The national territory includes Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza, Formentera, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, Tenerife, La Gomera, La Palma, El Hierro, Ceuta and Melilla.

Information last updated in September 2025

• Driving licence: the Swiss driving licence is recognised.

• Car rental: depending on the rental company and vehicle category, the minimum age for drivers is between 21 and 25. Drivers must have held their licence for at least one year.

• Traffic rules: traffic drives on the right.

• Vehicle equipment: a CH sticker, first-aid kit, high-visibility warning vest and warning triangle are mandatory.

• Blood alcohol limit: 0.5‰; 0.3‰ for professional drivers and new drivers who have held their licence for less than two years.

• Drinking water quality: tap water is safe to drink, at least for short periods, in most parts of Spain. Its main drawback is the high chlorine content. Although this keeps the water free of bacteria, it can give it a strong chlorine taste and smell.

• Vaccinations: no specific vaccinations are generally required for travellers entering Spain. Travellers are nevertheless advised to keep routine vaccinations up to date, particularly those for diphtheria, tetanus, polio and measles.

Information last updated in September 2025

Calle Nuñez de Balboa 35A, 7°
Edificio Goya
Madrid

Tel. +34 91 436 39 60
Email: madrid@eda.admin.ch

00 41 (disregard '0' preceding Swiss area codes)

• 1 January: New Year’s Day (Año Nuevo)

• 6 January: Epiphany / Three Kings’ Day (Epifanía / Reyes Magos)

• Good Friday (Viernes Santo) and Easter Sunday (Domingo de Pascua)

• 1 May: Labour Day (Día del Trabajo)

• 15 August: Assumption of Mary (Asunción de la Virgen)

• 12 October: National Day of Spain (Día de la Hispanidad)

• 1 November: All Saints’ Day (Día de Todos los Santos)

• 6 December: Constitution Day (Día de la Constitución)

• 8 December: Immaculate Conception (La Inmaculada Concepción)

• 25 December: Christmas Day (Navidad)

The country is part of the Schengen Area. The following information is intended for Swiss citizens resident in Switzerland.

The following documents are required to enter Spain:

• A valid Swiss identity card or valid Swiss passport.

• No visa is required.

• Minors: travel authorisation is mandatory for minors travelling alone, with only one parent or without their parents.

Information last updated in September 2025

Mediterranean climate (Costa del Sol, Costa Blanca, Costa Brava)

• Summer (June to August): average temperatures range from 25°C to 30°C. It can become very hot, with peaks above 35°C.

• Spring/autumn: pleasant temperatures between 15°C and 25°C, with mild nights.

• Winter (December to February): temperatures rarely fall below 10°C and generally remain mild, averaging around 15°C.

Atlantic coast (Galicia, Asturias, Basque Country)

• Summer: average temperatures range from 20°C to 25°C, often with cooler weather and frequent rainfall.

• Spring/autumn: milder temperatures between 10°C and 20°C, but still with rain and high humidity.

• Winter: temperatures range from 8°C to 15°C. Rain is frequent and humidity can be high.

Inland Spain (Madrid, Castilla-La Mancha, Castile and León)

• Summer: very hot, with temperatures between 30°C and 40°C and peaks above 40°C. Dry conditions are typical.

• Spring/autumn: moderate temperatures between 10°C and 20°C, with mild nights.

• Winter: cold temperatures between 0°C and 10°C, with occasional snowfall at higher elevations.

Mediterranean coast (Valencia, Barcelona)

• Summer: similar to the Mediterranean climate, with temperatures between 25°C and 30°C but slightly higher humidity.

• Spring/autumn: pleasant temperatures between 15°C and 25°C, with occasional rain.

• Winter: temperatures between 10°C and 15°C, often with mild, sunny days.

Canary Islands (Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote)

Thanks to their proximity to the equator, the Canary Islands enjoy a mild climate all year round.

• Summer: temperatures between 25°C and 30°C, with a pleasant sea breeze.

• Spring/autumn: temperatures similar to winter, with slightly more rainfall.

• Winter: average temperatures between 18°C and 22°C, with very little rain.

The ideal time to visit Spain

• Beach holidays: June-September

• City breaks: March-May / September-November

• Winter holidays: December-February

• Mobile phone use: using a mobile phone in Spain may incur roaming charges. It is advisable to check roaming fees before travelling and, if necessary, purchase a special roaming package to reduce costs.

