Badges
Participants should collect name badges from the conference registration desks. You are kindly asked to wear your badge when entering the congress venue. Please note that a security check may be performed at the entrance of the IMSERSO.

Bank services - Money matters
Banks are generally open weekdays between 8.30 14.00 hrs and are closed over the weekend. Some branches open on Thursday evening (e.g. Caja Madrid) or Saturday morning. There are multiple bank machines (ATMs) open 24 hours a day throughout the city that accept all major international bankcards. The official currency in Spain is the Euro (€). Major credit cards are widely accepted, but please always check beforehand. Traveller's cheques are hardly accepted.

Cancellations and Refunds
Notice of cancellation must be made in writing by registered letter or fax to the Congress Office. The date of the postmark or fax ID will be the basis for considering refunds. Registration fees may be refunded after the workshop as follows: Cancellation received before September 10, 2006 75% refund, after September 10, 2006 no refund.
The date of the postmark or fax ID is the basis for considering refunds. Refunds will be made after the meeting.

Coffee Breaks and Lunch
During the session breaks refreshments (coffee, tea, and water) and small lunch will be served free of charge to participants wearing name badges.

Currency
The official currency in Spain is the Euro (€). Link to a currency converter

Electricity Supply
220-240 V - 50Hz AC.

Emergencies
The emergency number for Spanish police and medical assistance is "112."

Insurance
In registering for the EPPOSI 2006 workshop, participants agree that neither the organising committee nor the congress office assume any liability whatsoever. Participants are requested to make their own arrangements for health and travel insurance.

Passports and Visas
No visa is required for tourists from Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Cyprus, Hong Kong, Ireland, Costa Rica, Croatia, Denmark, Ecuador, El Salvador, Slovakia, Slovenia, United States, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Holland, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macao, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Nicaragua, Norway, New Zealand, Panama, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, United Kingdom, Czech Republic, Republic of Korea, San Marino, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland, Uruguay and Venezuela. The visas must be requested from the corresponding Spanish consulate in each country. Please enquire at your local Spanish Embassy or Consulate or your travel agent. If required, an official invitation letter can be requested from the conference secretariat for visa purposes. As visa applications can take time, early application is recommended.

Safety - Crime
As in most countries, the problem of crime in Spain is a fact of daily life. The following recommendations will reduce the chances of being targeted or victimized by criminal activity:
- Upon arrival at the airport or hotel, keep a close eye on your belongings. Never leave bags unattended or unobserved.
- Carry a photocopy of your passport and lock the original in the hotel safe deposit box.
- Avoid wearing expensive jewellery in public places. Consider locking these items in the hotel safe.
- Carry as little cash and as few credit cards as you can, and do not flash cash in public.
- Carry your wallet and purses in a location that is easily controlled and monitored, not in your back pocket or over your shoulder.
- Be alert and pay attention to people paying too much attention to you.

Shops
Most shops open between 09.30 and 13.30h in the morning and 17.00 to 20.00h in the afternoon on weekdays. On Saturday opening hours are restricted to the morning shift. shops are closed on Sunday.

Taxis
Taxis in Madrid are reasonably priced, but make sure that your driver is a licensed driver! Most vehicles are black with horizontal red bands, or white with diagonal red bands. There is a 4.00 Euro supplement for trips to the airport and a 2.00 Euro supplement for trips to the train stations. You can reserve a taxi in Madrid by calling the following number: 91 4475 180.

Tipping
Tips are not obligatory, but they are welcome. The norm is 10-15%.

Travelling - Accessibility - Barajas Airport
Madrid's Barajas Airport is situated approximately 15 KM (7m) from the city centre and has four terminals. Please check here for terminal information of your airline.
Please note that access from and to Terminal 4 (not yet accessible by metro) may take additional 30-40 minutes.

