection has the right to refuse your entry and refuse to provide reasons.

（3） Sign with caution. When encountering special inspections upon entry, if you do not understand the local language, do not nod or sign documents at will. Translation can be requested immediately or provided by family or friends. If asked to sign on the document, the other party should provide a Chinese version, read it correctly before making a decision. If denied entry, while waiting for them to arrange appropriate transportation to return, they should be required to provide humane treatment, guarantee basic rights such as food and rest. Otherwise, one should immediately request to contact the Chinese Embassy in the West.

Consular protection hotline of the Embassy in Spain: 0034-699089086.

Consular protection hotline of the Consulate General in Barcelona:0034-932125622； 0034-688306666

Customs epidemic prevention and control

1、 Customs

Spanish customs regulations prohibit travelers from carrying drugs and other prohibited items; Do not carry counterfeit or pirated products. Once discovered, the customs has the right to detain them; Each person is allowed to carry tax-free items in an amount not exceeding 300 euros (for passengers over 15 years old) or 150 euros (for passengers under 15 years old), with a limit of: (1) 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco; （2） 1 liter of strong liquor with an alcohol content exceeding 22 degrees or 2 liters of wine and alcoholic beverages with an alcohol content below 22 degrees; （3） 50 grams of perfume or 0.25 liters of floral water; （4） 500g regular coffee or 200g concentrated coffee; （5） 100 grams of tea or 40 grams of concentrated tea.

2、 Inspection and Quarantine

Visitors to the West who bring endangered wildlife and plants as stipulated by the Washington Convention into or out of the country must hold a permit from the relevant international trade organization.

3、 Financial regulation

Individuals carrying cash entering or leaving the country shall not exceed 10000 euros; Otherwise, the customs may detain the funds, investigate the source of cash and the purpose of carrying it out of the country, and ultimately rule to confiscate or impose a certain amount of fine.

4、 Contact Information

Madrid Barajas Airport Phone: 0034-913211000

Barcelona El Prat Airport Phone: 0034-902404704

5、 Special Reminder

Tourists who do not reside in the EU and shop in Spain can request a tax refund. The steps for tax refund are as follows: (1) Apply for a tax refund invoice at the shopping store and present proof of residence (passport); （2） Present the purchased item upon customs clearance and have the customs personnel stamp the tax refund invoice (which can be stamped within 3 months from the date of purchase); （3） Request a refund of the tax from the tax refund company. All tax refund companies have tax refund service counters at major airports in Spain to receive the refunded tax in cash or directly transfer the tax to a credit card. Please note that the tax refund policy can only be enjoyed when shopping and completing the tax refund procedures at merchants with signs such as "TaxRefund", "TaxFree", or "EuroFreeTax". The purchased tax refunded goods must have been purchased within 1-3 months before departure. Alcoholic and tobacco products (as they can be purchased in duty-free shops), goods exempt from consumption tax (such as fresh food), and goods already used overseas are not eligible for tax refunds. Items that are not carried with you cannot be refunded.

Residency and Naturalization

1、 Nationality

Spain has been a host country for immigrants since the mid-1980s, with looser immigration policies compared to other EU countries.

According to the Spanish Nationality Law, obtaining Spanish nationality can be divided into the following situations: firstly, naturally possessing Spanish nationality, including: (1) if one parent is Spanish, their child naturally possesses Spanish nationality; （2） Minors adopted by Spaniards; （3） Born in Spain, the parents are foreigners, and at least one parent is also born in Spain; （4） Born in Spain to stateless parents. （5） Orphans born in Spain. The second is the situation of applying for Spanish nationality, including: (1) children under Spanish guardianship; （2） At least one parent was born in Spain; （3） Adults or adopted individuals born in Spain and over the age of 18 can apply for citizenship within two years.

2、 Residence

Spanish residency can be classified by nature into work residency, family residency, student residency, EU residency, and rooted residency. Specifically, as follows:

（1） Work Residence (PERMISO DE RESIDENCIA Y TRABAJO). Work residency is divided into working residency (PERMISO DE TRABAJO POR CUENTA AJENA) and employer residency (PERMISO DE TRABAJO POR CUENTA PROPIA). There are two types of residency: initial residency (INICIAL), first two-year residency (PRIMERA RENOVACION), second two-year residency (SEGUNA RENOVACION), and long-term residency (RESIDENCIA DE LARGA DURATION). Boss residency only allows you to be a boss, while working residency only allows you to work. If you want to change this, you need to apply for a special permit. Long term residency is valid for 5 years, and one can be a boss, a part-time worker, or both. Long term residency allows one to work in other EU countries, but relevant procedures must be completed in advance at the police station.

