Overview

The visa policy for Spain comprises a set of rules and requirements applicable to foreign citizens worldwide. Spain’s visa requirements depend on whether the traveler resides in a Schengen Area country or not. However, starting in 2024, a new Schengen Area visa policy revision will be implemented. Under this new regulation, any third-national citizen exempt from a visa must pre-register for an electronic authorization, ETIAS, before traveling to Spain for the same duration.

Citizens of the UK are permitted to travel to Spain without a visa for various purposes, such as visits, business meetings, cultural or sports events, and short-term studies or training. However, UK citizens are allowed to stay in Spain for a maximum of 90 days within a 180-day period. Third-country nationals’ entry to Spain can be mainly obtained with a Schengen visa or a Regular Visa. Spain does offer different visa types for different reasons for visiting.

Update: The Spain Health Control Form (HCF) is no longer needed.

Processing Steps

Online Application

Form is received and reviewed for approval.

Receive Document

Receive the approved document via e-mail.

Arrive in Spain

Present the document upon arrival.

Explained

Reasons to Travel to Spain

People visit Spain for a myriad of reasons. Some of them simply want to see everything the country has to offer, while others have specific tourist destinations in mind. Travelers also visit Spain in order to do business, take classes, study at a university or other school, work new jobs, and more. Some come to seek asylum as refugees.

People who have family members in Spain may visit the country to see these people, and some may come because they have always wanted to live in Spain, and they finally have the chance. Other people visit Spain to get medical care there, particularly if they want to work with a specialist who happens to be Spanish. Students taking a gap year may choose to spend all or part of that in Spain, experiencing the culture and doing odd jobs to make ends meet.

Most people who visit Spain come for short stays, often of 1-2 weeks. However, some prefer to stay longer than that. Occasionally, people visit Spain and never leave. They fall in love with the country and get a job there or find another way to move there permanently. There are many reasons to visit Spain, and each traveler will have their own.

Moreover, the visa policy for Spain outlines entry requirements and procedures for foreign nationals, depending on their country of origin and travel purposes. Travelers must obtain the appropriate visa, adhere to the entry conditions, and comply with immigration regulations to ensure a smooth visit to Spain.

Entry Procedures to Visit Spain

The entry procedures for Spain vary based on a traveler’s country of origin and their purpose for visiting Spain, as well as on the length of their stay. In addition, entry procedures are subject to change, and travelers should make sure they have the most recent information before they plan their trip. Here’s what they need to know about the most common types of entry.

Entering as a Regular Traveler

Most travelers enter because they want to visit Spain for a short period of time, regardless of the reason. These travelers will either need a visa for Spain or an approved European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) visa waiver. As per Spanish visa policy, travelers who hail from countries that have mutual entry agreements with the Schengen Zone can use the Spain ETIAS. All others will need to get a Spanish visa before they enter the country.

Travelers can choose between a Schengen Visa, which allows entry to all Schengen Zone countries, or a Spanish visa, which is just for visiting the nation. They will also need to choose the proper type of visa based on the reason for their visit and how long they want to stay in the country. All Spanish visa applications should be handled before travel begins.

Applicants will need to gather the relevant materials, then get an appointment at the Spanish embassy or consulate nearest them. Visa applications for Spain can take several weeks. Thus, travelers need to plan ahead if they want to visit the country to make sure they have the required visa type before they leave.

Entering as a Student

Students who are entering Spain for programs lasting less than 90 days and who are eligible for an ETIAS can simply enter on that and take their course, then leave. Students doing longer programs, like university degrees, will need to apply for a Spanish student visa. Before they apply, they will need a letter of acceptance from a university in Spain. People entering the country to do internships or to do certain kinds of volunteer work can also get student visas for Spain, as can au pairs who will be working with Spanish families.

Students will need to prove that they have been accepted to a program and will need to show that they have the financial means to support themselves while in the nation. They may also need to show proof of medical coverage in case of an emergency and prove that they have a place to stay in the country. Finally, they will need to have a criminal background check done and submit evidence that they do not have a disease that could impact public health.

Immigration officials reserve the right to ask for more documentation if they need it or if they have questions. People should begin the process well before they need to be in Spain to study.

