Safety habits for solo women and LGBTQI residents

Key rules

• Emergency numbers: Call 112 in an emergency and 016 for gender violence.
• Hate crime: If you think you were targeted for your sexual orientation or gender identity, ask police to record it as a possible hate crime.
• Suspected spiking: Go to a hospital quickly for tests and report it to police.
• Legal protection: Anti-discrimination protection applies to everyone in Spain, including foreign residents.

Survey figures and local schemes such as Punto Violeta change and vary by city, so check current local services with your town hall or regional LGTBI service.

How worried should you be?

Spain ranks as a relatively safe country by crime and homicide rates. Your risk is still not the same as everyone else's, so a few habits are worth having from your first week.

For women, national surveys show that a large share have experienced sexual harassment at some point, and a majority of women under 35 report it. Many women also say they feel unsafe walking alone at night, and women feel less secure than men in public spaces after dark. Fear levels are near the European average.

For LGBTQI people, Spain does better than the EU average on acceptance and on how many people are open about who they are. Even so, many LGBTQI people avoid holding hands in public, and a sizeable minority report harassment in a year. Hate-crime reports show several hundred incidents recorded each year, and support groups say most are never reported to police. Risk is higher in smaller towns and for visibly trans people.

Habits that work

The checklist below covers the everyday basics: telling a friend your plans, watching your drink, planning your way home and using venue help schemes. Some points need extra detail:

• Save the numbers now. 112 is for emergencies and 016 is for gender violence. The ALERTCOPS app sends your location to police.
• Venue schemes vary. Ask for Angela and Punto Violeta schemes exist in many bars, but not every city or venue has one. Staff are trained to help if you feel unsafe.
• Dating apps. Meet first in a public place and tell a friend where you are.
• Choose your areas. LGBTQI organisations suggest friendly neighbourhoods such as Chueca in Madrid, Eixample in Barcelona and Maspalomas. In smaller towns, going out in a group is a sensible default.

If something happens

Call 112. If you suspect your drink was spiked or you were assaulted, go to a hospital quickly for tests, and report it to police.

If you think you were targeted for who you are, ask for the report (denuncia) to be filed as a possible hate crime. Keep evidence such as messages and the names of witnesses. The Ministry of Interior has hate-crime units. LGBTQI organisations, including FELGTBI+, offer free support and a helpline, and many regions run their own LGTBI information services.

Your legal protection

These rules cover everyone in Spain, including foreign residents.

• Same-sex marriage has been legal nationwide since 2005, with full adoption rights.
• A 2023 law lets you change your legal gender by simple declaration at the civil registry from age 16. There are conditions for ages 12 to 16, and a court is involved for younger ages.
• The same law bans conversion therapy and protects against discrimination in work, health and education.
• A homophobic, transphobic or other discriminatory motive makes a crime more serious. Hate speech and incitement are also crimes.
• Regions such as Madrid, Catalonia and Andalusia add their own protections and fines. Check what your region offers with its LGTBI information service.

The FAQ below answers common follow-up questions.

Checklist

• Tell a friend your plans and share your location before you go out.

• Agree a meeting point with your group and do not leave friends alone.

• Keep your drink in sight and refuse open drinks from strangers.

• Arrange your way home in advance, using a licensed taxi or ride-hailing app, and check the plate and driver.

• Charge your phone and stick to well-lit, busy streets.

• Save 112 and 016 in your phone and install the ALERTCOPS app, which sends your location to police.

• Ask venue staff for help through the Ask for Angela or Punto Violeta scheme if you feel unsafe.

• Choose LGBTQI-friendly venues and areas, such as Chueca in Madrid or Eixample in Barcelona.

• Meet dating-app matches in a public place first.

• After an incident, keep messages and witness details, and ask for the report to be filed as a possible hate crime.

Frequently asked questions

Can I change my legal gender in Spain without a court?

Yes, from age 16 you can change your legal gender by a simple declaration at the civil registry. For ages 12 to 16 there are extra conditions, and for younger children a judge is involved.

Is a homophobic or transphobic attack treated differently by the law?

Yes, a discriminatory motive such as homophobia or transphobia makes a crime more serious under Spanish criminal law.

Where can LGBTQI residents get free support after an incident?

Free support is offered by LGBTQI organisations, including a national helpline run by FELGTBI+ and regional LGTBI information services. Keep messages and witness details as evidence. Most incidents are never reported, so support groups can help you decide on next steps.

Is Spain safe overall for women and LGBTQI people?

Yes, Spain is a relatively safe country by crime rates, and it scores better than the EU average on acceptance of LGBTI people. Even so, many women report feeling unsafe alone at night, and many LGBTI people avoid holding hands in public.