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Obtaining a Spain Schengen visa is essential for many travelers who wish to explore the beauty and culture of this European country.
The document is usually granted for up to 90 days in a 180-day period and allows you to visit Spain and travel all over the Schengen zone.
This article will review all the essential information about a short-stay visa: how to apply for it, what documents you will need, and what fees you must pay.
Spain Schengen visa overview
The Spanish Schengen visa is a short-stay visa that allows third-country nationals to visit Spain for up to 90 days within 180 days.
Depending on the country of origin you might be exempt from obtaining it. For example, EU, EEA and Switzerland citizens enter Spain visa-free. If you are a non-EU or non-EEA traveler but your country has a visa-free agreement with Spain, you need to present your travel document.
If you come from any other country you must obtain the Schengen visa to enter Spain.
Visa types to enter Spain
Depending on the purpose of your visit you need to apply for different types of short‑stay Schengen visa to Spain. All of them are issued for up to 90 days.
- Spanish Airport Visa is a transit visa allowing travelers to stay in a Spanish airport without leaving it. If you have this kind of visa you must travel to a non-Schengen country within 24 hours.
- Spanish Tourist Visa is granted to people who visit the country for traveling purposes.
- Spanish Visitor Visa is for people who plan to visit their family or friends living in Spain.
- Spanish Business Visa is given for people attending business-related activities, for example, conferences or meetings.
- Spanish Visa for Official Visit is for Official Delegations.
- Spanish Medical Visa is granted to people who plan to undergo medical treatment in Spanish clinics.
- Spanish Study Visa is for people who want to study on a course for up to three months. If they plan to study for a longer period they need to apply for a long-stay D-visa.
- Spanish Visa for Cultural, Sports, and Film Crews is granted to people attending cultural, sports and other activities or events in Spain that belong.
Documentation for the Spanish Schengen visa application
The general list of documents that you’re likely to need consists of:
- completed Spain Schengen visa application form — it must be filled out with accurate information and signed;
- two recent photos — they must have been taken within the last six months and comply with Schengen visa photo specifications;
- valid passport — it must be valid for at least three months beyond your planned date of departure from the Schengen area and have at least two blank pages;
- travel itinerary — it includes proof of round trip flight or travel reservations and a detailed plan of what you will be doing in Spain and any other Schengen countries you plan to visit;
- proof of accommodation — a hotel booking for the entire duration of your stay, proof of participation in group travel, or a letter of invitation if you’re staying with a host;
- proof of financial means — it could be recent bank statements, proof of income, or a letter from a sponsor;
- travel insurance — it must cover any expenses for medical treatment or emergency hospital treatment in all Schengen countries;
- proof of paid visa fee.
Special considerations for minors and married applicants
Additional documents might be needed if you travel with minors or as a married couple.
Birth certificate for minors. It must have both parents’ names and signatures, possibly translated.
Family court order for custody disputes. It is required if there has been a legal separation or divorce. The court order should clearly state which parent has been granted permission by law to take the child abroad during specified periods or under specific conditions.
Marriage certificate. It must be translated into Spanish by an accredited translator.
The application process for a Spanish Schengen visa
Obtaining a Schengen visa involves a series of steps, which can be carried out independently without needing help from visa centers or experts.
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1 dayComplete the visa application form
It’s usually available online and can be printed out. The application must be completed in English and must contain only truthful information.
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1 weekGather all the necessary documents
The list typically includes:
- a valid passport;
- evidence of accommodation;
- proof of financial means;
- travel insurance;
- passport-sized photos.
You might be required to translate papers into Spanish or English.
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1—2 weeksPay the visa fee
The standard European visa fee is €80 for adults and children over 12. Children aged 6 to 12 have a reduced one of €40. You don’t need to pay a fee for children under 6.
Some applicants may be eligible for a fee waiver or reduction. For example, school pupils, students, postgraduate students, and accompanying teachers who undertake stays for study or educational training purposes or researchers traveling to Spain for scientific research purposes.
