Edit: removed the hotel name

Hi everyone,

I wanted to share a recent experience we had in Majorca and get your thoughts, especially regarding Spanish consumer law (Ley 7/2022).

The Story:

We booked a 1-week half-board stay for our family (2 adults, 7yo daughter) at a 4-star hotel in Majorca. At dinner, we asked for tap water (agua del grifo). The staff refused, stating "internal policy" and forcing guests to buy 50cl water bottles for €3. They told me I could go drink from the lobby fountains after my meal if I wanted free water.

When I pointed out Article 18.3 of Ley 7/2022 (which obliges HORECA establishments in Spain to offer free non-bottled tap water to customers), they ignored it.

The next evening, faced with their refusal, I brought the rest of my open water bottle to the table. This escalated dramatically:

Over the week, 5 different staff members approached us to reprimand me.

A manager publicly confronted us in front of all guests, yelling at me to go to reception, cancel our remaining night, and told us we would be evicted the next day.

My 7-year-old daughter was terrified, crying and asking if we were going to end up on the street.

After this bad experience, I have written my review on booking.com.

I left a review detailing the situation. Here is a brief summary of their public reply translated in english:

"Half-board does not include drinks. Free water is available at reception fountains, but we do not serve free tap water at tables in our restaurant."

"You were the only guest bringing an outside bottle. We cannot allow this out of fairness to other guests paying for bottled water."

"Staff members were simply enforcing restaurant rules in a polite way due to repeated non-compliance."

My Questions for the Community / Locals:

Isn't their written statement ("we do not serve free tap water at tables") a direct, written admission of violating Ley 7/2022?

Is pushing paid bottled water and refusing tap water at tables actually common practice in Majorca, or did we just hit a bad hotel?

What is the best way to file an official complaint (Denuncia de Consumo) with the Balearic Islands consumer authorities (Consumo Balears) now that I am back home?

Thanks for your input and advice!

hello! any recent experiences flying through Madrid and checking luggage? I understand there is a baggage handler strike on Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays. I won’t be flying those days but curious if people are seeing delays or lost baggage with greater frequency on the other days of the week as the source below mentions 50% minimum staffing and it’s unclear if that applies just to strike days or non-strike days as well. Thank you!

source: https://striketracker.app/strikes-in-spain/baggage-system-maintenance-strike-madrid-12-march-2026

It seems that there are no train services after 6pm, and I can only leave around 8:30 pm. Are there really no ways to travel late?

How long is UGE actually taking right now? Filed 18 Aug, day 10, nothing yet

did your family members get resolved the same day as you, or later?

Hi All, I applied for the spanish passport(through marriage) and its been almost a year in process. It says en tramaticaion- document uploaded and in process (as they asked me to upload a new document) and now they are still reviewing it... do u know how long this process takes? I uploaded the document end of april and now we are in September and it still says en tramitacion...... getting a bit worried here!!

Hi all. My boyfriend and I are traveling in Spain October 13-24. We’re driving by car, starting in Seville and making our way to Barcelona along the eastern coastal-ish route. We’re staying in Seville, Ardales, Villanueva del Trabuco, and Granada/Albaicin before heading towards Barcelona. I want to incorporate one or two stops on the way to Barcelona along our route that are day hikes or short hikes. It’s a lot of driving so nothing too strenuous. We would stay over one night on our way to break up the driving and rest after hiking. I thought maybe the Red Canyon in Teruel but I’ve read it’s a bit boring. I’d also really like to do Congost de Mont-rebei if it makes sense time-wise, as I know it’s out of the way to Barcelona. Any suggestions are appreciated!

¿Qué opinas del programa de formación profesional en Sistemas Electrotécnicos y Automatizado en Alicante? ¿Es una buena opción para las perspectivas de futuro y el empleo, especialmente si quisiera trabajar en el extranjero?

hi, I just got my visa back and the date it starts is my first day of uni, so I need to be there before and was planning on flying out asap. I have a Uk passport so am I fine to just enter 2 days before the visa starts or would i need to then re enter ??

