v256.0 · safety · ES · verified 2026-04
Spain safety + risk profile
Safety profile for Spain — overall risk level, official advisories from UK FCDO + US State Dept, crime, terrorism, political stability, natural disasters, road safety, healthcare risks, cyber risks. Verified against authoritative government sources.
Overall risk assessment
LOW — among Europe's safest countries for tourists and residents
Official government advisories
| US State Department | Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (terrorism) |
| UK FCDO | No general advisory · Terrorism alert in place (EU-wide) |
Crime + areas
| Crime overview | Low violent crime · High petty theft + pickpocketing in tourist areas (Barcelona Las Ramblas/Gothic, Madrid Sol/Atocha, Seville Triana) · Distraction scams common · Drink-spiking rare but reported in nightlife zones |
| Safest areas | Mallorca interior, Valencia, Bilbao, Donostia/San Sebastián, Málaga (excl. centro for petty theft), Granada (Albaicín lovely + safe) |
| Higher-risk areas | Barcelona Raval (improving), Sevilla Tres Mil Viviendas, Madrid Cañada Real (extreme), Lavapiés (touristy, watch belongings) |
Terrorism + political stability
| Terrorism risk | MODERATE — historical Madrid 2004, Barcelona 2017 attacks · EU alert level 4 (out of 5) since 2015 · Visible presence in Madrid + Barcelona metros |
| Political stability | Stable democracy · Catalonia independence movement non-violent · 2024 general elections completed peacefully · No major civil unrest in 2024-25 |
Natural + practical risks
| Natural disasters | Wildfire risk summer (especially Galicia, Andalusia, Catalonia, Asturias) · Flooding occasional (Valencia DANA Oct 2024 — worst in decades, 200+ deaths) · Earthquakes south-east (Almería) |
| Road safety | EU-standard road network · Death rate ~37 per million (2024, below EU average) · Mountain roads in north require caution |
| Healthcare risks | Low — excellent healthcare system · No major endemic diseases · Tap water safe in most areas (consider bottled in some Andalucía hotels) |
| Cyber risks | Moderate — NIS2 implementation · CCN-CERT national cyber center · Some phishing-scam volume in Spanish-language |
Emergency numbers
112 (general European emergency) · 091 (national police) · 092 (local police) · 062 (Guardia Civil)
Recent changes (2023-2026)
2024: Valencia DANA flooding Oct 2024 — worst natural disaster in decades (200+ deaths, EUR 10B+ damage) · Climate-risk insurance availability gaps in coastal areas · Pickpocketing surveillance strengthened in Barcelona, Madrid metros · Tourist licensing tightened in Barcelona, Mallorca
Source: UK FCDO official advisory page · Cross-checked against US State Dept, Australian DFAT, Canadian travel advisories · Last verified 2026-04
See also: Spain country profile · safety atlas