Spain is a country located in southwestern Europe, occupying most of the Iberian Peninsula, which it shares with Portugal, and known for its rich history, diverse cultures, beautiful landscapes, and vibrant traditions. The nation, geographically, features a variety of terrains from the beaches of the Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts, to the mountain ranges like the Pyrenees and the Sierra Nevada. It also has a Mediterranean climate in most areas, allowing for hot summers and mild winters. Spain possesses a deep cultural heritage influenced by various civilizations through-out the ages, such as the Romans, Moors, and Visigoths, and has famous cuisines like paella, tapas, and jamón, festivals such as La Tomatina and San Fermín, and flamenco music and dance, art.
Its capital, Madrid, is located near the geographic centre of the country on the Meseta Central plateau, known for its historical landmarks like the Royal Palace (the official residence of the Spanish royal family), Museo del Prado and Puerta del Sol and Plaza Mayor, alongside its cultural institutions and dynamic nightlife.
Spain also has a autonomous community — an archipelago — within the Atlantic Ocean, close to the northwest coast of Africa, named the Canary Islands. The Canaries are known for their volcanic landscapes, which how the islands were formed, along with beautiful golden and black-sand beaches, lush forests, and their subtropical climate that causes mild climate all year round — birthing the name of the Canaries; 'Islands of Eternal Spring'. Culturally, the islands combine Spanish traditions with African influences and a relaxed island rhythm, including colourful festivals, fresh seafood, mojo sauces and a slower pace of life.
Wildfires, droughts, floods, and storms.
For traffic/driving offences;
Police can issue on-the-spot fines, especially for traffic and minor offences. Fines can be paid immediately (cash or card), where you would often get a 50% discount. If you’re driving a rental, fines would go to the rental company first, where they charge your card with an admin fee (typically €20 – €50) before you the fine is transferred to you. Even after you leave Spain, you’ll still be chased for unpaid fines. They can be sent internationally, and they are enforceable by EU/UK cooperation. And if you ignore them, it can escalate costs, along with penalties like affection of future travel, and asset seizure if you own assets or property in Spain.
Other offences to keep in mind are:
The official language of Spain is Spanish (Castilian), but Catalan, Galician and Basque are also spoken.
Vehicles drive on the right in Spain, while overtaking is done on the left, and drivers must give way to traffic already on roundabouts. Spain is strict when it comes to what you do or what you lack in your car, even though they seem minor. These include: driving in flip-flops or barefoot, eating or drinking while driving, driving without a shirt, and not carrying spare glasses if needed.
The minimum age to drive is 18 years old, but drivers have to be 21 to rent. Some rental companies may require you to be 23 – 25, and drivers under 25 may be applied with surcharges. Manual cars are standard, so request an automatic if needed (limited availability). UK drivers generally do not need an International Driving Permit (IDP) to drive in Spain, provided they hold a valid UK photocard driving licence. However, some car hire companies in Spain may still ask for one, and if your licence was issued in Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey, or the Isle of Man, you may need an IDP, regardless of whether it's a photocard or paper licence.
Some highways (called “Autopistas de peaje”) are toll roads, but do accept both card and cash. Some rental vehicles include electronic toll devices. For parking; blue zones are for pay parking (look for meters), you must not park under yellow lines, and white lines (if marked for public use) are free to park. Finally, cities like Madrid and Barcelona restrict access to older or high-emission vehicles. So, look out for Low-Emission Zone signs like 'Zona de Bajas Emisiones'. Rental cars usually comply, but check with the rental company.
The most common fuel types in Spanish petrol stations are Gasolina 95 (E5/E10 — standard unleaded petrol), Gasolina 98 (premium petrol) and Gasóleo (A/A+ diesel). Stations are mostly self-service, where you pay either inside after filling, at the pump directly before fuelling. UK debit/credit cards are widely accepted, though payment at the pump sometimes requires a PIN — contactless may not work in some areas, and that a pre-authorisation must be made for €100 – €150. Motorway stations are easy to access and open 24/7, but can slightly be more expensive than local or supermarket ones. Smaller/local stations may close at night or during siesta.
You can request a receipt ('factura') to help claim expenses. Rental companies would either have two fuel policies; full-to-full — return with the same level, or Prepaid fuel — paying upfront. Many drivers would go for full-to-full. Also, if you run out of fuel on a motorway, you will be fined around €200 or more. Try to avoid letting your tank run low, especially in remote areas.
General speed limits are as follow:
The limit is 0.05%, but for drivers with less than two years of experience and professional drivers, there is a zero-tolerance limit.
When driving, all passengers including driver must be wearing seatbelts.
Children under 135cm tall (usually under 12 years) must use an approved, size-appropriate child restraint system (car seat or booster) in the back seat. It is recommended to keep children who are under 15 months old in rear-facing seats.