Nightlife safety and harassment

It covers drink and needle spiking, street harassment, getting home at night, crowds at fiestas, and the needs of teenagers, students, women and LGBTQI residents. It is for anyone thinking about moving to Spain, planning the move or already living there.

Start with "Staying safe on a night out in Spain". It covers drinks, venues, belongings, friends and the late-night rhythm, and it gives you the base for the other pages.

Support after domestic or sexual violence, hate crime reporting, drug harm reduction and the festival calendar are covered elsewhere in the guide.

Key rules

• Drinking age: You must be 18 to buy or be served alcohol in Spain, and selling or supplying alcohol to under-18s is banned.
• Testing window: Go to hospital emergency as soon as possible after suspected spiking, ideally within 12 hours, because traces fade fast.
• 016 helpline: 016 is the free, confidential helpline for gender-based violence, open 24 hours in many languages.
• Emergency number: Call 112 first if you are unsure: it is free, answered 24 hours and routes you to medical, police or fire services.
• Drinks: Never leave a drink unattended and never accept one from a stranger.
• Police report: You do not need to report to the police before the hospital takes samples.

Nightlife safety and harassment: the whole process, step by step

• Plan your night and check the last metro or tram in your city (read: Staying safe on a night out in Spain, and Getting home safely at night by metro, night bus, taxi or VTC): before you go out. Madrid Metro closes at about 01:30 every day. Barcelona Metro runs through the night on Saturdays and eves of holidays. Valencia and Seville run later on Fridays and Saturdays, to about 02:30-03:00 and 02:00

• Protect your drink and stay with friends who know your plan (read: Drink and needle spiking (sumisión química): prevention and response): all night, from your first drink

• If someone harasses or gropes you, move to staff or a safe place and call 112 if you need help (read: Street harassment and groping: what counts and how to report): as it happens

• If you suspect spiking, go to hospital emergency or call 112 (read: Drink and needle spiking (sumisión química): prevention and response): as soon as possible, ideally within 12 hours, because traces fade fast

• Report harassment or groping at a police station or court, and call 016 for free, confidential advice (read: Street harassment and groping: what counts and how to report): any time of day; minor offences have a limitation period of one year

• Get home safely, using a taxi or VTC if the metro has closed (read: Getting home safely at night by metro, night bus, taxi or VTC): after the last metro, which can be as early as 00:00 on some nights

Documents you may need

• Passport or ID number — Staying safe on a night out in Spain

• A copy of your ID to carry on a night out — Staying safe on a night out in Spain

• A copy of the police theft report — Staying safe on a night out in Spain

Nightlife safety and harassment: questions that cross several articles

Which number should I call in an emergency on a night out in Spain?

Call 112 first if you are unsure: it is free, answered 24 hours and routes you to medical, police or fire services. Police are on 091 (Policía Nacional) or 062 (Guardia Civil), and 016 is the confidential helpline for gender-based violence. Read Staying safe on a night out in Spain and Street harassment and groping: what counts and how to report.

Do I need a police report before a spiking test at the hospital?

No, you do not need a police report before getting medical care or having samples taken at hospital. The hospital can notify the court, and you can report to the police afterwards. Go as soon as possible, ideally within 12 hours. Read Drink and needle spiking (sumisión química): prevention and response and Street harassment and groping: what counts and how to report.

Can I still get tested if I only notice symptoms the next day?

Yes, you can still be tested the next day, though some traces fade fast. Many substances show in urine for up to around 72 hours, while GHB lasts only about 12 hours in urine. See Drink and needle spiking (sumisión química): prevention and response.

Can I be fined for drinking in the street, and does it apply to teenagers?

Yes, drinking in the street (botellón) is banned by ordinance in cities such as Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia and Seville, with fines from about €100–€300 up to €600–€3,000 depending on the city. Minors face the same fines, paid by their parents or guardians. Read Teenagers, students and alcohol: the rules and risks on nights out and Staying safe at fiestas, festivals and crowded events.

What if the metro has closed and I need to get home after a night out?

Take a taxi or VTC (ride-hailing car), because Madrid Metro closes at about 01:30 and most other systems stop earlier on weekdays. Barcelona Metro runs all night on Saturdays and eves of holidays. Read Getting home safely at night by metro, night bus, taxi or VTC and Staying safe on a night out in Spain.