Before you travel

How to verify halal in Spain: look for a certificate hung up in the shop or a stamp on the package from a known body, most notably the Halal Institute (Instituto Halal), part of the Islamic association (Junta Islámica), whose mark is Garantía Halal; and Halal Consulting and others. On meat labels you will find phrases such as: “sacrificio halal” (halal slaughter), “certificado halal” (halal certificate), “producto halal”. The word “halal” on a shop sign alone is not enough; there is no harm in asking the seller: ¿De dónde viene la carne? ¿Tiene certificado halal? (Where does the meat come from? Do you have a halal certificate?). The terms: cordero = lamb, cordero lechal = suckling lamb, ternera = veal, carne de vacuno or buey = beef, añojo = yearling calf, pollo = chicken, pechuga = breast, muslo = thigh, pavo = turkey, conejo = rabbit, carne picada = minced meat, chuletas = chops, hígado = liver. Beware: cerdo = pork, and its derivatives jamón, chorizo, salchichón, lomo embuchado and manteca de cerdo (pork fat), and gelatina (gelatine) is often from pork unless “gelatina bovina halal” is stated. The big chains (Carrefour, Alcampo and others) may sell chicken or packaged meat bearing a halal stamp in some branches with a large Muslim population, but there are no permanent halal sections one can rely on in every branch, and we have not verified that El Corte Inglés has a halal section; always read the label. For delivery: “Betalmune” delivers Levantine pantry goods across Spain, and most of the butchers mentioned take orders by phone or WhatsApp. Many halal butchers are run by Moroccans; they close for the Friday prayer hour and open on Sunday, unlike most Spanish shops; prices may not be displayed, so ask for the price per kilo before it is weighed.

Last reviewed1 October 2026

Medical treatment guide in Spain for Gulf visitors: most of the major private hospitals (Quirónsalud, HM, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Teknon) have an “International Patients” department that handles booking appointments, cost estimates in advance and translation, and some of them have coordinators who speak Arabic; so start by messaging them, send your medical reports and recent X-rays and tests translated into English or Spanish, and request a preliminary opinion and treatment plan before travelling. If the trip is for treatment, obtain a Schengen visa for medical treatment from the Spanish consulate, attaching a letter of appointment or acceptance from the hospital, proof of financial means and travel medical insurance; the patient's companion needs a similar visa. Treatment for a foreign visitor in the private sector is paid directly or through international insurance with a letter of guarantee (Guarantee of Payment) arranged in advance, and an advance payment is often requested on admission. As for the university public hospitals (La Paz, 12 de Octubre, Clínic, Vall d'Hebron), they are scientific references for complex cases and receive emergencies from everyone, but waiting times are long, and scheduled treatment there for foreigners is paid, through their international units, or by official referral from the sponsoring body. Make sure to obtain a detailed discharge report and all results in writing before leaving Spain; the single emergency number is 112 (ambulance, police and fire), and it works in English.

Last reviewed1 October 2026

Practical notes (always verify from the official source before applying):

• Student visa: a Gulf passport holder needs a study visa from the Spanish consulate in their country if the study exceeds 90 days, and the application is submitted at least two months before studies begin. Usually required: an acceptance letter from a recognised institution; proof of financial resources equal to 100% of the IPREM indicator per month for each month of study (with additional amounts for each family member); comprehensive private health insurance with no co-payment and no waiting periods; and a criminal record certificate and a medical certificate for long stays. Under the new foreigners' regulation (in force from 20 May 2025), the permit covers the full duration of the programme without annual renewal, allows work of up to 30 hours a week provided it does not conflict with study, and the student's spouse and minor children may accompany him. After arrival, the TIE residence card is obtained from the police within a month.

