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Useful Information for travellers Entry requirements: Depending on your country of origin the required entry documentation can vary. If you come from the United Kingdom you will need a current valid UK passport, if you came from another European country the only documentation necessary is your National Identity Document. From other countries, a current valid Passport is necessary, and this will allow you to stay in Spain for 90 days. You should consult with the Spanish Consulate or the Embassy in your country of residence to see whether a visa is also necessary. Health: The telephone number in the event of an emergency is 112. In the event of illness, you should attend one of the health centres (Centro de Salud) which can be found in most towns, villages and neighbourhoods. If the illness is of a serious nature, you should go to Casualty (Urgencias) department of one of the hospitals in the region of Murcia. If you come from a European country, you will need a European Health Card (Tarjets Sanitaria Europea – TSA) in order to be treated. If you do not have one you will be expected to pay the costs in the health centres and hospitals. You should speak to the appropriate organisation in your country of residence in order to obtain one. Should you come from a country which is not part of the European Community, before starting your journey get in contact with the relevant authorities in your country who will inform you of the necessary procedures in order to receive free health care in Spain. All medication prescribed by a doctor can be brought at any of the pharmacies in our region. The pharmacies are easily identifiable as they all have an illuminated green cross displayed Security: For any type of problem related to security and protection you should phone 112, the emergency telephone. If you so wish you can also get in contact with your own consulate. Currency: The currency used in Spain is the Euro, which comes in the form of eight different coins with the following values: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents and 1 and 2 euros. There are also seven different notes: 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 euros. Foreign currency can be exchanged in any of the banks (Bancos) or savings banks (Cajas de Ahorro), whose normal opening hours are 08:30 to 14:30 from Monday to Saturday. They close on Saturdays during the summer. Currency exchange can also take place in some hotels and travel agencies. In addition to legal tender, payments can also be made by credit card (each establishment should indicate those that they will accept) and by traveller's cheques, as long as they are accompanied by the correct documentation. Restaurants and bars: For breakfast (el desayuno) the normal timetable is between 08:00 and 10:00. Lunch (el almuerzo or la comida) is served between 13:00 and 15:30. Finally dinner (la cena) is served between 20:30 and 23:00. Some establishments are open continuously throughout the day. Cinemas, theatres, concert halls, museums and exhibition rooms: Cinema programmes usually take place between 16:00 and 22:30. Theatres begin at about 20:00, and concerts are normally held between 20:00 and 23:00. Museums and exhibition halls have a similar timetable to commercial establishments but with the difference that they close on Mondays. The shops of the Region of Murcia have the choice of opening to the public on the following Sundays and bank holidays in 2012: 08th January 18th March 05th April 06th May 01st July 02nd December 08th December 16th December 23rd December 30th December Phone calls: If you phone the Region of Murcia from a foreign country these are the steps which you need to follow: International code from the country of origin + 34 (code for Spain) + the telephone number in the Region of Murcia. If you want to phone abroad from the Region of Murcia these are the steps which you need to follow: 00 (international code phoning from Spain) + code of the country of destination + telephone number. Telephone boxes: they work either with coins or cards which can be bought in estancos (tobacconists which also sell stamps and phone cards). For any phone call within Spain the number of digits is always the same 9. Mobile telephones: The GSM technology used in Spain is not compatible with that of some other countries, as is the case with the USA and Japan. If the system of technology used by your mobile phone is compatible with that of Spain, then you need to contact an operator in your country to see if it is necessary for them to activate your international service. Once you are in our region do not forget that in order to phone abroad you have to dial 00 (the international code from Spain) + code of the country of destination + telephone number. Letters, telegrams or faxes: In order to send a letter you have to use the stamps which can be bought in estancos (tobacconists which also sell stamps and phone cards). Once the letter is ready to be sent, post it in any of the yellow post boxes which are found in most streets. If you wish to do so you can also go to the General Post Office (Oficina de Correos) which has branches in most cities and towns, where you can buy stamps, post letters, and where they can advise you on any doubt which you may have in this respect. In order to send telegrams or faxes it is best to head directly for the General Post Office where they will advise you on all the steps which you need to follow. Internet: You can connect to internet in various places such as cybercafés, libraries, and other places with free access. Information about these places can be obtained by asking at the Tourist Office (Oficina de Turismo) or Centres for Youth Information in whichever town you might be. Tourist Complaints: During your stay you have the right to receive tourist services in accordance with the qualities and characteristics advertised by the company who offer them. If this situation is not fulfilled then you can express your dissatisfaction or make a complaint. The current laws state that every establishment has to have "hojas de reclamacion" (complaints forms) available to any client who may ask for them, so that they can express their dissatisfaction. Your official complaint may be presented either in the establishment itself or in the consumer Offices Rights of the Consumer. Once the veracity of said complaint has been checked, the Administration will then take the appropriate measures against that particular establishment. Electrical appliances: Electrical appliances work with 220 volts AC. 50 Hz and the sockets correspond to the round pin European system. Driving in Spain: It is necessary to be an adult (18 years of age or older) and to have a valid current driving licence. Language: The language spoken in the region of Murcia is Castilian Spanish.
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