If you are planning to go to the beautiful country of Spain, then you might be wondering do I need a visa to go to Spain? If so, how to get a Spanish visa? There are numerous visa requirements for people traveling to Spain or moving to Spain. There are many questions people have when they are applying for a visa to Spain. If you are just visiting, you will need to know what are the visa requirements, what is the maximum number of days I can stay, and how many entries do I get? First, we will talk about Spain visa requirements for people visiting Spain. Please keep in mind these are Spain tourist visas only and do not include a Spain work visa or the various visas to live in Spain.
Table of Contents
- Do You Require A Visa?
- Spain Visa Types for Tourists
- Spanish Visa Requirements
- Spanish Visa for Business
- How Much is the Spain Tourist Visa Fee?
- FAQ’s
- Check our top travel resources
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Planning your trip to Spain, check out these informative guides: A City Guide To Barcelona A City Guide To San Sebastian A City Guide To Valencia
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Do You Require A Visa?
Let us start by seeing if you require a Spain visa or a Schengen visa. There are approximately 107 countries that the citizens from them require a visa. So, do you need a visa to go to Spain? We do not want to confuse EU countries with countries that are part of the Schengen visa zone. With a visa from any of the 26 Schengen countries, you can travel freely between the countries.
There are people from some countries that receive an on-arrival visa for up to 6 months’ stay, like the United Kingdom. Individuals from other countries including Canada, Mexico, Peru, and Panama will get an on-arrival tourist visa for 90 out of 180 days and do not have to go through the Spain visa process.
The following are the 26 members of the Schengen area. People from these countries do not need a visa. With a visa from any of these countries, you can travel freely through all of them as long as you don’t overstay your visa time.
Austria | Hungary | Norway |
Belgium | Iceland | Poland |
Czech Republic | Italy | Portugal |
Denmark | Latvia | Slovakia |
Estonia | Liechtenstein | Slovenia |
Finland | Lithuania | Spain |
France | Luxembourg | Sweden |
Germany | Malta | Switzerland |
Greece | Netherlands |

Spain Visa Types for Tourists
There are three different types of Spanish visas for tourists: single-entry, double-entry, and multiple-entry visas. You may be able to quickly and easily get a Spain visa online after filling out the Spain visa application form.
A single-entry visa is just as its name states. This visa allows you to enter the country one time. Once you leave Spain, you cannot re-enter the country with this same visa. You will need to apply for another visa. Therefore, you should consider the double-entry visa.
A double-entry visa is just as its name states. You can exit the country and reenter the country one more time with the same visa.
The multiple-entry visa is issued for one, three, or five years. Individuals with these visas can enter and exit as often as they want as long as they don’t violate the number of days allowed, the 90/180-day rule.

Spanish Visa Requirements
To get your tourist visa españa is generally remarkably simple and the visa information required is straightforward. To make the process simple you may want to use a Spain visa checklist, so you have all the documents required. However, it is also recommended you also check for any changes and news on the government of Spain website.
The Spain visa requirements are listed below. You will need to send the documents to the Spanish Embassy or Consulate to start the process if you are not completing a Spanish visa application online.
- Two photos
- The Spain visa photo size is a standard passport size (width: 35mm, height: 45mm).
- Spain visa photo requirements that photos are on a white background and the head height (up to the top of the hair) is 34.5mm. The distance from the top of the photo to the top of the hair is 3mm.
- Passport – copies of your current and possibly previous passport. Passports must be valid for six months after travel dates.
- Copies of your travel transportation (pre-booked return tickets)
- Proof of travel insurance. If you need travel insurance check out World Nomads Insurance here.
- A letter explaining the reason for your visit to Spain and your detailed itinerary.
- Hotel booking confirmation
- Civil status proof (birth certificate and/or marriage certificate)
- Proof of financial means to support yourself during your stay.
Employed Individual
If you are employed, you may be required to include your income tax statement, bank statements for the past six months, and a copy of your work contract.
Self-employed Individual
If you are self-employed or a business owner you will need to provide your income tax statement, bank statements for the past six months, and a copy of your business license.
Student
Students are required to prove enrollment in an educational institute, along with an approved letter from the school for you to leave. This student visa to Spain (a student from another country going to Spain) is not to be confused with the Student Visa Spain (an individual going to Spain to study as a student -this will be discussed in another article).
Retired Individuals
If you are retired, you will need to include a pension statement for the past six months along with your Spain visa form.
Under-aged children requirements
Underaged children must have documents that provide proof of parental consent to travel if traveling alone. Parents traveling with underage children need to provide proof of income and adequate funds for the duration of the trip. If both parents are not traveling together, travel consent forms from the other parent are also required.