（2） Family Residence (PERMISO DE RESIDENCIA, NO AUTORIZAR A TRABAJAR). Issued to family reunions in the West.

（3） Student Residence (PERMISO DE RESIDENCIA DE ESTUDIO). Issued to learners from the West.

（4） EU Residency (TARJETA COMUNITARIA). Issued to individuals from other EU countries or their families residing in the West, it is a one page paper certificate.

（5） Residency de ARRAIGO. 'Rooted Residence' refers to 'social integration and rooting', which is a residency program issued by the Western government to illegal immigrants who meet certain conditions for social integration. It is a channel for illegal immigrants to achieve legal status. Generally speaking, those who have resided continuously in Spain for at least 3 years without leaving Spain continuously for 120 days, have a work contract, a social integration report from the municipal government, or have their immediate family members legally settled in Spain can apply for such residency. At present, the threshold for establishing residency is becoming increasingly high.

3、 Contact Information

Madrid Foreigner ID Police Branch

Address: Av.de los Poblados, 51, 28047 Madrid (Metro: Aluche Station)

Phone: 913228682

Immigration Office of Barcelona

Address: Carrer de Múrcia, 42, 08027 Barcelona

Telephone: 935 20 14 10

website:http://www.seat.mpr.gob.es/portal/index.html

4、 Special Reminder

（1） Home Return Permit (AUTORIZACION DE REGRESO)

If there is no valid residence (including lost residence, or old residence has expired and new residence is still being changed, etc.) but it is necessary to leave Spain, regardless of whether the travel country is an EU or Schengen country, a return home permit must be obtained from the Spanish police as proof of future return to Spain. Otherwise, entry will be refused by the Spanish border inspection. The validity period of the Home Return Permit is 3 months, and the holder must return to Spain within the validity period.

（2） How to obtain Spanish citizenship

Chinese passport holders who have resided legally in Spain for 10 years are eligible to apply for naturalization, which usually lasts for about 3 years. To apply for citizenship, proof of integration into Spanish society is required, such as basic communication skills in Spanish. In special circumstances, the residence period can be shortened by 10 years, including: those who have legally resided for 5 years and meet the conditions for asylum; Legally residing for 2 years, with their country of origin being Latin American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, Portugal, or descendants of Spanish Jews.

The risk level for Spain is blue (low risk)

public security

1、 Security assessment

The Spanish government attaches great importance to social security, and the overall security situation is good. In recent years, due to the impact of the international financial crisis, the Spanish economy has encountered difficulties and there have been many social security issues. The crime rate is relatively high in the Madrid region and Barcelona, and incidents of theft and robbery of overseas Chinese, Chinese students, or Chinese tourists occur from time to time. Criminals are mostly organized into groups and commit crimes in tourist attractions, train stations, airports, underground passages, and hotel entrances in the city center. The common methods of committing crimes are as follows: firstly, one person pretends to ask for directions, and when the person is not paying attention, the accomplice suddenly rushes out to commit robbery; The second is to dress up as plainclothes police officers and search pedestrians' bags and wallets; Thirdly, after intentionally puncturing the tire, pretending to assist in replacing it and taking the opportunity to steal the luggage; The fourth is that the "motorcycle party" took the bag and quickly fled when passersby were not prepared; The fifth method is to tightly clamp the neck of a pedestrian with one's arm, or use a handkerchief dipped in chemical solution to make the person unconscious.

2、 Preventive measures

（1） Please carry copies of your passport and other identification documents, as well as copies of your visa and flight ticket, and store them separately from the original documents. Do not bring your passport, plane ticket, etc. with you when going out unless necessary. Do not carry large amounts of cash, and do not put cash, credit cards, traveler's checks, passports, and valuables in the same bag or pocket. Backpacks and shoulder bags should be placed in front of you to prevent theft.