Hi! I’m moving to Spain tomorrow for my study year abroad, and I’ve been told my the visa people that I need to get a TIE when I’m in Spain. Now, I’m very confused with this TIE. Where do I apply for one? I’ve been told you need to get one within one month of being in Spain but I’ve heard that the wait times are crazy?

If anyone can help that would be FAB because I’m stressed about this and idk what I’m doing when it comes to this!!!

Thanks so much :)

Heyyy! I’ve just moved to Madrid for my year long study abroad exchange. I’m going to UC3M and would love to find people who wanna hang out or explore Madrid together. I’m 20F and need to figure out the best places in the city! :))

I lived in this property Calle Sangonera 8 Villaviciosa de Odon for almost a year and experienced many problems. The landlord controlled when I could use the washing machine and sometimes came and switched it off. He restricted the use of lights, and during colder periods the heating was only available for a few hours a day. Basic items such as a pillow, hair dryer and other necessities were not provided, so I had to buy what I needed myself. Most seriously, the landlord kept a spare key to my room. On occasions, I found that he had entered the property/room while I was away without asking for my permission, which made me extremely uncomfortable. At the end of the tenancy, there was also a major dispute over my €800 deposit. I was blamed for a washing-machine repair and other costs despite having used the appliances normally. I asked for professional invoices so that any genuine damage could be calculated transparently. After almost a year living there, my experience was that there were constant restrictions and, at the end, a serious dispute about money and the deposit. I would not rent here and strongly recommend that future tenants document everything, read the contract carefully, and photograph the entire room before moving in.

hi i wanna ask iam algerian 25 yo i have master in communication public relation i study spanish in instituto cervantes de argel do i need a spanish test like SIELE or DELE or just i upload the diploma of the instituto please help ?!!!

Hi guys! This is for all Filipinos/Pinoys who had experience migrating to either NZ or Spain.
As the title says, these are our two main options. For context, I’m 25F and planning to migrate with my partner in 2027. We’re currently trying to figure out which option would be more valuable and beneficial for us in the long run, especially when it comes to PR, career growth, starting a family, quality of life, and retirement.

🇳🇿🇦🇺 New Zealand → Australia
Originally, I really wanted to move to NZ because it seems peaceful since it’s a rural life plus some even say that it’s boring, which is exactly what I WANT after experiencing so much stress here in the Philippines in terms of career and overall quality of life.
However, we found out that the estimated budget for a student visa through an agency is around PHP 1M-2.5M, including tuition, accommodation, and living expenses for one year. We’re not sure how much cheaper it would be if we DIY the process.
So my questions are:

1. For those who DIY-ed their migration/student visa process to NZ, how did you do it, and approximately how much did you spend overall? Was it worth it?
2. For those who went through an agency, was it worth it? Which agency would you recommend? We’ve consulted with AUG, and their estimate was around PHP 2.5M.

I’ve also read a lot of posts saying that NZ’s job market has gotten worse recently. Hopefully, this wouldn’t be too much of a problem for me because I have a background in Marketing, Graphic Design, Social Media Management, Executive Assistance, and Accounting Assistance. Basically, I’m an admin/operations person with a creative background.
I also have a background in entrepreneurship and would eventually like to have my own clothing/thrift shop or patisserie business. However, we’re not sure whether these businesses would have enough market potential in NZ, so our current thinking is that after finishing our post-grad studies, we might eventually move to Australia for better career growth and opportunities.
My partner who is 24M, on the other hand, has been struggling to find work. He graduated with a Business Administration degree majoring in Marketing, but it has already been a year since graduation and he still hasn’t found a job. Even office staff or assistant positions have been difficult for him to get. That’s one of the reasons he’s also open to migrating, as we believe there may be better opportunities for him abroad.
Ideally, we’d like to obtain PR in NZ, but our long-term career plans seem to point more toward Australia.

