U.S. citizens are subject to local laws. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned.
If you are arrested in Spain or Andorra or know a U.S. citizen who is:
- Notifying the U.S. embassy or consulate is your right and your decision (privacy will be respected both by local police and by us)
- Contact either the U.S. Embassy in Madrid, the Consulate General in Barcelona or one of our Consular Agencies, depending on where the arrest took place if you wish to use your right to consular notification and request consular assistance.
Consular Assistance to U.S. Prisoners:
When a U.S. citizen is arrested overseas, he or she may be initially confused and disoriented. It can be more difficult because the prisoner is in unfamiliar surroundings, and may not know the local language, customs, or legal system.
Consular Assistance to U.S. Prisoners:
We can:
- Provide a list of Local Attorneys.
- Contact family, friends, or employers of the detained U.S. citizen with their written permission. In all communications with the Consular Officer, the right to privacy is protected by U.S. law under the Privacy Act. The embassy or consulate will not release information related to the detained U.S. citizen to anyone — regardless of their relationship to the citizen — unless the detainee specifically authorizes the release by signing a Privacy Act Waiver. Waivers are available from your nearest consulate upon request.
- Visit the detained U.S. citizen periodically to monitor his/her well-being, health, and status of the legal case.
- Help ensure that prison officials are providing appropriate medical care.
- Provide a general overview of the local criminal justice process.
- Serve as a liaison between the prisoner and his/her lawyer.
- If they would like, ensuring that prison officials are permitting visits with a member of the clergy of the religion of your choice.
We cannot:
- Get U.S. citizens out of jail.
- State to a court that anyone is guilty or innocent.
- Provide legal advice or represent U.S. citizens in court overseas.
- Serve as official interpreters or translators.
- Pay legal, medical, or other fees for U.S. citizens overseas.
Additional information can be found on the Department of State’s website at Arrest or Detention of a U.S. Citizen Abroad.
Stopped at the Spanish border; not allowed to enter the country.
If you are not allowed to enter Spain by Spanish authorities because you don’t have a visa, or because you are not in possession of your U.S. passport when you arrive at the border, the U.S. Embassy cannot help you to enter the country.
Spain is a sovereign nation with the right and the responsibility to protect its borders by ensuring that those applying for entry meet all the applicable rules and regulations. The U.S. government has no involvement with or influence on immigration matters.
Typically, after Spain notifies you that you are not eligible to enter Spain, you will remain at the airport immigration detention area until there is space available on a flight to return to your city of origin. This may require you to spend the night at the airport immigration facility. If that is the case, Spanish border authorities will provide you with a safe space to spend that time, with access to food and water, as well as medical assistance and translators, if needed.
Embassy personnel cannot travel to the airport to deliver a U.S. passport or provide you with a letter of any kind to advocate on your behalf.