Madrid Landmark. Bullfighter sculpture in front of Bullfighting arena Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas
Taking the decision to access treatment at an IVF clinic abroad is not something done lightly. The investment required, in terms of time, money and, most importantly, emotional input, is huge. The process itself can be extremely stressful and the results literally life changing. That’s why it’s vital to find out as much information as possible about the IVF clinics you’re considering visiting. We provide exactly that kind of information, allowing you to select the IVF clinic which best suits your needs.
If you travel abroad for treatment, however, it’s probably at least as important to access information on reaching your chosen location and what you can expect to find there. The more information you have prior to leaving for IVF treatment, the more carefully you’ll be able to plan and budget for your trip. Forward planning of this kind will reduce the stress you’ll be under whilst actually travelling. With careful forethought you’ll be free to concentrate on the treatment and, as a bonus, enjoying the local sights and amenities. Although a trip to Spain for IVF treatment is by no means a holiday, the more relaxed you are during your visit, the more likely it is that the treatment will go well.
To that end, we’ve drawn up some useful information on the following*:
- Travelling to and around Spain
- The option of putting your entire booking in the hands of a dedicated travel and tourism specialist
- The Spanish cities where our featured IVF clinics are located
You can also find out the latest travel advice from the UK government about travelling to Spain.
Your Travel Options – IVF Treatment in Spain
Travelling around Spain
There are no fewer than 22 international airports on mainland Spain. These handle flights in and out of the country from all over Europe. In the interests of effective budgeting it’s useful to note that a large percentage of the flights to and from Spain are provided by low-cost operators such as EasyJet and Ryanair.
According to the latest of figures released by the Spanish government, of the 72.16 million passengers who flew into Spain during 2015, 48.9% used a low-cost airline. The busiest Spanish airports are Madrid, Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca and Malaga. Regular scheduled domestic services mean that travelling around Spain itself is a relatively simple task.
Spain by Road
Spain is well served by a network of motorways and main roads which have been greatly improved in recent years. It should be noted that around 20% of the motorways in Spain charge a toll for use. Generally speaking, the toll motorways are known as Autopistas and are represented by the letters AP, as in the AP-2. The toll free roads are called Autovias and are represented by just the letter A and the relevant number. Drivers from outside the EU must have international vehicle insurance in the form of a Green card, whilst all vehicle insurance within the EU includes EU-wide third party cover. When using a hire car insurance should be covered within the rental, although the specific details should always be discussed with the individual vendor. Other laws governing driving in Spain include the following:
- Cars must carry two hazard warning triangles to display in the event of a roadside breakdown. A high-vis waistcoat for the driver and each passenger is also required.
- Right hand drive cars require headlamp converters for driving at night throughout Europe
- Drivers who wear glasses to drive must carry a spare pair in the glove compartment
- Children under the age of 12 must sit in the back of the car
- Front and rear seatbelts must be worn at all times
Spain by Rail
Spain has an extensive rail network serving all of the major towns and cities, run by the national train operator Renfe. Services include those provided by the futuristic, high speed AVE trains which travel at speeds of up to 310 kilometres per hour. Reserve your seats in advance. And the earlier you book a ticket the better price you’re likely to get. Long distance bookings also include free travel to and from any Renfe suburban station at both ends of your journey, in the following Spanish cities:
- Asturias
- Barcelona
- Bilbao
- Cadiz
- Madrid
- Malaga
- Murcia/Alicante
- San Sebastian
- Santander
- Seville
- Valencia
- Zaragoza
Any baggage taken onto a high speed train will be passed through an x-ray machine before boarding. Although this is a fairly quick process, it does mean that you should avoid arriving at the station precisely as your train is due to leave.
At a Glance
Health
There are no health risks associated with travel to Spain, and no vaccination certificates are required for entry into the country. Medical facilities are very good in Spain, and the country has a reciprocal health agreement with most of the other EU countries. Despite this, comprehensive travel insurance is always to be recommended. Since you are travelling for medical treatment it is advisable to ensure that this insurance will cover all eventualities and, to avoid any doubt whatsoever, seek expert advice before leaving.
EU travellers should take a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which guarantees basic health care but does not cover medical repatriation costs or the treatment of ongoing illnesses of a non-urgent nature.
Fertility Treatment Considerations
It is advised that any medication should be in its original packaging and accompanied by a signed and dated letter (prescription) from a doctor detailing what it is and why it is needed. Your IVF clinic in Spain will be able to help as they have had extensive experience of people travelling for treatment and know exactly what is and isn’t required. You are able to buy medication at many Spanish IVF clinics (but not all). Alternatively medication can be bought at pharmacies (Farmacia). If the medication isn’t in stock, it can be ordered and usually arrives by the next day.
Many clinics don’t recommend flying home the same day as the embryo transfer as it can be too stressful to have to catch a flight on top of everything else.
