Spain Entry Requirements
Visa, immigration, and customs information
Visa Requirements
Entry permissions vary by nationality. Find your category below.
Spain's visa policy is governed by Schengen Area regulations. Citizens of many countries can visit Spain for short stays without a visa, while others require pre-authorization or a traditional visa application through Spanish consulates.
EU, EEA, and Swiss nationals enjoy freedom of movement and can enter Spain with a valid national ID card or passport
No visa or authorization required. Can live and work freely in Spain. For stays exceeding 90 days, registration with local authorities may be required.
Citizens of these countries can enter Spain and the Schengen Area without a visa for short stays
Passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond intended departure from Schengen Area. The 90/180 rule applies to the entire Schengen Area, not just Spain. ETIAS authorization will be required from 2024.
From 2024, visa-exempt travelers will need ETIAS pre-authorization before entering the Schengen Area
Cost: €7 per application (free for travelers under 18 or over 70)
ETIAS is not a visa but a travel authorization. One ETIAS is valid for multiple entries to all Schengen countries. Keep a copy (digital or printed) for presentation at border control.
Citizens of countries not listed above must obtain a Schengen visa before traveling to Spain
Processing typically takes 15 calendar days but can extend to 30-60 days in some cases. Visa fees are approximately €80 for adults, €40 for children 6-12, free for children under 6. A Schengen visa issued by Spain is valid for travel throughout the Schengen Area.
Arrival Process
Upon arrival at a Spanish airport or border crossing, all travelers must pass through immigration control. The process varies slightly depending on whether you're an EU/EEA citizen or arriving from outside the European Economic Area.
Documents to Have Ready
Tips for Smooth Entry
Customs & Duty-Free
Spain's customs regulations distinguish between travelers arriving from EU countries and those arriving from non-EU countries. The duty-free allowances are more generous for goods purchased in non-EU countries. All travelers must comply with prohibitions on certain items and declare goods exceeding allowances or currency above specified thresholds.
Prohibited Items
- Narcotics and illegal drugs - strictly forbidden with severe penalties including imprisonment
- Counterfeit goods - including fake designer items, pirated media, and counterfeit currency
- Offensive weapons - including switchblades, knuckledusters, and certain martial arts weapons
- Endangered species products - items made from protected animals or plants without CITES permits
- Meat and dairy products from non-EU countries - with few exceptions, to prevent disease transmission
- Certain plants and plant products - soil and certain seeds, bulbs, and cuttings require phytosanitary certificates
- Fireworks and explosives - without proper authorization
- Indecent or obscene materials - particularly involving minors
Restricted Items
- Prescription medications - bring only what you need for your trip with original packaging and prescription. Larger quantities may require medical certificate. Some medications legal elsewhere may be controlled in Spain.
- Firearms and ammunition - require prior authorization from Spanish authorities. Must be declared and properly documented. Hunting weapons need special permits.
- Cultural artifacts and antiques - items over 50 years old may require export certificates from country of origin
- Large amounts of cash - while legal, amounts over €10,000 must be declared
- Drones - subject to Spanish aviation regulations; commercial use requires permits
- Live animals - require health certificates, vaccination records, and may need quarantine. EU Pet Passport scheme applies for dogs, cats, and ferrets from EU countries.
- Food products - honey, eggs, and certain processed foods have restrictions. Check specific regulations for items you plan to bring.
Health Requirements
Spain generally has minimal health entry requirements for most travelers. However, specific vaccinations may be required depending on your country of origin, and health insurance is strongly recommended for all visitors.
Required Vaccinations
- Yellow fever vaccination certificate required only if arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission (parts of Africa and South America). Not required if transiting through these countries without leaving the airport.
Recommended Vaccinations
- Routine vaccinations (MMR, DTP, influenza)
- Hepatitis A and B
- Typhoid (for travelers visiting rural areas)
- Rabies (for those who may have contact with animals)
- Tick-borne encephalitis (for hikers in forested areas during summer)
Health Insurance
Travel health insurance is mandatory for visa applicants and highly recommended for all visitors. EU/EEA citizens should carry their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) for access to state healthcare. Non-EU travelers should have comprehensive travel insurance covering medical expenses of at least €30,000, including emergency evacuation and repatriation. While Spain has excellent healthcare, costs for non-residents can be substantial. Ensure your policy covers COVID-19 related treatment if still applicable.
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Get a Quote from World NomadsImportant Contacts
Essential resources for your trip.
Special Situations
Additional requirements for specific circumstances.
Children must have their own passport (even infants). Minors traveling without both parents should carry a notarized letter of consent from the absent parent(s) authorizing the trip, including travel dates and destinations. This is particularly important if the child is traveling with only one parent, relatives, or school groups. The letter should be in Spanish or English and include contact information for the absent parent(s). Spain is vigilant about child abduction, and border officials may refuse entry without proper documentation. Divorced or separated parents should carry custody documents. For unaccompanied minors, airlines have specific procedures and most require special services to be booked in advance.
Dogs, cats, and ferrets from EU countries must have an EU Pet Passport, microchip identification, and valid rabies vaccination (administered at least 21 days before travel). Pets from non-EU countries need a health certificate issued by an official veterinarian within 10 days of travel, microchip, rabies vaccination, and may require a rabies antibody titer test at least 30 days after vaccination and 3 months before travel. Maximum of 5 pets per person for non-commercial travel. Certain breeds considered dangerous (Pit Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Rottweiler, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Tosa Inu, Akita Inu) face restrictions and require special licenses. Airlines have their own pet policies and fees. Service animals have different requirements - contact authorities in advance.
Tourist visas and visa-free stays are limited to 90 days within any 180-day period in the Schengen Area. For longer stays, you must apply for a long-stay visa (Type D) or residence permit before the 90-day limit expires. Options include: student visas (for enrolled students), work visas (requires job offer and employer sponsorship), non-lucrative residence visa (for retirees or those with independent means - requires proof of €28,800+ annual income and private health insurance), entrepreneur/investor visas, or family reunification visas. Applications must be made at Spanish consulates in your home country before traveling. Processing takes 1-3 months. Overstaying your allowed period can result in fines, deportation, and bans from the Schengen Area for up to 5 years. EU/EEA citizens have right to reside but should register with local authorities if staying over 90 days.
Spain introduced a Digital Nomad Visa in 2023 for remote workers. Applicants must work remotely for non-Spanish companies or clients, prove minimum income of €2,334 per month (200% of Spanish minimum wage), have at least one year of employment or three years of business experience, and obtain private health insurance. The visa allows stays up to 12 months initially, renewable for up to 5 years. Spouses and dependents can be included. Application is made at Spanish consulates abroad. Tax implications apply - consult with a tax advisor as you may become a Spanish tax resident.
Business visitors on short-term trips (under 90 days) can enter on tourist visas or visa-free access but cannot receive payment from Spanish sources or engage in direct employment. Permitted activities include attending meetings, conferences, negotiations, and training. Carry an invitation letter from the Spanish company, proof of employment from your home company, and evidence of business purpose. For paid work, consulting, or longer business stays, you need a work visa or business residence permit, which requires sponsorship from a Spanish company and labor market approval. EU/EEA citizens can work freely without restrictions.
Students planning to study in Spain for more than 90 days must obtain a student visa before arrival. Requirements include acceptance letter from a recognized Spanish educational institution, proof of sufficient funds (minimum €600-900 per month depending on accommodation), private health insurance, clean criminal record certificate, and medical certificate. The visa is initially granted for the duration of the course (up to one year) and can be renewed. Students are allowed to work part-time up to 30 hours per week with proper authorization. After completing studies, graduates can apply for a residence permit to seek employment.