Spain: Ταξιδιωτικός οδηγός, βίζες και δωρεάν διαμονή · 2026

Restaurants must provide tap water free of charge when requested. Customers are not required to buy bottled mineral water. Ask the serving staff for agua del grifo with your meal.

Contactless cards and mobile payment services operate across most urban restaurants, grocery stores, and transport terminals. Major international card networks enjoy widespread acceptance. Carrying physical euro notes and coins remains necessary for open-air markets, seaside kiosks, rural villages, and service gratuities.

Gratuity is customary only as an optional gesture rather than an obligatory service charge. Patrons frequently round up the bill or leave small pocket change after sit-down meals. Payment card terminals do not include an option for digital gratuity, requiring tips to be left in cash.

Evening meals occur substantially later than standard schedules elsewhere on the continent. Many kitchens close between the midday meal service and late evening dining. Travelers seeking food during the late afternoon rely on neighborhood bars for filled bread rolls known as bocadillos.

Rail operators do not sell passenger tickets inside carriages. Travelers must secure valid passage through digital applications or station sales machines prior to boarding. Suburban networks require validating at entry gates, while intercity lines require advance seat reservations.

Municipal police manage city traffic and respond to localized urban disputes. The national police force receives formal criminal filings and investigates thefts within municipal borders. Rural areas and intercity transport routes fall under the jurisdiction of the civil guard.

Entry conditions vary depending on your citizenship and the precise reason for travel. Border regulations distinguish strictly between short tourist stays and formal study or employment permits. Consult the dedicated visa section for requirements applicable to your passport.