（2） Try to avoid going out alone or taking the subway at night, and avoid appearing in places with fewer pedestrians. Early morning, late night, or lunchtime (around 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm) are favorable times for criminals to commit crimes due to the relatively weakened police force, and special attention should be paid to prevention.

（3） When taking a taxi, you should request an invoice (Recibo or Factura) with the taxi license plate number and the driver's operating license number printed on it.

（4） In case of emergency, one should shout for help loudly and draw people's attention. If you are attacked by criminals, do not resist reluctantly. Try to ensure your own safety, report to the police in a timely manner, and ask them to provide a report form, so that you can apply for compensation from the insurance company and handle matters such as reissuing tickets, passports, and foreign visas in the future. When traveler's checks and credit cards are lost, stolen, or robbed, they should be immediately reported to the issuing bank or company for cancellation of payment to prevent theft. If you need to apply for a new travel document, please contact the Chinese Embassy in Spain or the Chinese Consulate General in Barcelona. Our staff will do their best to provide assistance. The contact information is as follows:

Phone number of the Embassy in Spain: 0034-915194242 (switchboard); Fax: 0034-915192035.

Consular protection hotline of the Embassy in Spain: 0034-699089086.

Phone number of the Consulate General in Barcelona: 0034-934342958; Fax: 0034-932118794. Consular protection hotline of the Consulate General in Barcelona: 0034-932125622; 0034-688306666

natural disaster

Spain has pleasant climate conditions and is a region with less occurrence of natural disasters.

FDA

1、 Food hygiene situation

Since the release of the EU White Paper on Food Safety in 2000, the Spanish government has been committed to strictly adhering to EU standards to ensure domestic food hygiene and safety. In 2001, the Spanish government established the Food Safety and Nutrition Agency to ensure control over food safety, promote healthy food, and prevent obesity. In 2009, the Spanish government signed the draft Food Safety and Nutrition Law and established an official food safety laboratory monitoring network to ensure the safety control of food raw materials and finished product quality.

2、 Special Reminder

Spain has a developed food culture and a rich variety of seafood based delicacies. The more famous dishes are Paella, Sopa Castellana, Roasted sucking pig or Roasted baby pig and Cordero in the middle, Sopa de Mar í sco in the north, Sangr í a and Jam ó n. Most parts of Spain have excellent water quality, and tap water can be consumed directly.

Urgent Help

Inquiry: 11818, 11869, 11824, 010

Emergency rescue: 112 (Chinese language service available in Madrid region)

National Police: 091

National Guard: 062

Madrid City Police: 092

Barcelona Local Police: 112

Barcelona City Police: 092

Barcelona emergency hotline: 061

Red Cross Ambulance: 915222222 (Madrid), 900221122 (Barcelona)

Poisoning: 915620420.

Fire alarm: 080.

Madrid Municipal Crane: 913450666.

Barcelona Municipal Crane: 901 51 31 51

The Madrid City Government's hotline for assistance is 915881000.

Barcelona City Government Help Hotline: 936 197 311

Consular protection hotline of the Embassy in Spain: 0034-699089086.

Consular protection hotline of the Consulate General in Barcelona:0034-932125622； 0034-688306666

air traffic

1、 International (including round-trip flights to and from China) flights

The Spanish aviation system is highly developed, and its international routes can directly reach important cities around the world. Air China has opened direct flights from Beijing to Madrid and Barcelona. China Eastern Airlines has opened direct flights from Shanghai to Madrid and from Wenzhou to Madrid. Hainan Airlines has opened a direct flight route from Chongqing to Madrid. Capital Airlines has opened a direct flight route from Hangzhou to Madrid. Shenzhen Airlines has opened a direct flight route from Shenzhen to Barcelona. There are frequent flights between Spain and various European countries; Meanwhile, Spain is also a major transportation hub leading to Africa and the Americas.

2、 Domestic flight situation

Within Spain, air transportation between major cities is very convenient. Among them, there are high-density air bridge flights from Madrid to Barcelona, with an average of every 15 minutes during peak hours, and the journey takes about an hour. In addition, the flight time from Madrid to Granada, Madrid to Malaga and other places is about 1 hour.