Entering as a Worker

Most people who want to work in the country will need to have a signed contract with a Spanish company before they can even apply for a work visa. The company will also need to submit paperwork independently of the visa application, indicating who they plan to hire and why they are not hiring a Spanish person.

Spain will often only allow companies to hire international applicants for certain positions that, for some reason, are hard to fill with local candidates. Applicants who are highly qualified or who have specialized knowledge will be more likely to get jobs in the country and qualify for the work visa. Some workers may want to enter the country on an EU Blue Card, which indicates that they are highly skilled workers.

However, Spain does not issue as many of these as other EU countries. Workers with these cards still need visas, too. They will still need to get a criminal background check, a medical certificate, and prove they have a job in Spain.

How to Become a Legal Permanent Resident in Spain

It is relatively easy to become a permanent resident in Spain, provided a person has lived there legally for at least five years. Once obtained, permanent resident status is valid for 5 years, at which time it can be renewed. People can leave Spain for up to 6 consecutive months without risking losing it.

The Spanish government will often issue permanent resident cards to people who are trying to renew a temporary resident permit in Spain. This is automatic and makes the process easier. If this doesn’t happen, travelers who believe they qualify can fill out the proper paperwork, pay the renewal fee, and ask that their case be examined.

People who want permanent residency in Spain should apply for it approximately 60 days before their current resident card expires. This gives them time to make sure everything is in order before they are supposed to leave the country.

What Documents are Needed to Enter Spain

There are a few documents that people will need in order to visit Spain. They should keep these somewhere where they can be accessed easily so they can show them upon arrival. All travelers need a passport in order to enter the country. This should be the same passport they used to get their visa or ETIAS for Spain (more on both of those later).

The passport needs to be valid for at least three months past the date on which they plan to leave Spain, or the Schengen Zone if they are on a Schengen Visa/ETIAS. It also needs to have at least two empty pages in it. Spanish immigration officials will stamp these when the traveler enters or leaves the country.

If the passport does not have either validity or empty pages, it will need to be replaced before the traveler can get permission to visit Spain and/or enter the country.

Similarly, the passport needs to be in good condition. Its pages need to be intact, and they need to be easy to read, particularly the page with the traveler’s personal photo and information. The microchip with the traveler’s personal data must also be undamaged and readable. If the passport suffers damage, it needs to be replaced before travel takes place.

In addition to their passport, travelers need to show that they have the correct type of permission to enter Spain. This can be a visa or an approved Spanish ETIAS. Travelers without one of these will not be allowed to enter the country. They may not even be allowed to board flights or take other transportation to Spain.

Travelers may need additional documentation in order to enter Spain, too. They should have this available in case immigration officials request it at the border.

This information includes proof of their travel plans in Spain, proof that they plan to leave the country as scheduled, and proof that they have enough money to cover their trip to Spain.

They may also need to show that they have ample travel insurance for their trip, particularly insurance that will cover any medical needs that arise while they are traveling. Note that many travelers will not have to show these documents. However, they are commonly requested at the border, and travelers without them may be turned away.

Is a Visa to Spain Needed?

Some travelers will need a visa to visit Spain, while others will not. Travelers from the European Union as well as those with reciprocal travel agreements with that union, do not need visas. Travelers from inside the EU will not need approval except under specific circumstances. Travelers from other reciprocal agreement countries will need an ETIAS to visit Spain.

This is for short-term visits only. Travelers visiting Spain for more than 90 days in any 180-day period will need a visa if they are from outside the EU. Similarly, travelers who are not visiting as tourists because they are doing business, for short-term medical treatment, or as transit passengers will need a tourist visa to Spain.

Travelers who are only planning to visit Spain may choose to get a Spanish national visa. Travelers who want to visit more than one Schengen Zone country can get a Schengen visa. This document allows them to visit any Schengen Zone country as long as they follow the rules outlined for their specific visa, which may vary by type and by traveler nationality.

It is up to each traveler to make sure they have the correct documentation to enter Spain, whether that’s a Spanish visa, a Schengen visa, or an ETIAS. These rules are subject to change, so travelers will need to check before they embark on their trip. That way, they won’t have any problems crossing the border into Spain.

