← Back to Spain

Pre-trip checklist

Spain

Sketch Score 70/100 · checked against sources current as of 2026-09-09

Government advisories

  • ☐ United States: level 2/4 — Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
  • ☐ United Kingdom: level 1/4
  • ☐ Canada: level 2/4 — Exercise a high degree of caution

Health notices

  • ☐ Global Measles (level 1)
  • ☐ Tap water: generally safe to drink

Entry requirements

☐ The visa policy of the Schengen Area is a component within the wider area of freedom, security and justice policy of the European Union. It applies to the Schengen Area and Cyprus, but not to EU member state Ireland. The visa policy allows nationals of certain countries to enter the Schengen Area via air, land or sea without a visa for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. Nationals of certain other countries are required to have a visa to enter and, in some cases, transit through the Schenge

Practical

  • ☐ Plug type C/F, 230V — bring an adapter if yours differs
  • ☐ Drives on the right
  • ☐ Emergency (police): 112
  • ☐ Emergency (ambulance): 112
  • ☐ Emergency (fire): 112
  • ☐ Money: €500 banknotes are not accepted in many stores—always have alternative banknotes.
  • ☐ Tipping: Tipping, or "propina" in Spanish is not mandatory nor considered customary in Spain. As a result, you may find that waiters are not as attentive or courteous as you may be used to since they don't work for tips.

Before you go

General trip-prep, not specific to Spain — the same short list applies anywhere.

  • ☐ Register with your embassy's traveler program if one exists
  • ☐ Check your passport's validity and blank-page requirements on your destination's official entry-rules page
  • ☐ Photograph/screenshot your passport, visa, and travel insurance documents
  • ☐ Download offline maps for your destination
  • ☐ Confirm your bank/card issuer knows you're traveling
  • ☐ Check whether your phone plan needs a travel add-on or a local SIM

Generated by SKETCH.WORLD from public sources — see sketch.world/spain for full receipts and links. Informational only, not professional travel or legal advice.