Useful Links & Apps
The Royal British Legion Madrid Branch is not sponsored by, nor does it endorse, nor vouch for, any of these organisations, websites or apps. The links are for informational purposes only.
Link rot is the phenomenon of hyperlinks tending over time to cease to point to their originally targeted file, web page, or server due to that resource being relocated to a new address or becoming permanently unavailable. The links on this page are regularly checked but some link rot may creep in. The last check was on 18th October 2024 and all was well. We apologise in advance for any incovenience caused.
Armed Forces Covenant
The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise by the nation ensuring that those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, are treated fairly. If you’re a member of the Armed Forces (regular or reserve), a veteran, or a family member, the Covenant offers a wide variety of support.
Armed Forces Day
Armed Forces Day takes place on the last Saturday each June. It is a chance to show your support for the men and women who make up the Armed Forces community: from currently serving personnel to Service families, veterans and cadets. It also marks the culmination of a week of celebrations, when the public show their support and appreciation for the Armed Forces community. It also includes Reserves Day (26 June), which provides the country with an opportunity to recognise our Reserve Forces.
Bizum for donations
You can make a donation to the RBL Madrid Branch by using the Bizum option on your bank app. Select ‘Bizum’ and then ‘Donate to NGO’ (Donativo a una ONG or Hacer donativo, depending on the bank). Insert the remittance code ‘08525’ and the amount. Bizum does not charge a fee for this transaction. We use your donations to run the branch. All our funding comes from personal donations and membership fees which are entirely separate from the Poppy Appeal. The RBL never uses Poppy Appeal monies for Branch administration.
British Benevolent Fund
The British Benevolent Fund is a Spain-wide charity for when times are tough. It provides financial support to help Brits in Spain get back on their feet.
British Cemetery Madrid
Madrid British Cemetery was purchased in 1853 and belongs to the British Government. The cemetery contains one 1939-1945 Commonwealth War Grave and three 1914-18 Commonwealth War Graves. While predominantly a place of Christian burial, it has become a resting place for people of other faiths, including Judaism and Islam, and many nationalities. There are approximately 600 graves.
britishcemeteriesspain.org/foundation/en/cementerio-britanico-en-madrid
www.cwgc.org/visit-us/find-cemeteries-memorials/cemetery-details/54338/madrid-british-cemetery
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Cemetery_in_Madrid
British Consulate Madrid
The British Consulate General in Madrid represents the UK government in Madrid, northern and central Spain. The consulate can help British nationals in emergencies abroad and prioritises people who are vulnerable and need help the most. Services include finding English-speaking lawyers, funeral directors and translators and interpreters, dealing with a death in Spain, helping those arrested in Spain, victims of crime, and with hospitalisations due to a medical emergency.
www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-consulate-general-madrid
Brits in Spain
Brits in Spain is a Facebook community run by the British Embassy in Madrid for British people living in or visiting Spain. On this page there is information to help you make the most of your time in Spain and keep you up to date with latest developments.
BritishSpanish Society
The BritishSpanish Society is a registered charity whose objectives are to promote friendship and understanding between the people of Britain and Spain through knowledge of each other’s customs, language, institutions, history and way of life.
Citizens Advice Bureau Spain
The site will assist you with all aspects relating to living, visiting, owning a holiday home or investing in Spain.
The Confederation of Service Charities
Cobseo provides a single point of contact for interaction with Government, including local government and the Devolved Administrations, with the Royal Household, with the Private Sector, and with other members of the Armed Forces Community.
Defence Discount Service
The official MoD discount service for the Armed Forces, Veterans and Armed Forces Community. Defence Discount Service provides discounts both online and on the high street for members of the Armed Forces, Veterans and Armed Forces Community.
Fundación Hispano Británica
The Fundación Hispano Británica was created in the early 80s under the sponsorship of HRH Infanta doña Margarita, Duchess of Soria, with the support of the ambassadors Mr. Jose Joaquín Puig de la Bellacasa in London and Lord Nicholas Gordon-Lennox in Madrid.
The purpose of the Foundation is to provide civil society with the opportunity to understand and be part of the cultural exchange between Spain and the United Kingdom, and to promote relations between the Spanish and the British through academic, cultural and social events.
