Spain 2020 OSAC Crime & Safety Report This is an annual report produced in conjunction with the Regional Security Office at the U.S. Embassy in Madrid. OSAC encourages travelers to use this report to gain baseline knowledge of security conditions in Spain. For more in-depth information, review OSAC’s Spain country page for original OSAC reporting, consular messages, and contact information, some of which may be available only to private-sector representatives with an OSAC password. Travel Advisory The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this report’s publication assesses Spain at Level 2, indicating travelers should exercise increased caution due to terrorism. Exercise increased caution in Barcelona and Catalonia due to civil unrest. Review OSAC’s report, Understanding the Consular Travel Advisory System. Overall Crime and Safety Situation Crime Threats The U.S. Department of State has assessed Madrid and Barcelona as being a LOW-threat location for crime directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests. Spain is generally a safe destination for tourists, students, business travelers, and others. Although violent crime may occur, it is generally uncommon. Foreigners are the targets of choice for pickpockets and thieves who operate in hotel lobbies, restaurants, public transit systems, airports, at car rental counters, and other areas frequented by tourists. Upon arrival at the airport, train station, bus station, hotel, or other areas with large crowds, keep a close eye on your personal belongings. Review OSAC’s reports, All That You Should Leave Behind, Hotels: The Inns and Outs, and Considerations for Hotel Security. Common crime tactics include: baggage theft while visitors check in/out of their hotels, during check-in at the airport, while picking up or dropping off a rental car, or while hailing a taxi; theft of valuables left in vehicles; criminal distractions (e.g. asking for directions, dropping coins/keys and asking for assistance, or “inadvertently” spilling something on the victim and offering to clean it up) to allow a counterpart to pick a victim’s pocket; and taking advantage of unsuspecting tourists who hang a purse/backpack on the back of a chair, place their cellphones on a table when at a restaurant, or place their belongings on a bench beside them. Additionally, distraction continues to be a common tactic used by highway robbers in Spain. Thieves acting as “good Samaritans” will flag down their victim and indicate there is a problem with the victim’s vehicle. While one of the assailants distracts the victim’s attention, an unseen accomplice robs valuables from the victim’s vehicle. In 2019, there was a rise in violent crime within Barcelona, specifically in popular tourist areas. Local authorities reported an increase in the number of petty theft schemes that included acts of violence such as aggressive thefts of jewelry, watches, and purses. In some cases, these incidents resulted in injury. 1 The highest incidence of street crime occurs during local holiday periods (late November through early January, Easter/Semana Santa, and August) and the busy summer tourist season. There are well-organized pickpocketing gangs who travel throughout Europe following the peak tourist season and major events where large groups of unsuspecting visitors will be present. Credit-card skimming and cloning are a concern for travelers in Spain. Be wary of skimming devices placed on ATMs, take actions to protect card PINs, and closely monitor bank statements for anomalies. Review OSAC’s reports, The Overseas Traveler’s Guide to ATM Skimmers & Fraud and Taking Credit. Residential burglaries primarily occur when security vulnerabilities exist and/or when residents do not implement sound residential security practices. Reports indicate thefts usually occur when occupants are away for an extended period; thieves usually gain access through doors or other entry points left unlocked. The U.S. Embassy and Consulate routinely receive reports of sexual assaults affecting U.S. nationals. Authorities warn of the availability of so-called "date-rape" drugs and other drugs, including GHB and liquid ecstasy. Review OSAC’s report Shaken: The Don’ts of Alcohol Abroad. Cybersecurity Concerns A number of U.S. nationals have been victims of various scams in Spain. One scheme involves a victim receiving an email/call requesting money to assist a relative or acquaintance who has been arrested, detained, robbed, or injured in Spain. These types of scams prey on emotions and the desire to assist others in need. The recipient of such a message should not send money and should independently confirm and verify the situation involving the relative or acquaintance. If a U.S. national is in distress overseas, please notify the closest Embassy or Consulate. Other scams include lottery or advance-fee scams in which a person is lured to Spain to finalize a financial transaction. Often, the victims are initially contacted via Internet or fax and informed they have won the Spanish Lottery (El Gordo), inherited money from a distant relative, or