3、 Main airport situation

Spain has 47 airports. Among them, Barajas Airport in Madrid, El Prat Airport in Barcelona, and Malaga Airport in Malaga are all important international airports in Spain.

4、 Airline situation

Iberia Airlines is the largest airline in Spain, with the most routes and excellent service. In addition, there are Europa Airlines and Vueling Airlines.

5、 Main modes of transportation to and from the airport

Major cities in Spain have subway and airport connections, making transportation convenient.

6、 Special Reminder

European routes generally only provide paid drinking water and food, and charge fees ranging from 4 to 20 euros.

land transport

1、 Highway and railway conditions

The highways in Spain are in good condition and have convenient transportation. The railway system is highly developed, with a radial distribution centered around Madrid. The domestic railways are connected to railways in other European countries, and passengers can take trains directly to major European cities such as London, Paris, and Vienna.

2、 Public transportation such as cars and trains

In Spain, long-distance passenger transportation is mainly operated by private companies operating point-to-point between cities, with frequent schedules and low prices. The international buses operated by Eurolines in Spain are very convenient and can directly reach major cities in Europe. Holders of the Eurolines Pass can take Eurolines buses to and from over 20 European country stations at will.

There are direct high-speed trains (AVE) from the capital Madrid to major cities, which are fast, safe and comfortable, but relatively expensive.

3、 Car rental and self driving situation

According to Article 21, Paragraph 1, Point 2 of Royal Decree No. 818/2009 of Spain, holders of a motor vehicle driving license of the People's Republic of China may legally drive in Spain within six months of entry, with the original driving license and a translation notarization issued by the Spanish Embassy in China, or a double certified translation notarization issued by a Chinese notary office.

The car rental service in Spain is very developed, with major car rental companies setting up branches at the exits of airports, train stations, and bus stations. Self driving travel requires compliance with local traffic regulations and attention to traffic and personal safety.

4、 Special Reminder

If you want to take the high-speed rail, you can book in advance to get a good discount. Its price will change with the seasons.

water communication

Spain has 25 ports, among which the most important are Barcelona, Bilbao, Tarragona, Algecira Port, etc. The main routes opened include: departing from Barcelona and Valencia to the Balearic Islands, departing from Cadiz to the Canary Islands, departing from Malaga to Melia, etc.

Urban transportation

1、 Urban transportation (bus, subway, taxi) situation

The transportation within major cities in Spain is well-developed. Madrid has 16 subway lines with a total length of 295 kilometers and 302 stations. There is also a suburban railway network (CERCANIA) connected to Madrid. Bus and taxi services are also very convenient. There are currently 12 operating lines in Barcelona, with a total length of 141.4 kilometers and 185 stations. Among them, lines L1, L2, L3, L4, L5, L9, L10, and L11 are operated by the Barcelona Metro Transport Company (TMB), while lines L6, L7, L8, and L12 are operated by the Catalan Government Railway Company (FGC) and can be transferred within 75 minutes.

2、 Common contact information

Madrid taxi reservation hotline: 914473232

Barcelona taxi reservation hotline: 934331020/933222222/932250000/933033033

3、 Special Reminder

（2） The Madrid subway implements segmented pricing, with one-way tickets starting at 1.5 euros and a maximum of 2 euros in urban area A. The combined fare for 10 bus and subway trips is 12.2 euros. The Madrid Metro has stopped using paper tickets since January 1, 2018, and instead uses public transportation cards. The cost of using a public transportation card is 2.5 euros, which can be purchased and recharged at the subway station's automatic ticket vending machine, or applied for a real name card on the Madrid Public Transportation Card official website. Different fees will be charged based on the cardholder's age and the different sections they travel on. Please refer to the official website of Madrid Bus Card for details: http://www.crtm.es/ .

