Spain is one of the most popular tourist countries in Europe, attracting millions of travelers every year. Find out: what are the entry rules for EU citizens and visa-free countries, what documents are required to obtain a Schengen visa, current entry rules and much more useful information

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Spain is the second largest country in the European Union, located on the Iberian Peninsula. Travelers from many countries around the world dream of traveling to this country. The tourism industry in Spain is very developed and is the second largest tourism industry in the world. Every year, Spain receives about 40 billion dollars in revenue from this industry.

The most famous Spanish cities are Madrid, Barcelona, ​​Seville and Valencia. Famous sights of Spain: the Alhambra and Generalife gardens, the Sagrada Familia, Gaudi monuments and the Great Mosque of Cordoba.

Travelers in different parts of the world also know Spain as a place for bullfighting. Many tourists like to visit the tomato festival and parties in Ibiza.

Are you already planning a trip to Spain? Entry rules and visa application procedure in our material.

Choose a reliable health insurance policy from Visit World to travel abroad safely.

Entry rules to Spain

Spain is a member of the Schengen area, so entry to the country is subject to Schengen rules. The list of documents that a tourist must present when passing through border control in Spain depends on their nationality.

EU citizens

Citizens of one of the EU countries only need to have a valid passport or identity card to travel to Spain.

Important! Spain is part of the Schengen area, where internal border controls are usually abolished. However, temporary border controls may be reintroduced in exceptional circumstances, such as major international events or security threats. Travelers should be aware of any temporary measures that may affect their travel plans.

Citizens of countries eligible for visa-free entry

Citizens of many countries around the world are eligible for visa-free entry to Spain - these include the USA, Australia, UAE, Japan, Israel, Georgia, Argentina and many other countries.

However, visa-free travel must meet certain requirements: the permitted period of stay must not exceed 90 days within a 180-day period, and the permitted purpose of travel is tourism, visiting relatives, short-term medical treatment, etc.

- A package of documents for visa-free entry to Spain

1. A passport or travel document that is valid for at least three months after the planned date of departure from Schengen and issued within the last ten years.

2. Confirmation of residence, such as a hotel reservation.

3. A ticket to Spain and for exit from the country.

4. Documents confirming your purpose of entry, such as a tourist voucher.

5. Medical insurance.

During border control, a Spanish officer may ask you several questions related to the purpose of your trip and the duration of your stay in Spain. It is the border guard who decides whether to allow the tourist to enter Spain or not.

ETIAS Authorization

Starting in mid-2025, citizens of visa-free countries will be required to apply for an ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) authorization before traveling to Spain.

ETIAS is a mandatory pre-travel security check designed to strengthen border controls. The application process will be simple and completed online.

As of April 2025, the system is not yet live, but be sure to check the ETIAS requirements before your trip.

Schengen visa to Spain

Citizens of countries with which Spain does not have a visa-free regime (including representatives of Zimbabwe and Ethiopia) must obtain a Schengen visa to travel to the country. It is issued for short-term trips to Spain (up to 90 days).

- Types of Schengen visas to Spain

Depending on the purpose of the visit, there are several types of Schengen visas:

1. Tourist visa (for vacation, sightseeing, attending cultural and sporting events).

2. Guest visa (for visiting friends or family members living in Spain);

3. Business visa (for attending business events in Spain);

4. Visa for an official visit (for delegations);

5. Medical visa (for treatment).

- Where can I get a visa to Spain?

A tourist must apply for a Schengen visa to travel to Spain in the country of residence at one of the following diplomatic institutions:

1. Embassy of Spain.

2. Consulate of Spain.

3. Visa center to which Spain has transferred the right to issue visas.

4. Embassy/consulate of another Schengen country to which Spain has transferred the right to issue visas.

- List of documents for applying for a Schengen visa

1. Visa application form.

2. Two passport-sized photos.

3. Valid passport with at least 2 blank pages for affixing the visa + photocopy.

4. Medical insurance for travel to Spain. Your insurance must cover emergency medical care for a minimum of 30,000 euros, including repatriation in the event of death.

5. Confirmation of flight reservations.

6. Confirmation of accommodation (hotel reservations).

7. Proof of sufficient funds to enter Spain (minimum 100 euros per day or 900 euros per person, regardless of the intended duration of stay).

8. Covering letter. A personal letter in which you explain why you are applying to visit Spain, how long you plan to stay, when you will leave and other details.

9. Marriage certificate, birth certificate of children, death certificate of spouse, etc.

10. A document confirming the purpose of the trip to Spain.

- How long does it take to apply for a Spanish visa?

The processing time for a short-term visa to Spain is up to 15 working days. However, in some cases it can be increased to 30 or even 60 days. Therefore, we advise you to apply for a visa as early as possible.

In some cases, a Spanish Schengen visa can be extended or canceled.

Transit visa to Spain

If a tourist needs to make a transfer at one of the airports in Spain, then a transit visa is required for the trip.

- List of documents for a transit visa

1. Valid visa (if required) for the final country you are traveling to.

2. Airline ticket to the final country you are traveling to.

Additional rules for entering Spain

In addition to visa requirements, travelers planning to visit Spain should be aware of several other important rules:

- Passport requirements

All travelers entering Spain must present a valid passport. For short-term stays within the Schengen area (up to 90 days in any 180-day period), the passport must be valid for at least three months after the planned date of departure from Spain or any other Schengen country. It must also have been issued within the last 10 years.

- Customs regulations

Travellers must comply with customs regulations when entering Spain:

1. Cash: amounts exceeding €10,000 must be declared.

2. Goods: restrictions apply to goods such as tobacco, alcohol and perfume. The import of certain food products, including meat and dairy products, from outside the EU is restricted.

3. Prohibited items: drugs, weapons and endangered animal products are strictly regulated.

- Residence and work permits

Stays longer than 90 days require the appropriate permit. Travellers who intend to work, study or reside in Spain must apply for the appropriate visa and obtain a residence or work permit from the Spanish immigration authorities upon arrival.

Grounds for refusal of entry

Even with a valid visa or travel permit, border guards may refuse entry if the traveler:

- Cannot demonstrate sufficient financial means.

- Does not have proper documents or a clear purpose of stay.

- Is entered in the Schengen Information System as inadmissible.

- Poses a threat to public health, public order or national security.

When planning a trip to Spain, it is important to familiarize yourself with all entry rules in advance. Compliance with passport, visa, customs and immigration requirements will help avoid unforeseen difficulties. Careful preparation guarantees a smooth border crossing and an unforgettable trip to this wonderful country, we hope our article will help you.

Have a good trip!

When planning a trip abroad, be sure to take care of a travel insurance policy that will protect you from unforeseen situations during your trip and compensate for unplanned expenses - for medical treatment, in case of lost luggage, flight cancellation, etc.

Buy a reliable travel insurance policy from trusted insurance agents on the Visit World portal!

Reminder! Renting accommodation in Spain can be an exciting, but also a difficult process, so it is important to know how to approach this issue correctly. We have already told you where to look for real estate, what resources to use for this, how to prepare the necessary documents, what to consider before signing a lease, what legal aspects are important, and what to pay attention to when choosing a home and concluding a contract.

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