are needed to assist in a major financial transaction from one country to another. Housing-related scams and illegal sublets are also employed by unscrupulous actors targeting foreigners, including students. Scammers may use another person’s property and claim it as their own. Individuals seeking long-term lodging should conduct thorough due diligence before making any transaction and use only vetted, well-known, websites and services to find housing. Additionally, those seeking housing should not sign a contract/lease without the homeowner/landlord present and ensure the homeowner/landlord signs the contract/lease. Review OSAC’s reports, Cybersecurity Basics, Best Practices for Maximizing Security on Public Wi-Fi, Traveling with Mobile Devices: Trends & Best Practices, and Satellite Phones: Critical or Contraband?; and the Bureau of Consular Affairs’ website on International Financial Scams. Transportation-Safety Situation Road Safety and Road Conditions Spain has an excellent network of roads and highways. Authorities enforce a speed limit of 120 km/h on major highways unless otherwise posted. The Guardia Civil patrols the highways and uses radar and cameras, both fixed and mobile, to enforce the speed limits. Speed cameras enforce average speed limits in tunnels and other zones along highways, and in urban areas throughout Spain. Find emergency phones on the side of the highways at regular intervals. U.S. nationals who plan to drive in Spain must obtain an international driving permit (IDP) prior to their arrival. An international driving permit translates your state-issued driver’s license into ten languages for the benefit of foreign officials. The IDP is not valid by itself; you must carry it in addition to your U.S. state- issued driver’s license. It is illegal to rent a vehicle in Spain without an International Driving Permit. Authorities may impound your rental car, and require you to pay a fine, if they stop you. You must have liability insurance to operate any car or motorcycle. It is against the law to use a mobile phone without a hands-free device while driving. There is a €300 fine for violating this regulation, and you may also lose your license. The Spanish National Police or Guardia Civil may levy fines on the spot and issue a receipt for payment. Doing this ensures that foreigners pay their fines while still in Spain. Drivers must maintain the following emergency equipment in their vehicle while driving in Spain: a spare tire and tools to replace it, two portable warning triangles, and a reflective vest. All drivers and passengers must wear a reflective vest and use a reflective triangle warning sign if they need to stop on the roadside. Review OSAC’s reports, Road Safety Abroad, Driving Overseas: Best Practices, and Evasive Driving Techniques; and read the State Department’s webpage on driving and road safety abroad. Public Transportation Conditions Spain has extensive and generally safe train, bus, subway, and airport transportation systems. Taxis are also abundantly available, reliable, and safe. Private transportation companies (e.g. Uber, Cabify) are operate in Madrid and Barcelona; check individual websites for operating status. Rail service is comfortable and reliable, but varies in quality and speed. Intercity buses are usually comfortable and inexpensive. The U.S. Embassy in Madrid and Consulate General in Barcelona place no restrictions on personnel use of mass transit. Review OSAC’s report, Security In Transit: Airplanes, Public Transport, and Overnights. Terrorism Threat The U.S. Department of State has assessed Madrid and Barcelona as being a MEDIUM-threat location for terrorism directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests. Credible information indicates terrorist groups continue to plot potential attacks in Europe, including Spain. All European countries remain vulnerable to attacks from transnational terrorist organizations with little or no warning. Maintain heightened situational awareness and incorporate good personal security practices into your daily activity, including vigilance while in public places. Spain maintains a national terrorism alert level consisting of five levels: 1 – low; 2 – moderate; 3 – medium; 4 – high; and 5 – very high. Since June 2015, Spain’s terrorism alert level has consistently held at level 4. According to Spanish Interior Ministry figures, since 2015, Spanish security forces have arrested more than 300 individuals on terrorism-related charges associated with Islamic extremism. In 2019 and in furtherance of combating the threat of Islamic extremism, Spanish authorities conducted 32 anti- terrorism operations and arrested 58 individuals. These arrests took place throughout Spain, with the highest numbers of arrests taking place near Madrid. Review the Spanish terrorism alert level website. Spanish authorities continue to operate with an increased level of vigilance focused on the threat of those promoting and supporting terrorism and terrorist organizations, individuals radicalized in Spain or other parts of Europe, and returning foreign fighters.