Exercise a high degree of caution in Spain due to the threat of terrorism. Back to top. On February 1, , the Government of Catalonia declared a state of emergency and imposed water restrictions due to drought.
The restrictions affect municipalities, including Barcelona. They include daily use limits and prohibit certain high-use activities. Information on water restrictions — Government of Catalonia in Catalan. Petty crime, such as pickpocketing and purse snatching, is common. Thieves work alone or in groups and may use various techniques to distract you and steal your belongings, such as asking for directions or informing you of a stain on your clothes. Individuals posing as plainclothes police officers may ask to see your passport, IDs or wallets.
In this situation, politely ask to see their official identification badge to verify that the request is legitimate. There has been a significant increase in stolen passports in the Barcelona region during the last few years.
Violent crime is rare but does occur. Home burglaries happen in larger cities and coastal areas and sometimes affect homes or vacation rental apartments offered through online accommodation apps. Thieves have been known to simulate or provoke road-related incidents, such as flat tires. In the event of a road-related incident, be extremely cautious about accepting help from anyone other than a uniformed officer from the National Police Corps or Civil Guard.
Several municipalities have dedicated police units for foreign tourists SATE and offer services in English and other languages. You can also call the tourist hotline to file a police report with the assistance of a translator. There is a threat of terrorism in Europe.