Spanish Visa for Business
The Spain visa process for people doing business in the country is a little different than a Spain tourist visa. You, or the company, will need to submit an invitation letter from the Spanish company you are working with. It will need to include the purpose of the trip, dates of visits, and all the company’s information including contact person and company address.
The Spain business visa also requires information about the relationship between the companies, proof of any trade history, or current potential trade deals. The company also needs to state who will be paying for the expenses of the individual(s) traveling and provide company bank statements for the past six months.
Additionally, the company will need to provide certified copies of all business licenses.
How Much is the Spain Tourist Visa Fee?
You should check with the Spanish Embassy in your home country before you apply for a visa to Spain. The Spain visa fees can change at any time and they vary dramatically depending on the country of your citizenship.

FAQ’s
How long is a Spain tourist visa valid?
A Spanish visa or Schengen visa is generally valid for up to 90 out of 180 days. This means you can not stay in Spain or any of the Schengen countries for a combined total of 90 out of every 180 days.
How to get a Spain tourist visa?
There are seven steps to getting a Spain tourist visa if you are not from a country that will automatically give you one upon arrival (e.g. Canada, USA, UK, Etc.) First, you need to check where you need to apply and submit your application (Consult or Embassy in your home country). Be sure to apply on time as processing times will vary. Then book an interview, fill out the Spain Tourist Visa Application forms, and collect all the required documents. Again, make sure you give yourself enough time to collect all the documents you require in case you need to order something. Then you will attend your appointment and pay all the required fees.
How long does a Spain tourist visa take or What is tourist visa processing time for Spain?
Most times a short-term visa or tourist visa is completed within 15 days. However, it may take 30 or 60 days in some cases.
What are the requirements for acquiring a tourist visa for Spain and What are the documents needed for a Spanish tourist visa?
Required visa documents can change at any time. In most cases you will need the following documents:
- Two biometric photos.
- Passport.
- Copies of passport pages.
- Flight Booking.
- Travel Medical Insurance.
- Proof of Sufficient Funds.
- Evidence of accommodation in Spain.
- Proof of Civil Status
How do I easily get a tourist visa for Spain?
Again, you will need to apply at the correct consulate, complete the application forms, attach the required documents, and wait for your approval.
Can I get a tourist visa for Europe?
You will want to apply for a visa in the country you will be spending most of your time. You will be allowed to visit all the Schengen countries with your visa. Keep in mind you can only stay for the time stated on your visa (usually 90 days) in total through all the countries, not each country.
Check our top travel resources
- Book your travel insurance with Insubuy here.
- Find the best flights with CheapOair or Expedia UK.
- For the Nomad: How to visit multiple destinations for the lowest price, visit Kiwi. Kiwi is a pioneer in virtual interlining (connecting flights from airlines that do not codeshare).
- Travel throughout Spain and Europe via train. Book your tickets with the Trainline.
- Travel inexpensively by bus through Spain and across Europe. Book tickets with Flixbus.
- Find affordable accommodations on Booking.com or Agoda
- Search tours from GetYourGuide or Viator
- Check your visa requirement on iVisa
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