Madrid Travel Advice
Madrid is deemed to be a relatively safe city with fairly low crime rates. As long as the correct precautions and safety advice are followed, trips should be trouble-free.
The city can cater for all tourists with its extensive selection of tourist attractions, from amusement parks and zoos for children and families to art galleries, museums, bars and restaurants for all, making it one of Spain's most visited cities.
Although Madrid experienced the worst terrorist attack of the millennium in 2004, the city has not experience any terrorist incident since.
Visiting Madrid FAQsHire a bodyguard in Madrid
If you are interested in hiring a bodyguard for your travel to Madrid, please see our page for Bodyguard Services in Spain.
Key Information for Madrid
Country Overview
Capital City: Madrid
Official State Language(s): Spainish
Official State Religion(s): Christianity (Catholicism)
State Currency: Euro (€)
Current Capital Time:
How safe is Madrid?
Madrid is deemed to be a relatively safe city with fairly low crime rates, far lower than for comparision London or Paris.
Public unrest in Madrid has been marked by widespread protests, especially concerning the controversial amnesty bill for Catalan separatists. This issue has led to considerable public backlash and large-scale demonstrations nationwide. Travelers are advised to exercise caution and avoid large gatherings, as these events could potentially escalate into violent situations.
As long as the correct precautions and safety advice are followed, trips should be trouble-free.
Health Emergencies in Spain
Trichinosis, also referred to as trichinellosis, is a zoonotic disease. Recent outbreaks have been reported in Spain. This illness is contracted by consuming undercooked meat from infected pigs or wild boar.
Lyme disease, or Lyme borreliosis (LB); this tick-borne illness, caused by the Borrelia bacteria, has been reported in various regions of Spain, particularly in the north, including Asturias and Galicia. While cases are relatively low in Spain, there is growing due to the disease's potential for serious long-term health effects if not diagnosed and treated promptly.
Key Security Issues
As in any city, visitors to Madrid and other tourist destinations should exercise caution at night, as incidents of muggings and bag-snatching can occur. Currently, there are no specific threats from Islamic extremism in Spain; however, organized crime remains a significant concern.
Pickpocketing, minor burglaries, and scams are common in tourist areas and on public transportation and drug trafficking is present in some neighborhoods, such as Caño Roto, Pozo del Tío Raimundo, and Cañada Rea.
Crime in Spain
The overall crime rate in Spain is similar to that of other European countries, such as the UK. However, be mindful of street crime risks, as thieves frequently use distraction techniques and often work in groups. It's crucial to protect your passport, money, and personal belongings, particularly when handling luggage at the airport and during car rental arrangements.
Retiro, Chamberí, Salamanca, Sol, Malasaña, Chueca, and La Latina are considered the safest neighborhoods in Madrid.
Global Travel AdvisoriesFAQs for visiting Spain
You can find the following embassies in Spain for the UK and US:
British Embassy
Torre Espacio,
Paseo de la Castellana 259D,
28046 Madrid,
Spain
Telephone: +34 917 146 300
Email: [email protected]
United States Embassy
Calle de Serrano,
75,
28006 Madrid,
Spain
Telephone: +34 915 872 200
Email: [email protected]
For UK citizens, Spain follows Schengen area rules. Your passport must:
Have a ‘date of issue’ less than 10 years before the date you arrive – if you renewed your passport before 1 October 2018, it may have a date of issue that is more than 10 years ago.
Have an ‘expiry date’ at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave the Schengen area.
Citizens of the European Union, as well as those from the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland, do not require a visa to live in Spain, pursue long-term studies, or work. However, once they arrive in Spain, they must register with the Register for Citizens of the Union. Family members accompanying them who are entitled to free movement must apply for a residence permit in Spain. If their nationality requires a visa for stays, they will need to obtain a visa specifically for family members of a Union citizen.
US citizens can travel to Spain without a visa for up to 90 days for tourism, study, or business until the end of 2024. Starting in mid-2025, US citizens will need to apply for a visa waiver called ETIAS to enter Spain. Applications must be submitted at least 72 hours before the flight.
