Spanish schools in Spain, Spanish school in Spain

Make a photocopy of your passport and the page bearing your entry stamp and any other essential document you may have. Avoid carrying on you the original documents.

As of January 1st, 2002, the new currency of Spain and most European countries: Belgium, Germany, Greece, France, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Austria, Portugal and Finland, is the Euro. 1 US-$ equals about 0.8 Euro. For more information, visit the Euro website or a currency converter

Regular Banking hours are: 8.30 a.m. to 2 p. m. Monday- Friday.
Money should be exchanged in official banks. Avoid exchange kiosks, usually located in touristy areas, as they identify you as a target for pickpockets. You can find cash machines on almost every street block. When in Spain, we recommend using credit cards or Travelers Checks to avoid carrying large amounts of cash. A Reminder to U.S residents: Before leaving home, make sure you have with your four digit pin.

In Spain there is a 16% IVA (value-added tax) on most products and services, 4% IVA on books and 7% on food. When making a purchase always check that the price posted includes IVA. Be especially aware that in touristy restaurants the tax is not always included in the price.

Unlike in the USA, tipping is not part of wages. Tipping is not an obligation but if you are so inclined you can leave a symbolic amount. It is not common to tip taxi drivers.

Sample PRICES for some standard products/services in Madrid:

Spain is one of the safest countries in Europe. However as in any other big city in the world, you should always take the usual precautions to protect your valuables and personal belongings while in Madrid.

Spain enjoys an average of 320 days of sunshine each year, which makes it an obvious attraction for most tourists. However, the weather varies from one region to the other.

Pharmacies are conveniently located and open from 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. and 4:30-8:00 p.m., although in big cities some remain open 24 hours/day. A listing is posted outside pharmacies and published in the daily press, indicating which ones are on night-service and/or open on the week-end.
Health food stores are starting to appear in major cities offering a variety of organic food products as well as vitamins, teas, coffees and juices.

No vaccination is required to enter the country.

There is no quarantine in Spain. Animals need to be accompanied by their owner and a written certification, from a veterinarian certifying their good health.

Shaking hands is the customary way of greeting. However, when or if you know the person better you may kiss him/her on both cheeks. If you are invited at someone's home it is always very kind to bring a small gift.

Telephones: There are several land line telephone companies in Spain: Telefonica, Auna and Uni2. There are many public telephones through out the city and most of them operate with telephone cards or coins. To initiate a local call insert a minimum of 0 .20 cents.

For International calls you can either go to a Locutorio (like a store with several inclosed phone booths) they offer good rates. You can also use phone cards sold in kiosks or at the school. The price of a phone call from Spain to the US can be as low as 4 cents/minute. The cards may be used in public or private phones, since you don't need to insert the card in the phone. The company's toll-free number is indicated on the back of the card. Operators usually speak both Spanish and English. Phone calls made with those cards are less expensive.

Cellular phones: There are three major companies: Movistar, Amena and Vodafone. Movistar usually has better reception and rates. However it also depends on the kind of card you purchase. The most commonly used calling plan is: "Activa Cuatro", text messages or calls made between 4 p.m. and 4 a.m. will cost you 0. 15 cents/minute or message versus 0.75 cents/minute or message the rest of the day (except for Sundays and national Holidays: 0.15 cents all day).

A letter from the U.S.A takes from 7 to 10 days and about the same from Spain to the U.S. Most post offices open from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays.

Breakfast for most Spaniards consists of a coffee with milk or hot chocolate with a slice of toast or sweet roll.
Lunch is the main meal eaten between 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. usually followed by a nap (siesta). However, these days, Spaniards work schedule doesn't always allow enough time to eat lunch at home and much less to take a nap.
Many restaurants offer what is called "menu del día" which costs between 7 and 10 Euros. This is a set lunch menu offering several choices for first and second course and including bread, a soft drink or wine as well as a choice of desserts or coffee. The other option is to order dishes a la carte(usually more expensive).
Dinner is eaten quite late, from 9:00 p.m. on. If you show up at a restaurant earlier don't be surprised if it is rather empty and people look at you funny!