Spain visa: types, requirements and how to apply

In 2025, nearly 100 million people visited Spain (96.8 million to be exact). Before you become one of the lucky people to visit, there’s one question that you need to be sure you know the answer to: Does your passport allow you to visit, or are you going to need to apply for a visa? 

The answer comes down to two main things: your nationality and how long you plan to stay. This guide covers who needs to apply for a Spain visa, which type might be right for you, what documents you need to prepare, the associated costs, and the timelines. It also covers how to apply from the USA. It also takes a look at the end of Golden Visas and the rise in digital nomad travel. 

Do you need a visa to travel to Spain?

For trips under 90 days in length, there are many travelers who don’t need one. This includes EU/Schengen country citizens, who are allowed to move throughout the zone without any special permissions. In addition to them, passport holders from around sixty visa-exempt countries. These countries include the US, Canada, the UK, Australia, Mexico, Japan, and more. Travelers who hold passports from these countries can stay in the Area for tourism, business meetings, or to visit friends and family for up to 90 days (in a 180-day period). Everyone else needs to apply for a visa before traveling to Spain. 

There is one thing that’s important to understand. Just because you’re exempt from having to get a visa doesn’t mean you’re guaranteed entry into Spain. While it’s not common, border officers can still ask to see you have proof of funds, a return ticket home, and accommodations before allowing you to enter the country.

Do US citizens need a visa for Spain?

So long as the stay is short, US citizens can travel to Spain for tourism, to visit family and friends, or for business trips/meetings. Short, here, is defined as spending fewer than 90 days. 

You aren’t without any entry requirements, however. Your passport needs to stay valid for at least 3 months beyond your intended stay. Also, beginning in late 2026, you’ll be required to apply for ETIAS for short trips. 

Once you’ve hit the 90-day mark (without a visa), you have to leave the entire Schengen Area for a minimum of 90 additional days before returning to Spain, or anywhere else in the Schengen Zone. If you want to stay longer than 90 days, or immigrate, work, etc., you need to apply for a visa. 

Which nationalities are visa-exempt?

EU, EEA, and Swiss nationals, as well as all passport-holders of countries that have visa waiver agreements. These countries include Canada, Australia, the US, UK, South Korea, Japan, Mexico, and more. Regardless of the country you have a passport for, the limit is the same: Ninety days maximum, and the trip needs to be for tourism, business, or visiting. Travelers from countries without waiver agreements need a visa. 

How to apply for a visa for Spain step by step

The way to apply is the same regardless of where you’re applying from. You start by figuring out which visa you need to apply for (you should always consult with the Spanish Embassy). Then, you gather all of the required documents, book an appointment, attend it, and submit everything in person. Then, you wait for the decision to be made. The entire process is pretty straightforward, but there are a few things that you should know about each. 

Choosing the right visa type

The length of your stay is very important when it comes to visas. Ninety days or fewer means a short-stay Schengen visa. 90+ days means a long-stay visa, often referred to as a national visa. 

Booking an appointment for your Spanish visa

Where you need to book (and attend) an appointment depends on the country that you legally reside in, and sometimes the region too. Some applicants need to apply through one of Spain’s official partners, like BLS International. Other times, it's directly at a Spanish consulate. Sometimes, it's at a different Schengen consulate that accepts applications on behalf of Spain.

Not all Spanish consulates facilitate visa appointments, and not all of them process them either. Regardless of where you live, make sure you check with your local Spanish embassy on where you should book your appointment. 

Submitting your file in person

At your appointment, a visa officer will look at your application. What they’re looking for is whether or not all of the required documents are present. If they are, they’ll take your fingerprints (called biometrics), and sometimes a photo, too. You’ll also be required to pay the Schengen visa fee. 

Can you apply online?

No. The process typically starts online (finding the visa requirements, booking your appointment), but Spanish visas require an in-person appointment. The process for short-stay visas is being digitized, but a digital experience (EU VAP) is still several years out. 

What documents do you need?

The exact requirements vary depending on the exact visa you’re applying for. However, for Type C Schengen visas (your standard short-stay visa), there is a core set of requirements you’ll need to meet. 

Documents for a short-stay Schengen visa for Spain

• A completed Schengen visa application form
• A valid passport issued within the last 10 years, with 3+ months of remaining validity beyond your departure from Spain 
• Two recent biometric photos that meet ICAO standards
• Travel insurance meeting Schengen rules
• Proof of accommodation (hotel, short-term rental, invitation to stay with a friend, etc.)
• Proof you can pay for your trip (listed as proof of funds, usually)
• A return or onward ticket (showing when you will leave the country) 

The consulate can always ask you for more information, and sometimes they do. If this is the case, make sure you get them the requested information quickly, as your visa application won’t be able to move forward in the decision-making process until you do.

