The United Arab Emirates’ embassy in Madrid has urged all Emirati nationals currently in Spain to exercise “maximum caution” after Storm Leonardo triggered some of the worst flooding the Iberian Peninsula has seen in years. The advisory, published on 7 February 2026, follows days of torrential rain and gale-force winds that have paralysed rail links, damaged bridges and forced thousands from their homes across Andalusia, Castilla-La Mancha and Galicia.
According to Spanish civil-protection authorities, rainfall totals in excess of 700 mm were recorded in Grazalema, Cádiz province, while swollen rivers such as the Guadalquivir burst their banks, prompting evacuation orders in more than 30 municipalities. The UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) and its Madrid mission have asked citizens to stay clear of low-lying areas, obey local emergency services and register on the “Tawajudi” consular app so they can be contacted quickly if conditions deteriorate.
For anyone needing to rearrange travel itineraries or extend visa validity because of the flooding, VisaHQ can assist with fast, online processing. Its dedicated UAE portal (https://www.visahq.com/united-arab-emirates/) offers real-time updates on Spanish entry requirements, expedited renewals and courier pickup, helping travellers handle paperwork smoothly while weather conditions stabilize.
![UAE Embassy Issues Urgent Advisory for Emiratis in Spain as Storm Leonardo Causes Mass Flooding]()
The warning highlights the growing frequency of extreme-weather evacuations involving UAE expatriates and leisure travellers. Spain is a top European destination for UAE residents: Dubai International logged nearly 400,000 point-to-point passengers to Spanish airports in 2025. Corporate mobility managers therefore need contingency plans for assignees and business travellers caught in weather-related disruptions, including verified safe-haven hotels, airport transfers and rapid re-routing options via alternative hubs such as Paris or Frankfurt.
Employers should also review duty-of-care obligations under UAE labour law, which requires companies to “take reasonable steps” to protect staff travelling on official business. Practical measures include ensuring travellers activate global roaming, maintain daily check-ins and carry comprehensive medical insurance that covers natural-disaster evacuation.
For UAE nationals who must remain in Spain, the embassy recommends following official Spanish weather bulletins (AEMET), stocking up on essentials, and keeping travel documents safe and dry. Anyone requiring emergency help can call the MoFA’s 24-hour hotline on +971 800 24 or the mission’s dedicated consular line on +34 608 368 686. The advisory will remain in force until Spanish authorities downgrade flood alerts.(timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
According to Spanish civil-protection authorities, rainfall totals in excess of 700 mm were recorded in Grazalema, Cádiz province, while swollen rivers such as the Guadalquivir burst their banks, prompting evacuation orders in more than 30 municipalities. The UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) and its Madrid mission have asked citizens to stay clear of low-lying areas, obey local emergency services and register on the “Tawajudi” consular app so they can be contacted quickly if conditions deteriorate.
For anyone needing to rearrange travel itineraries or extend visa validity because of the flooding, VisaHQ can assist with fast, online processing. Its dedicated UAE portal (https://www.visahq.com/united-arab-emirates/) offers real-time updates on Spanish entry requirements, expedited renewals and courier pickup, helping travellers handle paperwork smoothly while weather conditions stabilize.
The warning highlights the growing frequency of extreme-weather evacuations involving UAE expatriates and leisure travellers. Spain is a top European destination for UAE residents: Dubai International logged nearly 400,000 point-to-point passengers to Spanish airports in 2025. Corporate mobility managers therefore need contingency plans for assignees and business travellers caught in weather-related disruptions, including verified safe-haven hotels, airport transfers and rapid re-routing options via alternative hubs such as Paris or Frankfurt.
Employers should also review duty-of-care obligations under UAE labour law, which requires companies to “take reasonable steps” to protect staff travelling on official business. Practical measures include ensuring travellers activate global roaming, maintain daily check-ins and carry comprehensive medical insurance that covers natural-disaster evacuation.
For UAE nationals who must remain in Spain, the embassy recommends following official Spanish weather bulletins (AEMET), stocking up on essentials, and keeping travel documents safe and dry. Anyone requiring emergency help can call the MoFA’s 24-hour hotline on +971 800 24 or the mission’s dedicated consular line on +34 608 368 686. The advisory will remain in force until Spanish authorities downgrade flood alerts.(timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
