Spain Tourist Visa from UK
With its sandy beaches, bustling nightlife, and abundance of culture, Spain has much to offer tourists from across the globe. However, it is important to note that citizens of many non-European countries need a Tourist visa to gain entry.
If you need professional advice or further information regarding the Spain Tourist visa, our friendly team of immigration specialists here at Total Law can help. Our qualified immigration lawyers can provide you with bespoke support to guide you through the application process quickly and easily. Call us today on +44 (0) 333 305 9375 or contact us online.
Page Contents
- Overview of the Spain Tourist Visa
- Do I Need a Visa to Travel to Spain?
- Can I Travel to Spain Without a visa as a Legal UK Resident?
- Spain Tourist Visa Requirements
- Apply for a Spain Tourist Visa
- Spain Tourist Visa Fees
- Spanish Tourist Visa Rejection Reasons
- How can Total Law help?
- Frequently Asked Questions
Overview of the Spain Tourist Visa
The Spain Tourist visa (classed as a short-stay visa) allows you to visit Spain for tourism, sightseeing, or other non-gainful activity, such as visiting friends or family members. It does not allow you to work. It grants you permission to stay in Spain for up to 90 days within any 180 day period.
If your application for the Spain Tourist visa is successful, you will be granted what is currently known as the Schengen visa instead. The Schengen visa allows you to visit all countries in the Schengen area within your 90 day period. The Schengen territory currently consists of 29 European countries including Spain.
The Spain Tourist visa (or the Schengen visa) is designed for nationals of countries that are not listed as exempt from the Schengen visa requirements.
Do I Need a Visa to Travel to Spain?
If you are a citizen of a country that is part of the European Union, you do not need a visa to enter Spain. If you are a citizen of a non-European country, you may need a Tourist visa to visit Spain unless you are a national of a country that is currently exempt under Schengen territory rules.
The UK is currently classed as exempt from the Schengen visa requirements and therefore British citizens do not need a visa to enter Spain for tourism purposes. However, under new legislation set out by the Spanish authorities, all British nationals visiting Spain must provide their Biometric data (including fingerprints and facial photographs) before being allowed into the country. The exact date for this has not been confirmed yet as of January 2025.
If you are a non-British citizen living in the UK or elsewhere around the world, you may need a Tourist visa to visit Spain. There are some countries such as Mexico, Canada, and the US, that offer an etias visa waiver that could be accepted instead.
Can I Travel to Spain Without a Visa as a Legal Resident of the UK?
You need a visa for Spain if you are from a visa required country, even if you have a permission to stay in the UK as a legal resident.
There are many non-British citizens residing in the UK that may wish to visit Spain for tourism purposes. You will need a tourist visa unless your country of origin is visa-exempt in Spain, regardless of your immigration permission in the UK.
In the future, visa exempt nations will also need an ETIAS authorisation to visit Schengen countries like Spain, which is forecasted to come into effect in late 2026.
If you’re unsure whether you need a Tourist visa to enter Spain or the Schengen area, contact Total Law today on +44 (0) 333 305 9375, or enquire online.
Spain Tourist Visa Requirements
In order to be successful when making an application for a short-stay visa in Spain, you must meet all of the various requirements set out by the Spanish authorities. Requirements can vary depending on your individual circumstances, however there are general requirements for all applicants:
Passport Requirements
You must hold a valid passport that is less than 10 years old and it must contain at least 2 blank pages. It must also have a minimum validity of 3 months after the date you plan to leave the Schengen zone.
Financial Requirements
As part of your application, you must prove that you are able to financially support yourself and any children or family members for the duration of your stay in Spain.
If you intend to visit Spain for a period of up to 10 days you must possess at least 90% of the minimum daily working wage (currently 900 euros). If your intention is to stay longer, you should show that you have at least 70.77 euros per day to qualify.
Intention to Leave
You must be able to prove that you intend to leave the Schengen area after your visa expires. Evidence to support this is usually proof of your employment or business bank statements if you are self-employed.
