Other State Department Archive Sites

The State Department web site below is a permanent electronic archive of information released online from January 1, 1997 to January 20, 2001. Please see www.state.gov for current material from the Department of State. Or visit http://2001-2009.state.gov for information from that period. Archive sites are not updated, so external links may no longer function. Contact us with any questions about finding information. NOTE: External links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views contained therein.

Country Commercial Guides for FY 2000: Spain Report prepared by U.S. Embassy Madrid, Released July, 1999   Note*

IX. BUSINESS TRAVEL

Business Customs

There is no substitute for face-to-face meetings with Spanish business representatives to break into this market. Spaniards expect a personal relationship with suppliers. Initial communication by phone or fax is far less effective than a personal meeting. Mail campaigns generally yield meager results. Less than 30 percent of local managers are fluent in English.

Spaniards are more formal in personal relations than Americans but much less rigid than they were ten years ago. The biggest mistake a U.S. businessperson can make is to assume doing business in Spain is just like doing business in Mexico and Latin America; Italy or France would be a better comparison. A hand-shake is customary upon initiating and closing a business meeting, accompanied by an appropriate greeting. Professional attire is expected. Business dress is suit and tie and business cards are required.

Spaniards tend to be "conservative" in their buying habits. Known brands do well. Large government and private sector buyers appear more comfortable dealing with other large, established organizations or with firms that are recognized as leaders within their sectors.

Travel Advisory and Visas

Spain is a developed and stable democracy with a modern economy. Tourist facilities are widely available.

Entry requirements: A passport is necessary but a visa is not required for tourist or commercial stays of up to three months. Holders of official or diplomatic passports need a visa. Under the Schengen accord, U.S. citizens may travel without a visa between Spain and other Schengen countries (Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Finland, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal and Sweden). U.S. citizens may reside visa-free up to three months within the combined Schengen countries during any six-month period. The Spanish police may grant additional three month stays in Spain for exceptional circumstances. Before the initial period of temporary residence expires, one may apply for an extension at any Spanish police station. The extension applies only to Spain, not to other Schengen states. After an extension, a U.S. citizen must apply for a residency, work or student permit or leave the country for at least six months. To apply for a permit, one must first acquire the respective visa at a Spanish Consulate in the place of last residence. There is no mechanism for applying for the visa in Spain or for applying for a residence permit without the visa. For further information concerning entry requirements for Spain, travelers may contact the Embassy of Spain at 2375 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20037, tel: (202) 728-2330, or the nearest Spanish consulate in Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, or San Juan.

Medical facilities: Good medical care is available. U.S. medical insurance is not usually valid outside the United States. Travelers have found supplemental medical insurance with specific overseas coverage to be useful since doctors in Spain expect up-front payment. The Center for Disease Control's international travelers hotline can provide further information on health matters: (404) 332-4559.

Crime information: Minor crimes such as pickpocketing, robbery, and theft from cars are frequent and are often directed against unwary tourists. Theft of small items like radios, luggage, cameras, briefcases, and even cigarettes from parked cars is a common problem. Spain also has a very low, but rising, rate of violent crime, and victims are sometimes choked or pushed to the ground. Thieves often attempt to distract victims by first squirting mustard on their clothing, asking for directions on the street, etc. The American Embassy also frequently receives reports of roadside thieves posing as "good samaritans" to persons experiencing car problems. The thieves typically divert the driver's attention by pointing out a mechanical problem then steal items from the vehicle while the driver is looking away. The Embassy advises drivers to be extremely cautious about accepting help from anyone other than a uniformed Spanish official. Travelers who accept unofficial assistance are advised to protect their valuables by keeping them in sight or locking them in the vehicle. Bags or other articles left unattended in Spain are likely to be stolen. Andorra has a low rate of crime.

The loss or theft of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. Embassy or consulate. Travelers are urged to keep a photocopy of documentation evidencing U.S. citizenship and to keep original documents such as passports in a hotel safe or other secure location. Applicants for replacement passports must present evidence of identity and citizenship. U.S. citizens can refer to the Department of State's pamphlet, A Safe Trip Abroad, for ways to promote a more trouble-free trip. The pamphlet is available from the Superintendent of Public Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402.

