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.
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. Those traveling to Spain for tourist purposes need to apply for a 'Carta de Invitacion' through a police station.
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. Those traveling to Spain for tourist purposes need to apply for a 'Carta de Invitacion' through a police station.
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. Those traveling to Spain for tourist purposes need to apply for a 'Carta de Invitacion' through a police station.
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' through a police station.
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' through a police station.
Health
There are no health risks associated with travel to Spain, and no vaccination certificates are required for entry. Bird flu was first detected in a dead bird in July 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
The ceasefire declared in March 2006 was to be the first step towards peace between the Spanish government and the ETA; however talks of peace were shattered in December 2006 when the ETA detonated a car bomb in Madrid's Barajas Airport, injuring 24 people. From June 2007, the ETA declared an official end to the ceasefire. The group 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 still 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 scams involving letters sent, either stating that the visitor has outstanding traffic fines from their stay, which must be paid into the given bank account before a certain date, or notifying the visitor that they have won the Spanish lottery and are required to deposit an amount of money into a bank account to secure their winnings.