Required Documents
To be successful with your application, you must provide all requested documents to support it. The standard required documents are as follows:
- Your completed and signed application form.
- Your passport and copies of your passport pages (biodata and visa stamps).
- 2 photographs taken within the last 3 months that fit the Schengen photograph specification criteria.
- Proof of flight reservations that include your name and travel dates.
- Proof of residence and your current address, for example, national ID, student ID, driver’s licence etc).
- Proof of medical insurance that is valid in all Schengen countries for the duration of your stay and provides cover of up to 30 000 euros.
- Proof of accommodation such as hotel reservations or a letter of invitation from your friends or family members that you can present to the Spanish consulate.
- If travelling with a minor and without your spouse, or a child that you are not the parent of, you must provide a notarised authorisation letter from them to confirm they consent to their child travelling with you.
- Birth/adoption certificate of the minor travelling with you.
- A cover letter that outlines your intended length of stay and reasons for doing so.
- Proof of visa fee payment.
Depending on your individual circumstances, there may be occasions where you need to provide additional documents to support your application. This could include proof of sponsorship, educational enrollment, or language proficiency (Spanish or English).
Apply for a Spain Tourist Visa
To apply for the Spain Tourist visa, follow the steps as outlined below:
- Firstly, you should download and complete the visa application form. To do so, you should access the Spanish embassy website from your home country. It is important to be sure that all details are filled out correctly and coincide with the details on your supporting documents. Discrepancies could result in your application being rejected. In addition, double check that you have signed the application form before submitting.
- Once you have completed the application form and are confident you have gathered all of the correct requested documents required to support your application, the next step is to schedule an interview with the consulate. You can do this online or via telephone.
- The final step is to attend the interview. A consular officer will ask you questions about the purpose of your trip and review your supporting documents. If this is the first time you have applied for the Schengen visa in the last 5 years, your biometric data will be taken at the same time.
Spain Tourist Visa Fees
There are costs to consider when applying for any of Spain’s short term visas. The current Schengen visa application fees are as follows:
- 80 euros for visitors aged 12 and over.
- 40 euros for children aged 6 to 12.
- Children under 6 years old are not required to pay any fee.
It is worth noting that all payable fees are non-refundable and you will not receive any money back should your application be rejected.
Spanish Tourist Visa Rejection Reasons
Not all applicants are successful. If your application is rejected, you will receive a letter that outlines the reason for the rejection. Common reasons for an application being rejected are as follows:
- Discrepancies in personal details – It is of major importance to ensure that all relevant details filled out on the application form are correct and match your supporting evidence. This includes personal information such as your name, date of birth, and current address details.
Applicant unable to meet the financial requirements – You must make sure you have the financial capacity to support yourself and any children as outlined in the visa requirements before you submit your application. If you cannot provide evidence that you already meet the financial requirements before you apply, your application is highly likely to be rejected.
How Can Total Law Help?
The complexities of applying for and obtaining international visas can sometimes be worrying, tiresome and confusing for applicants. Those hoping to be successful in securing their visa may not feel confident in their abilities to fully understand or complete the lengthy application in order to do so. However, our friendly team of immigration experts are here to help.
As specialist immigration solicitors, we are able to guide you through the complete process from start to finish. We can answer any questions and adapt to overcome any concerns you may have when applying for your visa. We can help you gather your important documents and help you prepare for your interview, ensuring you have the best chance possible of success.
For more information about the services we provide and how we can help you, reach out to a member of our team today. Call us on +44 (0) 333 305 9375, or contact us online.
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During this untimed Advice Session with our professional immigration lawyers in London, you will receive our comprehensive advice, completely tailored to your needs and your situation.
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Related pages for your continued reading.
Frequently asked Questions
Most Schengen visa applications are processed within 15 days but it can take longer, depending on your individual circumstances.
Depending on your circumstances and the reason your application was rejected, you may be able to appeal the decision or reapply.
