After you move to Madrid and settle in, you might need to send post. This guide shows you how to mail a letter in Spain, buy stamps, and use certified mail.
The national postal service
The national postal provider in Spain is called Correos. They handle standard letters, certified mail, and parcel deliveries across the country.
You can visit a physical post office, which is called an oficina de correos, for most services.
Most branches in Madrid open from 8:30 AM to 8:30 PM on weekdays. They also open on Saturday mornings but remain closed on Sundays.
How to change your address in Spain
Where to buy stamps
You must buy stamps before mailing a standard letter. The Spanish word for stamps is sellos.
You can purchase stamps at any Correos post office. However, queues at the post office can be very long.
A faster option is to visit a licensed tobacco shop. These shops are called estancos.
You can identify them by the brown and yellow sign with a large letter T. They sell standard stamps for domestic and international mail.
Sending a standard letter
A standard letter is called a carta ordinaria (standard letter). You can use this service for letters up to 2 kilograms.
Once your letter has a stamp, you do not need to go to the post office. You can drop it in any yellow mailbox on the street.
These yellow post boxes are called buzones. Some post boxes have two separate slots for different destinations.
One slot is labeled for Madrid, while the other is for other provinces and international mail. Make sure you use the correct slot.
Certified mail (Carta Certificada)
You should use certified mail when sending important documents or contracts. This service is called carta certificada.
Certified mail provides a tracking number so you can follow the delivery online. The recipient must sign a receipt when the letter arrives.
To send certified mail, you must visit a Correos office in person. You cannot drop these letters in the yellow street boxes.
Steps for sending certified mail
- Pack your letter : Put your documents in a standard envelope.
- Write the addresses : Write the sender and recipient details clearly on the envelope.
- Visit Correos : Take the letter to your local post office branch.
- Select tracking : Tell the staff you want to send it as a carta certificada.
- Pay the fee : Pay the postage fee and keep the receipt with the tracking number.
Sending a burofax
A burofax is a specialized certified letter service with high legal value in Spain. It is not a fax machine transmission.
The post office certifies both the delivery date and the exact content of your letter. Spanish courts accept a burofax as legal evidence.
Expats commonly use this service to cancel rental agreements or send formal demands to landlords. It proves what you sent and when.
You can send a burofax at any post office branch. You can also send it online using the Correos digital platform.
What to check before signing a lease in Spain
How to write a Spanish address
You must write the address on the envelope using the standard Spanish format to ensure correct delivery.
Write the recipient’s name on the first line. Write the street name, building number, floor, and apartment on the second line.
Write the five-digit postal code and the city name on the third line. Finally, write the country name on the bottom line.
Example: María García
Calle de Alcalá 123, 4º B
28009 Madrid
SPAIN
Questions and answers
How long does a standard letter take in Spain?
Three working days. Domestic letters usually arrive in 3 days. International mail to European countries takes about 5 to 10 days.
Can I buy stamps with a credit card?
Yes. You can pay by card at post offices. Most tobacco shops also accept cards, but some might require a minimum purchase.
What happens if I use the wrong mailbox slot?
Your letter will still arrive. Correos staff sort all letters manually at the main center. However, your delivery might face a slight delay.
Is a burofax expensive?
Yes. Sending a burofax costs around €26 to €30 depending on the number of pages. It is much more expensive than standard mail.
How can I track my certified letter?
On the Correos website. Enter your tracking number on the official tracking portal. The tracking number starts with two letters and ends with ES.
