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Terms and Conditions

1. General Information

In compliance with Article 10 of Law 34/2002, of July 11, on Information Society Services and Electronic Commerce (LSSI-CE), the mandatory legal identification details of the service provider are set out below:

  • Name: Olive Spanish Courses 
  • Email Contact: info@olivespanishcourses.com

2. Purpose and Binding Agreement

These Terms and Conditions govern the access, navigation, booking, and purchasing of Spanish language courses and associated accommodation services provided through the website www.olivespanishcourses.com (hereinafter, the "Website") operated by Olive Spanish Courses.

  • Binding Contract: This agreement becomes legally binding on both parties immediately upon receipt of payment (whether a deposit or full payment) by Olive Spanish Courses. By submitting a payment through this Website or via bank transfer, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agreed to be bound by these Terms and Conditions.

3. Applicable Law and Language

This Website operates under Spanish law. Although these Terms and Conditions are presented in English for the convenience of our non-Spanish-speaking clients, all transactions, services, and rights shall be interpreted in accordance with Spanish legislation and European Union regulations.

4. Pricing, Currency and Payment Terms

4.1. Currency and International Card Transactions

  • Currency: All prices shown on www.olivespanishcourses.com, invoices, and financial transactions are strictly in Euros (€) and include all applicable legal taxes in Spain (including VAT/IVA where applicable), unless expressly stated otherwise.
  • Non-Euro Zone Cards: All credit/debit card payments processed through our Website or online payment gateways will be charged in Euros (€). We do not bill in foreign currencies. If you pay using a card or account issued outside the Eurozone (e.g., in USD, GBP, AUD, CAD, etc.), your card issuer or bank will convert the payment from Euros (€) into your local currency at their applicable exchange rate.
  • Exchange Fees: Olive Spanish Courses is not responsible for any currency conversion rates, international transaction charges, or foreign exchange fees applied by your card issuer, bank, or financial institution.

4.2. Payment Schedule and Non-Refundable Deposit Policy

  • Bookings Made More Than 8 Weeks (56 Days) Before Course Start Date:
    If you book your course more than eight (8) weeks before the course start date, you are required to pay a strictly non-refundable deposit of €200 at the time of booking to secure your place. This €200 deposit is applied toward the total cost of your course and accommodation package. The remaining balance must be paid in full at least eight (8) weeks (56 days) prior to your course start date.
  • Bookings Made 8 Weeks or Less Before Course Start Date:
    If you book your course eight (8) weeks or less before the course start date, full payment (100% of the course and accommodation fees) is required at the time of booking.

4.3. Late Payment

Failure to pay the outstanding balance by the due date (8 weeks prior to course start) may result in the cancellation of your booking by Olive Spanish Courses and the forfeiture of your non-refundable deposit in accordance with our cancellation terms.

4.4. Payment Methods and Bank Transfer Rules

Payments can be made via credit/debit card or direct bank transfer.

  • Requesting Bank Details: If you wish to pay via bank transfer, you must contact us directly at info@olivespanishcourses.com to obtain our official bank account details.
  • Transfers Must Be Executed in Euros (€): All bank transfers must be remitted strictly in Euros (€). Do not send payments in your local non-Euro currency.
  • Bank Transfer Fees: The client is responsible for paying all bank transfer charges and international wire fees (including sender fees, intermediary/correspondent bank charges, and receiving bank fees). When instructing your bank to make the transfer, you must select the "OUR" option (where the sender covers all processing charges) to ensure that Olive Spanish Courses receives the full invoice amount in Euros (€) without deductions.

4.5. Booking Modifications and Change Fee

  • Mandatory Email Notice: Any requested amendments or modifications to a confirmed booking (including, but not limited to, changes to course dates, course intensity, or accommodation preferences) must be communicated strictly in writing via email to info@olivespanishcourses.com. Requests made verbally, via social media, or through third parties will not be processed.
  • Modification Fee: Any approved change or amendment to a confirmed booking will incur an administrative charge of €50 per change request. This fee must be settled before the modified booking details are formally confirmed by Olive Spanish Courses.
  • Subject to Availability: All requested booking amendments are subject to course availability and accommodation capacity on the requested dates.

