Traveling to Bilbao: Useful Information

INFORMATION ABOUT COMING TO BILBAO:

REQUIREMENTS FOR ENTRY INTO SPAIN FOR A STAY NOT EXCEEDING NINETY DAYS IN ANY SIX MONTH PERIOD

1.1. EUROPEAN MEMBER STATES: (Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, United Kingdom)

They do not need a visa to enter Spain. Their stay is not staying longer than 90 days, so they do not have to register at the Central Immigration Office.

Passports or travel documents must be valid for the total duration of the planned stay. Citizens of any State of the European Union, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Lichtenstein only require a National Identity Card or valid passport. In the case of minors, the National Identity Card must also be accompanied by written parental consent.

Spanish Embassies in:

Germany: maec.es/subwebs/Embajadas/Berlin/al/home/Paginas/Home.aspx
Italy: maec.es/subwebs/Embajadas/Roma/es/home/Paginas/home_roma.aspx
The NL: maec.es/subwebs/Embajadas/LaHaya/nl/home/Paginas/Home.aspx
Portugal: maec.es/subwebs/Embajadas/Lisboa/es/home/Paginas/home_embajadalisboa.aspx
UK: maec.es/subwebs/Embajadas/Londres/en/home/Paginas/homeen_emblondres.aspx

1.2. THIRD COUNTRIES such as Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Israel, Mexico, and the USA are exempt from visa requirements when crossing external borders for stays that do not exceed 90 days.

Passports or travel Documents must be valid for the total duration of the planned stay.

Anyway, they have to consult the Spanish Embassy in their own country, just in case they need an invitation card, close return ticket or whatever.

Spanish Embassies in:

Argentina: embajadaenargentina.es // www.maec.es/es/Home/Paginas/Portada.aspx
Australia: maec.es/subwebs/Embajadas/Canberra/en/home/Paginas/home.aspx
Brazil: maec.es/subwebs/Embajadas/Brasilia/pt/Home/Paginas/PT_Brasilia_Home_Noticias.aspx
Israel: maec.es/subwebs/Embajadas/Tel-Aviv/il/home/Paginas/home_telaviv.aspx
Mexico: maec.es/subwebs/Embajadas/Mexico/es/home/Paginas/home_mexico.aspx
USA: maec.es/subwebs/Embajadas/Washington/en/home/Paginas/Home.aspx

1.3. THIRD COUNTRIES (China, India, Kenya, Nigeria and Turkey)

In order to enter Spain for a stay not exceeding ninety days in any six month period, the following requirements must be met:

Passports or travel documents must be valid for the total duration of the planned stay.
Relevant visas (where applicable) A Schengen visa allows the holder to travel within the countries contained within Schengen area, and therefore does not allow access to territory that does not belong to the aforementioned zone (the United Kingdom, Ireland, Romania, Bulgaria, and Cyprus).
Justification of purpose and conditions of the stay, and accreditation of sufficient economic means of support for the duration of the stay in Spain
- Trips with a professional, political, scientific, sporting, religious, or other purpose. Presentation of any of the following types of documentation may be required:
  1. Invitation from a company or entity to participate in meetings, conventions, etc, of a commercial, industrial, or other nature.
  2. Document certifying the existence of commercial, industrial, or other relations.
  3. Access cards to fairs, conventions, congresses, etc.
  4. Invitations, admission cards, reservations or programmes, which indicate insofar as is possible the name of the organization that has issued the invitation, the duration of the stay, or any other document that indicates the purpose of the visit.
- Trips for the purpose of study or training. Presentation of any of the following types of documentation may be required:
  1. Document of registration in an educational institution to participate in a theoretical or practical educational/training course.
  2. Certificates related to the courses taken.
In exceptional cases, presentation of the medical certificates required by the Ministry of the Interior, in accordance with the Ministries of Health and Consumption and Work and Immigration, or the application of the regulations of the European Union. Every effort will be made to ensure that these certificates are requested with sufficient notice. Presentation of medical certificates, where appropriate.
Applicants must not be subject to an exclusion order (appearing on the Schengen Information System [SIS] or the National Register of persons banned from entering the country). Possible causes of exclusion:

Having previously been deported or returned to another country by Spain or by any Schengen State.
Having been expressly denied entry for activities contrary to the interests of Spain, activities against human rights, or for notorious connections with criminal organizations.
Being internationally sought for criminal activity.

Applicants must not represent a danger to the public health, public order, national security, or the international relations of Spain or any State with which Spain holds an agreement related to these matters.
Not having stayed in Spanish territory for a total of 90 days in the last 6 months, counting from the date of last entry (art. 20.1 Schengen, and art. 30 Law).

Spanish Embassies in:

China: maec.es/subwebs/Embajadas/Pekin/en/home/Paginas/Home.aspx
India: maec.es/subwebs/Embajadas/NuevaDelhi/en/home/Paginas/home.aspx
Kenya: maec.es/subwebs/Embajadas/Nairobi/en/home/Paginas/Home%20Nairobi_English.aspx
Nigeria: maec.es/subwebs/Embajadas/Abuja/en/home/Paginas/home.aspx
Turkey: maec.es/subwebs/Embajadas/Ankara/tu/home/Paginas/home_tu_estambul.aspx

HEALTH INSURANCE

2.1. EUROPEAN HEALTH INSURANCE CARD

The European Health Insurance Card makes it easier for people from any of the Member States of the European Economic Area (including the 27 European Union Member States, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) and Switzerland have Access to health services during their temporary stays abroad.

European Health Card holders will be treated the same as residents in Spain in terms of conditions and costs. However, if the same service were free of charge in the holder’s country of origin, he or she can request to have these costs reimbursed on their return.

