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| Consular Assistance |
Within Spain: 91 353 6600 Alternatively you can contact the Consular Emergency Centre in Australia on +61 2 6261 3305 Within Australia: 1300 555 135 |
| Visa and Immigration Enquiries |
Global Service Centre: +61 2 6196 0196 Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 to 17:00 |
Welcome to the website of the Australian Embassy in Spain. Here you will find advice on a range of consular services available to Australian citizens and other practical information on matters such as trade and visas. This site can direct you to an extensive array of information online about Australia and the Australian Government.
The Australia-Spain relationship is close and multi-faceted. Our two governments consult and collaborate on a broad range of bilateral and international issues. Our shared democratic values and commitment to global peace and security are the basis for this collaboration. A key element of the bilateral relationship is defence and defence materiel. Spanish companies have won significant defence construction contracts and cooperation between the Royal Australian Navy and the Armada has grown especially close.
Commercial opportunities in Australia have attracted the entry into our market of nearly 100 Spanish firms in recent years. Spain’s construction, transport, IT and other world-class skills have enabled many to achieve commercial success. Australian firms are taking an increasing interest in Spain, with a growing number of investments, notably in financial services, software and mining. The embassy provides trade services through Austrade.
The beauty and cultural wealth of Spain attract more than 200,000 Australian tourists each year. Increasing numbers of young Spaniards are visiting and living in Australia for work and pleasure.
If you wish to learn more about Australian foreign and trade policy, or our bilateral relationships with Spain, Andorra or Equatorial Guinea, to which the Embassy is also accredited, you are encouraged to explore the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website about Spain and Andorra.
All Australians travelling or living in Spain, Andorra or Equatorial Guinea are recommended to regularly check the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Travel Advice. This Advice can be found through the link on our site under 'Services for Australians'.
News
Senior Officials Talks
On 27 September, Cathy Raper and Ana Sálomon led Senior Officials’ Talks between Australia and Spain in Madrid to advance our shared values and interests in a constantly changing world.
Australian business investment in Spain
Australian company Envirosuite has chosen Madrid as its base to expand into Europe and the Middle East. Find out why from its Director General in the link.
Ambassador Guivarra presents credentials in Spain
On 13 September, Ambassador Guivarra presented her credentials to His Majesty King Felipe VI of Spain, officially taking up her position as Australia’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Spain. More info.
Australian Lyn Dockrill wins the best original music score award at the Madrid International Film Festival
Congratulations to Lyn Dockrill for winning the best original music score award for the film ‘The Island of Doctor Moron’ at the Madrid International Film Festival. Ambassador Guivarra received the award on Lyn’s behalf and recently presented it to her.
Ambassador Julie-Ann Guivarra begins her tenure at the Australian Embassy in Madrid
Australia’s first-ever female indigenous Ambassador Julie-Ann Guivarra took up her position in July and talked about her mandate, bilateral relations and other issues with El Mundo Financiero and Europa Press. To find out more about Ambassador Guivarra, please see the ministerial press release.
A European Australian Business Council (EABC) delegation meets with the King of Spain
On 4 July 2018, an EABC delegation met with His Majesty Felipe VI at Zarzuela Palace during the delegation’s business mission to Europe. The delegation was led by HE John McVeigh, Minister for Regional Development, Territories and Local Government.
The Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia meets the King of Spain
On 4 July 2018, His Excellency General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd) met His Majesty Felipe VI at the Zarzuela Palace during the official visit to Spain of the Governor-General.
European Australian Business Council (EABC) working lunch hosted by the Spain Australia Council Foundation (SACF)
On 4 July 2018, SAFC hosted a working lunch for an EABC delegation with the attendance of the Australian Minister for Regional Development, Territories and Local Government John McVeigh and the Spanish Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation Josep Borrell. The EABC delegation had the opportunity to meet Spanish business leaders with interests in Australia including from companies such as Acciona, CAF, Ferrovial, Navantia, Indra and Maxam.
European Australian Business Council (EABC) and the Confederación Española de Organizaciones Empresariales (CEOE) members discuss commercial links and opportunities to increase business and investment
On 4 July 2018, an EABC delegation participated in a Spain-Australia business event organised by CEOE to discuss new trade and investment opportunities. Australian Minister for Regional Development, Territories and Local Government John McVeigh and Spanish Minister for Industry, Trade and Tourism Reyes Maroto took this opportunity to highlight the importance to economic growth of open trade and investment, and therefore each country’s commitment to an Australia-EU Free Trade Agreement.
