Visa

Spain, along with Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Portugal, forms part of the border-free travel zone subject to the Schengen Agreement (EEA). The EEA allows the free movement of goods, services, capital and people between member states and any EEA citizen has the right to live, study, work or start a business in Spain. Other EU passport holders can come and go as they please.

PASSPORTS

Passport valid for at least 6 months including 90 days beyond the planned stay required by all except the following:

nationals of EU countries with valid national ID cards;
nationals of Andorra, Liechtenstein, Malta, Monaco and Switzerland holding valid national ID cards.

Note: It is advisable to have a return ticket, but not obligatory. If a visitor is not in possession of a return ticket, proof of sufficient means of support may be required.

VISAS

Required by all except the following for stays of up to 90 days:

nationals the EU, US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Japan;
nationals of Andorra, Argentina, Aruba, Bolivia, Bonaire, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Curaçao, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong (SAR), Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Korea (Rep. of), Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Macau (SAR), Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Poland, San Marino, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Switzerland, Uruguay, Vatican City and Venezuela;
transit passengers continuing their journey by the same or first connecting aircraft provided holding valid onward or return documentation and not leaving the airport (except nationals of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Congo (Dem. Rep.), Ethiopia, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Liberia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia and Sri Lanka who always require a transit visa). As the preceding list is liable to change at short notice, visitors are advised to check transit regulations with the relevant Embassy or Consulate before traveling.

Types of visa and cost
A uniform type of visa, the Schengen visa, is issued for tourist, business and private visits. Short-stay: £15.50 for 1-30 days and £18.60 for 31-90 days (single-entry); £21.70 (double- or multiple- entry). Transit: £6.90. Note: Spouses and children of EU nationals (providing spouse's passport and the original marriage certificate is produced), and nationals of some other countries, receive their visas free of charge (enquire at Embassy for details).

Validity
Short-stay (single- and multiple-entry): valid for 6 months from date of issue for a stay of maximum 90 days per entry. Transit (single- and multiple-entry): valid for a maximum of 5 days per entry, including the day of arrival. Visas cannot be extended and a new application must be made each time.

Application to
Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy). Travelers visiting just one Schengen country should apply to the Consulate of that country; travelers visiting more than one Schengen country should apply to the Consulate of the country chosen as the main destination or the country they will enter first (if they have no main destination).

Application requirements

1 application form
4 passport-size photos.
Valid passport with 1 full blank page
Return travel tickets or itinerary and proof of payment for tickets
Proof of purpose of visit
Confirmed accommodation
A stamped, self-addressed, registered envelope if applying by post
Evidence of sufficient funds for stay. (i) Letter from employer; or accountant, solicitor, bank manager or Chamber of Commerce if self-employed. Students should submit proof of attendance
Fee

Business: (all above) and

Written invitation from company or organization in Spain

Note
Requirements for visas vary according to nationality, passport, travel document used and the purpose and duration of the trip. For more information, contact the Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy).

Working days required: Between 2 days and 6 weeks, depending on nationality. Applications from nationals of the following countries must apply in person, and these applications will take 3 weeks or longer: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Burundi, China (PR), CIS, Congo (Dem. Rep.), Guinea-Bissau, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Korea (DPR), Lebanon, Libya, Mozambique, Rwanda, Sudan, Surinam, Syria, Vietnam and Yemen. US, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand and Israeli citizens are among those who may enter Spain as tourists without a visa and stay up to 90 days.

When in Spain you should always carry your foreign identity card, passport or Spanish residence card (or a copy certified by a Spanish police station). You can be asked to produce your identification papers at any time by the Spanish police or other officials, and if you don't have them you can be fined (though this is unlikely): A residence card constitutes an identity card for foreigners which all Spaniards must carry by law.