Barcelona Metro implements zone pricing, with a single person ticket price of 2.4 euros in the urban area, a daily pass price of 10.5 euros, a T-casual ticket price of 11.35 euros (limited to one person each time), and a T-familiar ticket price of 10 euros (unlimited number of users). Passengers can transfer within 75 minutes. Holders of valid residency in Spain can apply for youth tickets (T-jove, under 25 years old, ranging from 80 to 222.25 euros) and monthly tickets (T-usual, ranging from 40 to 113.75 euros) based on age and age group. Bus tickets are available for both municipal buses and subways.

major city

Madrid: the capital of Spain. Located in the central part of the Iberian Peninsula, with an area of 606 square kilometers and a population of over 3.26 million (according to 2019 statistics). At an altitude of 670 meters, it is the highest capital city in Europe. Southward, it is connected to the Strait of Gibraltar, and the Pyrenees Mountains in North Vietnam extend straight to the heartland of Europe. In history, it was known as the "Gateway to Europe" due to its strategic location. Madrid is the political, cultural, economic, and financial center of the country, and is ranked among the top ten tourist cities in the world. There are 36 ancient art palaces, over 100 museums, 18 libraries, and more than 100 sculpture groups in the city.

Barcelona: the capital of Catalonia and the second largest city in Spain. Located in the northeast of the Iberian Peninsula, with a population of 1.665 million (according to 2020 statistics), the official languages are Spanish and Catalan. Barcelona is one of the most important trade, industrial, and financial bases in Spain, and the Port of Barcelona is the largest cruise terminal along the Mediterranean coast. The Autonomous Community of Catalonia is one of the pillar regions of the Spanish economy, industry, and exports. Agriculture, tourism, port freight, biopharmaceuticals, smart city construction, sports culture, and technological innovation are the advantageous industries of Catalonia.

Valencia: the third largest city in Spain. Located in southeastern Spain, known as a pearl on the west coast of the Mediterranean, with a population of over 790000 (according to 2019 statistics). The old city area still maintains its antique style, and most of the main attractions are concentrated in this area. The silk market in the city has been selected as a world cultural heritage site. Valencia Port is the second largest seaport in Spain.

Seville: the capital of Andalusia Autonomous Community and Seville Province, the fourth largest city in Spain and the only city with an inland port, with a population of 690000 (according to 2019 statistics). Seville Cathedral and Spanish Square in the city are famous tourist attractions.

Website and contact information:

Madrid Tourism Network:www.turismomadrid.es

Barcelona Tourism Website:www.barcelonaturisme.com

Valencia Tourism Network:www.turisvalencia.es

Seville Tourism Website:www.turismosevilla.org

Commodity prices

1、 Main products

Spain has superior natural climate conditions, with coastal plains and valley lowlands producing wheat, corn, olives, citrus, grapes, and oranges. Olive oil and wine produced in Spain are renowned worldwide, while ham (Jam ó n) made from pig legs is a national specialty that Spaniards take pride in.

2、 Price situation

Prices in Spain are relatively low compared to other major developed EU countries, but still at a relatively high level compared to the domestic market.

3、 Currency and exchange rate

Spain has implemented the Euro single currency since January 2002. There are seven types of euro banknotes, including 500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10, and 5 yuan; There are eight types of coins: 1 cent, 2 cents, 5 cents, 10 cents, 20 cents, 50 cents, 1 euro, 2 euros, etc. To check real-time exchange rates, please refer to:http://www.boc.cn/sourcedb/whpj/

4、 Tax burden

The tax rate in Spain is divided into three levels. The minimum tax rate is 4% (including bread, milk, eggs, books, newspapers, stationery, fruits and vegetables, government subsidized housing, and medicinal herbs, etc.); The mid-range tax rate is 10% (including processed food, water, newly built houses, transportation, hotels and restaurants, cultural performance tickets, beauty and hairdressing, decoration, etc.); The regular tax rate is 21% (including clothing, tobacco, alcohol, cosmetics, cars, appliances, audiovisual discs, sports tickets, jewelry, etc.).

5、 Payment method

Most merchants in Spain support payment through credit cards and local debit cards, and also accept cash payments. At present, some businesses have accepted Alipay payment.

6、 Banking and Financial Services

The general business hours of Spanish banks are from 8:30 am to 2:00 pm from Monday to Friday, and some are open on Saturday mornings. The main banks include BSCH (Banco Santander Central Hispano), BBVA (Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria), La Caixa, and Bankia.

To open a cheque, deposit account and apply for a bank card, you need to bring your residence permit or passport (some banks do not accept foreigners without right of abode to open accounts with passports) to the bank to apply. All banks in Spain accept foreign remittance services and charge a handling fee of approximately 3.5% of the remittance amount per transaction. If the minimum amount is not reached, a certain amount of handling fee will be charged.

