British holidaymakers heading to Spain this summer have been advised of an important change to be aware of if they are the target of a crime when visiting the country.
With the school holidays just around the corner, millions of Brits are expected to jet off to popular destinations including Majorca, Ibiza and Barcelona in the coming weeks. On Friday, July 7, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) issued new guidance on reporting a crime in Spain.
The update confirmed that the English-speaking police helpline that was previously available in Spain on +34 90 210 2112 has now stopped running, meaning that UK tourists wishing to report a crime while on holiday will need to visit the nearest police station in order to file a report. This could be the National Police ('Policia Nacional'), regional police ('Ertzaintza' in the Basque Country, 'Mossos d’Esquadra' in Catalonia, and 'Policia Foral' in Navarre) or Civil Guard ('Guardia Civil').
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Additionally, some Spanish cities offer a Foreign Tourist Assistance Service ('Servicio de Atención al Turista Extranjero' or 'SATE') run by the Town Hall and National Police, where you will be able to report a crime in English. You can also file a police report online for minor offences, such as bag or car theft, the FCDO added.
If you've had your belongings stolen while on holiday, you will need to ensure you keep the police report for insurance purposes. If your passport is lost or stolen, you will need to apply for an emergency travel document from the nearest British Consulate and to apply for a replacement passport when you return to the UK.
The Foreign Office advises contacting your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad, as they may be able to provide advice and help. The emergency number for ambulance, fire and police in Spain is 112 - holidaymakers can visit the Getting Help section of the FCDO page on Spain for further information.
It comes as the second update issued this week to holidaymakers heading to Spain, after the Foreign Office confirmed that the country's government has approved a measure to remove the requirement to wear face masks in pharmacies and healthcare centres. The lift spells an end to all face mask requirements in Spain for the first time since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.
Following the change, the FCDO said: "The Spanish government has declared an end to the health crisis caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and has lifted all compulsory requirements to wear face coverings." Additional guidance from the Foreign Office states that anyone who has symptoms or tests positive for Covid during a stay will not be required to self-isolate.