Travelling from and to Barajas Airport
Madrid Barajas Airport is approximately 15 kilometres east of Madrid’s city centre and there are several transportation options for getting to and from Madrid from the airport:
By Metro:
The most convenient way to get to Madrid’s city centre from the airport is by metro. In 1999 a new stop was built at the airport, called "Aeropuerto" and the trip takes about 12 minutes to arrive at the Nuevos Ministerios station, right in the centre of the city. From there you can transfer to other metro lines, buses or train lines. The metro trains run from 6.00am - 2.00am and tickets cost ca. 0.95 Euros.
By Bus:
There is a bus from the air terminals at Barajas Airport directly to the Plaza Colón, in the heart of Madrid’s city centre. At Plaza Colón there is a metro station and a bus depot. A one-way ticket costs 2.40 Euros and buses run every 15 minutes between 4.45am and 1.30am. The buses can be recognised by their bright yellow colour.
By Taxi:
There are taxis available for hire at the airport, and usually the trip into the centre of Madrid costs between 20 and 30 Euros. There is a 4.00 Euro airport surcharge and some taxis charge a supplement for extra luggage.

Travelling within Madrid
Over the years Madrid has grown quite rapidly, and like most major European cities, the traffic has become quite a problem. If you need to travel long distances within the city, we recommend you take the metro, as it is the fastest and most convenient way, although by doing so, you may not see much of the city. Take a look at Madrid’s public transportation website: http://www.ctm-madrid.es/ for additional information as it is quite helpful, with links on the metro, bus and regional train systems. You will probably be doing a lot of walking while in Madrid, so get ready and go!
Madrid Metro (http://www.metromadrid.es)
Madrid’s Metro system has been running since 1919 and today is one of the more modern underground systems in Europe. Trains run between 6.00am and 1.30am and a one way ticket costs ca. 1.30 Euros. You can buy a booklet of 10 tickets for around 5.80 Euros, or you can purchase day passes for unlimited use. Be careful, as there are two types of zones: zona A includes the metro, the Madrid EMT (bus) and regional train use in Madrid: Cercanías-Renfe; zona T includes all of Madrid, Toledo and Guadalajara. We recommend the zona A passes, as you are most likely going to be travelling within Madrid. Prices for day passes are as follows for the zona A: 1, 2, 3, 5 and 7 day passes cost 3.50, 6.30, 8.40, 13.20 and 18.40 Euros respectively. There are reductions for children and students as well, for more information visit the Madrid metro website listed above.
Bus (http://www.emtmadrid.es)
The Empresa Municipal de Trasportes de Madrid is the city’s urban bus service that has over 150 routes and which also connects the suburbs. Buses travel along special bus lanes and the stops are well indicated. You can take a bus at any time of the day, but be careful, at night they are less frequent. Tickets are the same prices as for the metro and can be bought at the tobacconist (estancos) or newspaper stands.
Regional Train System (http://www.renfe.es/cercanias/madrid/index.html)
Madrid’s regional train system serves part of the city centre and greater Madrid. This is a great method of transportation if you wish to take a day trip to the outskirts. Visit the website for more information.
Taxis
Taxis in Madrid are reasonably priced, but make sure that your driver is a licensed driver! Most vehicles are black with horizontal red bands, or white with diagonal red bands. There is a 4.00 Euro supplement for trips to the airport and a 2.00 Euro supplement for trips to the train stations. You can reserve a taxi in Madrid by calling the following number: 91 4475 180.
By Car
As explained above, traffic is quite hectic in Madrid’s city centre, so try to avoid driving while you are there. Cars are available for rent at the Barajas airport, and there are also major car rental companies on the Gran Via such as Avis and Budget-Rent-a-Car.

Visa
No visa is required for tourists from Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Cyprus, Hong Kong, Ireland, Costa Rica, Croatia, Denmark, Ecuador, El Salvador, Slovakia, Slovenia, United States, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Holland, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macao, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Nicaragua, Norway, New Zealand, Panama, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, United Kingdom, Czech Republic, Republic of Korea, San Marino, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland, Uruguay and Venezuela. The visas must be requested from the corresponding Spanish consulate in each country. Please enquire at your local Spanish Embassy or Consulate or your travel agent. If required, an official invitation letter can be requested from the conference secretariat for visa purposes. As visa applications can take time, early application is recommended.

Weather Conditions
Autumn is a particularly attractive season, bringing golden colours to Madrid's parks. The warm temperatures normally continue through to late October, making this time of year one of the most recommendable for visiting the city. Please check in advance (eg. www.weather.com).