7、 Special Reminder

Euro cash can be exchanged at major banks, hotels above four stars, airports, and currency exchange shops both inside and outside the city in Spain.

At present, most merchants in Spain accept VISA and MASTERCARD cards for consumption, and it is inconvenient to use American Express, Dinner, JCB cards, etc. According to the law, in Spain, when using a credit or debit card for consumption, merchants have the right to require the cardholder to present their identification documents for the merchant to verify whether the cardholder's identity matches the name on the card. Otherwise, the merchant has the right to refuse the cardholder's card consumption. Chinese citizens traveling to Spain should carry identification documents (passport or residence permit) with photos and foreign names for verification.

Insurance Medical

1、 Medical conditions

Spain's medical conditions are among the best in the world, and it is one of the countries with the best public healthcare systems, with a comprehensive system for prevention and emergency response. Currently, there are over 300 public hospitals and 3000 medical centers in Spain, with an average of 4.4 doctors, 4.1 beds, and 5 nurses per thousand people.

2、 Medical insurance

Spain is a high social welfare country, and Spanish workers and foreign workers legally residing in Spain automatically join medical insurance upon payment of social insurance. They and their immediate family members can enjoy free medical care. In addition, there are companies that provide private medical insurance such as ADESLAS, MAPFRE, SANITA, and AXA. The insurance coverage includes medical treatment, hospitalization, surgery, childbirth, and other items. The contracted hospitals and clinics are located throughout the country, making it very convenient to seek medical treatment during weekdays and holidays. Many people not only enjoy public medical care, but also hire private doctors at their own expense.

3、 Common diseases and treatments

The hygiene situation in Spain is good, with no widespread infectious diseases and occasional flu outbreaks in spring and autumn. Children under 2 years old and elderly people over 60 years old must receive vaccination for epidemic prevention.

4、 Main hospitals and pharmacies

Spanish hospitals are divided into public and private types. Public hospitals have a large scale, excellent equipment, strong technical strength, and higher medical standards than private hospitals. Therefore, it is recommended to seek medical treatment at public hospitals for more serious illnesses. Due to the large number of patients and longer treatment time in public hospitals, while private hospitals have lower treatment time and higher service quality, minor illnesses such as colds can generally be treated in private hospitals. Spanish pharmacies can be seen everywhere, usually with green cross signs hanging outside the store. Medicines must be purchased from pharmacies, and prescription drugs must have a doctor's prescription. Pharmacies usually operate from 9:30-13:30 and 16:30-20:00. In some big cities, some pharmacies are open 24 hours a day.

5、 Common contact information

Emergency rescue: 112

Red Cross Ambulance: 915222222 (Madrid), 900221122 (Barcelona)

6、 Special Reminder

If there is no medical insurance or social security for medical treatment in Spain, the cost will be quite expensive. Therefore, it is recommended that Chinese citizens traveling to Spain purchase medical insurance for themselves before their trip.

Customs taboos

1、 Holidays and festivals

There are many festivals in Spain, and in addition to national holidays, each autonomous region, province, city, and township has its own patron saint festival. The main national holidays in Spain include: New Year's Day (January 1), Three Kings' Day (January 6), Holy Week (time varies each year), Assumption of the Virgin Mary Day (August 15), National Day (October 12), Halloween (November 1), Constitution Day (December 6), Pentecost Day (December 8), Christmas Day (December 25), etc. In addition, Spain's more ethnic themed festivals include Carnival, Valencia Festival (Fire Festival), Seville April Festival, Running Bull Festival, Tomato Festival, etc. During festivals, Spaniards hold outdoor concerts, masquerade parties, religious parades, fireworks displays, song and dance performances, bullfighting and other activities, and the whole nation is mobilized to celebrate and revel. Spaniards often take advantage of holidays to "bridge" their vacations, such as during Holy Week, summer vacation in July and August, Christmas and New Year, and other holidays when they go out for vacation.