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1 daySchedule and attend a visa application appointment
You can make your appointment online on the website of the Spanish consulate or embassy in your country. Come on the scheduled day and bring all your documents with you. The embassy or consulate is usually located in the capital or other big cities.
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Up to 60 daysCollect your passport
You must personally visit the consulate to get your passport.
Before leaving the consulate, check that all the information in your passport and on a visa sticker is accurate, including your full name, date of birth, visa validity dates, and the purpose of your visit. If you detect any errors, notify the authorities immediately.
The decision period for visa applications is usually 15 calendar days. In some cases, this period may be extended up to 30 or 60 days, especially during the peak travel season or for applications that require further processing.
What to do if your visa application was rejected
If you believe the decision was made due to a misunderstanding or incorrect information, you can appeal the decision within a specific period, usually one month. The appeal process can vary depending on the country and the particular circumstances of your application.
Usually, the appeal must be written in the official language of the country you’re applying to. It should include your details, the details of the initial application, and an explanation as to why you believe the decision was incorrect. Providing as much evidence as possible is important.
If your appeal is unsuccessful, or you choose not to appeal, you can often apply for the visa again. However, it’s crucial to address why your initial application was denied before submitting a new one.
To maximize success during an appeal:
- double-check all documents for accuracy before submission;
- gather additional evidence supporting reasons for travel;
- consult with a legal expert familiar with immigration laws if necessary;
- familiarize yourself with common grounds for appealing visa refusals.
4 Benefits of Spanish Schengen visa
1. Ease of travel. Since the Schengen Area has abolished passport control at their mutual borders, traveling between countries is relatively hassle-free. It can save time and effort, particularly for those planning to visit multiple states.
2. Flexibility. The visa is valid for any short-term stay, such as tourism, business, medical treatment, or visiting family and friends.
3. Multiple entries. Depending on the type of visa issued, you may be allowed to enter the Schengen Area numerous times within the validity of your visa.
4. Straightforward application process with clear requirements and procedures.
Ways to travel to Spain visa-free
It is also possible to visit Spain without a visa if you participate in one of the residency by investment programs offered by some EU countries. These programs allow individuals to gain residency by significant financial investment, for example, in real estate. Once you secure residence in an EU country, you can travel freely throughout the Schengen Zone.
Residence by investment programs operate in Greece, Italy, Malta, and Cyprus.
Conclusion
The Schengen Visa serves as an entry permit to Spain and the Schengen Zone, specifically for individuals from countries that are not part of the Schengen Area and do not have visa-exemption agreements with it.
Short-stay visas, valid for up to 90 days, are primarily for tourism. The processing time for this visa type is typically at least 15 days.
The initial steps to apply for a Schengen visa entail completing the application form and gathering all necessary documents. Subsequently, an appointment must be scheduled at the Spanish consulate in your home country to submit these documents.
The standard application fee is €80 for adults and children over 12.
One alternative for those seeking to visit Spain visa-free is to obtain residency in an EU country by investment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Getting a Spanish visa can be challenging, but following guidelines drastically increases your chances of approval.
If you’re from an EU member state or one of several non-EU countries with special agreements, you don’t need a tourist or business travel visa for stays up to 90 days in any six months.
In other cases, you must apply for the Schengen visa.
The time it takes to get a Schengen visa in Spain can vary, but the processing time is typically up to 15 calendar days from the date of the application submission. It could take longer if there’s high demand or security concerns.
In general, a Spanish Schengen visa is relatively easy to obtain. However, everything depends on the individual’s situation.
The general steps for applying are the following:
- complete the visa application form;
- gather all the necessary documentation;
- schedule a visa application appointment at the Spanish consulate or embassy;
- attend the scheduled appointment;
- pay the visa fee;
- collect your passport.
US Green Card holders need a visa if Spain doesn’t have a visa-free agreement with their country of origin citizenship.
