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Guide for Expats in Spain Learning the Language in Spain
Guide for traveling in Spain Health Care for Tourists in Spain
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Safety in SpainIs Spain a safe country for visitors? In general, yes, but a little bit of caution can go a long way if you don't want to get your purse or wallet stolen. Pickpockets can be found on buses, trains, and subways; near hotels, museums, airports, bus stations, and train stations; and pretty much anywhere else known to have tourists. Personally, I've seen more people report missing or stolen bags in various Starbucks of Madrid than anywhere else!
I say Spain is generally pretty safe because violent crime is still pretty rare, but petty theft seems rampant. I do know a few people who've been mugged in not-so-nice areas of Madrid late at night, and occasionally a pickpocketing goes bad and results in violence. If someone is trying to get your bag, and you resist, they may use force. Usually, however, pickpockets are good enough at what they do that you never even know it's happening.
Terrorism is, at times, a very real threat as well. To find out more about the current state of things in Spain, you should check out the U.S. State Department's travel advisories or other such Web pages.
However, for the time being, the biggest worry for the average tourist or expat in Spain seems to be keeping hold of their money, passports, and other valuables. |
Tips for Keeping Yourself and Your Belongings Safe in Spain
-- don't talk to strangers! Many pickpockets work in teams. One or two of them distract the victim while another runs off with the bag or wallet. Distraction techniques include asking you for directions (one holds a big map in front of your face while the other grabs your wallet), "accidently" spilling something on your shirt and offering to clean it up for you, or even pretending to be a police officer and asking your for ID – then snatching your wallet when you take it out.
-- following up on the last point – the police can and do ID people on the streets (though they rarely – if ever – ask for ID from people who are clearly tourists). You have the right to ask the police themselves for ID, to make sure they are in fact police. There are several different types of uniformed officers in Spain, so it can be confusing. Don't be afraid to ask.
-- never let your purse or bag out of your sight. Most pickpockets/thieves look for easy takes. I never, never, never, never, never (did I stress never?!?) put my bag on the seat next to me in a bar, café, or restaurant, no matter how nice or how empty it seems. My bag never leaves my shoulder, and I almost always have one hand on it. It may sound paranoid, but I'm the only one out of the many foreigners I've known in Spain who has not been robbed (knock on wood).
-- also be wary of placing items of value (e.g., cell phones, sunglasses, cameras) on the table at bars or restaurants, particularly in terrazas. Groups of kids selling newspapers or seemingly friendly musicians may weave through the tables to distract you while their friends take whatever's in sight.
-- carry limited cash and limited credit cards. You may want to carry some emergency money or cards in a money belt that's hidden away and have just a little bit of cash on hand to pay for meals, tickets, museum fees, etc. Make sure you have a separate list with all of your credit card numbers – I keep one in my email account, so I can access it at any time if necessary.
-- don't carry your actual passport with you once you're in the country (unless you will need it for traveling). I carry a photocopy of the first page along with a different form of ID, such as my U.S. driver's license. The last thing you want to deal with is standing in line at the embassy to get an emergency replacement passport for your trip home. If you trust your hotel, leave the passports in the hotel safe. Otherwise, carry your passports in a money belt or leg wallet.
-- people in Spain tend to stay out late, so there are usually people around at all times of day and night (at least in the bigger cities). Nonetheless, you should still be extra careful walking the streets at night, particularly in cities like Madrid, Barcelona, or Seville. Try to walk with others and be aware of what's going on and who else is around you. Thieves will sometimes attack victims from behind (especially at night, if they are walking alone). Be sure the door to your hotel or hostal closes well behind you.
-- if driving in Spain, be wary of anyone who stops your car. "Highway pirates" that target foreigners will use distraction techniques to get you out of the car – so an accomplice can grab bags and purses from inside the car. Distractions on the roads include the "good Samaritan" technique, where they flag you over and say you have a flat tire. If someone tries to tell you there's something wrong with your car, try to find a gas station where you can pull over, or an area with lots of other people. Also be cautious if approached by Guardia Civil or police on the road. Some highway thieves pose as undercover cops. Do not get out of the car or give them any important documents unless they can be properly identified.
-- do not leave valuables or bags on the seats of your car – whether you're in the car or not. Thieves occasionally use the technique of driving a moped alongside a parked or stopped car, smashing the window, grabbing a bag, and speeding off. Keep the doors locked at all times.
-- if you need to use an ATM or cash machine, always try to have someone go with you – especially at night. Always put your hand or a piece of paper over the keypad when you're typing in your PIN number in Spain. Unfortunately, many cash machines in Spain are rigged by thieves who place card readers/duplicators in the card slot and mini-cameras to catch your PIN number. DON'T LET THEM SEE YOUR PIN! If the machine fails to give you back your card, call your bank and cancel the card immediately.
-- also keep an eye on your credit card if you hand it over to a waitperson or storekeeper. Some thieves work in businesses to get hold of customers' cards. They may swipe the card twice – once in a machine that copies it and then again in the real machine. It's inevitable that a waiter or waitress will take the card out of sight in a restaurant, so only use your credit card if the establishment seems legit.
-- specifically, you should be very alert and keep an eye on your things in the following areas of Barcelona and Madrid:
Barcelona: Las Ramblas (and surrounding areas), Gothic Quarter, Parc Güell, Sagrada Familia, Port Vell, Port Olimpic, Plaza Catalunya, and Montjuic.
Madrid: Puerta del Sol, Retiro, Paseo del Prado (from Cibeles down to the Reina Sofia), Plaza Mayor, Palacio Real, El Rastro and La Latina, and Lavapies.
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What to do if you're the victim of a crime in SpainIf it is an emergency, call 112 (anywhere in Spain). If you don't speak Spanish, the police should have a form in English that you can fill out or, if necessary, they can find an interpreter. If it's not an emergency, go directly to a police station (to find one, ask "¿Dónde esta la comisaría?"), or you can call 902 102 112 (where you should be able to make a denuncia in English). If you're not in any rush, you can even denunciar (report the crime) online at www.policia.es.
Foreigners are encouraged to visit their nearest embassy or consulate as well. The embassy may be able to assist in getting medical care (if needed), replacing passports, or getting emergency funds transferred from overseas.
See Important Numbers for more useful phone numbers in Spain. |
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