The essentials at a glance
| Topic | What to know | Detailed page |
|---|---|---|
| Entering Spain | Valid passport or ID card; maximum 90 days in any 180 in the Schengen area for a short stay | Official sites (below) |
| EES and ETIAS | EES: biometric check for non-EU travellers, in operation since 10 April 2026; ETIAS: launch date not confirmed in October 2026 | Official sites (below) |
| Health | 112 for any emergency; European Health Insurance Card for EU residents | Health in Madrid |
| Money | Cards accepted almost everywhere; tipping optional | Money, payment and tipping |
| Plugs | 230 V, European two-round-pin plugs | No adapter needed from most European countries |
| Alcohol, smoking, drugs | No drinking in the street outside terraces; no smoking indoors; cannabis illegal in public | What's allowed? |
| Safety | A safe city; the risk is pickpocketing | Scams to avoid |
| Hours | Lunch around 2 pm, dinner around 9 pm | Spanish hours |
| Internet | EU roaming, eSIM elsewhere | SIM card and eSIM |
| Arrival | Taxi, metro, bus or train from Barajas | Barajas airport |
And on the health side, are you covered? Preparing a trip also means planning for what happens if you fall ill or have an accident. The European Health Insurance Card covers state-provided care for EU visitors, but not every cost and not repatriation; visitors from outside the EU pay in full. A health and repatriation insurance (SafetyWing, bought online, for the length of your trip) covers treatment and the trip home. See our travel insurance guide.
Entry requirements: passport, Schengen, EES and ETIAS
Spain is part of the Schengen area. EU citizens enter with a valid ID card or passport. For other visa-exempt nationalities, a stay is limited to 90 days in any 180-day period in the Schengen area, and the passport must remain valid after your departure date: check the exact requirement for your nationality.
The EU Entry/Exit System (EES) replaces passport stamping with a digital record, including a photo and fingerprints, for non-EU travellers on short stays. According to the European Commission it has been fully operational since 10 April 2026: allow a little extra time at arrival checks. ETIAS, the online travel authorisation (announced at €20 for three years) for visa-exempt travellers, had no confirmed launch date in October 2026. Do not pay any site that claims to sell it already. Check the situation on the official portal travel-europe.europa.eu and with the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs before you leave.
Health and insurance
The single emergency number is 112, free and valid across Spain. EU residents show their European Health Insurance Card for necessary care in the public system; other travellers should take out travel insurance that covers repatriation. Pharmacies, hospitals and what to do if you feel unwell: health in Madrid. In summer, drink plenty of water and avoid sightseeing in the middle of the afternoon (see Madrid in summer).
Money, plugs and internet
Bank cards work almost everywhere, from bars to taxis; refuse the conversion into your own currency offered by card terminals and ATMs. Tipping is a gesture, not an obligation, and non-EU residents can claim a tax refund: it is all in money, payment and tipping. Electricity is 230 V with two-round-pin plugs. To be online on arrival, read SIM card and eSIM in Madrid.
What is allowed, banned or fined
- Alcohol. Drinking in the street is banned outside terraces and authorised festivals: alcohol in the street.
- Smoking. Banned indoors; still allowed on terraces in October 2026: smoking in Madrid.
- Drugs. Cannabis is not legal for visitors, and public use is fined: cannabis and drugs.
- Other fines. City fines range from €750 to €3,000: fines and bans.
Safety
Madrid is safe for visitors; the risk is pickpocketing on the metro and around Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor and Gran Vía. Keep your phone and wallet out of back pockets, and read scams to avoid and safety at night.
What is different for travellers
People have lunch around 2 pm and dinner around 9 pm; many kitchens close in between (see Spanish hours). Greet people when you walk in and ask before taking photos: etiquette.
Making arrival and the first day easier
The fixed-fare taxi, metro, bus and train from the airport are detailed in our Barajas guide. To be met by a driver holding your name, our transfer comparison goes through the offers.
- Best-rated transfer: private minivan for up to 7 people, airport to hotel: 4.9 out of 5 from 340 reviews, about 30 minutes, about $72 to $95 per vehicle (October 2026 readings, varies by date).
- To discover the centre on day one: the Royal Palace skip-the-line guided tour is the most reviewed, 4.6 out of 5 from 2,495 reviews (price not recorded: check the listing).
- Premium, private option: the private must-see walking tour (4.6 out of 5 from 49 reviews, price not recorded). Other options: free and paid guided tours.
FAQ
Do I need a visa for Madrid? It depends on your nationality. EU citizens do not, and many other countries are exempt for up to 90 days: check the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.
Is ETIAS compulsory? Not in October 2026: its launch date was not confirmed. Check the official EU portal before you leave.
Which number do I call in an emergency? 112.
Do I need cash? Little: a card is enough almost everywhere.
Can I drink alcohol in the street? No, except on a terrace or at an authorised festival.
What time is dinner? Around 9 pm; before 8 pm many restaurants are still closed.
The Madrid Authority editorial team
