Visa Requirements for Citizens of Spain

Visa requirements for Spanish citizens are the conditions on which nationals of Spain may enter other countries due to travel rules set by the governments of each sovereign state.

The Spanish passport is currently ranked joint 4th in terms of the strongest passports in the world. It permits Spanish nationals to access over 140 different states and territories without applying for a visa in advance.

Before traveling to a foreign country, it is advisable that citizens of Spain check the visa requirements for their destination to see if they need to apply for a visa or travel authorization.

Electronic visas (eVisas) and electronic travel authorizations (ETAs) are available to Spanish visitors traveling to around 30 different countries.

To obtain these digital visas and visa waivers, respectively, Spanish nationals must complete a simple online application form.

ETAs and eVisas typically allow Spanish travelers to enter a country for the purpose of tourism. Some additionally permit business visits and/or transit.

In order to live and/or work in the majority of foreign countries, Spanish citizens must apply for a residence visa or work visa from a diplomatic mission (an embassy or consulate). Depending on the destination, embassy or consular visas may be required for other purposes too.

In order to visit over 70 different countries, a consular or embassy visa is a travel requirement for citizens of Spain, regardless of the purpose of the visit.

Over 20 destinations have a visa on arrival option for Spanish visitors, wherein it is possible to apply for a visa at border control. This has the drawback of standing in line and spending quite some time waiting to enter the country.

Spanish nationals enjoy visa exemption for over 110 nations, including freedom of movement with many of Spain’s neighboring countries.