4.6. Important Flight and Travel Booking Conditions

  • Do Not Book Flights Immediately: Submitting a booking or making a payment on www.olivespanishcourses.com does not constitute final authorization to book your travel arrangements. You must not book your flights or travel arrangements until you receive an explicit email from Olive Spanish Courses confirming that your course and accommodation dates are fully locked in, and that you can now book your flights.
  • Confirmation Timeframe: You will typically receive this confirmation email within 48 hours of submitting your booking on the Website.
  • Working Hours and Spanish Holidays: The 48-hour processing window applies strictly to working business hours. It excludes weekends and all Spanish national, regional, and municipal public holidays applicable to our administrative location (Andalusia / Granada).
  • Limitation of Liability: Olive Spanish Courses accepts no liability or responsibility for any financial loss, airline cancellation fees, or non-refundable travel expenses incurred if you book flights prior to receiving our official written authorization email.

5. Course Schedule, Public Holidays and Accommodation Rules

5.1. Course Schedule and Public Holidays

  • Standard Class Days: Courses normally run from Monday to Friday, except on national, regional, or local public holidays.
  • Non-Recuperable Classes: There are no classes or organized school activities on national, regional, or local public holidays. Classes and activities falling on public holidays are not recuperated or rescheduled, and no partial refunds or discounts are granted for missed instruction due to scheduled holidays.
  • Holiday Dates Information: If you require specific information regarding national or local public holiday dates prior to booking, please contact us directly at info@olivespanishcourses.com.

5.2. Accommodation Types, Living Arrangements and Board Options

  • Standard Stay Duration: Accommodation booked through Olive Spanish Courses is typically provided from the Sunday before the course starts (check-in) until the Saturday after the course finishes (check-out).
  • Extra Nights: Additional accommodation nights prior to Sunday check-in or after Saturday check-out may be available upon request, subject to availability and additional charges. Please contact us at info@olivespanishcourses.com for details and rates.
  • No Accommodation-Only Bookings: Accommodation services are offered exclusively in conjunction with an active language course. Accommodation cannot be booked independently without a course.
  • Shared Student Apartments: When staying in a shared student apartment, students may share the property with other students from our school, students from other schools or educational institutions, or local resident hosts who accommodate students in their home.
  • Host Family Definitions: Host family arrangements can take various forms depending on the household structure. A host family may consist of a couple (married or unmarried) with or without children, or a single individual with or without children.
  • Board Options and Meal Plans:
    • Half Board: Typically includes daily breakfast and dinner.
    • Full Board: Includes daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

6. Code of Conduct and Student Behavior

6.1. Safe and Secure Environment

Our schools pride themselves on providing a secure, inclusive, and safe space for all students, staff, host families, and community members.

6.2. Courteous and Respectful Conduct

  • Respect toward Staff and Fellow Students: Students must at all times behave in a polite, respectful, and courteous manner toward school staff, teachers, administrators, host families, and housemates or others with whom they share accommodation.
  • Inappropriate and Offensive Behavior: Inappropriate, abusive, harassing, discriminatory, threatening, or offensive behavior or language, whether in class, at school facilities, during organized activities, or within shared accommodation, is strictly unacceptable.

6.3. Substance Abuse and Illegal Substances

  • Zero Tolerance for Illegal Drugs: Any use, possession, distribution, or purchase of illegal drugs or illicit substances at any time during the stay is strictly prohibited.
  • Alcohol Misuse: Alcohol abuse, dangerous intoxication, or disruptive behavior resulting from alcohol consumption will not be tolerated under any circumstances.

6.4. Disciplinary Action and Expulsion

In the event of a breach of this Code of Conduct, Olive Spanish Courses reserves the right to immediately terminate the student's enrollment and accommodation without prior notice. In the case of expulsion due to improper behavior, drug use, or alcohol abuse, no refunds or compensation will be issued for remaining course hours or unused accommodation nights.