ETIAS for Spain

The ETIAS is a visa waiver that allows people from certain countries to enter Spain. Eligible travelers will be able to apply for and obtain their ETIAS online without any offline interactions. After it gets implemented in 2024, applicants should navigate to the ETIAS website and make sure they have their passports available. After that, filling out the application does not take very long.

It will ask them for information about themselves, like their name, place of birth, date of birth, and gender. It will also ask for passport info, like their passport number and when it expires. All applicants will need to supply information about how and when they can be reached. This includes a physical address, an email address, and a valid telephone number.

Applicants will also need to be ready to answer questions about their health and their past, including any criminal activity. These help screen some applicants to keep the population safe. The application may ask people to discuss their travel plans while they are in Spain or the rest of the EU. They will need to list where they plan to enter the EU. They may also need to give additional details about their travel plans, like where they plan to spend their first nights in Europe.

The only travelers who can enter the Schengen Zone, including Spain, with an ETIAS are those traveling for 90 days or less. All other travelers, regardless of country of origin, will need a Spanish visa. Notification of ETIAS acceptance will be done online via email. Thus, travelers need to ensure the address they give is typed correctly and is valid.

ETIAS acceptance will be tied to the traveler’s passport number. If they have multiple passports, they will need to choose one to use while they are in Europe. Travelers with an approved ETIAS can enter any Schengen Zone country, including Spain. They may need to show their passport every time they cross a border, though. It will be wise for travelers to print their ETIAS application form for Spain, too. That way, they have a hard copy in case there is any confusion with the electronic system.

Main Spanish Airports that Will Support ETIAS

Any international airport in Spain will support the ETIAS system. At the time of this writing, there are at least 36 of these, though that number is subject to change. International airports are called that specifically because they are set up to deal with international travelers. They have facilities for customs and immigration, including ETIAS.

The largest international airports in Spain are Madrid (Madrid Barajas Airport), Barcelona (Barcelona Airport), and Mallorca (Palma de Mallorca Airport). The Malaga Airport, Gran Canaria Airport, and Tenerife South Airport are also large, popular airports in Spanish airspace.

These airports are absolutely set up to support the ETIAS (once it comes into effect in 2024), and passengers rely on this type of permission to enter Spain. Officials in these locations will know how to help travelers use the system.

Where Do Visitors to Spain Come From?

Most people who visit Spain come from other European countries. After all, it is close for them, and most EU citizens have easy entry into other EU countries. The United States is the first non-European country on the list, and it comes in fifth. Russia is next, and it is number eleven.

People from Asia, South America, Mexico, and Canada also like to visit Spain, though it is not as popular with them as some other destinations. Before COVID-19, Spain was the second-most visited country in the world. Those numbers have dropped drastically, which has been hard on the tourism industry. Spain hopes to regain footing with tourists as the pandemic comes to an end and people start to travel again.

Are There Illegal Entries to Spain?

Spain has a relatively high amount of illegal immigrants, though the exact number is unknown. Many cross over from Africa, as the countries are only 13 kilometers apart. These immigrants often come to make a better life for themselves or because they face persecution back home. They escape to Spain and seek asylum there.

Other people overstay their visas after they enter Spain. These people may fall in love with Spain or have family or close friends who live there. Spain does reserve the right to deport people who are found to be living in the country illegally.

However, they also have a bill that allows some illegal immigrants to work in the country. Immigrants must be willing to fill roles that are otherwise going unfilled. Most of these are in agriculture, hospitality, and farming. Once they have lived and worked in Spain for two years, they will become eligible for some training programs so they can become more skilled at the work they do.

This bill tries to deal with the problem of increased migration, as well as issues in understaffed industries. The government will evaluate the bill as they go and make changes as needed. Entering Spain illegally is not suggested. It can cause major lifelong legal problems and may make life generally more difficult for the traveler.

Instead, travelers should work towards legitimate entry if they want to visit Spain.

Spain Visa

See Spain Visa Policy for a more in depth explanation of the regular visa process. This may include different visa types, steps behind completing an application, and processing times.

Looking to move to Spain? Explore Spain‘s immigration policy.

More on Spain Entry Policies

Spain Embassies