Why not just go straight to Australia? Coz it’s more expensive than NZ lol huhu.

🇪🇸Spain → EU
Our other option is Spain. We found out that, for Filipinos, the pathway to PR/citizenship is only 2 years instead of 10 years, which sounds great to us. We’re also interested in the possibility of eventually working across other EU countries such as Ireland, France, or Switzerland.
However, we’re still confused about the Digital Nomad Visa (DNV). From what I understand, you need to already have a job before applying…or am i wrong?
I currently have a fully remote/virtual role that I can do anywhere, while my partner is currently unemployed. For the remainder of 2026, he plans to focus on getting TESDA certifications and gaining some practical experience before we migrate.
Our questions are:

1. Would it be practical for us if my partner looks for a job after we arrive in Spain, or would it be better for him to secure employment before migrating?
2. Considering my career background, would it be realistic to eventually open and operate my own physical store/business in Spain?
3. For Filipinos who have actually gone through the Spain DNV/residency process, what were the realistic costs, requirements, and timeline? And which agencies would you recommend if any?

To conclude:
With all that said, what do you guys think we should go for? I dont think we’d have any issue with our funds since our parents fully support us and will sponsor. Our main issue involves our jobs and career growths.

We’re still in the research/planning stage, so I’d really appreciate hearing from people who have actually migrated through either route, especially Pinoys who have experience with the visa process, finding work, PR/residency, and building a life there.
Thank you! 😭

Hi! I’ve been applying for jobs in Spain for quite a while now, but I haven’t had much success, and I’m starting to wonder whether the job market is really that difficult at the moment or if the issue is that I’m an EU citizen but I don’t yet have my Spanish work documents sorted out.

Do you know of any companies that are open to hiring foreigners who already have an EU passport? Would you recommend moving to Spain first, getting all the necessary documents such as the NIE and Social Security registration, and then applying from there?

I’d really appreciate any advice or insight you might have. Thank you!

I just started my PhD in Spain I want friends to practice language with them and how to find work I am an Arab from Jordan I spent a month in Spain I returned to Jordan and will return in 3 months please I want to learn Spanish and seek work

I have PTO I need to use up and I’m thinking of one of doing one of those group travel trips that goes from France to Barcelona (Oct 17th). The only thing is is I’ve always imagined Barcelona to be more of a summer destinstion. I absolutely love Fall so I don’t mind the cooler weather, but I’m just wondering if it will be nice weather in mid October or if you would advise for me to wait until I have the chance to go in the summer or spring.

Hi everyone, hoping to get some real-world experience/advice here.
Background: I’m a Vietnamese national, currently a legal resident in Belgium (residence card from an Erasmus Mundus mobility programme). My card expires on 31 October.
I’m applying for a long-stay Spanish student visa (visado de estancia por estudios) to attend an intensive Spanish course in Barcelona, submitting my application at the Spanish Consulate in Brussels (since that’s where I legally reside).
The consulate confirmed my Belgian card needs to be valid, but I’ve gotten two different answers by email on when exactly: one reply said “only at the moment of submission,” another said it “must be valid during the application” (i.e. throughout the whole processing period). Processing can apparently take up to a month, sometimes longer.

My timeline: I should have my complete file ready by late September, and I’m aiming to submit in late September/early October. Given my card expires 31 October, there’s a real risk it could expire WHILE the visa is still being processed.

My questions:
1. Has anyone been in a similar situation, submitting a visa application when your current residence permit is about to expire, and it wasn’t renewed by the time a decision came?
2. Is there any kind of interim document (like a receipt of application / proof of ongoing procedure) that keeps your stay “regular” while a decision is pending, in this kind of situation?
3. How risky do you think this actually is in practice? Would you submit as early as possible anyway, or wait / find another solution first?

Any first-hand experience, even from a different consulate or a similar visa type, would really help. Thank you!

