Useful information for those persons, who travel in Catalonia, wish to work, to study or to live in it

        Catalonia is a country within the country, with its own language, traditions and autonomous laws, but, actually, Catalonia follows the laws set by the Kingdom of Spain.

        Therefore, it is important to know what each person, traveling or wishing to reside in Catalonia could face to, and how to prepare for possible unexpected situations in a foreign country.

       * The first thing you should do is to write down phone numbers and addresses of the Consulate or Embassy of your country in Catalonia. Most international Consulates are located in Barcelona, ​​and the Embassies are in Madrid.

Remember that being in the territory of the Consulate and the Embassy, you are in the territory of your country. In case of unforeseen circumstances, loss of passports, lack of money for the return trip, the return of citizens to their country of origin may be executed at the expense of the Embassy, at its decision, but under the strict condition of the expenses reimbursement.  * See Note 1

       * Second, before you leave, make a photocopy of your passport (all completed pages) in case of loss, and store separately from the main folder with documents.

       * Before you leave not forget to switch on the roaming, for not leaving without phone service. You can also buy a phone number with a prepaid tariff (Tarifas Tarjeta Prepago) ) in the departments of communication companies in all major shopping centers and specialized stores.

       * Also making a suitcase make sure that you have put all the necessary medicines. If your doctor has prescribed you a course of treatment, buy medicines in your country. It is possible that in Spain you will not be sold the necessary pills without a prescription from a local doctor or the country cannot just manufacture them. For example, such a simple product like No-Spa is manufactured and sold only in some countries in Eastern Europe, but it is even unknown in Catalonia. And do not be surprised if referring to a pharmacy with any ailment you will be offered ibuprofen or paracetamol. As per understanding of local doctors and pharmacists they are a panacea for many diseases with minimal side effects.

       The health system of Catalonia provides a high level of medical care so there is at least one public hospital, equipped with the latest medical equipment where you can refer for aid, as well as into the Spanish branch of the Red Cross in every city of Catalonia. * See note 2

       If you arrive in Catalonia with business or student visa or with a residence permit in Spain, then you must register with the State Medical Services “Seguridad social”, get a medical certificate “Tarjeta Sanitaria”, which gives you the right for free medical care and surgical interventions in hospitals and clinics for the period of your visa duration.

       In any case, medical care in specialized centers and dental clinics, family planning centers, in dialysis and diagnostic centers, blood transfusion stations, etc.) is provided on a paid basis.

       While being in Catalonia with a tourist visa you are not eligible for a certificate of free medical care in Spain. Therefore, buying the mandatory health insurance for trips to Spain, ask the insurance company how, to what extent and when the insurance company will cover your expenses in case of any health problems while traveling.

       For example, a foreign tourist, having broken a tooth in a restaurant, may refer to the Catalonia dental clinic for emergency help. Part of the insurance companies covers 50% of the treatment expenses provided in the clinic on return to home country.

       * Most of the tourists prefer to travel in Catalonia by car, as it saves much time and money and allows freedom of movement. You can rent a car at the company, which is next to the airport terminal or contact one of the private companies who provide vehicles for rent with or without driver. If you want to drive by yourselves, you have to obtain a driving license of international standard in your country, if your driving license does not match the parameters established by the laws of the European Union.

       If you are in Catalonia with a business or student visa for more than 6 months or you have a residence permit, then in 6 months of residence, according to the Spanish laws for driving a vehicle in Spain you have to get a Spanish driving license.

       * Due to the fact that Catalonia is the most popular and visited tourist destination in Spain, in the summer thousands small-time thieves arrive there from the CIS countries, and of all the European and Arab countries. Be attentive to pockets and bags; do not keep your documents, money, credit cards and pin-codes to them in the same place. Do not leave your belongings on the beach, bags at a cafe on the backs of chairs, and phones on the tables unattended. In the event of loss or theft of documents, money, phone refer immediately to the local police for help, to receive a certificate on the theft/ loss of documents for your consulate. Immediately call your bank and block the bankcards. If you are staying in a hotel, then you can claim the loss / theft immediately to the administration of your hotel, which will submit your statement to the police . * See note 3

If you are involved in a delicate situation, such as an incident in a restaurant, in a shop or in the street, so while speaking to the authorities or the guard service, be quiet, showing no aggression, otherwise, they have the right to use force. Spain is a country of lawyers, so you can easily find professional help in administrative, criminal, civil and tax matters. * See note 4

Notes*

       1. You may find addresses and phone numbers of embassies and consulates, police and public institutions of Catalonia on the pages of useful information in the book «National Cuisine of Catalonia».

        2. Keep in mind that the call of urgent and emergency medical care in public hospitals is free of charge to persons under 18 years of age, pregnant women, during labour and after labour, and for people in emergency situations and accidents, regardless their legal status in Spain. In other cases, foreign nationals who do not have a certificate of “Seguridad social”, are provided medical services on a paid basis. Also, you can insure yourselves in Spanish private insurance company or a foreign insurance agency operating acting in Spain.

You may find addresses and phone numbers of public hospitals and private clinics in Catalonia, in which you will be provided help in English, German and Russian languages, on the pages of useful information in the book «National Cuisine of Catalonia» published at our website.

       3. For your information, the theft of up to 400 euros according to Spanish laws is not a penal case. In addition, since, in most cases, victims cannot prove to the police the documented value of the stolen phone, wristwatch, the amount of missing money, etc., their statement will be accepted, they will be provided an appropriate certificate, but the police will not be engaged into the search of stolen belongings.

       4. If you need qualified lawyers who speak your native language, you can find their contact information on the pages of services of our website or on the pages of useful information in the book «National Cuisine of Catalonia».