The Australian Government funds two new projects in Equatorial Guinea
The Australia Government is contributing funding through its Direct Aid Program (DAP) to two development projects in Equatorial Guinea. The first project aims to increase awareness and understanding of the transmission of infections through water by providing equipment and training for students and is in partnership with the Complutense University of Madrid and the National University of Equatorial Guinea (UNGE). The second project is in partnership with Desarrollo 2000 and contributes funding to a successful existing agribusiness project in Kuche aiming at reducing reliance on food imports by providing training to agricultural students from the Escuela de Capacitación Agraria de Bata.
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Chargé d'Affaires a.i. Timothy Kane visits El Economista
On 15 February, Chargé Kane visited the well-known Spanish newspaper El Economista. Mr Kane spoke about the Australian economy, our interest in strengthening our economic links with Spain and the conclusion of an EU-Australia free trade agreement being a priority.
The Embassy celebrates Australia Day 2018 at the Casino de Madrid
Representatives from the Spanish Government, companies, community and cultural organisations, and the diplomatic corps joined Chargé d’Affaires a.i. Timothy Kane to celebrate Australia Day 2018 in the royal room of the Casino de Madrid.
Chargé d'Affaires a.i. Timothy Kane presents on Australia's human rights policy at the University of Barcelona
Chargé Kane presented on Australia’s human rights policy, especially in relation to Australia’s inaugural term on the UN Human Rights Council from 2018-2020, at the Centre for Australian and Transnational Studies and the European Association for Studies of Australia’s Biennial Conference at the University of Barcelona on 27 January 2018.
Chargé d'Affaires a.i. Timothy Kane speaks at a working breakfast organised by CincoDías
Chargé Kane spoke about the possibilities that the Australian market offers Spanish construction and infrastructure groups during a working breakfast recently organised by Cinco Días. Click here for more information.
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Reception for the members of the Spanish Diplomatic Academy
Chargé d’Affaires a.i. Timothy Kane hosted a reception at Australia’s official residence for the members of the Spanish Diplomatic Academy, fellow ambassadors and other distinguished guests on 20 December to celebrate the recent edition of Revista Diplomacia, which featured the bilateral relationship between Australia and Spain. Mr Kane was also appointed an honourable member of the Academy.
The Honorary Consul in Barcelona, member of the Order of Australia
Representing the Governor-General of Australia, His Excellency, General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd), Chargé d’Affaires a.i. Timothy Kane officiated at the investiture of Australia’s Honorary Consul in Barcelona, Mr John Stuart Rochlin, as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM), at the Australian Official Residence in Madrid on 24 November 2017. Mr Rochlin was awarded his Australian honour “for significant service to Australia-Spain relations through a range of consular, commerce and industry, and tertiary education support roles.” Our Honorary Consul is a very worthy recipient of this prestigious honour. His untiring support for Australians in need of consular and passport services in Catalonia and Aragon is outstanding. Very many congratulations John and thank you for all you do.
Chief of the Royal Australian Navy visits Spain
Chief of the Royal Australian Navy Vice Admiral Timothy Barret AO, CSC, and Chargé d'Affaires a.i. Timothy Kane attended the kell laying of the newest Australian Combat Replenishment Ship 'Supply' on 17 November.
Briefing at the Australian Embassy to the first Spanish rail mission to visit Australia
Chargé d’Affaires a.i. Timothy Kane and Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner Jennifer Mackinlay hosted a briefing on 7 November for members of the first Spanish rail mission to visit Australia on 24 November to 1 December. The objective of the mission is to provide Spanish rail and related companies with an understanding of current and emerging rail and rail infrastructure opportunities in Australia and for Spanish companies to outline their expertise, technologies and services to Australian public and private sector interests. We welcome this initiative which will hopefully see Spanish rail companies joining their infrastructure and energy counterparts in successfully furthering their business interests in Australia.
ACT Chief Minister visits the Australian Embassy in Madrid
Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Chief Minister Andrew Barr, MLA, recently visited our Embassy to talk to Charge d’Affaires a.i. Timothy Kane about the growing links between the ACT and Spain especially in the renewable energy and infrastructure sectors.
Head of Mission Timothy Kane participates in the inauguration of RMIT Europe's new premises in Barcelona
Head of Mission Timothy Kane participated in the inauguration of RMIT Europe's new premises in Barcelona on 14 September. The important occasion saw Australian university RMIT increase its space threefold to provide more opportunities for research, collaboration with industry, academic exchanges and innovation. RMIT Vice-Chancellor and President Martin Bean CBE, RMIT Europe Executive Director Marta Fernandez and Barcelona City Councillor for Enterprise and Tourism Agusti Colom officiated at the event, which was also attended by academics and many others.
Useful links
- Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website
- Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs
- Australian Minister for Trade and Investment
- A must see destination - for travel advice, registering your travel, checklists and information on available consular services.
- Australian Electoral Commission