For further details on residency requirements and application processes, you can visit official sources like the Spanish government’s immigration website
Spain’s geographical proximity to North Africa and historical ties to the region continue to make it vulnerable to extremism, necessitating ongoing vigilance and cooperation with international intelligence agencies to mitigate future threats.
Here is a summary of significant terror attacks in Spain in recent years:
Attack in Algeciras (January 2023): A Moroccan national carried out a machete attack, killing a church sacristan and injuring several others. This attack was treated as an act of Islamist extremism.
Barcelona and Cambrils Attacks (August 2017): The deadliest recent attacks occurred on August 17-18, 2017. A van drove into crowds on La Rambla in Barcelona, killing 14 and injuring over 100. Hours later, a related incident in Cambrils involved a vehicle attack and resulted in one civilian's death. The attackers were linked to a cell that had connections to ISIS.
Madrid Train Bombings (March 2004): Known as the 11-M attacks, this was Spain’s deadliest terrorist attack. Ten bombs exploded on commuter trains during rush hour, killing 191 people and injuring over 2,000. The attack was attributed to an al-Qaeda-inspired cell.
2015 Anti-Terror Operations: Spain increased anti-terror operations after 2015, arresting multiple suspects connected to ISIS. Operations, such as Operation MIYA, targeted networks financing and planning attacks across Europe. Recent arrests have disrupted plans by radicalized individuals, such as a thwarted attack on a school in Andalucía in 2024.
Basque Separatist Attacks (1959-2011): The Basque separatist group ETA was active for decades, responsible for numerous attacks, including bombings and assassinations, which resulted in over 800 deaths. The group declared a permanent ceasefire in 2011.
These incidents reflect the varied motivations and methods of terrorism in Spain, ranging from separatist violence to Islamist extremism, underscoring the country's ongoing counterterrorism challenges.
If you are a British citizen, your UK EHIC card remains valid when travelling to an EU country until it expires, providing access to state-provided healthcare in Bulgaria. After that, British citizens must apply for a UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) which will cover them for state-provided healthcare in the EU. Nevertheless, you will be required to show proof on arrival that you have travel insurance for your trip.
It is advised that visitors to Bulgaria are up-to-date with primary boosters such as MMR. It is further recommended that most travellers also get a Tetanus vaccination.
The medical health care and facilities in Bulgaria are of a good standard. Make sure to take out essential medical and health insurance in order to cover the necessary costs abroad as medical treatments are quite expensive. If visiting from the UK, be sure to take your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) with you.
Consult a healthcare provider or travel clinic well in advance of your trip to determine which vaccines are appropriate based on your health status and itinerary. Staying informed and prepared can help ensure a safe and enjoyable trip to Bulgaria.
Travel both on the roads and via public transport is good in Spain and across the Spanish Islands. Spain boasts a comprehensive public transport system, including extensive metro, bus, and train networks, particularly in major cities like Madrid and Barcelona. These services are known for their efficiency and affordability, making them a popular choice for both locals and tourists. For detailed information, visit EU Mobility
When travelling by car in Spain, British nationals do not need an International Driving Permit (IDP) but a motor insurance green card issued by their car insurer is required to drive a UK-registered car in the EU.
The death rate on the roads in Spain is about 50% higher than in the UK, so care should be taken when driving. There are particular requirements for driving in Spain that you will find on this page: Driving in Spain.
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12-14, Rond-Point des Champs-Elysées,
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France
Telephone: +33 1 82 888340 or +33 1 53 531411
Email: [email protected]
Disclaimer
You are responsible for your own safety abroad and for making the decision to travel. The information contained in this Travel Advice for Madrid is provided for information only.
Whilst care is taken to ensure that this country brief is as up-to-date and accurate as possible, it is provided on an “as is” basis without any representation or endorsement made and without warranty of any kind, express or implied. Intelligent Protection International Limited does not assume responsibility and shall not be liable for any damages in connection to the information provided.