Spain

Sirens and local warnings: In addition to ES-Alert, Spain also uses regional and local warning methods. In some municipalities, coastal areas, industrial zones or civil protection situations, sirens, loudspeakers or announcements by police and fire services may be used.

If sirens or official announcements are activated, go indoors, close windows and doors, switch off ventilation and air conditioning, follow radio or official updates and obey instructions from the authorities.

Country: Spain

• Country code: ES
• Official language: Spanish
• Currency: euro (EUR)
• Time zone: mainland Spain, Balearic Islands, Ceuta and Melilla: Central European Time, Central European Summer Time in summer. Canary Islands: Western European Time, Western European Summer Time in summer.
• Power supply: normally 230 V / 50 Hz, plug types C and F

Spain generally has well-developed infrastructure. During a prolonged power outage, communication, transport, card payments, heating, cooling, lifts, petrol stations, supermarkets and parts of the water supply may be disrupted.

Additional risks may come from heat waves, wildfires, drought, heavy rain, flooding, coastal events, earthquake risk in some regions or volcanic activity in the Canary Islands.

The most important emergency numbers in Spain should be saved offline and also kept on paper.

• 112: general emergency number for ambulance, fire service and police
• 061: medical emergencies, depending on the autonomous community
• 091: Policía Nacional
• 092: Policía Local
• 062: Guardia Civil
• 080 / 085: fire service, depending on municipality or region
• 91 562 04 20: toxicological information service

Use emergency numbers only for real emergencies. During a large blackout, lines should not be blocked by general enquiries.

Spain uses several information and warning channels. These include ES-Alert via Cell Broadcast, regional 112 centres, civil protection, AEMET weather warnings, sirens or local announcements.

• ES-Alert: alert messages directly to compatible mobile phones in affected areas.
• AEMET / Meteoalerta: official warnings for heat, storms, rain, snow, coastal events and other weather hazards.
• 112: regional emergency and coordination centres.
• Radio: during a power outage, a battery, crank or car radio is important.
• Municipality / autonomous community: local instructions may differ depending on the situation.

Mobile data and apps may fail during a blackout. Important information should therefore not be stored only digitally.

For Spain, private preparedness for several days up to about two weeks is sensible. Supplies should be usable without electricity.

• Plan drinking water and beverages for everyone in the household.
• Store long-life food that can be eaten cold or prepared easily.
• Keep medicines, first-aid supplies and personal long-term medication available.
• Prepare a battery or crank radio, torches, spare batteries and power banks.
• Keep cash in small notes, as card payments and cash machines may fail.
• Keep important documents, phone numbers and addresses also on paper.
• With alternative cooking or heating, watch for fire and carbon monoxide risks.
• In hot regions, also plan shade, cooling without electricity and extra drinking water reserves.

In case of power outages, the first responsible contact is usually the local grid operator or energy supplier. General hazard and civil protection information in Spain is communicated by Protección Civil, regional 112 centres, autonomous communities, municipalities and responsible specialist authorities.

For Dominican citizens in Spain, the Embassy of the Dominican Republic in Madrid is an important official representation. There are also Dominican consulates in Spain.

Travellers should save important contacts offline before travelling and not keep them only on a mobile phone.