Spanish Allergy Card
printable translation card in Spanish

What should you ask about in Spanish meals?

A dish name rarely tells you everything in the pan, stock, sauce, or fryer. Use your card, then ask questions that match the allergen and the actual preparation.

Why written Spanish beats spoken Spanish

A written card gives the person taking your order something concrete to read, which can help when pronunciation, noise, or a grammatical ending makes a spoken request difficult. It is not a substitute for a conversation: show it before ordering, ask what is in the dish and how it is prepared, and do not order if the answers are unclear. Our Spain guide covers shared fryers, communal serving plates, and bread served before the meal; our translation card guide explains how to use a card as part of that conversation.

Allergen labelling in Spain

The EU's Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 sets rules for allergen information, and AESAN is Spain's food safety authority. That information can help you ask better questions, but it does not turn a menu label into a cross-contact guarantee. If you have celiac disease, FACE is a useful Spanish resource, though you should still confirm current restaurant procedures directly.

What happens after you pay for the Spanish card

Delivery is digital and automatic: the builder verifies your purchase and sends two emails to the address you paid with — your card image and Wallet links first, then your printable PDF as a second email. The PDF includes a cut-out card on the first page and a fold-out version sized for a wallet or passport pocket on the second. If your allergy list has three or fewer entries, both emails include Apple and Google Wallet buttons; past three, the layout can't hold a readable Wallet pass, so you get the image and PDF only.

Didn't see the emails? Check spam first. If they're genuinely missing, go back to the card builder and use "Recover access" to get back in, then "Send my card emails" to have both files resent — at no extra cost. The same two steps work if your allergy list changes before your trip: update your selections in the builder, then send the card again for Spanish. You are not charged twice for the same destination.

If it's wrong, or your plans change

AllergyPass has a refund policy, not just a sales page that mentions one. For the Single Trip card ($7.99), a refund is available within 14 days of purchase if the destination language doesn't work as described, a technical or delivery issue can't be resolved, or you bought the same card twice by accident. It doesn't cover a plain change of mind after the card has been used successfully — read the full policy before you buy if that distinction matters to you. Requests go through the Contact page; we typically respond within 1–2 business days, and an approved refund goes back to your original payment method.

What to check before you buy any Spanish allergy card

A written card is only as useful as what it actually says and how easily you can fix it later. A few questions worth asking of any card, including this one:

• Does it list your specific allergen, not just the nearest category? This builder separates shellfish into shrimp, crab, lobster, and mollusks, and tree nuts into almond, cashew, walnut, pistachio, pine nut, and hazelnut, so a card built for a cashew allergy doesn't also warn a kitchen off almonds you can safely eat.
• Does it warn about shared equipment, not just list ingredients? Turn on "Avoid cross-contact" in the sample above and the card adds a line asking staff to keep your food off shared oil, fryers, grills, and cutting boards — not just the ingredients themselves.
• Can it say "life-threatening" instead of "please avoid"? Marking an allergen severe swaps in stronger wording about the risk of a small amount, rather than a soft request.
• Can you update it after buying, without paying again? If your allergy list changes before you travel, you can revise it in the builder and resend the Spanish card and PDF to yourself — see above.
• What happens if something goes wrong? Read the actual refund policy rather than assuming one exists.

Frequently asked questions

Do restaurants in Spain accept written allergy cards?

Many restaurants can read a written Spanish allergy card, but acceptance and accommodation vary. Show it before ordering, ask about the recipe and preparation, and leave if staff cannot answer clearly. The core terms are broadly understood across Spanish-speaking regions, but local food names and restaurant practices still vary.

What do you get with the Spanish allergy card?

A printable PDF with a cut-out card, plus an image sized for your phone, with every allergen you select written in Spanish and English. You can mark the allergy as severe and add a shared-equipment warning, and both print in Spanish alongside the allergens. Cards with up to three allergens can also be added to Apple or Google Wallet.

Is shellfish common in Spanish cooking?

Yes, and often where a dish name gives no hint. Shellfish appears in paella, in stocks and sofrito bases, and in tapas cooked in shared pans and fryers. Show the card before ordering and ask what the stock and the frying oil have been used for.