While Barcelona is generally very safe, pickpocketing is very common. However, not exploring the city because you're afraid of being pickpocketed would be a shame!
Following these guidelines will significantly reduce your chances of being pickpocketed and increase your chances of enjoying a trouble-free experience in Barcelona.
Have you been pickpocketed? Click here to learn what steps to take!
One second they are there and the next they're gone. So be aware of the people around you and pay attention to what they are doing.
Touristy Areas. The most common places for pickpocketing incidences in Barcelona are Las Ramblas or La Boqueria where sometimes pickpockets pose as prostitutes or street performers. Be especially careful when watching street performances. While you are distracted by the show, pickpockets may try to rob you.
Cafes and restaurants. These are typical places for bags to get stolen if they are set on the ground or hung on the chair. Keep your bag on your lap or with the strap wrapped around your leg, and never leave your phone out on the table.
Nightclubs and bars. Anyplace where people are crowded together and drinking is a pickpocket's dream!
Transportation stations & Metro & Airports. Bus, train, and metro stations, as well as Barcelona airport, are hotspots for pickpockets and thieves because you are likely to be carrying lots of things with you, are probably a little disoriented when arriving in a new place, there are lots of people and distractions, and you often have your wallet out to pay for tickets. When you put your wallet back in your pocket, they can see exactly where you put it.
This trick is used to confuse people - one person (or a group of people) may cause a distraction while another takes your valuables and runs.
If you are confronted with a group of people attempting to get your attention (kicking a soccer ball to you, asking you lots of questions, etc.), keep an eye on your things and walk away.
Watch out for the famous bird poop scam, in which the thief approaches you claiming that you have bird poop on your back. They will attempt to "help" you wipe it off, and this way, they get easy access to your pockets, jewelry, and valuables.
Pickpockets may say that they are undercover police and that someone may be following you. They ask for your identification and wallet to check your identity, but when you hand it over, they take off running.
If you are sitting in a cafe with your backpack, someone may walk by and drop their keys right near you. When you get up to return the key to the passerby, someone else will run up behind you and take your backpack.
Watch the video below to see an example of pickpocketing, so that you can learn how to avoid it happening to you!
If you look like you're very aware of your surroundings and don't have any valuables on display, it is far less likely that you will be targeted.
Leave valuables, your passport, and extra cash that you aren't going to use that day in your accommodations, and carry the bare minimum. You can carry a copy or picture of your passport instead.
Especially in public transport or crowded areas. Wear it in the front (you'll quickly see that most locals do this). If you are in a restaurant, wrap the strap around your leg (if you're going to set it on the floor) or keep it on your lap when seated.
Expensive jewelry or watches are best kept out of sight inside your clothes, or leave them at home, specially when you go out late at night.
Not being alone is the best defense. Also avoid walking in dark isolated back streets, especially if you are alone. Take taxis to return home if you are by yourself late at night.
Stay in a state of mind where you can take care of yourself and your things. The more you drink, the more likely you are to let your guard down. Most students report being pickpocketed in or around nightclubs when they’ve been drinking.
If you're going to sunbathe or swim, be sure to leave any valuables at your apartment or homestay or have someone stay behind with the things while you go in the water.
Specifically, we recommend that you order a taxi on FreeNow or Cabify (rather than hailing one on the street) so that you always have the driver's info and license number.
Keep your purse or wallet out of sight and zipped up. Don’t set things down on the ground, and pay extra attention to people around you.
If there was any violence involved, please call the emergency phone (+34 675 23 56 56) and head to our partner clinic Delfos.
If you were carrying your house keys and your address on you, please let us know ASAP as we will need to have all the locks in your apartment/homestay replaced. If you did not have your home address with you email the housing department at housing@barcelonasae.com to talk about a replacement.
Cancel any credit or debit cards that were taken immediately.
American Express: 902 37 56 37
Mastercard: 900 99 11 24
Visa: 913 62 62 00
It is especially important to do this if you have lost personal information (ID, Passport) to avoid identity theft and for insurance purposes. Most insurance companies will require proof that a theft has occurred before you can make a claim. To file a report (a denuncia in Spanish) you will have two options:
Go directly to a police station (Mossos de Esquadra): You can report a crime at any police station (comisaría de policía). See the full list below in the section "where to submit a report". (Note that with this option you might have to wait a while at the station).