• Wi-Fi: free Wi-Fi is available in hotels, restaurants, cafés and many public places in Spain. Hotspots are particularly widespread in cities such as Barcelona and Madrid.

• Prepaid SIM cards: you can buy a prepaid SIM card locally to make local calls and use mobile data. These are generally available from local providers such as Movistar, Vodafone, Orange and Yoigo.

• The Alhambra (Granada): an impressive Moorish fortress and palace complex.

• The Sagrada Família (Barcelona): an unfinished basilica designed by architect Antoni Gaudí.

• Santiago de Compostela Cathedral: an important pilgrimage destination and a masterpiece of Gothic architecture.

• The Royal Palace of Madrid: the official residence of the Spanish royal family.

• The Mezquita of Córdoba: a former mosque later converted into a church and an outstanding example of Moorish architecture.

• Plaza Mayor in Madrid: a historic square in the centre of Madrid with impressive architecture and a lively atmosphere.

• Park Güell (Barcelona): a public park designed by Gaudí, featuring unique architecture and colourful ceramic work.

• Toledo’s old town: a well-preserved medieval city with an impressive cathedral and numerous historic buildings.

• The Guggenheim Museum Bilbao: an avant-garde art museum in an iconic building designed by Frank Gehry.

• La Seu Cathedral (Palma de Mallorca): a Gothic cathedral with an impressive rose window.

• El Retiro Park in Madrid: a large city park with beautiful gardens, lakes and monuments.

• The Roman aqueduct of Segovia: a well-preserved Roman aqueduct regarded as the city’s landmark.

• The Basilica of Montserrat: a Benedictine abbey located on a spectacular rocky massif in Catalonia.

• Seville Cathedral: an impressive Gothic cathedral, the largest church in Spain and the third largest in the world.

• The Sierra Nevada: a mountain range in Andalusia with popular ski resorts in winter that attracts hikers and nature lovers in summer.

Travel inspiration

Explore our inspiring blog posts and discover Spain’s fascinating destinations.

Regions

• Andalusia: the most beautiful places, attractions and insider tips

• Barcelona and Beyond: the diversity of the Spanish coast

• Costa del Sol: idyllic beaches and culture

• Fuerteventura: the most beautiful attractions and insider tips

• Discover Gran Canaria: the best attractions and insider tips

• Ibiza: insider tips for the Balearic island

• Catalonia: the most beautiful places, attractions and insider tips

• Mallorca insider tips for your next trip

• Menorca: insider tips and peaceful places away from mass tourism

• Tenerife: 10 insider tips for those seeking peace and quiet

• Costa Brava: wild coastline, hidden coves and the Catalan way of life

• Discover Lanzarote: attractions, beaches and tips for the volcanic island

Cities

• Alicante: attractions and insider tips between old-town charm and the sound of the sea

• Bilbao: attractions, architecture and practical tips

• Madrid: attractions and insider tips: classics and creative hotspots

• Málaga: attractions and secrets of the Andalusian pearl

• Marbella’s attractions, old town and culture

• Palma de Mallorca: Mediterranean elegance between the old town and the sea

• Seville: attractions, insider tips and authentic experiences

• Discover Valencia’s attractions: from culture to the coast

• Barcelona city break: the most beautiful attractions and insider tips

Other topics

• Spain’s gems: the real top 10 must-see places away from the crowds

• The top 10 destinations on Spain’s coast

• Culinary delights: the best restaurants in Spain

• Paradise in Europe: the Spanish islands

• The 10 most beautiful beaches in Spain: mainland and islands

Spanish cuisine is known for its variety, regional specialities and high-quality ingredients. Here is a brief overview:

• Tapas: small dishes served as starters or snacks, offering a wide variety of flavours. Popular tapas include patatas bravas (fried potatoes with a spicy sauce), tortilla española (Spanish omelette) and jamón ibérico (air-dried ham).

• Paella: a famous Spanish rice dish prepared in a wide, shallow pan with seafood, chicken, rabbit or vegetables. The best-known version is paella Valenciana.

• Jamón: Spanish ham divided into two main categories, jamón serrano (air-dried mountain ham) and jamón ibérico (ham from Iberian pigs). It is often served as a starter or as part of a tapas platter.

• Gazpacho: a cold soup made with tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, onions, garlic and olive oil. Perfect for the hot summer months.

