Spain travel advisories

[Consular Email] Heat and Forest Fire Caution

Aug. 12, 2025, 5 p.m.

1. With high temperatures expected to continue across much of Spain in the coming days, the Spanish Ministry of the Interior has issued heat and forest fire warnings and urged citizens to take precautions.

2. In the heat, it is recommended to limit exposure to sunlight, stay hydrated, and avoid prolonged exercise during the day. Children, the elderly, and those with illnesses should be especially careful.

3. Furthermore, as many forest fires are caused by human carelessness, the government urges people to avoid actions that could cause forest fires, such as littering cigarette butts, dumping garbage, and using machinery in the mountains.

(Reference) Spanish Ministry of the Interior website
https://www.interior.gob.es/opencms/es/detalle/articulo/Proteccion-Civil-y-Emergencias-mantiene-hasta-manana-martes-al-menos-la-alerta-por-altas-temperaturas/

4. Therefore, we ask that all those currently staying in Spain make an effort to gather relevant information, including weather information, and take the necessary precautions.

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Embassy of Japan in Spain
Phone: +(34)-91-590-7600 (main)
Email: consulado@md.mofa.go.jp
Website: https://www.es.emb-japan.go.jp/itprtop_ja/index.html

Consular Office in Las Palmas
Phone: +(34)-928-244-012
Website: https://www.es.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_ja/00_000042.html

Consulate-General of Japan in Barcelona
Phone: +(34)-93-280-3433
Website: http://www.barcelona.es.emb-japan.go.jp/itprtop_ja/index.html

Publicizing the current situation regarding theft and safety measures

Aug. 6, 2025, 8:35 p.m.

1. Trends
Thefts occur in all sorts of places, including airports, train stations, tourist spots, and surrounding streets, as well as on trains and buses. According to reports of thefts reported to our Embassy, thefts do not only occur late at night, but can also occur openly in broad daylight. Even if you are traveling with a group of people, you may still be a victim of theft.
In particular, there have been many cases of pickpocketing in crowded subways, train stations, and on trains, either by a group of people taking advantage of the crowds or even when the train is empty.You should also be careful of criminals who pretend to be kind by offering to carry your luggage or wipe stains off your clothes.

2. Recent Cases (1) At around 10 p.m., in the outdoor smoking area of a luxury hotel in the Sant Martí district of Barcelona, a victim was splashed with water from behind, then approached by several men, who pinned him down and stole his bag.
(2) At around 9:00 a.m., as I was leaving a hotel near Las Ramblas, someone suddenly splashed liquid on me. A man in his 60s came with tissue and helped me wipe it up. Meanwhile, someone stole my bag, which I had placed at my feet.
(3) Around 1:00 p.m., while walking near the Picasso Museum, a group of four men stared at him. He became frightened and ran away. Two of them chased him and suddenly tried to steal his watch. He resisted, holding the watch with his hands, and after a few seconds they fled without stealing anything. The crime occurred in broad daylight, and there were many people around (there have been many thefts of high-end mechanical watches recently).
(4) At around 4:00 p.m., he parked his car at a highway service area near Barcelona. When he got out of the car, he was approached by a man of Eastern European descent. While he was dealing with the man, another man, believed to be an accomplice, took his bag, which he had placed on the passenger seat.
(5) Around 10:00 a.m., while I was driving a rental car in Barcelona, a motorbike approached me and gestured to me, saying, "You have a flat tire, so please stop the car." After I got out of the car and was given instructions on how to repair the flat tire, I noticed that my bag had been stolen from the unlocked car.

3. Countermeasures (1) Carry only the minimum amount of valuables necessary and keep them dispersed.
If your passport is among your stolen belongings, it may have a significant impact on your travel plans. Hotel rooms are not 100% safe, but if you can safely leave your passport in a safety deposit box, it is probably best not to carry it with you.
(2) Carry your bag with a tight closure across your body as much as possible. If it is crowded, hold it down with your hand. Even if a stranger offers you help, always be cautious and leave the situation as quickly as possible.
(3) When eating at a restaurant, never leave your belongings on your seat, even when ordering, and never eat with your bag hanging on the back of your chair. Always be careful not to let your bag out of your sight while eating or drinking. Physical measures such as tying the strap of your bag to your chair are also effective.
(4) Always be aware that you are a target, and pay attention to the movements of people in front, behind, and on either side of you when checking in at a hotel or airport, or when paying for groceries or meals.
(5) If someone calls out to you, touches you, drops coins at your feet, or if there is pickpocketing or robbery happening nearby (anything that distracts the target), immediately suspect this as a sign of a theft, do not leave your luggage or valuables unattended, and if necessary, leave the area immediately and check in a safe place for any abnormalities.
(6) When getting into a taxi or other vehicle, or immediately after getting out, it is easy to become distracted by your luggage. Therefore, do not place your bag on top of a suitcase or other item, but always keep it close to your body.

4. In addition, based on the local security situation, we have revised our "Safety Guide" which includes necessary safety measures for those staying in the area and what to do if you encounter an incident, etc. We hope that this will be of help to you in your safety measures.
Safety Guide (Revised July 2025)
https://www.barcelona.es.emb-japan.go.jp/files/100652570.pdf
〇 Ministry of Foreign Affairs Overseas Safety Website
https://www.anzen.mofa.go.jp/
〇Our Embassy website (Overseas Safety Measures Information (April-June 2025))
https://www.barcelona.es.emb-japan.go.jp/files/100883321.pdf

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[Contact information]
Consulate-General of Japan in Barcelona Address: Avda. Diagonal, 640, 2a Planta D, 08017, Barcelona
Phone number: +(34)93-280-343
Homepage:
http://www.barcelona.es.emb-japan.go.jp/itprtop_ja/index.html