Drug penalties: U.S. citizens are subject to the laws of the country in which they are traveling. In Spain, penalties for possession, use, or dealing in illegal drugs are strict, and convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and fines.

Terrorist activities: Civil disorder in Spain is rare. Terrorism does not pose a significant threat to Americans in Spain. In the past, two Spanish terrorist organizations, ETA and GRAPO, have sometimes bombed tourist facilities during the summer. These attacks were apparently planned so as to avoid inflicting casualties. They have been less frequent and less numerous in recent years. Neither group has ever targeted a U.S. citizen. The only American casualty due to terrorism in Spain was a chance victim of a bombing directed at others. In September 1998, ETA declared a temporary cease fire, halting its violent activities. ETA is expected to make this cease fire permanent in June 1999.

Registration: U.S. citizens who register in the consular section at the U.S. Embassy or consulate may obtain updated information on travel and security within Spain.

Embassy and consulate locations:

The U.S. Embassy in Madrid is located at Serrano 75 and is open from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; telephone (34-91) 587-2200.

The Consular Section is open to the public in the mornings only. American Citizen Services, including passport services, is open from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

There is a U.S. Consulate in Barcelona, at Paseo Reina Elisenda 23, telephone (34-93) 280-2227. There are also Consular Agencies in the following locations:

* Malaga, at Centro Comercial "Las Rampas" Fase 2, Planta 1, locales 12-G-7 and 12-G-8, Fuengirola,
telephone (34-952) 474-891,
hours 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.;

* A Coruna, at Canton Grande, 6-8E,
telephone (34-981) 213-233,
hours 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.;

* Las Palmas, at Edificio Arca, c/Los Martinez de Escobar, 3, oficina 7,
telephone (34-928) 271-259,
hours 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.;

* Palma de Mallorca, at Av. Jaime II, 26 entresuelo, H-I telephone
(34-971) 726-660,
hours 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.;

* Seville, at Paseo de las Delicias 7,
telephone (34-954) 231-885,
hours 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

* Valencia, at Calle de la Paz 6-5, local 5,
telephone (34-96) 351- 6973,
hours 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Holidays

National holidays: The Government of Spain publishes a list of holidays every year. The list for 2000 is not available yet. In any case, it will not differ much from the following 1999 list.

Jan. 1 (New Year's Day); Jan. 6 (Epiphany);
Mar. 19 (Father's Day);
Apr. 6 & 7 (Holy Thursday & Good Friday);
May 1 (Labor day);
Aug. 15 (Assumption);
Oct. 12 (National Day); Nov. 1 (All Saints' Day);
Dec. 6 (Constitution Day);
Dec. 8 (Feast of the Immaculate Conception);
Dec. 24 & Dec.25 (Christmas).

In addition to these national holidays there are many local holidays which vary by region and city. In Madrid:
May 2 (Madrid Community Day); May 15 (Feast of Saint Isidro (Patron Saint of Madrid)

Work Week

The workdays abutting Spanish holidays and vacation periods are not a good time to schedule business meetings. Neither are the month of August nor the several vacation periods around Christmas and Easter.

Business hours in Spain are generally 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Banking hours are 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. during the week, and sometimes Saturday morning. Department stores are generally open 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday. To ensure availability, appointments are recommended.

Business Infrastructure

Communications: Telecommunications to and from Madrid compare favorably with those in any large U.S. city. A direct-dial telephone system links Spain to the U.S. and most of the world.
Calls to the United States may be charged to international telephone cards such as AT&T (900-99-00-11), MCI (900-99-00-14) and Sprint (900-99-00-13).

You can also use these numbers to place collect calls to the U.S. or for international directory inquiries if you own any of the three calling cards. If you do not carry an international telephone card, you may also reach the local international directory by dialing 025.

Due to recent changes in the network, older telephone numbers may be incomplete or incorrect. Since 1998, provincial codes, two or three digit codes beginning with 9, are obligatory even within regions. In April 1999 the first digit of mobile telephone numbers was changed to 6. Public phones in Spain accept coins and Telefonica debit cards. Some public phones also accept commercial credit cards.

Transportation: Frequent direct air service is available to major U.S. cities from Madrid and Barcelona. Airports in both Madrid and Barcelona have good bus service to downtown. Taxis are easily available at major cities all over Spain.

