Visas to enter Spain as a tourist

Do I need a Visa to visit Spain?

Do you want to enjoy Spanish culinary, culture, wine, history, and sun and beach? But you may not be sure if you will need a visa to visit or if you need to contact the Spanish embassy. Do not worry, we will try to explain it in this post.

Spain is a party to the Schengen Agreement. This means that if your country is part of the Schengen Agreement or has an agreement with the countries that fall within this agreement, you may enter Spain for up to 90 days for tourist or business purposes without a visa. You also must have sufficient funds and a return airline ticket.

In case you are coming to study, in an Athletic study program, or you come for work you may need a visa. Contact the Spanish Embassy to get more information on it.

We will start with those passport holders who do not require a visa to visit Spain.

1. The European Union, Iceland, Norway and Switzerland

• If you are planning to live in Spain for more than three months you will need to apply for residency. The Spanish Government has introduced residency requirements for EU citizens who plan to reside in Spain for over three months.

• You do not need a minimum of validity in your passport or travel document to travel to Spain. It is enough as long as your passport is valid for the duration of the visit.

• Children included in the parent’s passport must be accompanied by the parent. The child’s right to travel on the passport will lapse depending on the age stipulated by the issuing country.

• A letter of consent is recommended if the child (holding a valid passport or National Identity card) is not travelling with the parents (mother or father if they have parental responsibility) or guardian. Anyone under the age of 18 is considered a minor and is subject to parental control or adult supervision. Parents or guardians are responsible for the actions of their children. Unaccompanied minors fall under the jurisdiction of Social Services for the Protection of Minors.

• It is important that the name on your ticket matches the name on your passport exactly. Please consult with the airline before travelling.

2. If you are specifically from the United Kingdom (UK) and you are wondering if you will require a visa to visit Spain after BREXIT

You will not need a visa for short trips (up to 90-days in any 180-day period) if you are a tourist. However, you may need a visa or permit to stay for longer, to study, or for business travel. Check the UK government website for updates. To visit Europe for short trips, even if Brexit happens without a deal, follow these “rules”  before you travel:

• Your passport should have at least 6 months left and be less than 10 years old
• Get travel insurance which covers your healthcare: After Brexit your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) may not be valid.
• Driving documents: In Spain you will not need an International Driving Permit (IDP) for visits up to 9 months after the date the UK leaves the EU. After, you won’t need an IDP for visits under 6 months, if you have either a UK photocard or driving licence. If you are taking your own car you will need a “green card” (allow 1 month to get this from your car insurance) and a GB sticker.
• Organise pet travel – you need to contact your vet at least 4 months before you go
• Check with your phone operator as free mobile data roaming may end.
• Buying duty free after Brexit: Some rules may change. You will be able to buy duty-free tobacco and alcohol when you are travelling to the EU.

This applies both if you’re a tourist or travelling for business. Business travel includes activities such as travelling for meetings and conferences, providing services (even with a charity), and touring art or music.

3. If your country is within the following list and your visit will not exceed ninety days per six-month period, a visa is not required:

Albania *
Andorra
Antigua and Barbuda
Argentina
Australia
Bahamas
Barbados
Bosnia Herzegovina *
Brazil
British nationals (Overseas), Overseas citizens (BOC), Overseas territories citizens (BOTC), Protected persons (BPP), and British subjects (BS).
Brunei Darussalam
Canada
Chile
Colombia
Costa Rica
Croatia
Dominica
El Salvador
Georgia *
Grenada
Guatemala
Honduras
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
Israel
Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) *
Japan
Kiribati
Korean Republic
Liechtenstein
Macao Special Administrative Region
Malaysia
Marshall Islands
Mauritius
Mexico
Micronesia
Moldova *
Monaco
Montenegro *
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Northern Mariana Islands (passports from the US)
Palau
Panama
Paraguay
Peru
St. Kitts and Nevis
St. Lucia
St. Vincent and Grenadines
Samoa
San Marino
Serbia **
Seychelles
Singapore
Solomon Islands
Taiwan (only holders of passports which contain identity card number)
Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago
Tuvalu
Ukraine *
United Arab Emirates
Uruguay
USA
Vatican City
Venezuela
Vanuatu

* Only when holding a biometric passport. If not, a visa is required.
** Only when holding a biometric passport. If not, a visa is required, excluding holders of passports delivered by KOORDINACIONA UPRAVA.

4. Holders of Travel Documents issued under the Geneva Convention of July 1951, by the following countries:

Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Norway, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom

5. Crew members of airlines and merchant navy.

6. If you hold a valid residence permit in any of the Schengen member states.

In this case you are entitled to re-enter the Schengen area without a visa on production of your proof of residence and your passport.

7. Under Directive 2004/38/EC and according to Real Decreto 240/2007

Under Directive 2004/38/EC and according to Real Decreto 240/2007, 16 February, family members of an EU/EEA national in possession of a valid UK Residence Card specifying its condition as a family member do not require a visa to enter Spain when travelling with the EU/EEA National or joining him/her in Spain. Otherwise, a visa will be still required (Real Decreto 1161/2009, 10th July 2009). For spouses and/or children of Spanish Nationals the above condition applies provided that the marriage and/or birth is registered according with the Spanish Civil Register (original Libro de Familia). Please note, that the UK Residence Permit must state literally that the holder is a family member of an EU/EEA National. If not, a visa is required.

Holders of passports who require a visa to visit Spain

Please be aware that if your country is within this list the visa will take a minimum of 2 weeks to be issued.

Afghanistan (1) (2*)
Albania
Algeria (1)
Angola (2)
Armenia.
Azerbaijan
Bahrain
Bangladesh (1) (2*)
Belarus (1)
Belize
Benin
Bhutan
Bolivia
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Botswana
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Cambodia
Cameroon (1) (2*)
Cape Verde
Central Africa Republic
Chad
China
Comoros
Congo
Cuba (2)
Democratic Republic of Congo (1) (2*)
Djibouti (2*)
Dominican Republic
East Timor
Ecuador
Equatorial Guinea (1)
Egypt (1)
Eritrea (2*)
Ethiopia (2*)
Fiji
Frandesspass documents (1)
Gabon
Gambia
Ghana (2*)
Guinea (2)
Guinea-Bissau (2)
Guyana
Haiti (2)
Hong Kong (when it is not SAR)
India (2)
Indonesia
Iran (1) (2*)
Iraq (1) (2*)
Ivory Coast (2)
Jamaica
Jordan (1)
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kyrgyzstan
Kuwait
Laos
Lebanon (1)
Lesotho
Liberia (2)
Libya (1)
Madagascar
Malawi
Maldives
Mali (1) (2)
Mauritania (1)
Mongolia
Morocco (1)
Mozambique
Myanmar
Namibia
Nauru
Nepal
Niger
Nigeria (1) (2*)
North Korea (1)
Oman
Pakistan (1) (2*)
Palestine (1)
Papua New Guinea
Philippines (1)
Qatar
Refugee Travel Documents (1)
Russia
Rwanda (1)
Sao Tome
Saudi Arabia (1)
Senegal (2)
Sierra Leone (2)
Somalia (1) (2*)
South Africa
South Sudan (1)
Sri Lanka (1) (2*)
Sudan (1) (2)
Suriname (1)
Swaziland
Syria (1)
Tajikistan
Tanzania
Thailand
Togo (2)
Tunisia (1)
Turkey
Turkmenistan
Uganda
Uzbekistan (1)
Vietnam (1)
Yemen (1)
Zambia
Zimbabwe

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