On the occasion of the arrival of the New Year, when the first bell of the New Year's Day begins to ring, people compete to eat grapes. If they can eat 12 grapes according to the bell, it symbolizes that every month of the New Year is peaceful and prosperous. Meanwhile, most Spaniards carry a gold or copper coin with them as a symbol of good luck. San Wang Festival "is a holiday for children, who will receive gifts prepared by their parents according to their wishes when they wake up in the morning; The float parade begins in the evening, and the floats carrying the Three Kings of the East will scatter countless candies. Holy Week, also known as Easter, is a holiday commemorating the resurrection of Jesus. On the first Sunday after the full moon of the Spring Equinox every year, if the full moon day happens to be a Sunday, it will be postponed by one week. Therefore, Easter may fall on any day between March 22nd and April 25th. The seven days from the Sunday before Easter until Easter are called Holy Week. National Day commemorates Columbus' discovery of the New World in 1492. A military parade is held every National Day, attended by members of the royal family, military and political officials, and invited to participate during foreign missions to the West. Christmas is a holiday commemorating the birth of Jesus, and the Catholic Church first holds midnight mass on Christmas Eve.

2、 Common Etiquette

Spaniards prioritize women. This etiquette is reflected everywhere when taking the elevator, getting on and off the bus, entertaining guests, and serving dishes. In formal social occasions, Spaniards usually shake hands with guests. Veneering and hugging are mainly used between relatives, friends, couples, and old acquaintances. The veneering ceremony is to stick double-sided, from right to left.

3、 Customs and traditions

Men generally do not wear rose colored ties. When attending a banquet, men wear suits and ties. Ladies are required to wear long skirts, short skirts, or suits.

Spaniards use napkins during meals. The owner can only take the napkin after the other personnel have done so. Napkins can be placed on the legs, table, or chest. Spaniards eat with knives and forks. How many main dishes should be served and how many pairs of knives and forks should be placed, sometimes depending on the situation after each dish is eaten. Fork on the left side of the plate, knife on the right side, pick up from the outermost part when using. After consumption, combine the knife and fork and place them on the right side of the plate to indicate that you have no intention of eating again.

Spain implements cremation. The death of a person should be supported by a death certificate issued by a doctor after verification. No burial or cremation is allowed within 24 hours of death, in the hope of resurrection after death or to avoid being buried before death. Before cremation, different forms of mourning and farewell ceremonies should be held according to the situation. The memorial service is held at the funeral home, and the mass is held in the small church of the crematorium. At funerals, wreaths and chrysanthemums are mostly presented. Attending a funeral should wear black or dark clothing, and men should wear a dark tie.

4、 Main taboos

When visiting in Spain, it is necessary to make a prior agreement between acquaintances, friends, and relatives. It is impolite to rush to the host's house or office without prior notice. When visiting Spanish homes, you can receive fresh flowers, and they love pomegranate flowers the most. Spaniards avoid giving dahlia and chrysanthemums, and only give chrysanthemums at funerals. The timing of sending flowers is also important. Generally, flowers are not sent on the 13th of each month, and 13 flowers are not given when sending flowers, because the number "13" is considered unlucky in the hearts of Spaniards. Leaving immediately after a meal is impolite, and staying too long is also impolite.

5、 Special Reminder

Local women have a fan language. When a woman opens a fan and covers the lower part of her face, it means: "I love you, do you like me?" If she opens and closes it one after another, it means: "I miss you very much." Therefore, for women who are new to Spain and do not understand fan language, it is best not to use a fan.

Important appointments, banquets, etc. should arrive early or on time as required. It is not advisable to start a general date early, and it is advisable to arrive a few minutes later.

When dining in a restaurant, the waiter usually places a plate of bread in front of each person's left. Some restaurants offer free bread, while others require payment. Ask clearly before dining.

Communications Power

1、 Power supply voltage

（1） Power interface type: Two phase round plug.

（2） Standard voltage: 220V.

2、 Communication Network

（1） Telephone and international/domestic dialing methods, charges

The international dialing method is country code+city code+phone number. The domestic dialing method is the area code+phone number. The country code for Spain is 0034.

You can purchase phone recharge cards or contract cards at the local communication company's business hall and choose the package that suits your needs.

（2） Internet

The Internet in Spain is very convenient. Generally, hotels have their own wireless networks, which can be used for free or charged for 5 to 30 euros/hour.

contact information

National Tourism Office: Phone 0034-915480011; Fax: 0034-91 5480597.