Spain is one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations, known for its pleasant year-round climate, beautiful parks, vibrant beaches, traditional festivals, and exceptional cuisine. If you’re considering traveling to Spain to enjoy all it has to offer, the first step in planning your trip will be understanding what type of tourist visa you need.
This article explains everything you need to know about the Schengen tourist visa for Spain, including the requirements, application process, and details about its duration. We will also discuss how you can extend your stay if you wish to remain longer.
What is a Schengen Visa for Spain?
A Schengen visa is a permit that allows non-EU citizens to enter Spain and move freely within the Schengen Area, which comprises 27 European countries that have eliminated border controls among them. With this visa, you can stay in Spain and other Schengen countries for a limited period.
The Schengen tourist visa is the most common option for those wishing to visit Spain for tourism, attend events, or engage in unpaid activities such as studying or participating in training programs. This visa allows you to stay in Spain for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. If you plan to stay longer, you will need to apply for temporary residence authorization.
Do I Need a Tourist Visa for Spain?
If you are a citizen of a country in the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, you do not need to apply for a tourist visa to enter Spain, as citizens of these countries have freedom of movement within the EU.
However, if you are a citizen of a country outside the EU, you will likely need a tourist visa to enter Spain. Some countries have agreements with Spain that allow their citizens to enter without a visa for stays of up to 90 days. You can check the following list to see if your country requires a visa to enter Spain:
Countries That Require a Short-Term Visa for Spain
Afghanistan, Algeria, China, Cuba, India, Iran, Iraq, Morocco, Pakistan, Russia, Sudan, Syria, Turkey, Vietnam, among others.
If your country does not have an agreement with Spain, you will need to apply for a tourist visa to enter the country. Make sure to review the list to confirm if your nationality requires a visa.
Duration of the Tourist Visa for Spain
The tourist visa for Spain is valid for 90 days within a 180-day period. This is the standard duration for Schengen short-stay visas, meaning you can stay in Spain for three months within a six-month timeframe. If you wish to stay longer, you will need a temporary residence permit or a long-term visa.
It is important to consider the 90-day rule, which states that after spending 90 days in the Schengen Area, you must leave and remain outside for at least 90 days before re-entering.
Types of Schengen Visas for Spain
There are different types of Schengen visas depending on the purpose of your visit. Below are the most common:
Regular Tourist Visa
Regular Tourist Visa: This is the most common visa and is granted to those wishing to visit Spain for tourism or leisure. If your purpose is to explore the country and enjoy its culture and scenery, this is the visa you will need. The application process is relatively straightforward and quick.
Student Visa
Student Visa: This visa is suitable for those who wish to study in Spain. If your course lasts more than 90 days, you must apply for this visa and, once in the country, you can request a temporary residence card if you decide to continue your studies.
Business Visa
Business Visa: If your trip to Spain is to attend business meetings, trade fairs, or professional events, you will need a business visa. This visa allows participation in commercial activities but does not permit working or earning income in Spain.
Airport Transit Visa
Airport Transit Visa: This type of visa is required if your flight has a layover at a Spanish airport and you need to change planes. It is not required for all travelers, only for those from countries without a visa waiver agreement with Spain.
How to Apply for a Tourist Visa for Spain?
Steps to Apply for a Tourist Visa:
- Check if you need a visa: Confirm whether your country of origin requires a visa to enter Spain. If not, ensure you meet the entry requirements.
- Gather necessary documents: Typical documents include:
- Valid passport with at least three months of validity beyond your departure date from Spain.
- Completed and signed application form.
- Recent passport-sized photograph.
- Proof of accommodation in Spain (hotel reservation, invitation letter).
- Round-trip tickets.
- Travel medical insurance with minimum coverage.
- Proof of sufficient funds for your stay.
- Book an appointment at the Spanish consulate or embassy: Once you have all documents, schedule an appointment at the Spanish consulate or embassy in your country of residence.
- Submit your application: Attend your appointment and submit all required documents. In some cases, your fingerprints will also be taken.
- Pay the application fee: The tourist visa has a fee that must be paid at the time of application, varying depending on your country of origin.
- Wait for the resolution: The processing time for your application typically ranges from 15 to 60 days. The consulate or embassy will contact you once your visa is ready.
- Pick up your visa and review the details: Once approved, verify that all information on the visa is correct, especially the dates.
Can a Tourist Visa for Spain Be Extended?
The Schengen tourist visa has a maximum duration of 90 days within a 180-day period. If you wish to stay longer, you must leave the Schengen Area and wait outside for a period before returning. If you want to extend your stay for exceptional reasons, consult Spanish immigration authorities.
Requirements for a Tourist Visa to Spain
The process for applying for a tourist visa to Spain varies depending on the local consulate or embassy, your employment status, and the purpose of your trip, but generally includes the following:
Required Documentation for a Tourist Visa in Spain:
- Completed and signed Schengen visa application form for Spain.
