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Still current at: 26 November 2009
Updated: 30 October 2009

This advice has been reviewed and reissued with an amendment to the Summary (removal of reference to cabin crew members strike). The overall level of the advice has not changed.

(see travel advice legal disclaimer)

Travel advice for this country

Health

The Form E111 is no longer valid.  You should obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before leaving the UK.  The EHIC is not a substitute for medical and travel insurance, but entitles you to necessary medical treatment on the same terms as Spanish nationals.  You will not be covered for medical repatriation, on-going medical treatment or treatment of a non-urgent nature.  For more general information see EHIC and NHS - About the EHIC.
 
In the 2008 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 140,000 adults aged 15 or over in Spain were living with HIV; the prevalence rate was estimated at around 0.5% of the adult population. This compares to the prevalence rate in adults in the UK of around 0.2%.  You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS.

H1 N1 - Swine Flu

There are confirmed human cases of the H1N1 virus (Swine Flu) in Spain. You can check for updates on the number of cases and their location through the Spanish Ministry of Health website: http://www.msc.es/en/home.htm (in Spanish). You should also monitor local media reports for any developments and advice. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised its pandemic threat alert Phase to Level 6.  The WHO website at: www.who.int/ has further details. Check the Swine Flu for further information. Guidance on Pandemic Flu can be obtained on the UK Department of Health website at www.dh.gov.uk.

Tel: 0800 1 513 513 (from UK only). If you think you have caught the H1N1 virus, you should stay indoors and contact your local authority/helpline:

Alicante - 900 100 355 (Spanish - translation service available)
Andorra - 180 211 22 (English)
Barcelona (Catalunya) - 902 111 444 (English)
Barcelona (Aragon) - 902 555 321 (Spanish)
Ibiza - 112 (English)
Las Palmas - 112 (English)
Madrid -  901 400 100 (Spanish)
Malaga -  902 505 060 (Spanish - translation service available)
Palma - 112 (English)
Tenerife - 112 (English)


Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)

There has been one reported case of Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) in Spain, discovered in Álava in July 2006. No human infections have been reported.

The risk to humans from Avian Influenza is believed to be very low.  No human infections or deaths have been reported.  But as a precaution you should avoid places where you may come into close contact with domestic, caged or wild birds; and ensure poultry and egg dishes are thoroughly cooked.
 
You should read this advice in conjunction with Avian and Pandemic Influenza, which gives more detailed advice and information.

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Contacts

Spain, Madrid, British Consulate-General

Address:

British Embassy
Torre Espacio
Paseo de la Castellana 259D
28046 Madrid

Emergency consular assistance (eg. arrest, death, hospitalisation)

+34 917 146 400

Telephone:


917 146 400


Fax:


917 146 401

Email: Madrid.Consulate@fco.gov.uk

Office hours:

Office Hours: (local time in Spain is GMT+1hr):
Public Counter: Mon – Fri 08:30 – 13:30 
Telephone calls: Mon – Fri 08:00 - 16:00




Website: http://ukinspain.fco.gov.uk/en/

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