Soria y Turismo

Information of the province

Planning the trip

Instructions for travellers

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Customs
According to the European Commission, travellers cannot bring into Spain animal products for their own consumption (meat, milk and other dairy and animal products), except powdered infant milk and other special foods required for medical reasons. The rest of products can be brought in up to 1kg per person. If you come to Spain you are allowed to carry in your personal luggage goods for your own use and gifts, regarding they are not used for commercial purposes due to their weight and you can satisfy customs officers.

Sums of money superior to 6,010.12 Euros must be declared. If you are over 18 years-old you are allowed to bring 200 cigarettes, 100 little cigars 50 cigars or 250g of smoking tobacco. Regarding alcohol you are allowed to bring 1litre of alcoholic drink over 22º or 2l if drink is less than 22º. Perfumery items are also limited to 50gr of perfume and 0’25l of eau de toilette.

Useful information
Electric appliances
Electrical appliances in Spain need a 220V current system and plugs use the European system of two round pins.

Driving in Spain
You need to be over 18 and hold a driving license. Be careful, in Spain we drive on the right side.

Language
The language spoken in Soria is Spanish. It is possible to hire a touristic guide specialized in different languages. Few inhabitants spoke English or French, so if you need some help for looking for a hotel, a monument, etc. young people are generally the first reference. It is usually preferred to speak in English.

Personal documents required
Personal documents required to travel to Spain depend on your country of origin. If you come from a EU country you only need your identity card. For the rest of countries it is required a valid passport that let you stay 90 days in Spain. You should ask in your consulate or embassy in Spain if the visa is required.

Health
Emergency telephone number: 112

In case of illness you can go to the health centres of your town. If it is a serious illness you must go to Emergencies (Urgencias) in the Hospital of Santa Bárbara in Soria, the capital. It is only required the European Health Insurance Card if you come from an EU country. In case you don’t have it, you will have to pay for the medical attention received in the health centre. This card is issued in your country of origin.
If you come from a non-EU country ask whether it is needed or not some specific procedure to receive free medical attention in Spain.

Prescribed medicines are available in any chemist’s, identified with an illuminated green cross. In many villages there is a medical establishment to assist people but they are smaller than chemist’s and they open fewer hours.

There is no need to get vaccinated against any illness when you visit Spain. Anyway, it is always important to have updated the anti-tetanus injection in case of being in contact with nature and the vaccine calendar.
Spanish authorities may exceptionally check visitors in order to confirm they don’t suffer from any illness specified in the International Health Rules.

Security
You can call the emergency telephone number 112 for any problem related to safety and police surveillance. This number is used for contact the police, ambulances or the fire brigade.

Currency
The Euro is the Spanish currency. There are eight different coins: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 25 cents and 1 and 2 Euros. There are also seven notes: 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 Euros.

You can go to any bank and savings bank to exchange currencies. They are open Monday-Friday from 9h to 14h.

It is possible to pay in cash, by credit card (those accepted in each establishment) and by traveller’s cheque, always presenting the appropriate documents.

Timetables
Bars and restaurants
The breakfast is usually served between 8h and 10h. Lunch is served between 13h and 15.30h. And dinner is usually served between 20.30h and 23h. In some cases, bars and restaurants are opened continuously throughout the day.

Cinemas, theatres, concerts, museums and galleries
Cinemas are opened from 16h to 22.30h. Theatres start their shows from 20h, while musical concerts are usually performed between 20h and 23h.

Pubs, discos and nightclubs
Nightclubs are open Thursday-Sunday till 3h or 4h, while pubs and discos close later.

Shops
Shops open Monday-Saturday from 9h or 10 h to 14h, and they open again in the afternoon from 17h to 20h. Superstores open from 10h to 22h.

Communications
Calls
To call Soria from abroad: dial exit code of the country of origin + 34 (code of Spain) + telephone number (9 figures).
To call abroad from Spain: dial 00 (International exit code) + country code + telephone number.
Phone boxes work with coins or cards sold in newsagents and shops.
Calls in Spain have always nine-figure numbers.

Mobile phone services
In Spain we use GSM technology but this system is not compatible with the one of USA and Japan. If your mobile technology system is compatible with the technology used in Spain, you must contact your country operator to check if it is necessary to activate the international call service. Once in Soria you can call abroad by dialing 00 (Spain code) + country code + telephone number.

Letter, telegram and fax
You can buy stamps to send letters in newsagents. There are plenty of yellow cylindrical postboxes to post it in the city. Otherwise, you can buy stamps, send letters or ask for information in the post office of the town you are visiting.
To send a telegram or fax you have to go to the local post office where you will receive all the instructions to send it.

Internet
Cybercafes, public libraries or cybercentres give access to the Internet. Tourism offices can give you the information about the nearest establishments and its services.
Some hotels have access to the Internet too.

Transports
If you are going to travel to Spain with your own car you must know the police could ask you for the following papers:

Diving license: you have to be over 18 and have the driving license of your home country.

Driving insurance: if you come from an EU country, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Andorra and Croatia, you only need your insurance policy and the receipt showing it is valid. If you come from Albania, Bosnia Herzegovina, Belorussia, Israel, Iran, Morocco, Moldavia, Serbia, Montenegro, Tunisia, Turkey and Ukraine you have to hold the Carta Verde (which is the name of the International Certificate of Civil Liability Insurance).

If you come from any other country you will have to contract a frontier insurance policy (a temporary insurance which is compulsory for motor vehicles).

It is advisable to contact your consulate or embassy in Spain in order to check that there have not been changes in the Spanish legislation before you leave.

Road safety rules
If you are going to drive in Spain there are some basic rules you need to respect:
-When driving it is forbidden to use your mobile phone unless you use the hands free car kit.
-Switch off your radio and mobile phone at petrol stations.
-Children under 3 must be sat in a suitable device adapted to his height and weight.
-It is compulsory to wear a reflective vest when you get out of the car and walk along the road.
-It is compulsory the use of reflective warning triangles if the car is immobilized on the road or verge.

Moreover
-Speed limits must be respected: 120 km/h in motorways and freeways (autopista y autovía); 100 km/h in main roads (carretera convencional); 90km/h in the rest of roads; 50km/h in towns.
-It is forbidden to drive with more than 0.5 grams of alcohol in blood (0.25 milligrams per litre of exhaled air).
-The use of the seat bealt is compulsory for all the occupants of the vehicle.
-The use of the helmet is compulsory for the drivers and the pillion passengers of bikes, mopeds or motorbikes.
-In petrol stations there are two types of fuel: diesel and unleaded petrol of 95 and 98 octane.

Complaints
All tourists have the right of receiving all the services offered by the companies. In case of not being satisfied, you can make a complaint to the competent institution.
According to the Spanish legislation every establishment must have a “complaint sheet” in case the client can present a written complaint.
This complaint can be presented in the establishment or in the Oficina del Consumidor (Consumer office). In Soria you would have to address to:
Sección de Consumo de la Administración Regional
C/ Campo, nº 5.
If you wish you can call this number: 975-23 33 66.
Once checked the complaint is true, the Administration will take the appropriate measures against the establishment.

10 cosas que no te puedes perder de Soria

Ministerio de industria, turismo y comercio