Spain Travel Guide

Browse the Spain Photo Gallery

Passports and Visas

The borderless region known as the Schengen area includes the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden. All these countries issue a standard Schengen visa that has a multiple entry option that allows the holder to travel freely within the borders of all. Non-EU nationals must hold a return or onward ticket, all necessary documents for onward travel and sufficient funds. It is highly recommended that passports have at least six months validity remaining after your intended date of departure from your travel destination. Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources.

Americans

United States citizens require a passport valid for at least period of intended stay. No visa is required for stays of up to three months within a 6 month period. Those traveling to Spain for tourist purposes need to apply for a 'Carta de Invitacion' at a police station or a confirmation of hotel booking. Visitors to Spain need to show proof of sufficient funds for the duration of their stay, this is usually calculated as EUR62.40 per day with a minimum of EUR561.60.

UK Nationals

British citizens must hold a passport, but no visa is required for a maximum stay of three months for those holding a passport endorsed British Citizen, British National (Overseas), British Overseas Territories Citizen, or British Subject. Other passport holders require a visa.

Canadians

Canadians require a passport valid for at least period of intended stay. No visa is required for stays of up to three months within a 6 month period. Those traveling to Spain for tourist purposes need to apply for a 'Carta de Invitacion' at a police station or a confirmation of hotel booking. Visitors to Spain need to show proof of sufficient funds for the duration of their stay, this is usually calculated as EUR62.40 per day with a minimum of EUR561.60.

Australians

Australian citizens require a passport valid for at least period of intended stay. No visa is required for stays of up to three months within a 6 month period. Those traveling to Spain for tourist purposes need to apply for a 'Carta de Invitacion' at a police station or a confirmation of hotel booking. Visitors to Spain need to show proof of sufficient funds for the duration of their stay, this is usually calculated as EUR62.40 per day with a minimum of EUR561.60.

South Africans

South Africans should apply in advance for a Schengen visa to enter Spain. Passports should be valid for at least three months beyond expiry date of visa. Those traveling to Spain for tourist purposes need to apply for a 'Carta de Invitacion' at a police station or a confirmation of hotel booking. Visitors to Spain need to show proof of sufficient funds for the duration of their stay, this is usually calculated as EUR62.40 per day with a minimum of EUR561.60.

Irish Nationals

Irish nationals require a valid passport, but a visa is not necessary.

New Zealanders

New Zealand nationals require a passport valid for the period of intended stay, but no visa is necessary for a stay of up to three months. Those traveling to Spain for tourist purposes need to apply for a 'Carta de Invitacion' at a police station or a confirmation of hotel booking. Visitors to Spain need to show proof of sufficient funds for the duration of their stay, this is usually calculated as EUR62.40 per day with a minimum of EUR561.60.

Healthcare

There are no health risks associated with travel to Spain, and no vaccination certificates are required for entry. Bird flu was detected in Spain in 2006, and although there is little risk to travelers, close contact with live birds should be avoided and all poultry products well cooked as a precaution (no human deaths or infections have been reported). Spain has a reciprocal health agreement with most EU countries, including the UK, providing emergency health care on the same terms as Spanish nationals. EU travelers should take a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Note that the scheme gives no entitlement to medical repatriation costs, nor does it cover ongoing illnesses of a non-urgent nature, so comprehensive travel insurance is advised.

Safety

Generally safety is not too much of a problem for tourists in Spain. However, ETA has been responsible for numerous bomb explosions across Spain, and is blamed for the deaths of over 800 people in its fight for independence. There is a potential risk of international terrorism, as in other countries, although the risk to tourists is considered to be low. Most visits to Spain are trouble-free, except for street crime, which is common in the big cities; travelers are advised to take precautions to avoid theft of passports, credit cards, travel documents and money. Be wary of strangers offering or asking for help of any kind, as it is often a distraction for accomplices. There are also scams involving letters for outstanding traffic fines or Spanish lottery winnings.