7. Visas, Passports and Travel Permissions

  • Client Responsibility: It is the sole responsibility of the client to research, apply for, and obtain all necessary travel permissions, visas, valid passports, health documentation, and entry authorizations required to enter Spain and the European Schengen Area in good time.
  • No Visa Facilitation Services: Olive Spanish Courses does not apply for, arrange, or guarantee visas or travel permits on behalf of clients.
  • Impact on Cancellation Terms: Inability to obtain a valid visa, delayed visa processing, expired passports, or denial of entry into Spain by immigration authorities does not exempt the client from our standard cancellation schedule. Any booking cancellations resulting from travel permission issues will be subject strictly to the cancellation fees outlined in Section 9.

8. Statutory Right of Withdrawal (Derecho de Desistimiento)

In accordance with Royal Legislative Decree 1/2007 (Spanish Consumer Protection Act / LGDCU), you have the right to withdraw from your service contract under the following conditions:

8.1. Statutory Withdrawal Period

You have the statutory right to withdraw from this contract within 14 calendar days from the date your initial payment is received and your booking is confirmed by Olive Spanish Courses, without giving any reason.

8.2. Exercise of the Right

To exercise your Right of Withdrawal, you must inform Olive Spanish Courses of your decision to withdraw through an unequivocal statement (e.g., a letter sent by post or an email to info@olivespanishcourses.com). You may use the Model Withdrawal Form in Annex I at the end of this page, though it is not mandatory.

8.3. Effects of Statutory Withdrawal

If you exercise your statutory right to withdraw within the 14-calendar-day period:

  1. Olive Spanish Courses will reimburse all payments received from you (including the deposit, if paid) without undue delay and within 14 calendar days from the date we are informed of your decision to withdraw.
  2. Reimbursement will be executed using the same payment method used for the initial transaction in Euros (€), without incurring administrative fees for the refund from our side.

8.4. Immediate Execution and Loss of Withdrawal Right

In accordance with Article 103 of the LGDCU:

  • If your booked course or accommodation is scheduled to begin during the 14-day statutory withdrawal period, you acknowledge that you will be liable for the full cost of all services.
  • Once the course or accommodation service has started, you acknowledge and agree that your 14-day right of withdrawal is completely forfeited.

9. Cancellation Policy

Cancellation schedule showing non-refundable fees based on notice period prior to start date
Cancellation Notice Period Deposit (€200) Remaining Balance Fee Total Retained / Charge
61 days or more before start date Non-Refundable (€200 Lost) 0% retained (100% refunded) €200 Non-refundable deposit only
60 to 31 days before start date Non-Refundable (€200 Lost) 15% of remaining balance retained €200 + 15% of remaining fees
30 to 15 days before start date Non-Refundable (€200 Lost) 30% of remaining balance retained €200 + 30% of remaining fees
14 to 0 days before start date Non-Refundable (€200 Lost) 100% of remaining balance retained Full Payment Retained (0% refund)

10. Force Majeure and Comprehensive Insurance Recommendation

10.1. Force Majeure Events

Olive Spanish Courses shall not be held liable or responsible for any failure to perform, delay in performance, disruption, early termination, or cancellation of courses, activities, or accommodation services caused by events or circumstances beyond our reasonable control ("Force Majeure").

Such factors outside our control include, but are not limited to:

  • Air traffic control disruptions, flight delays, or airport closures.
  • Natural disasters, including earthquakes, flooding, severe storms, or volcanic activity.
  • Epidemics, pandemics, or public health emergencies.
  • Industrial action, labor strikes, demonstrations, protests, or transport lockouts.
  • Civil unrest, riots, acts of terrorism, or outbreak of war/armed conflict.
  • Government restrictions, border closures, or emergency legislation.

10.2. Limitation of Financial Liability

In the event that a course or accommodation arrangement is disrupted, cut short, or cancelled due to a Force Majeure event, Olive Spanish Courses is not liable to issue refunds, cover travel expenses, or pay financial compensation for unfulfilled services or early departures.

10.3. Strongly Recommended Travel Insurance

We strongly recommend that all students purchase a comprehensive travel and health insurance policy from a reputable insurance company or insurance broker prior to their departure.

  • Coverage Requirements: Students must ensure their insurance policy covers trip cancellation, course/accommodation interruption, emergency travel curtailment, medical expenses, personal liability, and travel disruptions caused by Force Majeure events.

