Business hours in Madrid start around 9pm or 10am and they generally remain open non-stop until 8 to 10pm, especially those in the center. The businesses that close at lunch-time usually close at 2pm and open again between 4pm and 5pm.

Restaurants also have longer hours and, even though Spanish people don’t usually have lunch after 3:30pm, or dinner after 11pm, you will always find exceptions and restaurants. Having tapas is always a great option! It is more flexible and it is a great choice for any moment of the day.

All of the establishments include the service charge, but in the hotels and restaurants you can often find signs “IVA no icluido” or “VAT not included”. This means that the the price of what we ordered will be increased by 10%. In Madrid, tipping is entirely optional. Since it’s not customery to tip, it’s up to you to whether you leave a little extra as a thank you for the service received. Furthermore, it is possible to pay by card in most shops and on public transport without any limitations with regards to the amount

Spain has a non-smoking policy, i.e. smoking is prohibited in public buildings, public transport, taxis, buses and trains. All hotel rooms are by default non-smoking.

Open the faucet, fill your glass and drink the water. In Madrid it is completely safe to do so. We have one of the healthiest waters in the country. It comes from the near by Sierra Norte and it is channeled directly to the consumption points, so its quality is excellent.

The organisers are not liable for damages and/or losses of any kind which may be incurred by the conference delegates or by any other individuals accompanying them, both during the official activities as well as going to/from the conference. Delegates are responsible for their own safety and belongings.

The registration fee does not cover insurance for the delegates. The organisers recommend that delegates take out insurance in their home country to cover pre-journey cancellation for personal reasons and necessary insurance to cover accidents, medical expenses and loss of personal belongings during the visit. No vaccinations are needed when visiting Spain.

Delegates are advised to contact the nearest embassy, consulate or travel agency for information about the passport and visa requirements from their country for entry to Spain.