Spain Travel Guide

Spain — Passport and Visa Information

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Passports

Country	Passport Required	Visa Required	Return Ticket Required
British	Yes	No	No
Australian	Yes	No/2	No
Canadian	Yes	No/2	No
USA	Yes	No/2	No
Other EU	1	No	No

Passport valid for at least three months beyond length of stay required by all nationals referred to in the chart above except:
(a) 1. EU nationals holding a valid national ID card.

Note: EU nationals are only required to produce evidence of their EU nationality and identity in order to be admitted to any EU Member State. This evidence can take the form of a valid national passport or national identity card. Either is acceptable. Passports held by EU nationals need only be valid upon entry to and exit from Spain. Possession of a return ticket, any length of validity on their document, sufficient funds for the length of their proposed visit should not be imposed.

Passport Notes

Spain is a signatory to the 1995 Schengen Agreement.

Visas

Not required by nationals of EU countries regardless of purpose and/or length of stay; 2. not required by nationals of other countries referred to in the chart above for stays of up to 90 days.

Visa Note

Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see Important Addresses).

Travel Warnings

Travel warning: Following an earthquake in southern Spain, the FCO advises against all but essential travel to Lorca while damage is assessed and buildings are made safe. Most visits to Spain are trouble-free.

UK passengers flying to Spain need to supply to their airline details of their date of birth, nationality, and passport number before flying. Further information can be found online: www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/TravelingAbroad/AirTravel.

Terrorism
At the moment, there is a high threat from terrorism in Spain. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travelers.

On 9 August 2009, there were three small controlled explosions in and around Palma de Mallorca (Majorca) but no casualty. On 31 July 2009, a bomb exploded in Palma Nova on the island of Mallorca, killing two Civil Guard officers. The previous day, a bomb that exploded outside Civil Guard Barracks in Burgos, mainland Spain, caused minor injuries to 66 people. These three attacks were blamed on Basque separatist group ETA.

On 19 January 2008, 14 individuals were arrested in Barcelona on suspicion of terrorism. In June 2007, the Basque terrorist organization ETA declared an end to their 14-month ceasefire.

In March 2004, 192 people died and over 1,400 were injured following bomb attacks on three trains in Madrid. A group purporting to represent Al Qa'ida claimed responsibility.

This advice is based on information provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the UK. It is correct at time of publishing. As the situation can change rapidly, visitors are advised to contact the following organizations for the latest travel advice:

British Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Tel: 0845 850 2829.
Website: www.fco.gov.uk

US Department of State
Website: http://travel.state.gov/travel

Health Care

If suddenly taken ill or involved in an accident during a visit to Spain, free or reduced-cost necessary treatment is available for European travelers - in most cases on production of a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) obtained in their country of origin. Comprehensive insurance is advised for all other nationals.