Healthcare for UK nationals living in Spain
Government information for British citizens on how to get state healthcare if you live, work or study in Spain.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/healthcare-in-spain-including-the-balearic-and-canary-islands
Living in Spain
Government information for British citizens moving to or living in Spain, including guidance on residency, healthcare and passports.
The Madrid Players
The Madrid Players is an amateur English‑language theatre group based in Madrid, founded over 50 years ago. There are over 130 members from many different backgrounds, mostly from English‑speaking countries, but also Spanish members and other English speakers. The members act, sing, dance, get involved in stage management, costumes, scenery, lights, sound, hair and makeup.
N332
The website provides information relating to driving in Spain, news about traffic, driving and motoring matters, specifically of interest to non-Spaniards. It uses many sources but primarily Spanish laws relating to driving, cars and motoring, as well as current information provided by the DGT traffic department.
N332 is named after one of the main roads in Spain. The N-332 runs down the east coast, through Costa Blanca, and serves places such as Benidorm, Alicante, Santa Pola, Torrevieja, Orihuela and Cartagena. Perhaps not as famous as Route 66, it pays homage to the roads of Spain through its name.
Our Lady of Mercy
Our Lady of Mercy is Madrid’s only English-speaking Roman Catholic Parish.
Passport Renewal Online
To renew your passport online costs £88.50.
You’ll need:
- your old passport
- any valid passports you have from a different country
- send either a colour photocopy of every page (including blank ones) or the physical passport
- a digital photo
- a credit or debit card
Policía Nacional (National Police)
If you have been a victim of a theft or robbery in Spain you can report the incident in English online to the Policía Nacional using the “Virtual Complaints Office”. It’s no longer possible to make a police report over the phone in English. Please note that there are quite a number of circumstances under which you may not use the online complaint form, as explained on the first page of their website. After completing the online form you have to go to your nearest police station in person within 72 hours to sign the form.
Poppy Shop
Unfortunately the Poppy Shop does not deliver to Spain. You can order online from Spain but you will need a UK shipping address to receive purchases.
RBL Knowledge Base
The Legion’s online self-help resource centre. With intuitive search and browse features to find the help or information you need. There’s also an online chat.
RBL Military Membership
If you’re a serving member of the UK Armed Forces, regular or reserve, you can register on the RBL Military Member mailing list for free. As a Military member you’ll receive regular emails with great news stories, offers and information. Please be aware that this is a digital membership and does not have the benefits of a Branch Membership.
www.britishlegion.org.uk/get-involved/things-to-do/membership/become-a-member/military-membership
RBL Spain District North
Spain District North administers and supports the delivery of welfare services plus the membership and fundraising activities of the RBL’s fifteen branches throughout Northern Spain, from the French border in the north, to Roquetas de Mar, Almeria in the south, including the Balearic islands. The Madrid Branch is part of District North.
The Royal Charter
The Royal British Legion is a body incorporated by Royal Charter rather than under the Companies Act. The RBL’s first Royal Charter was granted to the British Legion, as it was known then, in 1925 by King George Ⅴ. Over the years, that first Charter has been changed by various Supplemental Charters to ensure it develops to reflect the changing needs of the serving and ex-Service community, and the evolving structure of The Royal British Legion.
The latest completely new Supplemental Charter was granted on 30th May 2003 and since then changes have been made which have been incorporated in various versions of the 2003 Charter. The most recent version, 15, is dated 30th September 2023.
Samaritans in Spain
Samaritans in Spain is available to provide confidential emotional support for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those which may lead to suicide. The organisation is based on the established Samaritans model, which has been in operation in the UK since 1953, and is available to all English speakers, irrespective of nationality, who reside in mainland Spain and the Islands. The service is offered via FREEPHONE 900 525 100 and is entirely confidential.
The Secret Kingdoms
Home of the RBL Madrid Branch. Secret Kingdoms is a family-owned bookshop, born of their love of literature, and designed to serve English speaking book‑lovers in Madrid.
Soldier Magazine
With international distribution to every base, barracks and theatre of operations, Soldier is the official magazine of the British Army. As the Army’s primary means of internal communication outside the chain of command, the publication includes a wide selection of not-to-be-missed news, features, sports, reviews and letters. Read online or download.
www.army.mod.uk/news-and-events/publications/soldier-magazine/
Spain in English
A free online newspaper. Spain in English is for anyone living in Spain, visiting Spain, studying, working or doing business in Spain.
