Last updated: 07 November 2012
Visiting
Business hours
Standard Spanish working hours are from 8.00-8.30am until 5.00pm, however, commercial trading hours differ 9.30-10.00am until 2.00pm and 4.30-5.00pm until 8.00-8.30pm.
During the summer (June, July and August) many Spanish businesses work until 3.00pm only.
Public holidays
January 6 – Epiphany
March 19 – San José
May 1 – Labour Day
August 15 – Feast of the Assumption (except banks)
October 12 – Spanish National Day
November 1 – All Saints Day
December 6 – Day of the Constitution
December 8 – Immaculate Conception
Climate
Spain has a fairly typical Mediterranean climate and is officially the sunniest country in Western Europe. Winter in Madrid can be quite cold, with temperatures ranging between 2ºC and 9ºC. Summer is hot with temperatures ranging from 25ºC to 40ºC.
For weather details in Spain, please visit the World Meteorological Organization.
Currency
Oanda currency converter
Spain is part of the common European currency, and in January 2002 converted from the Spanish Peseta to the Euro (€). The Euro is now the official currency for all transactions. One Euro is made up of 100 cents. Euro notes are common to all Euro zone countries (Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, and Portugal), while the coins are customised with the national symbol. Both Euro notes and coins can be spent in any Euro zone country.
Time zones and time differences
Spain is 10 hours behind Australian Eastern Standard Time. In Spring (last weekend in March), the Spanish mainland goes on to daylight saving by putting their clocks forward one hour. In autumn (at the end of September), clocks are put back one hour.
To find out the current time in Madrid, view the World Clock.
Electricity and water
Spain’s power supply is 220 volts, 50Hz 1, 3 phases, 2, 3, 4 wires. The European two-prong plugs are the most common.
Links and resources
Travel and tourism
Turespana – www.tourspain.es
Spain Tourism – www.spain.info
Please note: this list of websites and resources is not definitive. Inclusion in this list does not imply endorsement by Austrade. The information provided is a guide only.