Home > A 2025 Guide to Schengen Visas for Spain
Spain is a bucket-list destination for travelers from all over the globe, featuring famous cities like Barcelona and Madrid, as well as lesser-known gems like Trujillo and Granada.
One of the most important planning steps is understanding which travel requirements apply to you and which don’t – which includes visas.
We’re here to help with a friendly guide to empower you to navigate the process with confidence and prepare you for everything you need to know about applying for a visa for Spain.
Whether or not you need a visa to visit Spain depends on several factors, such as your nationality, the purpose of your visit, and how long you plan to stay.
Spain is part of the Schengen zone, which allows for short-term travel without a visa for some nationalities, including citizens of the US, UK, Australia, Canada, and others. For stays longer than 90 days, you’ll need to apply for a visa.
If you’re not from a visa-exempt country (examples include India, China, and South Africa), you will need a visa to visit Spain.
For short trips of up to 90 days, US citizens do not need a visa to visit Spain. You can travel freely for tourism, business, or family visits. However, if you're planning to work, study, or stay longer than 90 days, you will need to apply for the appropriate visa.
Applying for a Spanish visa involves a few steps, but it's relatively straightforward.
You’ll need to apply through a Spanish consulate or visa center in your country of residence, and the steps are as follows:
While you can begin the process online, you’ll need to submit your application in person at a consulate or visa application center, such as BLS. This appointment is mandatory and typically must be booked ahead of time.
In the near future, you will be able to apply for a Spanish visa online! The EU is releasing a new platform called EU VAP. This secure portal will allow travelers to apply for a Spain visa online. This system is still in development but is expected to be fully operational by 2030.
The application process is relatively straightforward. When it comes to whether or not your visa application for Spain will be approved or denied, the decision is entirely up to the Spanish Embassy.
In 2024, 15.7% of Spain visa applications were rejected globally.
It is helpful to understand that rejection rates are constantly changing and can be different depending on your nationality, the visa you’re applying for, and even seasonality. The number above, 15.7%, is global and may not accurately reflect your specific situation.
The processing time varies depending on the type of visa, but a Spain Schengen visa typically takes around 15 working days. Longer-term visas, like a Spanish student visa or work visa, may take several weeks or longer to process.
Additionally, appointment slots can fill up quickly and may book out weeks or even months in advance. This is one reason why it’s crucial to start your application early.
It’s important to make sure you meet all of the Spanish visa requirements when applying. These requirements vary depending on the type of visa you’re applying for, but there is a set of standard documents you’ll need to provide regardless of which visa you’re applying for.
You’ll need these standard documents:
Yes! Spain has a digital nomad visa for both freelancers and remote workers. The applicant must meet specific requirements depending on their country of nationality.
While an in-person appointment is mandatory, it isn’t necessarily a formal interview. At the appointment, an attendant will go through your documents to make sure your application is complete.
You will likely be asked questions directly related to your documents or travel plans, but there isn’t a set list of questions you’ll need to prepare for.
At this appointment, your visa application will be checked to ensure all of the necessary documents are included. Additionally, your biometrics (fingerprints) will be collected. Then, when all of that is said and done, your visa application will be sent for processing.
No, if you have a valid visa for Spain or the Schengen area, you do not need ETIAS authorization.
Citizens of visa-exempt countries, such as the US, UK, Canada, and Australia, will need an ETIAS for short-term visits from 2026 onward (so as long as they do not have a Schengen visa).
Citizens of Schengen countries are also exempt.
Learn more about getting an ETIAS for Spain with our Spain ETIAS Guide.
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Off to the Netherlands? Learn about Dutch visas
Going to Italy? Learn about Italian visas
Planning a trip to Malta? Getting a visa for Malta
Off to Iceland? Check out the Iceland visa guide
Planning to travel to Germany? You may need a German visa
Going to Hungary? Read about Hungarian visas
Planning to go to Switzerland? Read about Swiss visas
Trip to Luxembourg coming up? Read about Luxembourg visas
Off to Austria? Read our Austria visa guide
Are you going to Norway? Read the Norway visa guide
Trip to Poland? Learn all about Polish visas
Are you going to the Czech Republic? Read about Czech visas here
Going to Denmark? Read our Denmark visa guide
Going to Bulgaria? You might need a Bulgarian visa
Off to Portugal? Read our Portugal visa guide
Traveling to Slovakia? You may need a Slovakian visa
Are you traveling to Sweden? Learn about Swedish visas
Heading to Estonia? Learn about Estonian visas
Lithuania on the horizon? Learn about Lithuanian visas
Are you going to Croatia soon? Learn about Croatia visa requirements
Heading to Romania? Getting a visa for Romania
Trip to Finland on the horizon? You may need a Finnish visa
Traveling to Liechtenstein? See Liechtenstein visa information
Trip to Latvia? You may need a Latvian visa