If you’re planning to come to Spain for vacation or intend to live in Spain but aren’t sure which visa to apply for, don’t worry because we’ve created this article for you. We’ll explain all the visas available in Spain and which one suits you best.
What is a visa?
A visa is an authorization granted by a country to a foreign person to enter the country temporarily. Generally, visas are used for entry into a country, although some countries require an exit visa or a visa for travel within the country. The latter visa (visa for travel within the country) is called an airport transit visa.
Types of visas in Spain
In Spain, there are several types of visas, which we will explain below:
Type A visas
Type A visas, known as airport transit visas, allow you to be in a Schengen airport, but you cannot leave the airport. These visas only permit you to transit to another flight to reach your final destination but do not allow you to enter the country.
Type C visas
Type C visas are short-stay visas, allowing you to stay in the country for up to 90 days.
These visas are what you need if you plan to tour Spain. The most recognized visa of type C is the tourist visa or Schengen visa.
However, if you spend less than three months in Spain, you may be considered a tourist and may not need to apply for any visa to enter Spain, as Spain has agreements with many countries to facilitate entry and exit transit.
Here is a list of countries that require visas to enter Spain.
If you are a resident or citizen of a European Union country or Switzerland, you do not need any visa to enter Spain.
What can you do with a tourist visa or Schengen visa?
This visa allows you to stay in Spain for 90 days, but you cannot work or engage in any economic activity. However, you can study, take a course, or participate in non-labor internships lasting less than three months. Additionally, it allows you to reunite with your family, access medical services, and participate in volunteering activities for a duration of less than three months.
Requirements to apply for a tourist visa or Schengen visa
The requirements to obtain a tourist visa are:
- Tourist visa application form
- Valid passport
- Two passport-sized photographs
- If you are staying with family, friends, or have booked a hotel room, you need to have an invitation letter
- Round-trip flight tickets
- Medical insurance
- Proof of financial means
- Payment of the visa fee
Type D visas
Type D visas are known as long-term visas. These visas allow you to reside, study, and work in the Schengen territory for a period exceeding 90 days.
Student visa
The student visa is designed for students who wish to pursue a university degree, master’s degree, or language course.
With this visa, students have three possible options to choose from:
- If the student is going to study for a period of less than three months, a tourist visa is sufficient.
- If the studies will last from three to six months, a short-term student visa is required.
- If the studies will last from six to twelve months, a long-term student visa is needed.
Remember that once you have completed the course but continue the next year, you can request an extension of stay for studies.
Non-lucrative residence visa
This visa does not allow you to work in Spain but permits you to live in the country. To apply for this visa, you must have a minimum of €27,000 in financial means and have private medical insurance.
The duration of this visa is one year, and you can renew it for two years indefinitely as long as you continue to meet the aforementioned requirements.
Work visa
This visa allows you to work legally in Spain, and there are two types of work visas:
- Employee work permit: This is valid if you find a company willing to hire you.
- Self-employed work permit: This visa allows you to work as a freelancer.
Family reunification visa under the general regime
If you are already residing in Spain and wish to bring your family members with you, you can do so with the family reunification visa.
To do this, you must have been living in Spain for a minimum of one year, and you can bring your direct family members as long as they are economically dependent on you. The direct family members eligible for this visa are children and parents.
Family reunification visa with a citizen of the European Union
This family reunification visa with a citizen of the EU is easier to apply for if the citizen requesting reunification is a Spanish citizen or a citizen of the European Union.
The non-EU citizen will obtain a residence card valid for 5 years, known as a community card.
Investor visa
The investor visa or golden visa allows you to work, reside, and bring your family to Spain.
This visa is aimed at individuals who want to make an investment in Spain of at least €500,000 and can be applied for directly from Spain.
Long-term residence
This residence permit is obtained by a person who has been living in Spain for five years and allows them to live indefinitely in Spain, only needing to renew it every five years.
What is ETIAS?
ETIAS stands for the European Travel Information and Authorization System, and its aim is to enhance the security of the European Union states within the Schengen area by capturing data of travelers visiting the zone without a visa.
The ETIAS system will only conduct a prior check on travelers who do not require a Schengen visa. This check refers to potential risks of terrorism or migration. The goal of this system is to identify individuals who pose a threat before traveling to the Schengen area.
What are the objectives of ETIAS?
The main objectives set by ETIAS are:
- Convenience: It aims to reduce passenger waiting times and facilitate their entry into European Union countries.
- Border efficiency: It seeks to improve border management for security personnel monitoring passengers upon their arrival and departure from European Union countries.
- Transparency: It aims to assist the European Union in its goal of visa liberalization, allowing more citizens from other countries to enter the EU without having to apply for a Schengen visa.
- Immigration: It enables border authorities to identify immigration irregularities and abuses of travel authorization to the European Union without a visa.
- Security: It helps EU countries strengthen and enhance their border security procedures and processes against crime and terrorism.
- Financing: It provides an additional source of income for the European Union budget and also for the management of visa-free travel for visitors with business, tourism, and transit purposes.
How to apply for ETIAS?
As mentioned earlier, ETIAS is only necessary for individuals traveling without a visa to European Union states. The information required includes:
Personal data Contact details Educational history Passport details Current employment First country of arrival in the European Union Questions related to criminal activities, drug consumption, and EU immigration history
The ETIAS fee is €7 for individuals aged 18 to 70 years, while minors under 18 or adults over 70 do not have to pay.
Important: Every passenger, regardless of age, must have their ETIAS permit approved before arriving in the Schengen area.
Marta Palacios Cuesta is the founder and principal consultant of Es Abogado Extranjería, a law firm specializing in immigration law in Madrid and Seville. With an impressive academic background, Marta offers expert advice on immigration procedures, residency processes and obtaining Spanish nationality. Committed to providing personalized and up-to-date solutions, her firm stands out for its detailed and professional approach. If you need legal guidance regarding your status in Spain, contact Marta for a personalized consultation at Es Abogado Extranjería.
