Safety in Spain
As in much of Western Europe, safety in Spain is not a major concern. Expats can spend more time mulling over truly important matters, like, what varietal of wine they prefer and where they’d like to take their next vacation.
That said, petty theft is still present, largely in the urban centres, and two crimes, specifically, target foreigners.
The first is passport theft, which is becoming more common, since demand from potential illegal immigrants in Africa has fuelled the creation of a lucrative passport black-market. If your passport is stolen, then immediately report it to the local embassy and have the passport reissued. Very few people need to see your passport, so don’t show it to anyone unless they are employed in an official government capacity.
Otherwise, pick-pocketing is rife in some crowded areas of Madrid and Barcelona. Keep your valuables in front of your body or locked securely away. If someone bumps into one, it is worth paying attention to where their hands are wandering, as they may be searching for valuables.
It is also worth finding out what a given taxi ride should cost before you depart. Some of the locals take a perverse pride in ripping off ignorant tourists.
Apart from that though, expats are simply advised to take common basic security precautions while in Spain, no other extraordinary measures are needed:
Though the assumed al-Qa’ida terrorist attack on one of Madrid’s train stations in 2004 likely remains fresh in many minds, terrorism beggars very little concern from locals and other residents of Spain.
On the domestic front, The Euskadi ta Askatasuna - Basque Fatherland and Liberty (ETA) is a long-standing indigenous terrorist organisation fighting for the independence of the Basque region. This organisation uses explosive attacks to support its pursuit of autonomy, but often alerts the government beforehand to minimise deaths and damage.
ETA attacks are extremely rare as of late, and police have made key arrests that have significantly weakened the ranks of the group.
That said, petty theft is still present, largely in the urban centres, and two crimes, specifically, target foreigners.
The first is passport theft, which is becoming more common, since demand from potential illegal immigrants in Africa has fuelled the creation of a lucrative passport black-market. If your passport is stolen, then immediately report it to the local embassy and have the passport reissued. Very few people need to see your passport, so don’t show it to anyone unless they are employed in an official government capacity.
Otherwise, pick-pocketing is rife in some crowded areas of Madrid and Barcelona. Keep your valuables in front of your body or locked securely away. If someone bumps into one, it is worth paying attention to where their hands are wandering, as they may be searching for valuables.
It is also worth finding out what a given taxi ride should cost before you depart. Some of the locals take a perverse pride in ripping off ignorant tourists.
Apart from that though, expats are simply advised to take common basic security precautions while in Spain, no other extraordinary measures are needed:
- Lock the doors and windows to your home when you leave
- Be mindful of your possessions in crowded tourist areas
- Avoid deserted or dark streets if walking alone after nightfall
Terrorism in Spain
Though the assumed al-Qa’ida terrorist attack on one of Madrid’s train stations in 2004 likely remains fresh in many minds, terrorism beggars very little concern from locals and other residents of Spain.
On the domestic front, The Euskadi ta Askatasuna - Basque Fatherland and Liberty (ETA) is a long-standing indigenous terrorist organisation fighting for the independence of the Basque region. This organisation uses explosive attacks to support its pursuit of autonomy, but often alerts the government beforehand to minimise deaths and damage.
ETA attacks are extremely rare as of late, and police have made key arrests that have significantly weakened the ranks of the group.