Types of visa available for Spain

As mentioned above, there are two main types of visas for Spain. Those for shorter trips, and those for longer ones. Within each of those categories, there are subcategories: visas for visiting, business, working, studying, etc. They can get very specific. All short-stay visas are Type C, all long-stay ones are Type D. 

Schengen short-stay visa (Type C)

The Type C visa is the tourist visa that most travelers apply for. It allows stays of up to 90 days in a 180-day period. The Type C visa doesn’t allow travelers to immigrate to Spain, work for a Spanish company, or even work remotely for their own company back home. Instead, it allows you to visit as a tourist, visit family and friends, or attend short business meetings, conferences, etc. This visa allows the vast majority of its holders to travel freely through the Schengen area (29 European countries). 

National long-stay visa (Type D)

Type D visas in Spain are long-stay visas. This is the visa that people apply for when they want to stay beyond 90 days. Common reasons for this are to work, immigrate, or reunite with family (for example, if your spouse is a Spanish citizen and you are not. It is also possible to get long-stay visas for tourism if you just want to take an extended trip to Spain (such as if you’re retired and are exploring the country more in-depth). 

The Spanish digital nomad visa

For travelers who want to be able to work remotely while staying in Spain, there is actually an option. The Digital Nomad visa launched a few years ago, and it allows non-EU remote workers to live and work in Spain while working for an employer or clients based overseas. There are requirements you’ll need to meet, like proving you have sufficient income and that your clients are not Spanish. You’ll also need to prove that you’re allowed to “work anywhere”. 

How long does processing take?

For short-stay visas, a decision is typically made within 15 days. For long-stay visas, it can take longer. Keep in mind that the 15 days begin once your file is actually submitted (so, after your appointment). Still, you need to start the process early because getting an appointment can take some time, as slots fill up fast depending on where you live and the time of year you’re applying.

Refusal rates

In 2025, Spain rejected 14.6% of the short-stay visa applications it received. This is right in line with the global average (14.8%, which is the average for all 29 Schengen countries). Looking at rejection rates isn’t a good indicator as to whether or not your visa will be refused. Rejection rates are averages, and they don’t take into account how varied rates are across the board depending on nationality, seasonality, file strength, etc. 

Spain, ETIAS and what is changing for travelers

Briefly mentioned above, a new authorization is about to go live, and it’s really going to change how millions of people voyage to Spain. 

Spain is very strict with its visa-free allowance. Travelers have up to 90 days, but once they meet it, they need to leave the Schengen area for (at minimum) another 90 days before returning. In the past, these days have been tracked by physical passport stamps. 

EES, Europe’s new Entry/Exit System, changes this. The borders have become digitized, meaning your entry and exit are digitally recorded. This means that officials, when you enter, leave, apply for a visa, or ETIAS, will be able to see if you’ve overstayed in the Zone. 

ETIAS, the new European Travel Information and Authorisation System, isn’t a visa, but it is a new authorization that travelers from 60 countries will need to get before visiting Spain (once it goes live). Getting authorization is quick; it usually takes a few minutes and is as simple as filling out some information online and using a debit/credit card. Still, it will be mandatory, and you won’t be able to visit Spain without it. It will cost 20 euros for all travelers ages 18-70. You can learn more about it in our Spain ETIAS Guide.

Note: If you hold a valid Spanish visa, or a national visa/residence for any country in the Zone, you are exempt. 

Travel tips and safety for Spain in 2026

Safety and the current advisory level

The US State Department currently has Spain listed as a Level 2, which means that travelers should “exercise increased caution.” The reason for this is that, like many popular tourist destinations around the globe, Spain has a continuous threat of terrorism, as well as occasional demonstrations (protests). There are also some everyday risks to be aware of. For instance, pickpockets are prevalent in busy areas of major cities like Barcelona and Madrid. Always keep an eye out in tourist areas, at metro stops, train stations, etc. 112 is Spain’s emergency number, so you can always call it in an emergency situation. 

Local laws and customs

Spain’s laws may be different than the laws you’re more familiar with back home. Also, rules and customs can even differ from region to region. It’s never a bad idea to familiarize yourself with them. For instance, in Barcelona, you’re not allowed to walk around in a swimsuit top unless you’re at the beach (or in very close (measurable) proximity). 

Health

Spain, in general, has great medical care. Residents and citizens have access to free/low-cost care, but travelers do not. This is why it’s so important to get travel insurance before you visit Spain. The US, UK, and even the EU all recommend that every traveler does. For visa applicants, it’s even mandatory.

Spain visa FAQ

Similar visa guides

Planning a trip to France? Getting a visa for France

Planning a Greek adventure? Check if you need a Greek visa

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