Clinics have reported no issues with airline security when taking medications or needles on flights as long as there is a proper signed prescription available. Sometimes, clinics will also provide a phone number in case of any issues. Things can change in light of ongoing airport security so it is worth checking with your airline before you travel.
Passport/Visa
The borderless region known as the Schengen area includes the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden.
All these countries issue a standard Schengen visa that has a multiple entry option which allows the holder to travel freely within the borders of all. Non-EU nationals must hold a return or onward ticket, all necessary documents for onward travel and sufficient funds. For travel to Spain, sufficient funds are defined as €62.40 per day up to a minimum of €561.60 or the equivalent in other freely convertible currency. Non EU visitors to Spain also require an invitation letter or confirmation of accommodation.
It is strongly recommended that your passport has at least six months validity remaining after your intended date of departure from your travel destination. Immigration officials on the ground often apply different and much stricter rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources.
Entry Requirements
UK
United Kingdom citizens require a passport valid for at least three months beyond the period during which they intend to stay. Exceptions to this are passports marked ‘British Citizen’, ‘British Subject’ (containing a Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode issued by the United Kingdom), and ‘British Overseas Territories Citizen’ issued by Gibraltar, which will be accepted if valid on arrival.
No visa is required for passports endorsed ‘British Citizen’, ‘British Overseas Territories Citizen’ issued by Gibraltar, Identity Cards issued by Gibraltar, and ‘British Subject’ (containing a Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode issued by the United Kingdom). All other British nationals are entitled to a maximum stay of 90 days without a visa.
USA
United States citizens require a passport valid for at least three months beyond the period during which they intend to stay. No visa is required for stays of up to 90 days.
Canada
Canadian citizens require a passport valid for at least three months beyond the period during which they intend to stay. No visa is required for stays of up to 90 days.
Australia
Australian citizens require a passport valid for at least three months beyond the period during which they intend to stay. No visa is required for stays of up to 90 days.
South Africa
South African citizens require a passport valid for at least three months beyond the period during which they intend to stay. A visa is required.
Eire
Irish nationals require a valid passport, but a visa is not necessary.
New Zealand
New Zealand citizens require a passport valid for at least three months beyond the period during which they intend to stay. No visa is required for stays of up to 90 days.
Safety
Most visits to Spain are trouble-free, with the country boasting a crime level which is low by European standards. Street crime sometimes occurs in the bigger cities. visitors are advised not to carry large amounts of money and to use a wrist pouch or money belt which a casual thief will find more difficult to remove. You should also be extra vigilant in crowded places such as tourist spots, markets and queues. Crime is usually petty and violent assault is rare, but criminals will sometimes pose as accident or breakdown victims, intent on robbing any Good Samaritan who stops to help. On a similar note, strangers offering unwanted help may be acting as a distraction for light-fingered accomplices. Popular scams involve letters for outstanding traffic fines or Spanish lottery winnings. If you take the normal precautions you’d expect to take in any large and busy city then your stay in Spain should be free from crime and trouble of any kind.
Overseas Embassies
UK – British Embassy, Madrid: +34 91 714 6300.
USA – United States Embassy, Madrid: +34 91 587 2200.
Canada – Canadian Embassy, Madrid: +34 91 382 8400.
Australia – Australian Embassy, Madrid: +34 91 353 6600.
South Africa – South African Embassy, Madrid: +34 91 436 3780.
Eire – Irish Embassy, Madrid: +34 91 436 4093.
New Zealand – New Zealand Embassy, Madrid: +34 915 230 226.
Specialist Travel Assistance for Your IVF Treatment in Spain
You may like the idea of someone else dealing with the stress of organising flights, hotels and transport within Spain for your IVF treatment, in which case Travel Counsellors represent the ideal solution. Travel Counsellors are one of the biggest travel agencies in the world. They have an award winning global network of friendly travel agents with one simple aim – to take away the stress involved in planning travel abroad.
Fertility Clinics Abroad have provided the details below of a UK representative who can assist, should you wish, with helping you organise your trip abroad.
Andy Gilhooly is a Gold Travel Counsellor with many years of experience in the industry.
I am available to talk whenever you are – daytime, evenings or weekends. I really care about your individual needs and desires and will do everything I can to help you realise them. It’s what keeps my hundreds of customers coming back to me year after year.
Get in touch today on the details below and I will give you options and advice for all your travel requirements.
Andy Gilhooly
Gold Travel Counsellor
0131 657 3581 or 07817 860408
www.travelcounsellors.co.uk/andy.gilhooly
Now find out more information about the cities where our featured IVF clinics are located:
Alicante
Barcelona
Marbella
Seville
Madrid
*(Please note that Fertility Clinics Abroad is simply providing travel information. This information is only for guidance and visitors considering travel to Spain should seek professional advice from a specialist).
