Practical guide for foreign researchers in Spain 2006

22. Useful information

Holiday
A calendar of national holidays is drawn up every year. The Autonomous Regions add their specific holidays, since they celebrate their own local feasts.

Calendar of national holidays

MONTH	DAY	FEAST
January	1	New Year
January	6	Three Kings' Day
April	14	Holy Friday*
May	1	Labour Day
October	12	Day of the Hispanic Countries
November	1	Day of All Saints
December	6	Day of the Spanish Constitution
December	8	Immaculate Conception
December	25	Christmas

(*) In 2006, Holy Friday falls on the 14th of April. This, however, changes every year.

A labour calendar of the current year can be found on the web page of the Ministry of Public Administration (www.igsap.map.es), under “Otros servicios de información general” (Other general information services).

Customs

• Siesta
  The Spanish siesta attracts the attention of many a foreigner. Anyone visiting Spain in the summer months will understand that the siesta is, due to the intense heat at midday, a physiological need.
• Spanish hours
  Many foreigners are surprised by the Spanish hours. Most shops do not open before 10 am, close at 1.30 pm and open again from 4 or 5 pm until 8 pm. More and more shops in the big cities (especially department stores) do not close at noon. In Spain, people usually have dinner after 9 or 10 pm, and nightlife rarely starts before midnight or 1 am at night.
• Pubs and snack bars
  Pubs and snack bars are an integral part of Spanish culture. They can be found on every corner of every street in every little town. People get together in bars to talk, have a coffee, a snack or a drink.
• Tapas and olive oil
  Eating “tapas” is a typically Spanish custom, which has recently been successfully exported abroad. Tapas are small portions of food, served with a drink in a bar or tavern. Depending on the area, it can be small appetizer-type snacks you get for free with your drink, or a more elaborated dish chosen and paid for by the customer. The Spanish love to have a “tapa” before lunch. Tapas can also make for a complete meal at a restaurant. Spanish cooking is largely based on fried and stewed food with plenty of olive oil, which contrasts with the less excessive eating habits in other parts of the world. Although olive oil is very healthy and tasty, people with sensitive stomachs may not be able to tolerate it.
• Tobacco
  Although people in Spain are apparently becoming increasingly aware of the harmful effects of tobacco on health, the consumption of cigarettes is still very high. Smoking is not allowed in public places (transport, hospitals, official centres, etc….). On January 1st 1006, smoking was also banned in work places, and several bars and restaurants transformed into non-smoking establishments.
• Alcohol
  Alcoholic drinks are available at supermarkets, local stores and petrol stations all over the country. Some cities have recently prohibited the sale of alcohol after certain hours.

Student Card
Student cards are issued by the Foreigners’ Office or Police authorities (headquarters or local police station).
To apply for a Student Card, you must complete an official application form and submit the following documentation:

• Copy of a valid passport or any other identity document to enter Spain.
• Student, research or training visa.
• Proof of admission as a pupil, student or researcher to a public or private centre or school, authorised or recognised by the relevant authorities, indicating that the activity to be undertaken requires regular class attendance and that the duration of the course is not less than 3 months.
• Proof of sufficient means to cover the costs of the studies, maintenance during the stay, as well as the return travel to the country of origin after completion of the studies.
• Three passport-size photos.

Emergencies
All emergency telephone numbers (police, fire brigade, ambulance, etc.) have been consolidated into one central telephone number, 112. Many telephone sets have a red button that automatically puts you in contact with the local emergency services. Some telephone numbers are valid for the whole country, whereas others are limited to calls from within a given Autonomous Region. Some useful emergency telephone numbers are:

• Military Police (Guardia Civil): 062
• Directorate General of Traffic (DGT): 900 12 35 05
• Emergency Coordination Centre: 112
• Health Emergencies: 061
• National Police: 091

International Phone calls
To phone abroad, dial 00, followed by the country code, the area code and finally the telephone number of the person you are calling. For calls from outside Spain, the international access code for Spain is +34. Calling Spain from abroad with a mobile telephone can turn out to be quite expensive.

Agencies - “Gestorías”
Due to the complexity of certain administrative formalities, many people choose to employ the services of an agency (“gestoría”) to take care of everything on their behalf. “Gestorías” are private companies that take care of all administrative procedures for their clients. You can find them on the web page of the Yellow pages: www.paginas-amarillas.es

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