• Recognition of qualifications (Real Decreto 889/2022): “professional recognition/homologation” is required to practise a regulated profession (such as medicine, engineering or law), and “equivalence” (Equivalencia) establishes the academic level (bachelor's or master's). To enter a master's programme, equivalence of a bachelor's degree is usually not required, as the university itself verifies its level. To enter a bachelor's, a Gulf secondary school graduate needs equivalence of the secondary certificate from the Spanish Ministry of Education and/or UNEDasiss accreditation, depending on the university. Certificates must be authenticated by apostille or diplomatic legalisation and officially translated into Spanish by a sworn translator.

• Spanish: most public universities require level B2 for a bachelor's taught in Spanish. DELE certificates are issued by the Instituto Cervantes and do not expire. To check the accreditation of any private school, see the directory of accredited centres on eee.cervantes.es.

• Rankings mentioned: QS World ranking 2026 (Universitat de Barcelona at 160, Autonomous University of Barcelona 172, Complutense 187), and the Financial Times ranking of European business schools 2025 (IESE 5, ESADE 11, IE 21, and EADA within the top 30). Rankings change every year.

Last reviewed1 October 2026

Hiking preparation checklist for Spain:

• Hiking boots with non-slip soles (Vibram or similar), tested before the trip, with thick hiking socks.

• Walking poles (Trekking poles), which ease the pressure on the knees on descents.

• Water: at least 1.5–2 litres per person, and more in summer; do not count on finding springs.

• A hat with a brim, sunglasses and sunscreen SPF 50.

• Layering: an inner layer that wicks sweat, + wool or fleece, + a jacket that protects against wind and rain.

• A headlamp (Headlamp), even on day trips.

• First-aid kit: blister plasters (Compeed), antiseptic, painkillers, allergy medicines, elastic bandage.

• Offline map: Wikiloc (the most used in Spain), Maps.me or AllTrails, with the route downloaded in advance.

• A portable charger (Power bank) and a cable.

• Snacks: nuts, dates, energy bars, fruit.

• For children: properly fitting shoes that are not new, an extra layer, a hat, a whistle the child wears, favourite foods, and a short circular route (under 8 km) with rest points; a carrier for babies.

• In summer: start before 9 am, avoid walking between 12 noon and 6 pm, and follow the heat alerts (AEMET); some trails close during heatwaves or because of fire risk.

• In the mountains (the Pyrenees, Picos de Europa, Sierra Nevada): the weather changes quickly; carry a rain jacket, turn back immediately in dense fog or thunderstorms, and remember that the temperature drops by about 6 degrees every 1000 metres.

Trail markings:

• GR (red and white): long trails of more than 50 km that run for several days.

• PR (yellow and white): shorter trails of 10 to 50 km, suited to one day.

• SL (green and white): local trails under 10 km, best for families and children.

• Two parallel lines = keep going; a mark shaped like the letter L = turn; an X mark = wrong way.

Emergencies:

• The single emergency number in Spain and Europe is 112; it works free of charge and without credit.

• Download the My112 app (or a regional app such as 112 Andalucía / SOS Madrid); it automatically sends your location to the rescue teams.

• Tell someone your route and your expected return time before setting off.

Last reviewed1 October 2026

VAT refund (IVA 21%) in Spain for non-EU residents:

1) There has been no minimum purchase amount since 2018; ask for “Tax Free” at the till and present your passport, and the shop will issue an electronic form called DIVA.

2) Before completing your check-in (Check-in) and checking your bags, go to the DIVA kiosks at the last European airport you leave from, and scan the form's barcode; a green screen means approval, and a red one means go to the customs office with the goods and receipts.

3) The form must be stamped within 3 months of the end of the month of purchase, and the goods must be unused and with you.

4) After stamping, you collect the refund through the company named on the form (Global Blue, Planet or Innova Tax Free), in cash at its airport office or onto your credit card; a commission is deducted that usually brings the actual refund to around 10–15% of the price.

Tip: buy from one shop as far as possible, keep the original receipts, and leave extra time at the airport (at least an hour).

Last reviewed1 October 2026