Numerous American citizens contact the Embassy saying a cab driver charged them an outrageous fee. Rates are posted in all normally licensed taxis. In addition to the initial charge and mileage various supplements may be added: e.g., for riding to the airport (350 Pt), rides to a bus or train station, and service on holidays or between 11 pm and 6 am, (all 150 Pt), or handling baggage (100 Pt/bag). A trip to or from Barajas Airport and downtown Madrid ranges from 2000 to 3000 Pesetas. "Auto-taxis" are under a different licensing scheme and drivers set their own rates.

Travelers arriving at the airport are likely to be approached by auto-taxi drivers who will charge double or triple the cost of a regularly licensed taxi. Catching a cab at a taxi stand should avoid this hazard. If the rate appears unreasonable, request a receipt (un recibo). The receipt should have the taxi's license number in perforated holes at the top right margin.

There is a good highway network linking major cities in Spain. Secondary roads are poor in Galicia and Asturias (in the Northwest). The Spanish railway system is extensive. There are high speed trains from Madrid to both Sevilla and Malaga. Madrid and Barcelona enjoy excellent railway systems in their metropolitan areas. Buses and the Metro (subway) in Madrid and Barcelona may be crowded during rush hours but provide fast and efficient service.

Electrical Characteristics: Electric current in Spain is 220 volts AC, 50 cycles. Most U. S. electrical equipment and appliances need a transformer and plug adapter.

Climate and Clothing

Despite differences among various regions, Spain has a typical Mediterranean climate. The weather in the northern coastal regions (looking onto the Atlantic and the Bay of Biscay) is temperate and generally rainy throughout the year, and temperatures are neither very low in winter nor very high in summer. The climate on the Mediterranean coastline, including the Balearic Islands, is mild in the winter, and hot and dry in the summer. The most extreme differences take place in the interior, where the climate is dry, with cold winters and hot summers. The Canary Islands have a climate of their own, with temperatures constantly around 20 degrees Celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit) and little variation between summer and winter or day and night.

Tipping A service charge is normally included in restaurant bills. Small, additional tips are often left for particularly good service. Taxi drivers may be tipped by rounding up the payment to include up to five percent of the fare. At no time in Spain are tips obligatory.

Commercial Language While an increasing number of business people speak English, product literature, correspondence and negotiations in Spanish provide a distinct advantage over competitors who use only English. There are certain regions in Spain with a second official language: Catalan in Catalonia, Valencia, and the Balearic Islands; Galician/Portuguese in Galicia; and Basque in the Basque country.

Hotels and other tourist infrastructure: Spanish hotels are comparable to those found in the rest of the E.U. Spain has a good network of hotels all over the country. The "paradores", a chain of national hotels, offer good accommodations, usually in very scenic and/or historic settings. A hotel is always easy to find when traveling in Spain.

Car rental services can be found in major cities, airports and hotels. Most of the large U.S. car rental companies are established in Spain.

Groceries

Food is of excellent quality in Madrid and other principal cities. Although many American products are hard to find, certain supermarkets carry a wide range of local and imported products.

Temporary Entry Of Laptop Computers And Working Material. Laptop computers for personal/business use do not require any special documentation. Occasionally, the Customs service at Madrid's Barajas airport (tel. +34-91-393-7552), decides shipping a laptop constitutes a temporary importation requiring the presentation of a warrant: a cash deposit or a statement from a Spanish bank stating an import tax will be paid if the equipment is sold in Spain. Before leaving Spain, the equipment and necessary forms should be taken to the Customs Office at Barajas airport for reimbursement of the deposit.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

U.S. Business Travelers are encouraged to obtain a copy of the "Key Officers of Foreign Service Posts: "Guide for Business Representatives" available for sale by the Superintendent of Documents,
U.S. Government Printing Office,
Washington, D.C. 20402;
Tel. (202) 521-1800;
Fax: (202) 512-2250.
Business travelers to Spain seeking appointments with U.S. Embassy Officials in Madrid should contact the Commercial section in advance. The Commercial section can be reached by telephone at (34) 91-564-8976 or by fax at (34) 91-563-0859.