• Churros con chocolate: fried strips of dough rolled in sugar and served with hot chocolate for dipping. A popular breakfast or dessert.

• Pulpo a la gallega: a dish popular in Galicia made with boiled octopus seasoned with paprika, salt and olive oil.

• Pintxos: similar to tapas, but typical of the Basque Country. Pintxos are small bites served on a piece of bread and often held together with a toothpick.

• Manchego cheese: a semi-hard sheep’s milk cheese from the La Mancha region, known for its tangy flavour and creamy texture.

• Sangria: a refreshing drink made with red wine, fruit, sugar, brandy and soda. Ideal for social occasions and warm days.

• Crema catalana: the Catalan version of crème brûlée, a creamy dessert with a crisp layer of caramelised sugar on top.

Discover traditional tapas bars and innovative haute cuisine in our “Culinary city breaks” blog series: Seville, Spain’s food capital.

• Greetings: common greetings include a handshake and kisses on the cheeks, particularly among friends and family. A polite handshake is appropriate on formal occasions. A friendly “Buenos días” during the day or “Buenas tardes” in the afternoon and evening is also appreciated.

• Saying please and thank you: politeness is important, so remember to say “please” (por favor) and “thank you” (gracias).

• Clothing: Spaniards value a well-groomed appearance, particularly in urban areas. Casual clothing is acceptable in tourist destinations, but more formal attire is often expected in religious buildings and upmarket restaurants.

• Dining culture: meals in Spain are social occasions and often last a long time. Dinner is usually eaten late, often after 8.00 p.m. Placing your elbows on the table or eating noisily is considered impolite.

• Smoking: smoking in public buildings, restaurants and bars in Spain is restricted or prohibited. Many bars and restaurants have designated smoking areas or outdoor terraces.

• Tipping: tipping is less common in Spain than in some other countries, but it is customary to leave a small amount in recognition of good service. In restaurants, a tip of around 5-10% is appropriate, especially if the service was good. In hotels, you can also tip the porter, housekeeping staff and other service employees.

Official language

Spanish

Language capabilities

English, German and French

• Medical care is available. The European Health Insurance Card must be presented when receiving medical treatment.

• If you depend on certain medication, your travel pharmacy should contain an adequate supply. Please note, however, that many countries have special regulations governing the import of medication containing controlled substances, such as methadone, and substances used to treat mental health conditions. If necessary, contact the relevant foreign representation, namely the embassy or consulate, well before departure.

Information last updated in September 2025

• Before and during your trip, keep up to date with the current situation through the media and stay in contact with your tour operator.

• Further information about the current security situation is available on the website of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA).

• Despite heightened security measures, there remains a risk of terrorist attacks.

• Demonstrations may take place in major cities and may occasionally be accompanied by clashes between demonstrators and the security forces. Property damage and arson may also occur.

• Be alert to pickpocketing, bag snatching and theft from vehicles.

Information last updated in September 2025

Madrid

• Barcelona-El Prat (BCN): direct flights from Zurich and Geneva.

• Madrid-Barajas Adolfo Suárez (MAD): direct flights from Zurich and Geneva.

• Palma de Mallorca (PMI): direct flights from Zurich, Geneva and Basel.

• Málaga-Costa del Sol (AGP): direct flights from Zurich, Geneva and Basel.

• Alicante-Elche (ALC): direct flights from Zurich and Geneva.

• Valencia (VLC): direct flights from Zurich and Geneva.

• Ibiza (IBZ): direct flights from Zurich and Geneva.

• Gran Canaria (LPA): direct flights from Zurich and Geneva.

Major airlines operating in Spain include Iberia, Vueling Airlines, Air Europa, Ryanair, Volotea and easyJet.

Banks
9.00 a.m. - 2.00 p.m. (Mon - Fri)

Some banks also offer limited opening hours in the late afternoon or on Saturday mornings, particularly in larger cities and shopping centres.

Shops
9.30 a.m. - 1.30 p.m. and 4.30 p.m. - 8.00 p.m. (Mon - Sat)

Opening hours vary by region. Supermarkets and shopping centres generally stay open longer and may remain open until late in the evening, especially in larger cities. Most shops are closed on Sundays, apart from some in tourist areas and certain supermarkets.

• Single emergency number: 112

220 volt; 2-pronged round plug / adapter required for 3-pronged plug

+/- 0 h - 1 h (Canary Islands)