Spain Entry Policy and ETIAS

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.

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 or an approved European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) visa waiver.

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 visa before they enter Spain.

Travelers can choose between a Schengen Visa, which allows entry to all Schengen Zone countries, or a Spanish visa, which is just for visiting Spain.

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 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 can take several weeks. Thus, travelers need to plan ahead if they want to visit Spain to make sure they have their visa 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 student visa. Before they apply, they will need a letter of acceptance from a university in Spain.

People entering Spain to do internships or to do certain kinds of volunteer work can also get student visas, as can au pairs who will be working with Spanish families.

vStudents 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 Spain.

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 in Spain.

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 Spain will need to have a signed contract with a Spanish company before they can even apply for a 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 into 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 Spain and qualify for this visa.

Some workers may want to enter Spain on an EU Blue Card, which indicates that they are a highly skilled worker. 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 that 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 that a person has lived there legally for at least 5 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 should apply for it approximately 60 days before their current resident card expires.

vThis 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 (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 the validity or the 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 needs to be undamaged and readable, too. 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 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 Spain 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 who are 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 visa.

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 Shengen 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 can apply for and obtain their ETIAS online, without any offline interactions.

Applicants should navigate to the ETIAS website and make sure they have their passport 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 asks 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 visa.

Notification of ETIAS acceptance is 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's wise for travelers to print their ETIAS, 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 in 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 and passengers relying 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 visa 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.