Getting a tattoo in Spain as a foreigner: what to bring, what to sign and what to expect in Castelldefels
Tattoo · Santos Tattoo & Barber ·
Yes. Visitors and residents tattoo in Spain every day. Bring photo ID such as your passport, expect to sign an informed consent form, and book ahead with a clear idea. Ask the studio about age rules and aftercare before you book, especially if you are flying home soon.
Yes, you can: what changes when you are not from here
The short version is that getting a tattoo in Spain as a foreigner works much the same as at home. Studios work with visitors from many countries, and there is no special permit you need as a tourist. What changes is the practical side: you are probably on a tight schedule, you may not speak the language, you may be on holiday with friends or family waiting for you, and you are going to fly home with a fresh tattoo. All of that is manageable, but it helps to plan. The first thing to decide is how serious the idea is. A small design you have wanted for years is easy to organise on a trip. A large piece that needs several sessions needs more thought, because it will not fit in a week, and the healing needs time. Next, think about timing. A tattoo on the first days of a holiday gives you time to look after it, ask questions and fix small things; a tattoo on your last day means you leave with a fresh wound and a long journey. We always suggest the first option. And think about where you go afterwards: if your plans include the beach, a pool or a long flight, tell the studio. The answers change how and when to do it, and the right planning is what makes a tattoo on holiday a good memory and not a problem.
What to bring: ID, a clear idea and comfortable clothes
The checklist is short. Bring photo ID: a passport is the safest option for a visitor, as it is accepted everywhere. The studio uses it to confirm who you are and your age. Studios in Spain have to follow rules about this, and the rules on age and consent can depend on the region, so the best thing to do is to ask the studio before you book, not on the day. Bring your idea, in whatever form you have it: photos, a sketch, a screenshot, a few words. The more precise you are about the size and the part of the body, the more useful the first conversation will be. Wear comfortable clothes that give easy access to the area, and that you do not mind getting a little ink or ointment on. Eat before you come, drink water and avoid alcohol the day before and on the day: it helps you feel better and the skin behaves better. If you are on any medication or have a condition that you think could matter, mention it to the tattooist at the start. We are not doctors and we will not give medical advice, but we need to know. Finally, bring something to pass the time, as sessions can last longer than expected, and a small snack. With these few things, the day goes much more smoothly, and you can enjoy it.
The paperwork: informed consent and a receipt
In Spain, you are asked to sign an informed consent document before getting a tattoo. This is a standard part of the process, and the Spanish consumer authorities say that a tattoo without it is not legal. The document explains what the procedure involves, asks about your health and gives you the aftercare instructions. Read it carefully before you sign, and ask if anything is unclear. If your Spanish is limited, ask the studio to explain the form in English, or to give you the instructions in a language you understand. It is also good practice to ask for an invoice or receipt for the work, and to keep it, along with the aftercare instructions. They can be useful if you ever need to show what was done and by whom. Take a photo of the tattoo and the paperwork on your phone as well, in case you lose the paper. Another thing worth checking: that the studio looks clean and organised. You can see this with your own eyes, and a good studio will be happy to show you how they work. If at any moment you are not comfortable, you can say no and leave. A good studio will respect that completely. A tattoo is permanent, and being sure is part of the job.
Booking and communicating: language, design and deposits
Booking is the part where most visitors get stuck, but it is simpler than it looks. At Santos, you can reserve on Booksy in English, or send us a message on Instagram, @santos_tattoobarber, with your dates, the idea and the size. Do it a few days or weeks before, because good slots fill up, especially in summer. If your idea needs a custom drawing, tell us as early as possible so there is time to prepare it, and if you prefer to choose from designs the artists already have, we can show you what is available. When we talk about the design, photos are your friend. Send references, mark what you like and what you do not, and say where on the body you want it. Do not worry about your Spanish: we can work in English, and a picture says more than a paragraph. About deposits, some studios ask for one to hold a booking, and we will explain how it works when you contact us. It is also normal for the artist to adjust the size or the placement to make the tattoo look good on you, and we will explain why. Finally, be flexible with time. A session can run longer than you planned, and rushing a tattoo is never a good idea. Give yourself the whole afternoon, and do not plan a flight or a tight timetable right after.
Aftercare on holiday: sun, sea and flying home
This is where holiday tattoos need the most thought. Your tattoo will need a few weeks to heal, and that clashes with a typical trip. The sun, the sea and chlorinated pools are not friends with a new tattoo: the sun can fade it and irritate it, and salt and chlorine dry out the skin and can affect healing. The usual advice is to avoid direct sun, sea, pools and hot tubs until the tattoo has healed, and that means thinking about the dates. If you are in Castelldefels for a week of beach, getting the tattoo on day one is not ideal; it is often better to plan it for a time when you are going to be less active, or to leave it for the end of the trip and be careful about what you do after. Whatever you decide, follow the aftercare instructions of your tattooist, which are the ones that matter most. Keep it clean, dry and protected, wear loose clothes and do not scratch. If you are flying home, tell us the date of your flight. Long flights are usually fine, but you should keep the area clean, avoid rubbing it and keep the instructions with you. After that, once it has healed, protect it from the sun every day. A tattoo is for life, and the first weeks are the ones that decide how it looks.
Getting your tattoo in Castelldefels
If you are visiting or living in Castelldefels, Santos Tattoo & Barber is at Carrer Arcadi Balaguer, 76. We are a tattoo, piercing and barbershop studio, and we work with people from all over, in English and Spanish. To get started, book on Booksy in English or message us on Instagram, @santos_tattoobarber. Tell us your dates, your idea, the size and the place on the body, and if you are travelling soon after, when you fly. We will tell you honestly what is realistic in the time you have, whether it is a single session or something that needs more, and what the process will be. If you are not sure what you want, come and talk to us first. Sometimes the best thing is to meet, look at some ideas and see the studio before deciding. And if you are a resident and you have been thinking about a tattoo for a long time, there is no rush. We will help you find the right design, the right artist and the right moment. Whatever your situation, we want you to leave with a tattoo you love and the information you need to look after it. Getting tattooed in another country should be a good memory, and that is what we aim for in every session.
Frequently asked questions
Can a foreigner get a tattoo in Spain, and what do I need to bring?
Yes. Studios in Spain tattoo visitors and residents every day. Bring photo ID such as your passport, expect to sign an informed consent form and book ahead. Ask about age rules before you book.
What ID do I need to get a tattoo in Spain?
A passport is the safest choice for a visitor, since it is accepted everywhere. The studio uses it to confirm who you are and your age. Ask the studio before you book if you have any doubts.
Is a consent form required for a tattoo in Spain?
Yes. You are asked to sign an informed consent document before the tattoo. Read it, ask if anything is unclear, and keep a copy together with the aftercare instructions and your receipt.
Can I get a tattoo on holiday and go to the beach?
Sun, sea and pools are best avoided while a tattoo heals, so plan carefully. Follow your tattooist's aftercare instructions and tell the studio your dates before you book.
Can I fly home right after getting a tattoo?
Many people do. Keep the area clean, avoid rubbing it and keep the aftercare instructions with you. Tell your tattooist your flight date so they can advise you.
Where can I get a tattoo in Castelldefels as a visitor?
At Santos Tattoo & Barber, Carrer Arcadi Balaguer, 76, Castelldefels. Book on Booksy in English or message @santos_tattoobarber on Instagram with your dates and your idea.