Embassy of the United States Spain

The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) makes presence and whereabouts known, in case it is necessary for a Consular Officer to contact you in an emergency. Please, enroll with us using this link.

The Consular Section maintains files of enrolled Americans and uses these lists, among other things, to develop and maintain a warden system. The information in these files is protected by the Privacy Act and cannot be shared without your permission except under life or death emergency situations.  It provides basic contact information and information about your citizenship.

Q. When will the Embassy contact me?

A. Consular Sections in Embassies have many mechanisms for maintaining contact with American citizens under their areas of responsibility. Enrolling with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) provides contact information in case of a personal emergency. For example, if there has been a death in the family, and the Consular Section may be notified because the family in the US has been unable to reach you. The information provided when you sign up can be used to contact you let you know you need to call home.

Q. Will I always be contacted directly by the Embassy?

A. Frequently there are thousands of Americans enrolled in each Embassy zone. The consular staff relies on a variety of tools to provide information, which is not specific to one individual. The warden system is one mechanism for remaining in touch with Americans enrolled with the Consular Section.

Q. What is the Warden System?

The warden system utilizes contacts throughout the expatriate community to keep in touch with Americans. They may be business representatives, community leaders, hoteliers, presidents of local American or expatriate clubs, school principals, directors of missionary groups, or administrators of non-governmental organizations. Wardens volunteer to serve as links to the consular section.

Q. What if I am only temporarily traveling in Spain?

A. The warden system is not set up to accommodate American citizens traveling through or visiting Spain for short periods (less than 4 months). It is especially important that those traveling on short visits remain up to date with current events through the mass media.  We recommend that you refer to the State Department website at or to the website maintained by the US Embassy in Madrid if you have access to the Internet.

Q. How do wardens keep in touch with the people in their areas?

A. The consular section generally contacts wardens by fax or email to communicate information of importance to resident Americans. The wardens are responsible for further communicating this information to American citizens within their areas of responsibility.  This could be by posting a notice, emailing, calling people on the telephone, or making an announcement at a staff meeting, for example.

Q. What other means are used to provide information to resident Americans?

A. The State Department website contains information of interest to Americans outside the US. The website is continuously updated and is the fastest means of obtaining up to the minute information. Of special interest are the Consular Information Sheets, Public Announcements, and Travel Warnings. There is also valuable information about emergency and non-emergency services from obtaining a passport or visa, to voting, to registering the birth of a child born outside the US, to preparing for an evacuation.

Q. What about information specific to Spain?

A. The Embassy in Madrid also maintains a website, which carries information of more specific interest to people in Spain. This website will report if there are any changes in walk-in hours for routine services in the consular section, for example. The website also carries information about US-Spanish policy and bilateral issues.

Q. What if I need information about getting a visa for a friend or family member?

A. During business hours, visa inquiries and requests for appointments should be directed to:

• 807 488 472 from inside Spain or  

• (011) 49 9131 772 2087 from the United States  

• International access code + 49 9131 772 2087 from other countries.