Going to à Ibiza: Formalities and administrative steps
Organize your stay à Ibiza
Money à Ibiza
As the Balearic Islands (Spain), and therefore Ibiza, are part of the Euro zone, you can make withdrawals and payments by bank card (Visa, MasterCard, etc.) just as you would in France. There's no need to carry large amounts of cash. All card payments are free of charge, and withdrawals are subject to the same conditions as in France (i.e. they are free of charge for most bank cards). What's more, ATMs and payment terminals are just as secure as in France, and most payments are validated by pin code.
Budget & Tips à Ibiza
To get to Ibiza on your own from France, flying is certainly the cheapest and fastest option. The average price of a flight from Paris to Ibiza ranges from €100 (or even less) to €300.
To give you a rough idea of the budget you'll need to allow on site, a double room costs between €45 and €70 in the "good and cheap" category, between €70 and €150 in the "comfort or charm" category, and from €150 for the luxury category. Generally speaking, you'll need to pay a certain price to enjoy a quiet stay away from the hordes of tourists, as it's the big hotel chains that charge the most attractive prices, unfortunately in charmless, concrete resorts (Sant Antoni, for example).
For meals, expect to pay at least €12, around €20/25 in a standard restaurant and from €35/50 in a more chic establishment.
For sporting activities, expect to pay €35-50 per half-day for a surf/kitesurf/kayak rental and €50-60 for a scuba diving excursion, while you'll pay €10-25 per day for a bike rental.
As for nightlife, prices can vary enormously depending on the event, the season, the venue and the artists programmed. A nightclub ticket generally costs between €15 and €80.
Passport and visas à Ibiza
A valid identity document is all you need to travel to Spain. Don't forget your driving license for car and motorcycle rentals.
Driver's license à Ibiza
French, Belgian, Swiss and Canadian driving licenses are accepted for a period not exceeding six months; otherwise, you'll need an international license (generally valid for one to three years). If you wish to rent a car in Spain, you must be at least 21 years old, with at least one year's driving experience, and have a credit card.
Health à Ibiza
In Ibiza, and therefore in Spain, you're in the European Union, so the health risks are no greater than they are here. There is no malaria in Ibiza. Nevertheless, it's always a good idea to have some protection against mosquito bites and other insects, if only to avoid sleep disturbances and itching.
Mandatory vaccination à Ibiza
No vaccinations are required to enter Spain. You can, however, check that your vaccinations are up to date.
Security à Ibiza
You can't lump all islands and places together, but there is a fairly high percentage of petty crime, especially in urban areas. Keep an eye on your belongings on the beach and while swimming. Don't tempt the devil by leaving items in plain view in a car. Be particularly careful of pickpockets in Sant Antoni in the evening.
Time difference à Ibiza
There is no time difference between France and the Balearic Islands: Spain and France share the same meridian.
Spoken languages à Ibiza
Catalan and Castilian are spoken in the Balearic Islands, and both languages are co-official in the region. Incidentally, you'll have no trouble making yourself understood in hotels, restaurants and stores if you speak a little English (French is less widely spoken). On every island, however, the population continues to speak Majorcan, Minorcan orIbicenco, dialects of Catalan. Even in big cities like Palma and Ibiza, Castilian is the preferred language. In Ibiza, for example,Ibicenco is spoken less and less, an obvious result of the decline in the number of native speakers. Menorca, on the other hand, remains the island where the mother tongue, Minorcan, is most widely spoken. On all four islands - in response to the autonomy laws - the local language is compulsory in schools and on all road and tourist information signs. German has become an almost common language due to the large number of German residents and holidaymakers, especially on Mallorca.
For a trip to the Balearic Islands, Castilian - even if it's very approximate or even gibberish - is advisable if you want to venture inland. Note that Catalan is linguistically closer to French than Castilian. So, if you feel like it, you can try it too!
Communication à Ibiza
The network covers major cities and seaside resorts very well, but you'll have more trouble in small, remote towns and on some pristine beaches. There are no longer any surcharges for calls made within the European Union. Calls and messages to French numbers will cost the same as in France, and you can surf the Internet as you do at home. On the other hand, calls and messages to Spanish numbers may still incur additional charges. Check with your operator. Most cafés, restaurants and hotels have wifi access.
Electricity and measurements à Ibiza
As in France, sockets supply 220 volts. Your appliances will operate normally without adapters. Spaniards use the international system of units and therefore speak in meters, kilometers, tons..
Luggage à Ibiza
In winter, the weather is mild and clement, but don't forget to bring a warm coat and gloves to ward off falling temperatures after dark. From May to October, don't forget your swimsuit and, above all, a hat to protect you from the sun. In May, don't forget an umbrella, as showers are frequent. As far as nightclub attire is concerned, a minimum is expected: except for beach parties, tap shoes are to be avoided!
Daily life à Ibiza
Hello? à Ibiza
To call from Ibiza to France, dial + 33 followed by the number of your correspondent without the 0. On the other hand, to call from France to Ibiza, dial 00 + 34 + the province code (Balearic Islands 971), i.e. 00 + 34 + 971 + the number of the subscriber in the Balearic Islands (6 digits). The network covers very well the big cities and the seaside resorts, but you will have more difficulties in the small remote towns and in some virgin beaches. There are no longer any surcharges for calls made within the European Union. Calls and messages to French numbers will cost the same as in France and you can surf the Internet as you do at home. However, calls and messages to Spanish numbers may still incur additional charges. Check with your operator.
