What you need to know

THE LANGUAGE

Palma is a diversified city, where you will be able to hear a great diversity of languages. This fact is due to the city's high volume of tourists.

Mallorca, as well as the remaining Balearic Islands, has two official languages: the Catalan, the island's language, and Spanish, the official language of the Spanish State.

THE CURRENCY

Mallorca has an official currency, the Euro, the same as all the other countries within the European Union who have joined the Monetary Union.

The following bank notes are in circulation: 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 Euros. Additionally, coins with the following face values are in circulation too: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents, as well as 1 and 2 Euros.

Should you need to change currency, please request this service at banks or savings banks within the city, as well as at exchange offices located in the city centre and in tourist areas.

CUSTOMS

Spain belongs to the European Union since 1986.

Historically, the European Union is based upon a customs union agreed by the member countries. The customs union's main characteristic is the complete, legal harmonisation of the customs division, whilst the member states are responsible for the application of the rules.

The free circulation of goods implies that these will move freely between the member states, without paying import taxes and without being subject to commercial or customs restrictions.

Should you have any further queries about this matter, please do not hesitate to contact the city's customs department.

In Palma: C/Moll Vell, s/n. Tel. 971 726 583 / Fax 971 713 468
At the airport: Tel. 971 265 216/ Fax 971 743 168

PASSPORTS

The citizens of the European Union and those of some Western European Union countries are admitted by using the national identity card. Citizens of other countries will need a valid passport or apassport and a visa, according to the case. Please request further information at the Spanish embassies and consulates.

OFFICIAL TIME

The official time on the Balearic Islands is the same as the time on the Spanish mainland: During autumn-winter, GMT+1; During the spring-summer, GMT+2.

The VAT

The VAT (IVA) or Value Added Tax (Impuesto sobre el Valor Añadido) is applied on all products and services. At restaurants, hotels and agrarian tourism centres, the VAT amounts to 7%. Citizens of non-EU member countries visiting the island may request the refund of the VAT for purchases exceeding 60,10 Euros (tax-free). In order to request the VAT refund, you must show the invoice of the purchased good at the customs export department of the last European Union member country you will be visiting.

ELECTRICITY

The electric current on the island is normally 220 volts.

TELEPHONE CALLS (to and from Spain)

Should you wish to call Spain from abroad, the international code is 34.

Should you wish to call abroad, please dial 00 (Internacional Service), plus the country code + city code + the telephone number of the person you wish to call.

SIZES AND MEASUREMENTS

• MEASUREMENTS
  Palma, the same as the Spanish State, uses the decimal metric system to measure any weight, length and distance.

Please find below two conversion tables: The first one, for clothing in general and the second one for footwear. The enclosed conversion tables compare European sizes with other usual size measurement systems. The tables have been created to help you finding out what size to ask for in case you are not a citizen from the European Union (not including the United Kingdom, that uses its own system)

SIZES FOR CLOTHING (EQUIVALENT TO STANDARD SIZE)

• SIZES FOR FOOTWEAR

TIPS

All prices and invoices include a tip for service, hence you don¿t necessarily need to leave a tip. However, should you consider it appropriate, you may leave a tip to express your satisfaction with good service.

Please find below an estimate of the amount that is usually left as a tip:

- Restaurants: 5-10 % of the bill.
- Hotels: Between 3 to 5 Euros for chambermaids; 0.50 Euros for each piece of luggage for the waiter.
- Taxis, guides, etc.: As you may consider appropriate.

OPENING HOURS

Administrations: From 8:00 hours until 15:00 hours, Mondays to Fridays.

Banks: Between April and September: From 9:00 hours until 14:00 hours, Mondays to Fridays. Between October and March: From 9:00 hours until 14:00 hours, Mondays to Fridays, and from 9:00 hours until 13:30 hours on Saturdays.

Pharmacies on duty
Pharmacies have the same opening hours as the shops. Some remain open 24 hours a day. To find out which pharmacies are on duty, please visit the following page:
https://www.cofib.es/guardias.asp

Restaurants: Between 13:00 hours and 16:00 hours, and from 20:00 hours until 00:00 hours for dinner. Some restaurants located in touristic areas open earlier.

Coffe houses and bars: The opening hours vary, however you will always be able to find one open.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVICE

• IF YOU HAVE TO DRIVE

Please ensure to undertake all basic and necessary precautions when driving.

Don't drink any alcohol. Alcohol slows down your reflexes and gives you a false sense of security.
Furthermore, all drivers will be subject to breath tests, drugs and psychotropic tests and similar. Sanctions shall be imposed in case of positive results.

Drivers as well as users of motorbikes and mopeds must wear helmets when driving within the city or on intercity routes.

It is strictly forbidden to use earphones connected to reproducers or radiotelephones whilst driving. Please remember that the minimum required lateral distance when overtaking two-wheeled vehicles is of 1.50 metres.

Please use the safety belt on the urban and interurban roads. The use of the safety belt is obligatory for the driver as well as for all passengers within the vehicle, if available.

It is strictly prohibited to circulate with children below the age of 12 seated in the front passenger seats without using the appropriate homologated seats.

The maximum number of persons that shall be transported may not exceed the number of seats the vehicle has been authorised for. All passengers must be seated in the appropriate seats.

For more information, please visit: https://www.dgt.es

SUNBATHING

Start taking the sun gradually. Don't expose yourself to the sun for more than 20 minutes during the first days. Afterwards, please increase the time in the sun progressively.

The best time in the day to sunbathe, without running the risk get a sunburn, is during the first hours in the morning and during the last hours in the afternoon.

Should you take medicines, please ask your doctor. Some medicines, in combination with solar rays, may cause reactions on the skin.

Use suntan cream half an hour before exposing yourself to the sun and repeat this action as often as may be required to enable the lotion to develop its active principles.

Don't expose children below the age of 1 to the sun, since their immature skin lacks any defense. Please ensure that children do only expose to the sun during the first early hour in the morning and during the latest hour in the afternoon, using always suntan cream for children.

• GOING TO THE COUNTRYSIDE

PLEASE REMEMBER THAT MAKING A FIRE WITHOUT PERMISSION ENTAILS A SERIOUS DANGER AND SHALL BE SANCTIONED BY LAW.

In accordance to Decree 41/1996, dated 28th March, the shall be considered most dangerous time in the year for forest fires is considered to be between the 1st May and the 15th October. A decree may be published whereby this period of risk shall be changed.

DO NOT MAKE A FIRE WITHOUT PERMISSION

During the period of high risk, do not make a fire without permission at least 500 metres away from a forest. The breach of this norm implies a serious administrative infringement and entails the application of the criminal code.