The European Health Card is not valid when the purpose of the trip is to receive medical treatment. The card does not cover private health insurance companies in Spain either. For more information, see the page of the General Directorate for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion of the European Commission: http://ec.europa.eu/social {available in all official languages of the European Union}.

2.2. THIRD COUNTRIES’ CITIZENS

Non European Union citizens are advised to have a private Health Insurance.

Some non-EU countries have signed Bilateral Agreements relating to Social Security for Healthcare. Nationals from these countries are entitled to receive healthcare. Foreigners of countries without such Agreements, on the other hand, may receive emergency treatment in public hospitals and, in some cases, apply for a Health Card, although they are advised to take out private health insurance.

2.3. CHEMISTS

Medicines (conventional medicines and homeopathic remedies) are only sold in pharmacies. Customers must usually provide a doctor’s prescription matching the healthcare practitioner’s instructions. Pharmacies have the same opening hours as other commercial establishments. There are on duty chemists, open every night (including weekends).

A list of all pharmacies, including duty opening times and more information on the pharmaceutical system, can be found at the Biscay Pharmacists’ Association official website, www.cofbizkaia.net.

2.4. MAIN PUBLIC HOSPITALS:

– Basurto Hospital (Bilbao)

Av. Montevideo, 18

Tel. No. 94 400 60 00

www.hospitalbasurto.com

– Cruces Hospital (Barakaldo)

Plaza Cruces, s/n

Tel. No. 94 600 60 00

www.hospitalcruces.com

LEGAL ASSISTANCE

3.1. EUROPEAN CONSULAR OFFICES IN BILBAO

GERMANY – Consulado de Alemania

Calle San Vicente, 8

(Edificio Albia) 13, Dpto. 3

48001 Bilbao

TEL. +34 94 423 85 85

ITALY – Consulado de Italia

Calle Ercilla 14, 2ºA 48009 Bilbao

+34 94 423 07 72

The Netherlands – Consulado de Holanda

Alameda Mazarredo 9, 1º

48001 Bilbao

+34 94 435 45 52

PORTUGAL- Consulado de Portugal

Alameda Mazarredo, 39, 3º D

48011 Bilbao

+34 94 435 45 40

United Kingdom – Consulado Británico

Alameda Urquijo 2, 8 º

48008 Bilbao

+34 94 415 76 00

3.2. AMERICAN CONSULAR OFFICES IN BILBAO / MADRID

ARGENTINA – Embassy

Calle Serrano Nº 90, Pisos 6º y 7º MADRID

eespa@mrecic.gob.ar

www.eespa.mrecic.gob.ar

Teléfono:(34) 91 – 00 34 91 7710519

Teléfono:(34) 91 – 00 34 91 7710500

Celular de Guardia:(34) 91 – 0034639707564

BRAZIL – Consulado de Brasil

Calle Barroeta Aldamar 6, 5º

48001 Bilbao

+34 94 424 07 32

MEXICO – Consulado Honorario de México en Bilbao

Gran Vía 40-bis, 5º

48009 Bilbao

+34 94 423 89 37

consulado@consulmexhonbilbao.net

www.consulmexhonbilbao.net

USA – Embassy

Embajada de los Estados Unidos de América

Serrano 75 – 28006 Madrid

Teléfono: +34 91 587-2200

http://spanish.madrid.usembassy.gov

3.3. AFRICAN EMBASSIES IN MADRID

KENYA – Embassy

Calle Jorge Juan 9 – 3º Dcha

MADRID, 28001

Tel:+34-917812000

www.kenyaembassyspain.es

NIGERIA – Embassy

Calle del Segre 23

28002 Madrid

Tel.: 91.563.0911

INTERNATIONAL:+34.91.563.0911

EMAILinfo@embassyofnigeriainspain.org

www.nigeriainspain.org

3.4. ASIAN CONSULAR OFFICES in BILBAO OR MADRID

CHINA – Embassy

C/. Arturo Soria, 113

28043 Madrid

Teléfono Centralita: (0034) 915194242

E-mail: embajadachina @embajadachina.es

www.embajadachina.es

INDIA

Avenida Pio XII, 30-32

28016 Madrid

Tel. 91 309 88 70

www.embassyindia.es

ISRAEL – Embassy

Velázquez 150, 7º

28002 Madrid

Teléfono: 91-782 95 00

www.embajada-israel.es

TURKEY – Consulado de Turquía

Gran Vía 65, 5º Izda.

48011 Bilbao

+34 94 427 47 24

USEFUL PRACTICAL INFORMATION

4.1. Emergencies / SOS Deiak (112)

Public attention

Public Attention Service for the Basque Government: 012

Public Attention Service for Bilbao 010

Ertzaintza

The Ertzaintza is the Basque Country’s own police force.

Ertzaintza Police Stations (www.ertzaintza.net)

Municipal Police

Number for emergencies (092)

Bilbao (94 420 5000)

http://www.euskalnet.net/bilbaopol/

4.2. International calls

The following are the steps to follow when making a call:

When making an overseas call from Spain, dial 00 + Country Code + regional code + desired number.

The Country Code for Spain when calling from overseas is 34. If you need information about the country or regional codes, you can call the International Information Service: 025.

The prefix for Bizkaia is 94

If you would like to make a call through an operator (calls charged to a card, reverse charges or charged to third parties) you should dial:

1009: for national calls

1008: for international calls

4.3. Banks and Savings Banks

Opening times

The banks and savings banks open at 8am and close at 2pm, although some remain open until 3pm. Some branches open on Saturday mornings and some afternoons.

4.4. The Press

The Basque Country has many newspapers, which can be national, local or those offering different editions for each province.

These newspapers, in addition to providing news of general and local interest, are the perfect way of finding out about cultural events, areas of interest, duty chemists, useful telephone numbers and other information. The following is a list of the most important newspapers: