You will find some useful advice for preparing for your exchange to the UPM, as well as information that will be of use during your time in Madrid.
European Citizens
Citizens from any State of the European Union, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein only need a valid national identity document or passport. Citizens from the United Kingdom and Ireland will require a passport since their countries are not members of the Schengen Area.
Non-European Citizens
Citizens from non-EU countries will need to enquire before departure at the Spanish embassy or consulate whether they need a visa to enter Spain.
HEALTH INSURANCE
State-provided healthcare
The Spanish National Health System comprises a widespread network of hospitals and healthcare centres across the country. Healthcare centres provide primary care, while specialist service (requiring referral) is available at outpatient clinics and hospitals.
If you are from a country within the European Union, all you need to do is apply for a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) in your own country. This will give you access to state-provided healthcare during your stay in Spain under the same conditions as Spanish nationals. Students who have a chronic disease and are already receiving ongoing health care must provide an E112 or S2 from their country of origin, as well as their EHIC.
Once you are in Madrid, you will need to find out which is your designated health centre. This will depend on where you live in the Community of Madrid. You will be required to show your EHIC or a current replacement certificate at your designated health centre, where you will be treated by the emergency service or, if necessary, receive ongoing care (by a family doctor who will refer you to a specialist, if necessary).
For information about state-provided healthcare in Madrid visit the following web page: https://www.comunidad.madrid/servicios/salud/asistencia-sanitaria
If you are from outside the European Union but your country has signed a healthcare agreement with Spain, you will need to enquire about the necessary procedures in your own country.
Private Health Insurance
If your country does not have a social security system and has not signed a healthcare agreement with Spain, you will need to take out private health insurance. Your policy must in all cases provide full health cover for the entire duration of you stay at the UPM. You may take out a policy in your country of origin or when you arrive in Spain.
INTERNATIONAL MOBILITY STUDENT INSURANCE
All students, irrespective of their country of origin, are required to take out insurance especially designed for international mobility students to cover risks not covered by the EHIC like rescue and repatriation. The UPM has an agreement with the On-Campus insurance company, for which international students are eligible. This policy includes accident insurance, healthcare insurance, travel insurance, private liability, etc.
BY PLANE
There are daily flights between Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport and the main European capitals and to other major cities around the world, as well as daily flights to other major airports in Spain. Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport is 13 km from the centre of Madrid off the A-2 (Madrid- Barcelona). It has four terminals: T1, T2, T3 and T4. Transport to the city centre is by bus, with departures every 10 minutes, Metro (line 8), train (from T4), taxi or vehicle with driver. Adolfo Suárez Madrid – Barajas Airport Information: http://www.aena.es/en/madrid-barajas-airport/ index.html (+34) 913 211 000
BY TRAIN
Madrid has two train stations:
Chamartín: Located in the north of the city, this station has services to and connects Madrid with northwestern Spain, providing a highspeed (AVE) train service to Segovia and León and long-distance trains to Corunna, Ferrol, Bilbao, Gijón, Oviedo, Vigo, Pontevedra and Santander. Address: Calle Agustín de Foxá, s/n Metro station: Chamartín.
Atocha: Located in the south of the city, this station has services to and from Andalusia, Barcelona, Valencia, Estremadura and Portugal. Most Spanish highspeed trains (AVE) arrive and depart from Atocha, and it is also the central station for local trains in the Madrid area. It is connected by the underground system (Metro) to the Chamartín train station. Address: Glorieta del Emperador Carlos V Metro station: Atocha-Renfe. Further information: www.renfe.es Information and bookings: 912 320 320
The following international passes provide discounts for train travel:
– InterRail This pass allows first- or second-class train travel in more than 30 European countries over several days. Further information is available at: http://www.interrail.eu/
– Eurail This is an international pass for unlimited travel depending on the chosen class of pass, which may be purchased by non-European citizens. It is an individual, non-transferable pass requiring ID. Further information is available at: http://www.eurail.com
– Rail Plus This is an individual, non-transferable card which allows holders to purchase train tickets at special prices from participating companies. Further information is available at: http://www.railplus.com.au
BY BUS
Estación Sur de Autobuses (Madrid South Coach Station) is the largest coach station in Madrid. From here you can take a coach to most Spanish and European cities.
Check the information in your own country due to possible timetable changes.
Address: Calle Méndez Álvaro, 83 28045 Madrid
Tel: +34 91 468 42 00
e-mail: info@estaciondeautobuses.com
Further information is available at: https://estacionsurmadrid.avanzagrupo.com/
BY ROAD
entry into Spain by road is through France or Portugal. If you are travelling from France, you can take one of the following expressways:
A1: Irun-Burgos-Madrid
A2: La Junquera-Barcelona-ZaragoZa-Madrid
AP7: French border-Barcelona; A2: Barcelona- Madrid
If you are travelling from Portugal, take the A5 Badajoz-Madrid Provincial Traffic Headquarters (Jefatura Provincial de Tráfico) Tel: +34 91 3018500
Travel times to Madrid:
From Barcelona – 6 hours 30 minutes.
From Seville – 5 hours 15 minutes.
From Lisbon – 5 hours 40 minutes.
Expressways (autovías) are labelled with the letter A; motorways (autopistas) are labelled with the letters AP; national roads with more than one carriageway between cities and towns are labelled with the letter N; and the Madrid ring roads are labelled by the letter M.
Expressways, motorways and the main national roads are labelled by a letter followed by either one, two or three dig its. Many of the motorways are toll roads. Driving in Spain is on the right and no – one under the age of 18 may hire or drive a vehicle of more than 75 cc. Seatbelts must be used in all seats of any type of vehicle in which they are fitted. The use of helmets is compulsory on motorcycles.
The speed limits for cars and motorcycles are 120 km/h on expressways, 100 km/h on dual carriageways, 90 km/h on roads outside built-up areas, 50 km/h in cities or towns and 20 km/h in residential areas.
Driving or riding a bicycle is not permitted with a blood alcohol limit of more than 0.5 grams per litre or a breath alcohol content of more than 0.25 grams per litre.
The use of mobile telephones or any other system or method of communication while driving is prohibited.
A points system operates in Spain, which awards an initial credit of 12 points to all drivers. Points are lost for certain driving offences.
Foreign visitors require a driving licence that is valid for Spain. Driving licences from all European Union countries are accepted, although citizens of countries such as the USA, Canada and Australia must obtain an international licence.
Every car on the road in Spain is required by law to have civil liability insurance that covers all possible third party damage in the case of accident and must also carry documentation at all times to prove it is insured.
A Green Card (Tarjeta Verde) is also recommended, although this is only compulsory for drivers from countries outside the European Union.
Drivers in difficulty can contact Roadside Assistance (Ayuda en Carretera), a service operated by the Civil Guard, from the SOS phones located along the roadsides.
