Visa and passport. What should you bear in mind?

When you need visas and entry requirements

A passport or travel document is always required and must be valid for up to three months after the expected date of departure from the Schengen area, and must have been issued no more than 10 years before the date of entry. Citizens of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland may enter and travel within Spain with their national identity document or with their valid passport (unaccompanied minors travelling with an identity document must travel with a document certifying their parent or guardian's permission).Tourists of certain nationalities require a currently valid visit visa. The visit visa will not be necessary if the traveller has a residence permit or a long-stay visa issued by a Schengen State.The authorities may also request that the reason for the trip be indicated and justified with documentation such as a booking for an organised trip, proof that the place of accommodation is real, or a letter of invitation.In all cases, the tourist must be able to prove the availability of economic resources for the planned stay in Spain and the return or transfer to another country.The maximum stay in Spain as a tourist is 90 days.More information and exemptions can be found on the website of the Ministry of the Interior. Since conditions may vary, we suggest that you contact the Spanish Embassy or Consulate to verify these requirements before you start your trip.

Types of visas and where to get them

Short-stay visas: these visas are required for tourists coming from a country outside the Schengen area, allowing them to enter Spain and stay for up to 90 days. They are issued by the Spanish embassies or consulates in the country of origin. Visas issued by any member of the Schengen Area are also valid.Long-stay visas: required for any foreigner who wants to remain in Spain for more than 90 days, except for citizens of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland.There is also a visa for international teleworkers who meet certain requirements and an airport transit visa required for certain countries. 

Visa for international teleworkers (digital nomads)

It grants residence for international teleworking for a maximum period of one year anywhere in Spain.  Non-EU citizens can apply for it to carry out work-related activity remotely, exclusively online, for companies located outside of Spain. It is an opportunity for those who want to experience workations in Spain. In the case of self-employed professionals, their telework for companies based in Spain cannot exceed the limit of 20% of their total work-related activity.The specific requirements to be eligible for this visa are: actual, continuous work for at least one year for the company or companies for which the individual works; documentary proof that the work can be performed remotely; and an employment or professional relationship in place for at least the last three months preceding the application. Applicants must be qualified professionals who are graduates or postgraduates from universities, reputed vocational training and business schools or have a minimum of three years of professional experience. When the teleworker is outside of Spain, they must apply for a visa through Spanish embassies and consulates. If they wish to continue residing in Spain after the visa has expired and they still meet the requirements, they can apply for a residence permit for international remote workers from the Large Business and Strategic Groups Unit (UGE-CE) in the 60 calendar days before the visa expiry date. This permit is valid for a maximum of three years and can be renewed every two years.If the teleworker is legally in Spain (on a tourist visa, for example) they can apply directly for a residence permit for three years from the UGE-CE.

New border control system (EES)

From October 2025, travellers from non-EU or non-Schengen countries must register with the new Entry/Exit System when arriving in or leaving Spain or any other Schengen territory. This system replaces the manual stamping of passports with an electronic record that stores passport data, date and place of border crossing, together with biometric information (fingerprints and photograph). The aim is to speed up waiting times at checkpoints and to enhance security.

European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS)

ETIAS is a new entry requirement for these 30 countries in Europe, which will be mandatory from the last quarter of 2026. Persons coming from non-Schengen territories that are currently exempt from visa requirements for entry into the European Union must apply for a visa.With a valid ETIAS travel authorisation, you can enter the territory of these European countries as many times as you wish for short-term tourist, business or transit stays: normally up to 90 days in a 180-day period. It is important to know that having ETIAS does not automatically guarantee entry into the country of destination, as border authorities may request additional documentation at passport control.How to apply?The authorisation is processed online using this form and costs 20 euros. Children under 18 years of age and people over 70 years of age are exempt from payment. A valid travel document and a bank card are required to complete the application. Once granted, the authorisation shall be valid for three years or until the expiry of the passport used for the application.When to apply?The European Commission expects that in most cases, applications will be processed within a few minutes. However, it is advisable to arrange this well in advance of the planned trip.