- Recent passport-sized photograph: In color, with a light background, taken from the front, without dark glasses or reflections, and no accessories obscuring the face.
- Valid passport: Must have at least three months of validity beyond the planned departure date from the Schengen Area, at least two blank pages, and include an original copy and a photocopy of the biometric data page.
- Travel medical insurance: Minimum coverage of €30,000 or equivalent in local currency, covering medical repatriation and emergency medical assistance for the entire Schengen Area stay.
- Visa application fee payment.
- Documents proving the purpose of the trip and conditions of stay, demonstrating departure from the Schengen Area before visa expiration. This may include:
- Current bank certificate (preferably validated by the bank).
- Bank statements from the last six months, stamped by the bank.
- Work certificate and pay stubs from the last six months.
- Original and apostilled birth certificate.
- Certificate from the Superintendence of Companies (if applicable).
- Insurance policy certificate (if relevant).
Proof of residency in the consular jurisdiction:
- Copy of ID card.
- Copy of the voting certificate (if applicable).
How Much Bank Balance Is Required to Visit Spain?
To have your Spanish tourist visa application approved, you must demonstrate that you have at least €100 per day for your stay in Spain. If you plan to stay less than nine days, the total balance must be at least €900. It is essential that this amount is available in your bank accounts to cover your expenses during your visit.
Once I have the tourist visa, is my entry to Spain guaranteed?
While holding a Schengen tourist visa is a crucial step to entering Spain, it does not automatically guarantee entry. Upon arrival at the border, immigration authorities may request additional documents, such as proof of accommodation, the purpose of your visit, and other supporting documents to ensure you do not intend to stay beyond the permitted 90 days within a 180-day period.
Border police have the authority to deny entry if the documents are deemed invalid or the responses unsatisfactory. It is therefore important to have all your documents prepared and clear when you arrive in Spain.
How to Extend a Tourist Visa in Spain
Generally, tourist visas cannot be extended solely for leisure or tourism purposes, as they are intended for short stays. However, some exceptions may allow you to apply for an extension while in the Schengen Area. Valid reasons for extension include:
- Travel delays: If you entered the Schengen Area later than planned.
- Humanitarian reasons: If you need to remain in the country for health-related reasons, such as receiving medical treatment or being with a sick relative.
- Unforeseen circumstances: Such as natural disasters or conflicts in your home country.
- Personal reasons: Other justifiable motives may be considered.
If your extension request is denied, you must leave the country within two days. Extensions are exceptional and not easily granted.
Applying for a Student Visa as a Tourist in Spain
One viable option while in Spain on a tourist visa is to apply for a student visa. If you arrived as a tourist and wish to study in Spain, you can apply for this visa within the first 60 days of your stay.
Types of Student Visas:
- Short-term: For courses lasting between 90 and 180 days.
- Long-term: For studies longer than six months, allowing you to apply for a temporary residence card.
This visa is ideal for staying long-term, as it not only facilitates studying but also allows you to work up to 30 hours per week. Moreover, after completing your studies, you can switch to a work permit through a simpler process compared to other visas.
Switching from a Tourist Visa to Residence and Work in Spain
If you hold a tourist visa and decide you’d like to stay in Spain to work, there is also the possibility of changing your immigration status while in the country, although this process is not automatic.
In 2013, Spain introduced the Entrepreneur’s Law, which simplifies obtaining visas for those who wish to work or invest in Spain. Under this law, you can apply for the following permits:
- Entrepreneur visa: For individuals starting a business in Spain.
- Highly qualified professional visa.
- Researcher visa.
- Digital nomad visa.
If you are interested in working in Spain, some of these opportunities may be accessible without leaving the country, as certain applications can be processed online and resolved within 20 days. However, a regular work permit cannot be applied for directly from Spain while on a tourist visa. The process must be initiated at the Spanish consulate in your country of origin.
Questions and Answers About the Tourist Visa in Spain – Schengen Visa
- What are the requirements to enter Spain with a tourist visa? To enter Spain with a tourist visa, you need a valid passport with at least three months of validity after your departure date, a Schengen visa if required, proof of sufficient financial means (about €100 per day), and justification of your visit’s purpose. You may also need travel medical insurance and proof of accommodation or an invitation letter.
- How to apply for a Spanish tourist visa? To obtain a tourist visa for Spain, check if your nationality requires one. If so, gather a valid passport, application form, travel insurance, proof of funds, accommodation booking, and return tickets. Submit your application at the Spanish consulate and wait for the resolution, which may take between 15 and 30 days.
- Can I apply for a tourist visa in Spain if I am from Morocco? Moroccan citizens require a visa (Schengen visa for Morocco) to travel to Spain as tourists. The application must be submitted at the Spanish consulate in Morocco with a valid passport, application form, travel insurance, proof of financial solvency, accommodation reservations, and round-trip tickets.