First of all, if you are reading this I hope you enjoyed your summer and afforded a splendid vacation this year!! If not, may you claim good vibes from this post and have better summer next year🫡😎🤙🏻

Im 30 years old (old as hell ik) traveling by myself for a vacation in Lloret de mar. Im fluent in English, Russian and Georgian. What are my chances of mingling with a pretty girl while im there. Is it common to walk up to strangers on the beach (ethically of course) and offer them a drink or something. Are there any social gatherings where its easier to connect with people? Sorry I know this post sounds like a sausage fest and I’ll deservedly take the backlash for it. But I’ll appreciate tips and tricks to navigate while im there.

On a side note, I like to play pickup basketball, any court recommendations perhaps?

I’ll be in Marbella for 4 days and I’d love to make the most of it! I’m looking for recommendations from locals or people who know the area well beautiful hidden spots, beaches, viewpoints, cute places, and really good restaurants or cafés.
Not just the usual tourist places 😅 If you had only 4 days in Marbella, what would you absolutely not miss?

I'd like to book an apartment in October for a month. I tried idealista but literally no one wants short-term rent. is airbnb really the only option for finding acommodation for one month period?

Was hectic, trying to pack as much into a Europe trip as possible in 28 days (leave) to maximise the amount of time it takes to get there from Australia! 😆

• 2 nights Paris
• 6 nights Tisno, Croatia (music festival)
• 3 nights Lisbon
• 2 nights Porto
• 2 nights Malaga
• 3 nights Granada
• 3 nights Alicante
• 3 nights Barcelona
• 1 night back in Paris before the long trek home

Would have loved to seen more, stayed longer, fewer stops etc, but annual leave and money being what it is, just went hell for leather doing everything we could and existed in minimal sleep, jamon, croquetas, beer/wine/tinto de verano and loved every minute of it!!! Felt pretty blessed with the weather not coping anything over 35/36 the whole time...a lot more punishing that when Melbourne gets those temps due to the humidity! Very thankful for none of this 42+ nonsense haha

I finally got my Working Holiday visa! My biggest worry now is finding a job.
Has anyone here had trouble finding a job in Madrid with a limited level of Spanish? I’m from Japan, speak English fluently, and will be staying in Madrid.

I’d really appreciate hearing about your experiences or any advice you may have!

Hi all! We will be spending 3 nights in Costa Brava and are trying to figure out the best place to stay. We are a couple with 2 kids who are 4 years old and 3,5 months old. Ideally we would love a village with a small beach and a few good restaurants. There’s a lot of talk about Cadaques, which looks lovely but almost all accommodation is fully booked. Also, is it gonna be too busy there in mid-September? Is Cadaques the nicest place to stay or are there coastal villages would work for us too? Thank you for reading and I appreciate all the help!

I need a clean slate. I have a Spanish passport via my dad, a remote job, and I’m ready to move on. But I don’t know where to start.

I speak fluent spanish (albeit latino spanglish would be more accurate), but last year after a summer in Spain, I got a preview that life wouldn’t just be straight out easy.

First, my working schedule. I’d be effectively working 5pm to 10pm, and at least in Valencia there isn’t much of a night life or late diner scene. Most of the social activities would happen as I’m at my desk. Should I pick a different destination?

Then the issue with renting an apartment. I don’t have any record in the country, and do have a good credit score but all built in Mexico. I saw firsthand how my friend, Mexican residing as student for a year with a job offer, had apartment applications being denied for her lack of further records.

And finally moving with my FOUR cats (fwiw I only adopted one but can’t rehome them with friends or family).

Is overwhelming. Part of me is ready for the adventure, part of me keeps asking when will I stop starting over and over. Hope this is the last time.

The appeal of moving across the world is because (apart of the need to just getaway) my experience there was incredibly different from the queer spaces in Mexico and even the US. I’m not even talking about dating, just existing. I’m just trying to find my place lol before I hit middle age would be great.