11. Data Protection and Privacy (GDPR / LOPDGDD)

In accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (GDPR) and Spanish Organic Law 3/2018 (LOPDGDD), Olive Spanish Courses informs you of the processing of your personal data:

  • Data Controller: Olive Spanish Courses, Email: info@olivespanishcourses.com.
  • Purpose of Processing:
    • To manage course bookings, student enrollment, level assessments, and accommodation arrangements.
    • To process billing, payments, and legal accounting obligations.
    • To send administrative updates, course materials, and optional promotional communications (where consent is given).
  • Lawful Basis for Processing:
    • Execution of a contract (Art. 6.1.b GDPR) for fulfilling your course booking.
    • Legal obligation compliance (Art. 6.1.c GDPR) for Spanish tax and commercial records.
    • Explicit consent (Art. 6.1.a GDPR) for promotional newsletters and non-essential cookies.
  • Data Retention: Personal data will be retained for the duration of the educational relationship and, thereafter, stored securely for the legal limitation periods required under Spanish tax and commercial law (up to 6 years).
  • Recipients and International Transfers: Data will not be shared with third parties except under legal obligation or to essential operational partners (e.g., accommodation providers, payment processors). Any data transfers outside the European Economic Area (EEA) adhere to standard contractual clauses approved by the European Commission.
  • Your Rights: You have the right to access, rectify, erase, restrict, and object to the processing of your data, or request data portability. To exercise these rights, email info@olivespanishcourses.com with proof of identity.
  • Supervisory Authority: You have the right to lodge a complaint with the Spanish Data Protection Agency (Agencia Española de Protección de Datos - AEPD) at https://www.aepd.es.

12. Accuracy of Information and Website Content

12.1. Best Efforts and Continuous Updates

Olive Spanish Courses makes every reasonable effort to ensure that all information provided on our Website, promotional materials, course brochures, schedules, pricing lists, and accommodation descriptions is accurate, complete, and up to date.

12.2. Unintentional Errors and Changes

Despite our best efforts, inadvertent errors, typographical mistakes, or unexpected operational changes (such as modifications to excursion schedules, partner accommodation facilities, or course start dates) may occasionally occur.

12.3. Limitation of Responsibility and Rectification

  • Limitation of Liability: Olive Spanish Courses cannot be held responsible or legally liable for minor inadvertent errors, typographical inaccuracies, or unexpected third-party operational updates on the Website or marketing materials.
  • Prompt Remediation: In the event that an error or date/detail change is identified, Olive Spanish Courses endeavors to correct, update, and publish the rectified information as swiftly as possible. If an active booking is affected by a material change in course schedule or accommodation details, we will notify the client directly via email.

13. Online Dispute Resolution and Compliant Sheets

13.1. Online Dispute Resolution (ODR)

In compliance with Article 14.1 of Regulation (EU) 524/2013, the European Commission provides an Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) platform, accessible here:

👉 https://consumer-redress.ec.europa.eu/index_en

13.2. Consumer Complaint Sheets (Hojas de Reclamaciones)

In compliance with official Spanish consumer regulations, official consumer complaint sheets (Hojas de Reclamaciones) are available to clients upon request. You may request an official complaint sheet by contacting us at info@olivespanishcourses.com or at our registered physical address in Spain.

13.3. Jurisdiction and Applicable Law

These terms are governed by Spanish law. Any disputes shall be subject to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the user’s domicile (if a consumer) or the courts of Granada, Spain (if B2B).

Annex I: Model Withdrawal Form

(Complete and return this form only if you wish to withdraw from the contract within the 14-day statutory period)

To:

Olive Spanish Courses

Email: info@olivespanishcourses.com

I/We (*) hereby give notice that I/We (*) withdraw from my/our (*) contract of sale for the provision of the following service: Spanish Course / Accommodation Booking.

  • Ordered on (*)/Confirmed on (*): ___________________________
  • Course Start Date: ___________________________
  • Name of Consumer(s): ___________________________
  • Address of Consumer(s): ___________________________
  • Signature of Consumer(s) (only if submitted on paper): ___________________________
  • Date: ___________________________

(*) Delete as appropriate.