VENUE
PRBB – Barcelona Biomedical Research Park
Carrer del Dr. Aiguader, 88
08003 Barcelona, Spain
Website
Located by the Mediterranean Sea in the Barceloneta district, the PRBB is one of Europe’s most advanced biomedical research centers and a landmark for scientific innovation in Barcelona.
LANGUAGE
The official language of WICH 2026 is English.
TIME ZONE
During WICH 2026, Spain will be operating on Central European Summer Time (CEST), which is GMT +2 (UTC +2).
LIABILITY & INSURANCE
The Conference Organizing Secretariat and the Organizers cannot accept liability for personal accidents, loss of or damage to private property belonging to participants. By registering for the congress, participants agree that neither the Organizing Committee nor the Organizing Secretariat assumes any responsibility for such incidents.
Participants are strongly advised to arrange their own travel, medical, and personal insurance for the duration of their trip.
SAFETY & SECURITY
Participants are requested not to leave bags or suitcases unattended at any time, whether inside or outside the session rooms. Hotels strongly recommend the use of safety deposit boxes for valuables.
In case of emergency:
Police: 112
Medical emergency: 112
(The emergency number 112 is valid throughout Spain and the European Union.).
CLIMATE
At the end of September 2026, Barcelona typically enjoys mild and pleasant early autumn weather. Average temperatures usually range between 18°C and 26°C (64°F to 79°F).
Participants are advised to wear light and comfortable clothing during the day and bring a light jacket or sweater for cooler evenings. While rainfall is generally limited, occasional showers are possible. Please check updated weather forecasts closer to the congress dates.
CLOTHING
The dress code for WICH 2026 is business formal for all official sessions and events, unless stated otherwise.
ELECTRICITY
Spain uses Type C and Type F plugs (two round pins).
The standard voltage is 230V with a frequency of 50Hz.
Participants traveling from outside Europe may require a plug adapter.
CURRENCY & EXCHANGE
Spain’s official currency is the Euro (€).
Credit and debit cards are widely accepted throughout Barcelona, including Visa, MasterCard, and American Express. ATMs are readily available across the city.
Currency exchange services are available at airports, banks, and exchange offices. Prices displayed in Spain generally include all applicable taxes.
TAX
Spain applies a Value Added Tax (VAT) system. The standard VAT rate is 21%, which is typically included in displayed prices.
Non-EU residents may be eligible for VAT refunds on certain purchases through Spain’s tax-free shopping system, subject to conditions set by retailers.
TIPPING
Tipping in Spain is not mandatory and is generally modest. In restaurants, leaving a small tip is appreciated for good service but is not expected. Rounding up the bill or leaving a few euros is common. Tipping is not customary in cafés, taxis, or for counter service, though rounding up the fare is occasionally practiced.
Service charges are usually included in prices, and visitors should feel comfortable tipping only at their discretion.