SSAFA
SSAFA, the Soldiers’, Sailors’, and Airmen’s Families Association, is the oldest tri-service UK charity. It provides trusted support to serving men and women and veterans from the British Armed Forces and their families or dependents. Anyone who is currently serving or has ever served in the Royal Navy, British Army or Royal Air Force and their families, both regulars and reserves, is eligible for their help.
St. George’s Anglican Church, Madrid
Sunday services are offered in English at 8.30am (Said Eucharist), 10am (Family service) and 11.30 (Sung Eucharist) on Sundays. Evening Prayer is read on Wednesday at 7.30pm in the Church.
Support in Spain
Support in Spain is an independent, not-for-profit community website. It is aimed at British residents over 50 and other international residents in Spain who may need extra advice or help. It aims to fight social exclusion and vulnerability by improving the information available to people living in a less familiar country.
Support for veterans and their families
This page replaces the now defunct Veteran’s Gateway. Find help for veterans and their families, including support with physical and mental health, finance, employment, housing, social care and more.
www.gov.uk/government/collections/find-support-for-veterans-and-their-families
Translators and interpreters in Spain
The Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation lists all accredited translators and interpreters in Spain on its online database. You can search for translators and interpreters by name, location or language.
For example, to search for a translator and/or interpreter of English in Spain:
- select ‘España’ from the country menu (‘País’)
- select your region from the ‘Provincia’ drop-down list
- select ‘Inglés’ from the language drop-down list (‘Idioma’)
- check the box ‘Activo’ to ensure that only those interpreters and translators who are currently active are included in your results
Disclaimer
The following information has been prepared by the British Consulate General Madrid for the convenience of British Nationals who may require these services and assistance in Spain. Whilst every effort is made to ensure that the information provided is correct, neither the RBL, nor the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) accepts any responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions that may occur. The translators and interpreters included on the list are not recommendations by the FCDO and should not be treated as such.
www.exteriores.gob.es/es/ServiciosAlCiudadano/Paginas/Buscador-STIJ.aspx
Veterans’ News and Communications Hub
The Hub enables forces-friendly organisations across all sectors to showcase the continued value of the UK’s highly skilled veteran community.
Union Jack Club
Going to or passing through London? The Union Jack Club is a club for non-commissioned serving and veteran members of HM Forces and their families. Located adjacent to London Waterloo station, the club has over 260 rooms for accommodation (singles, twins, doubles, fully accessible, family, suite and flats), restaurant, bar, and a small library.
The idea for the club came from Ethel McCaul, a nurse who served in field hospitals during the South African War at the start of the 20th century. She noted that while officers enjoyed membership of various gentlemen’s clubs in London, no equivalent existed for enlisted personnel and was adamant that servicemen and their families should have somewhere to stay at no more of a cost than one day’s pay.
HM King Charles Ⅲ is the Patron-in-Chief.
Veterans’ UK Armed Forces pension and insurance declaration forms
A cause for concern is that there are still almost 15,000 pension benefits that remain unclaimed and thousands of entitled Veterans could be missing out. Anyone serving after April 1975, now aged 60 or over, could have an Armed Forces Pension if they served for two years or more. Download one of the forms on the website when claiming an Armed Forces Pension.
Useful Apps
AlertCops
The Police and Guardia Civil app. If you are the victim of a crime or you witness a crime, you can contact the police directly via the app. The app has an SOS button that alerts your contacts and the nearest police station of your situation.
Cita Sanitaria Madrid
Cita Sanitaria Madrid is an app for managing appointments in the Madrid Health Service. Users can view, request, change or cancel appointments for health consultations in Primary Care with Family Medicine, Paediatrics, Nursing, flu vaccination, coronavirus, Midwifery, Social Work, Dentistry and administrative procedures.
Citymapper
Citymapper is a public transit app that can help you to get around Madrid, as well as many other cities. It integrates data for all urban modes of transport, including walking, cycling and driving, in addition to public transport. It is free of charge to users.
EMT Madrid
The app gives information on the municipal bus services in Madrid, including bus stops near you, route calculation, and waiting times.
Metro de Madrid
The app gives information on Metro services in Madrid, including a line plan, a route planner, and a visitors’ map.