Spain visas
Spain is a member of both the European Union and the Schengen Area. For short stays — up to 90 days in any 180-day period — most travellers use the shared Schengen short-stay visa (Type C) or, if they are visa-exempt, ETIAS. For stays over 90 days, Spain issues its own national long-stay visa (Type D) under its own rules. This hub explains both, and links to the official European Commission sources. Start your application online today — our visa experts will check everything before it is submitted.
Important information
Spanish visa categories
Explore visa categories by the purpose of your trip.
Spanish visa application at a glance
From start to finish in five simple steps.
- 01Choose the right visa
- 02Check eligibility & documents
- 03Apply online
- 04Provide biometrics
- 05Wait for a decision
Spain Visa
Depending on your nationality and purpose for traveling, there are various kinds of visas for Spain. It is worth noting that Spain is a member of the Schengen Area, which means that it shares an external border and a visa policy with the other participating nations. Travelers do not need to go through passport checks to transit freely between Schengen nations. Visitors can enter any Schengen country with a Schengen Visa. Different sorts of visas are required for workers and students.
A Schengen Visa grants admission to all Schengen member states, not just Spain. Students and Workers may need a long-stay visa or residence permit.
Spanish Schengen
If you are planning to visit Spain and you are a citizen of a country outside of the EU, you can start the process by clicking ‘ Start Application ‘ and completing our form. It is advisable to take your time to complete correctly as misinformation can lead to problems later in the process.
What is a Spanish Schengen Visa?
A Schengen Visa to Spain is a short-term European visa. This type of Visa enables the holder to travel freely throughout Spain and the rest of the Schengen area. The visa, itself is issued by the Spain Embassy (or whichever country you are visiting for the longest). That is to say, you can visit any of the Schengen countries for up to 90 days during a 180-day period.
The Schengen Visa is the most common visa in Europe. In order words, it entitles the holder to enter, travel freely within, and exit the Schengen area from any Schengen member country. There are no border controls within the Schengen zone.
Documents Required For Spanish Schengen Visas
- Printed & signed application form
- Valid passport
- Residence permit (if applicable)
- Hotel reservations / accomodation
- Flight tickets
- 3-months recent bank statements
- Proof of employment status
- Travel medical insurance
Entering Spain
A Spain Schengen visa allows a foreign national to present themselves at a Schengen port of entry (often an airport) and seek permission to enter the country. We can ensure that Visa Applications go smoothly, however, entrance to the Schengen zone is not guaranteed by an approved visa.
Spain Schengen Purposes
Those who want to visit relatives or friends who are authorised residents of the Schengen area.
Business - Many people often travel to and from the Schengen states for business purposes.
Medical grounds – For medical treatment in any of the Schengen member nations.
Students and learners - who want to attend any educational institution for fewer than three months, including university courses, language courses, and other courses.
Cultural, Sports, and Film Crews - a visa designed for non-Schengen residents who want to go to Europe for a Cultural, Sports, or Religious Event, in addition to Film Crews.
Schengen Member States
Schengen visas are used by business people, tourists, specialised employees, and students who want to travel to Spain for a brief period of time. Applicants seeking a Schengen visa must demonstrate to the Visa Application Centre that they will depart the Schengen Zone at the conclusion of their temporary stay.
- Austria Visa — Belgium Visa — Czech Republic Visa
- Denmark Visa — Estonia Visa — Finland Visa
- Switzerland Visa — France Visa — Germany Visa
- Greece Visa — Hungary Visa — Iceland Visa
- Italy Visa — Latvia Visa — Liechtenstein Visa
- Lithuania Visa — Luxembourg Visa — Malta Visa
- Netherlands Visa — Norway Visa — Poland Visa
- Portugal Visa — Slovakia Visa — Slovenia Visa
- Spain Visa — Sweden Visa — Transit Visa
Spain Schengen C-Visas
A Schengen Visa is an official travel document. It allows a person to travel to any country in the Schengen Area, including Spain. For stays of up to 90 days for tourism or business purposes.
The Schengen area consists of 27 European countries. The area mostly acts as a single jurisdiction for international travel with a common visa policy.
Nationals of some countries, which have not yet reached a liberalization agreement will need to obtain this travel authorization before arrival in Europe.
Spain National D-Visas
You must apply for a residency permit or national D-Visa, rather than a Spain Schengen Visa if you plan to stay in Spain for more than 90 days.
Your long-stay visa must be for a period of three months to one year, regardless of the length of your anticipated stay. You must apply for a residence permit at a prefecture in order to prolong your stay beyond the duration of your visa.
The long-stay visa is comparable to a Schengen visa throughout its validity term, allowing you to travel and remain in the Schengen area outside of Spain for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, under the same circumstances as if you had a Schengen visa.
If you are a citizen of a country that can visit the Schengen zone without a visa, then you may travel visa-free and apply for your national visa / residence permit from within the country you wish to stay in long-term
Spain Schengen Visa Purposes
A Spain Schengen visa allows you to travel to Spain and any of the other 26 Schengen countries in Europe for a short stay of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. The purpose of your visit will determine the type of Spain Schengen visa you need to apply for.
- Tourism: If you are visiting Spain for tourism, you will need to apply for a tourist visa.
- Business: If you are visiting Spain for business purposes, you will need to apply for a business visa.
- Study: If you are visiting Spain to study, you will need to apply for a student visa.
- Transit: If you are only passing through Spain on your way to another country, you may not need a visa. However, you should check beforehand
Entry To Spain
Because interview wait periods vary by location, season, and visa type, you should apply for your visa as soon as possible. Examine the appointment wait time at the consular representation of Spain in your country.
What is the Schengen Area?
The Schengen Area is a zone in which 27 European countries have abolished their internal borders to allow for free and unrestricted movement of people, while also adhering to common rules for controlling external borders and combating criminality by bolstering the common judicial system and police cooperation.
Except for Ireland and the nations that will soon be part of Romania, Bulgaria, and Cyprus, the Schengen area encompasses the majority of EU countries. Denmark, Iceland, Switzerland, and Lichtenstein are all members of the Schengen zone despite not being EU members.
For detailed information on specific parts of the Spain visa process, you can refer to the links in the section on the right to find the answer to your query. If you are unable to find any particular information, please contact us via email.
Spain — key facts
- Short stays
- Schengen visa (Type C)
- Or ETIAS if visa-exempt — shared across the Area
- Short-stay limit
- 90 days in any 180
- The shared Schengen short-stay rule
- Long stays
- National visa (Type D)
- Issued by Spain for stays over 90 days
- ETIAS
- Travel authorisation
- For visa-exempt short-stay travellers
- EES
- Biometric borders
- Automated entry/exit at external Schengen borders
Spanish visas — people also ask
Spain is in the Schengen Area, so short visits (up to 90 days in any 180) follow the shared Schengen rules. Whether you need a short-stay visa depends on your nationality — some travellers are visa-exempt and use ETIAS instead. Check our Schengen Short-Stay Visa (Type C) guide and confirm what applies to your nationality before you travel.
