Visit Spain: Schengen visas, ETIAS, the 90/180 rule & more
If you want to visit Spain for up to 90 days for business or holidays/vacation, and you are not from an EFTA country (see below), you will need a tourist visa or an ETIAS authorisation*, depending on where you are from. In both cases, you will also need to understand the 90/180 rule, and you’ll want to know which countries make up the Schengen or ETIAS areas. You will find all the answers on this page.
*ETIAS implementation has been delayed and is currently expected in 2025. Until then, people from countries that will require ETIAS do not require anything for visits of up to 90 days.
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Tourist / Schengen Visa or an ETIAS authorisation to Visit Spain?
EU/EFTA citizens plus citizens from more than 60 additional countries do not need a visa for visits to Spain of up to 90 days. However, from 2025 the non EU/EFTA travellers who don’t need a visa will need an ETIAS authorisation.
Citizens from over 100 countries require a Schengen visa for visits to Spain. These citizens do not need an ETIAS authorisation.
Find out the requirements for each country below:
No Visa or ETIAS required to visit Spain: EFTA Countries
Citizens with passports from European Free Trade Agreement (EFTA) countries can visit Spain for up to 90 days without the need for a visa or an ETIAS authorisation. These citizens are not subject to the 90/180 rule. However, for stays of over 90 consecutive days in Spain, they must register for the certificado de registro and become resident
What are the EFTA Countries?
The 31 countries of the EFTA include:
4 non-EU countries:
Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland
Plus the 27 countries of the European Union:
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden.
Which countries require ETIAS to visit Spain & what does it allow you to do?
Who needs an ETIAS authorisation?
Passport holders from the following countries do not require tourist visas to visit Spain for up to 90 days for business or leisure. However, they will require an ETIAS authorisation from 2025:
What Can I Do with an ETIAS?
Once you have your ETIAS authorisation, you will be able to visit the following countries for up to 90 days within any 180 period, for up to 3 years or until your passport expires:
How do I get an ETIAS Authorisation?
To find out more about ETIAS and how to get it, visit our dedicated ETIAS page.
Which countries need a tourist visa (Schengen visa) to visit Spain & what does it allow you to do?
Who Needs a Tourist Visa for Spain?
Travellers holding passports from the following countries need tourist visas in order to visit Spain for business or leisure for up to 90 days:
What Does a Tourist Visa for Spain Allow Me to Do?
Spain is in the Schengen Area. This means your tourist visa for Spain is actually a visa for the Schengen Area. It allows you to visit the entire area for up to 90 days in any 180 day period. There are different types of Schengen visa available. For example, your visa may be valid for 3 or 5 years, and it may allow you to enter and leave the area only once (single entry) or as many times as you like (multiple entry) during the validity period of the visa, so long as you do not stay for more than 90 days in any 180 day period. To find out more about the Schengen Area and the 90/180 day rule, visit our dedicated page here. To find out how to get your Schengen visa, visit our visa guide page here.
The 90/180 Rule
If you require an ETIAS authorisation to visit Spain, your ETIAS authorisation will allow you to remain in the area comprising all the ETIAS countries for up to 90 days in any rolling 180 day period. After this time, you must leave the entire area and go to a country which is not in the ETIAS area. Use our handy ETIAS calculator to ensure your trips never put you over the limit!
If you require a tourist/ Schengen visa to visit Spain, your tourist visa will allow you to remain in the Schengen Area countries for up to 90 days in any rolling 180 day period. After this time, you must leave the entire area and go to a country which is not in the Schengen Area. Use our handy Schengen calculator to ensure your trips never put you over the limit!
Stays of more than 90 days
For stays of more than 90 days in Spain, you must do the following:
- Citizens of countries that require ETIAS or a Schengen visa to visit Spain: You must apply for the appropriate residence visa. Once you have this, you must also apply for a NIE and TIE. Find out more about residence visas here. Find out more about the TIE and other associated requirements here.
- Citizens of countries that do not require ETIAS or a Schengen visa to visit Spain (EFTA countries). You must apply for a certificado de registro and NIE. Find out more about these and other associated requirements here.
Travel /Health Insurance
If you are from a country that requires a Schengen Visa to visit Spain, then you also require mandatory health insurance covering your visit. Click the button below for recommended providers.
If you are from a country that requires an ETIAS authorisation to visit Spain, then health insurance is not mandatory, but it is recommended. Click the button below for recommended providers.
If you are from a country that does not require a Schengen visa or an ETIAS authorisation to visit Spain (EFTA countries), then you do not require health insurance.
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