Accessibility à Ibiza
Most major hotels have facilities accessible to disabled guests. For those who prefer to stay in a rural hotel or agriturismo, it's best to find out before departure, as not all rooms have the same level of accessibility. Small wooden pontoons are set up on some beaches in high season, and Red Cross lifeguards are happy to provide assistance if required.
Health à Ibiza
In Ibiza, and therefore in Spain, you're in the European Union, so the health risks are no greater than they are here. There is no malaria in Spain. Nonetheless, it's always a good idea to have something to protect you from the sun and the bites of mosquitoes and other insects, if only to avoid sleep disturbances and itching. You'll find everything you need in the Balearics, so there's no need to overload your suitcase with medicines. As for the pill, don't panic if you forget - you can buy it without a prescription at any pharmacy. If you need to see a doctor, go to the dispensary(centro de salud) and (sometimes) be patient, even in an emergency. Don't forget the special social security form (European form). There are many private doctors, but consultations are expensive. With the European health insurance card, you'll be reimbursed. To find a 24-hour on-call pharmacy, look on the door of any pharmacy or go to www.cofib.es
Emergency numbers à Ibiza
Throughout the European Union, 112 is the emergency number for contacting an ambulance, the fire department or the police. The number is free and available 24 hours a day.
Securty à Ibiza
There's no particular danger in Ibiza, except perhaps petty crime, especially urban crime. Keep an eye on your belongings on the beach and while swimming. Don't tempt the devil by leaving objects in plain view in a car or on a terrace table. Be particularly careful of pickpockets in Sant Antoni at night. Without getting too paranoid, remember to keep an eye on your nightclub drinks: in Ibiza, as in any destination where nightlife is central, chemical submission is one of the potential dangers.
Police. There are three police forces in Spain: the local police, the national police and the civil guard(guardia civil), which is the equivalent of our gendarmerie. As a tourist, you'll usually have to deal with the local police, who patrol the streets and beaches in uniform. The national police force deals with more serious matters, such as crime, drugs and terrorism. The role of the Guardia Civil has evolved considerably since its creation, and now extends to roads, environmental protection, prison security and the security of political figures.
Lonely women. The gathering of tipsy tourists outside bars and discos can be unpleasant. So it's best to be careful at night. Apart from that, the basic rules apply.
LGBTQ à Ibiza
Ibiza is a paradise for the gay community, which is very present in the town's bars and clubs, particularly in the Marina district of Eivissa.
Embassies and consulates à Ibiza
Diplomatically, the Balearic Islands are attached to the French Consulate in Barcelona (Ronda de la Universitat, 22b, Piso 4 - ✆ + 34 932 70 30 00). There are, however, consular agencies in Mallorca and Ibiza. In Palma, the Agence Consulaire de France en Espagne (1 calle de Caro - ✆ +34 971 73 03 01 - www.consulfrance-barcelone.org - [email protected]) is open Monday to Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (until 1:30 p.m. on Wednesdays). The Honorary Consul of Ibiza (Mr. Claudio Torres del Moral) is the place to go if your papers are lost or stolen (10 Av/ Bartolomé Vicente Ramón - ✆ +34 971 312 031 - [email protected] - [email protected]). After reporting the matter to the police, the consul will issue you with papers or a laissez-passer, particularly if you have to catch a plane.
Mail à Ibiza
Since 2021, the rate for franking a normal letter to mainland France (letter-sized envelopes and postcards, 20 grams max) is €1.50. Post offices are usually open on weekdays from 8.30am to 8pm and on Saturdays from 9.30am to 1pm.
Local media à Ibiza
Television. At national level, two public channels, La 1 and La 2, and the private channels Telecinco, Antena 3, Cuatro and La Sexta. Depending on the channel, news bulletins are presented between 2 and 3 p.m., and from 8:30 or 9 p.m. in the evening. Although public television broadcasts in Castilian, it offers programs for the Balearic Islands (reports, news, etc.) at off-peak times. TV3, or Televisió de Catalunya, broadcasts to the Balearic Islands and offers high-quality news and entertainment programs in Catalan. IB3 is the regional channel. It broadcasts local programs in Catalan only. Even more local, TEF (Televisió d'Eivissa i Formentera) provides news for the Pityuse Islands.
Radio. There are five national radio stations in Spain: the public RTVE group, with five frequencies, generalist, classical and all-news, and four private stations: Onda Cero, Radio España, Cadena Ser and Cope. Each radio station has regional offshoots, and there are also local public and private stations in each region.
Following the Balearic Government's linguistic standardization plan, 50% of radio programming is in Catalan. Ibiza also boasts a number of local radio stations, mainly music stations: Ibiza Global Radio, Ibiza Live Radio and Radio Isla.
If you want to listen to French radio, you'll need a set with GO or GO/LW band, which will enable you to pick up France Inter, RMC and Radio France Internationale, sometimes with difficulty, to keep abreast of current events.
National press. El País, a left-wing national daily, is Spain's largest-circulation paid-for general-interest daily, with an average circulation of 370,000. It is followed byEl Mundo, a center-right daily with a current circulation of 270,000. The conservative daily ABC comes third, with a circulation of 240,000.
Regional press. National titles, local publications in Castilian, such as El Diario de Ibiza, and dailies published in Catalonia and imported to the archipelago, such as El Periódico (red edition in Castilian, blue edition in Catalan) and La Vanguardia (Castilian and Catalan), are found side by side on newsstands. The Catalan newspaper ARA offers an exclusive island edition(Ara Balears).
Sports press. The most widely read newspaper in Spain is Marca, a sports paper founded in San Sebastián in 1938. Other sports newspapers include: AS, Mundo Deportivo, Diario Sport.
