Advice for travellers to Spain for the 37th Americas Cup (37AC)

Source: New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade – Safe Travel

New Zealanders heading to Spain for this year’s America’s Cup (22 August-21 October) are advised to read the following information, in conjunction with the travel advisory for Spain.

Before you go
Over 2.5 million visitors from all over the world will be heading to Barcelona for the 37^th America’s Cup. New Zealanders travelling to the 37AC are strongly encouraged to: 

·        Plan travel and book/confirm accommodation well in advance. Have a contingency in place should things go wrong.

·       Have comprehensive travel insurance that includes cover for theft, travel and accommodation disruption, hospitalisation, pre-existing conditions, death, emergency repatriation, and any activities you wish to undertake that may be excluded from regular policies.  If you do not have insurance, you are expected to pay any costs yourself.

·        Leave a copy of your travel insurance policy, itinerary and passport with a trusted family member or friend.

·      Register your contact details with the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade so you can receive important information from us in an emergency. 

·       If you intend to drive in Spain, make sure your New Zealand driver licence  is valid and you obtain either an international driving permit  or an official translation well before you depart New Zealand. DGT (Spanish equivalent of New Zealand Transport Agency) advise that both documents must be carried along with passport when driving. The Embassy recommends that, if carrying your passport, it always be stored securely. If you lose your New Zealand driver licence while overseas, contact the New Zealand Transport Agency  about a replacement or to obtain a ‘certificate of particulars’.

Safety and security

·     Petty crime such as bag/mobile phone snatching and pick pocketing is common in Spain, particularly in and around major cities and tourist sites, on public transport, in airports and railway stations, and hotel lobbies. Remain alert to your surroundings. Never leave bags or belongings unattended, when checking in at hotels, hiring a car or in restaurants even for short periods. Wear backpacks on your front in crowded areas. For further information, see our SafeTravel tips.

·         Ensure you keep your passport and personal belongings secure at all times.

·         Don’t leave luggage or valuable items in your car.

·         Be sure to keep hydrated in warmer weather.

·         Remove all accreditations and passes from sight when not being used.

·      A heightened threat of terrorism remains throughout Spain. Demonstrations and protests occur frequently and may turn violent. Make sure you familiarise yourself with the information and advice on the travel advisory for Spain.

·         If a crisis occurs, follow the advice of the local authorities.

Extreme temperatures

Extreme temperatures can affect many areas of Spain over the summer months. Follow the Spanish Meteorological Office (AEMET) and European Meteorological Services for severe weather warnings. 

Health New Zealand has information on how to cope in hot weather. You can also follow guidance from the Spanish Ministry of Health (in Spanish).

In extreme weather:

• Drink plenty of liquids even if you don’t feel thirsty.
• Reduce active physical activity outdoors during the hottest hours.
• Seek shade, cover your head, wear light-coloured clothing and footwear.
• Take care of your skin with appropriate sunscreens and wear sunglasses.

Check with your travel provider and follow the advice of local authorities.

Lost or stolen passports

·    The New Zealand Embassy Madrid does not issue passports. If your NZ passport has been lost, stolen or damaged, you must apply online for a replacement: www.passports.govt.nz . It will be issued by the NZ Passports Office in London and despatched by DHL courier.

·         If you need to travel in a hurry, apply for an ‘urgent’ passport. It will be processed within 3 working days, plus courier delivery time.

·        When you lodge an application, your previous passport will be automatically invalid for travel so make sure you have made every effort to find it first.

·       For all New Zealand passport questions, contact the NZ Passports Office in London: Tel: +44 207 968 2730 or email london@dia.govt.nz.

Medical attention
Barcelona’s main public hospitals are: Hospital Clínic, Hospital del Mar, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau and Hospital Universitari de la Vall d’Hebron. We recommend contacting your insurance company if you need to seek medical assistance. Without insurance, you may be required to pay your own costs, including repatriation and medical escorts.  

Victim of petty crime/theft in Barcelona
Contact your travel insurer for emergency assistance and report lost/stolen credit cards to your bank and arrange for replacement cards and emergency funds. You may need to file a police report for insurance purposes. Victims of crime can make a police report with the regional police body, Mossos d’Esquadra. All stations have a remote translation service available, or in-person services are available at the following stations in the city centre:  

On the road
Thieves have been known to simulate or provoke road-related incidents, such as flat tyres. When a motorist stops to help, the thieves steal the motorist’s car or belongings. The reverse scenario has also occurred, whereby a thief offers to help a motorist in distress and steals the motorist’s car or belongings.

In the event of a road-related incident, be extremely cautious about accepting help from anyone other than a uniformed officer from the National Police Corps, Civil Guard, or Mossos d’Esquadra.

There is also a high threat of theft from rental and parked vehicles.

• Be particularly vigilant in service areas on coastal highways
• Use secure parking facilities
• Avoid leaving any luggage or valuables in the vehicle
• Always lock your doors and keep windows closed

Major incident
There are some general things that you can do to keep yourself safe that apply to most emergencies overseas, such as:

·         Avoid the affected area.  If you are not in the area affected by the emergency, stay where you are until you know more. Avoid travel until the risk to safety has passed.

·         Follow the instructions of local authorities. It is important to seek and follow the advice of the relevant authorities in your location.

·         Contact your whānau and friends back home. Let your loved ones know that you are safe, as soon as you can.

·    Keep yourself informed. Monitor reputable local and international media (such as english.elpais.com) and other sources of information, including social media.

Where to get help
In an emergency, call 112 (Europe-wide, multilingual) for fire, ambulance, or police. 

Consular assistance
Most visits to Spain are trouble free. When things do go wrong, New Zealand travellers will generally make every effort to help themselves before reaching out. But we are here to assist if needed. Consular staff at the New Zealand Embassy in Madrid can give advice with the aim of helping you to help yourself. For information on what the Embassy can or cannot do, see: www.safetravel.govt.nz (“our services”).

New Zealand Embassy Madrid
Calle Pinar 7, 3^rd floor, 28006 Madrid
Hours: Mon-Fri 09:00-14:00, 15:00-17:30 / Summer hours (July and August) Mon-Fri: 08:30-13:30, 14:00-16:30
Telephone: +34 915 230 226   Email: madrid@embajadanuevazelanda.com

New Zealand Honorary Consulate Barcelon
Carrer de les Camèlies, 32 / Passatge de Camil Oliveras, 08024 Barcelona
Hours: By appointment only
Telephone: +34 93 209 5048  Email:nzconsulatebcn@gmail.com

New Zealand After Hours Call Centre
For emergencies (e.g. hospitalisation/death) involving a New Zealand citizen overseas, see www.safetravel.govt.nz (“when things go wrong”) or call the 24/7 Consular Emergency Line for advice: +64 99 20 20 20 (or from within NZ: 0800 30 10 30). Contact your travel insurer to invoke the relevant policy cover for your situation.

Barcelona Tourist Service

Useful information about Barcelona

37^th Americas Cup

Public transport

Associated Advisories:

·         See the Spain travel advisory

Updated:6 Aug 2024, 13:35

MIL OSI