Get an appointment to file the report: Request an appointment here.
Please, ask our onsite team (health@barcelonasae.com) for assistance to set an appointment or go to the station with you if you need it.
NOTE: You will need to present a form of identification like your passport or ID (in case they haven't been stolen), and you'll also need any documentary evidence that you may have to support your claim.
Additionally, If you have lost your phone, it will be very useful to have your IMEI phone serial number to add to the police report in case it can be retrieved from the police.
USEFUL TIP: Email your country's consulate as they often receive lost IDs, wallets, etc. You do not need to submit a police report if you've lost something, only if it was stolen.
Your family’s homeowners insurance may cover the cost of some stolen items. Check with them, but remember that you’ll need the police report to state exactly what items were taken.
Email our staff to inform us about the incident and let us know if there is anything else you need to: health@ barcelonasae.com
Police reports can be filed at the following police stations:
GRÀCIA: Av. Vallcarca, 169 / Tel: 93 306 23 20
HORTA-GUINARDO: C. Marina, 347 / Tel: 93 326 82 00
LES CORTS: Trav. De les Corts, 319 / Tel: 93 495 97 00
NOU BARRIS: C. Aiguablava, 55 / Tel: 93 243 74 00
CIUTAT VELLA: C. Nou de la Rambla, 76 / Tel: 93 306 23 00 (The police station can provide an English speaker with whom to make a report)
GUARDIA URBANA. CIUTAT VELLA: Carrer la Rambla, 76-78 / Tel: 93 25 62 430 (with translator)
BARCELONETA: Pg. de Joan de Borbó, 32, 08003 Barcelona 93 256 54/ 93 256 54 81
EIXAMPLE: Pl. Espanya, 1 / Tel: 93 554 27 00 (with translator)
SANT ANDREU: Pg. Torras i Bages, 145 / Tel: 93 361 88 00
SANT MARTI: C. Bolivia, 30-32 / Tel: 93 486 84 35
SANTS-MONTJUIC: C. Ulldecona, 35 / Tel: 93 267 56 00
SARRIA SANT GERVASI: C. Iradier, 9-11 / Tel: 93 306 23 10
NOTE: Al police station have translator from 10 am to 22pm every day.
We DO NOT suggest having a new one mailed to you! The phone will get stuck in customs and you will have to pay upwards of 200€ to get it out, which in many cases is more than the phone is worth!
Instead, we suggest getting a local phone and paying as you go. Click here to see more information about getting a local phone!
Passport
Please, check your consulate website page, where you will be able to find all the information. An appointment is usually not required for urgent travel. A replacement passport will cost between 70-100€ (depending on country).
You should bring the following:
2 2x2 inch (5x5cm) photographs (depending on country)
A copy of the police report
A photocopy of your passport
For US citizens, the Barcelona consulate information here. Book an appointment (here)
If your passport has been stolen, it is at the discretion of your airline as to whether they will require you to have a temporary passport to fly.
You should call your airline to find out what they will allow you to do.
If you are flying to the country of the nationality of your passport and you are not flying with a low cost airline (such as Ryanair or EasyJet) there is a chance that you will only need a police report to fly. However, you should check with your airline before going to the airport.
If you are informed that you need a temporary passport, see below for how to get a temporary passport.
You will require a police report. TIP: There is a police station at the airport, in Terminal 1 (T1). This station is a lot less busy than the police stations in Barcelona city center. If you are flying on the same day that you have had your passport stolen and will not need to visit your embassy, it is worth heading straight to the police station at the airport.
If you require a temporary passport in order to fly (see above), you will need to contact your embassy (i.e. the nationality on your passport)
Embassies vary in regards to how they deal with temporary passports. However, all will require a police report before they will provide the passport.
Some Embassies charge for temporary passports, others do not.
Before you arrive at the embassy it is worth orgazising some passport photographs (most metro stations have a photobooth where you can do it), as these will definitely be required.