Visa Requirements for Spanish Citizens

Spanish citizens can visit 190 countries visa-free or with visa-on-arrival in 2025. Popular visa-free destinations include all 27 EU countries (unlimited stay), Japan (90 days), Brazil (90 days), Argentina (90 days), Mexico (180 days), Morocco (90 days), Thailand (60 days), Singapore (90 days), South Korea (90 days), and New Zealand (90 days). Within the Schengen Area, Spanish citizens can travel freely without passport controls.

Spanish citizens do not need a traditional visa for tourism or business trips to the United States. Instead, they must obtain an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) which costs $21 (approximately €20) and is valid for two years or until your passport expires. The ESTA allows multiple entries for stays up to 90 days per visit. Applications are processed online, typically approved within minutes to 72 hours.

Spanish citizens now require an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to visit the United Kingdom following Brexit. The UK ETA costs £10 (approximately €12) and allows multiple visits of up to 6 months each over a two-year validity period. The ETA application is completed online through the UK ETA app or website, with most approvals received within minutes. For longer stays or work purposes, traditional visa applications starting at £127 are required.

No, Spanish citizens do not need a visa for tourist or business visits to Canada. However, an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) is mandatory when flying to Canada, costing CAD $7 (approximately €5). The eTA is valid for five years or until your passport expires and allows stays of up to six months per visit. Ground and sea arrivals do not require an eTA, only a valid Spanish passport.

When Spanish citizens do require a visa (for countries like Russia, China, or India), standard requirements include: valid Spanish passport with 6+ months validity and 2 blank pages, recent passport-size photographs (specifications vary by country), proof of accommodation bookings, return flight itinerary, travel insurance, bank statements showing sufficient funds for the trip duration, and employment letter or proof of income. Some countries also require an invitation letter or tour booking confirmation.

The visa approval rate for Spanish citizens applying to China is approximately 92% to 95% based on recent data. Chinese tourist visa (L visa) applications from Spain are generally straightforward when applicants provide complete documentation including confirmed hotel bookings, flight itinerary, and proof of financial means. The visa fee is approximately €126 for standard processing of 4 working days, with express options available.

Spanish citizens do not need a visa or visa-on-arrival for Thailand. They can enter visa-free for stays up to 60 days for tourism purposes, which can be extended for an additional 30 days at Thai immigration offices for a fee of 1,900 THB (approximately €50). For longer stays, a tourist visa can be obtained in advance from Thai embassies, allowing stays of up to 60 days with possible extensions.

Spanish citizens face stricter visa requirements primarily for countries including Russia (requires invitation letter and consular visa, €70 to €220), China (requires detailed itinerary and advance visa, €126), India (e-visa available for €25 to €80), North Korea (special permits through authorized tour operators only), and Turkmenistan (requires letter of invitation and pre-approved visa). Several Central Asian countries like Uzbekistan and Tajikistan have simplified processes with e-visas for Spanish tourists.

To verify visa requirements as a Spanish citizen: check the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs website (exteriores.gob.es) for official travel advisories, visit the destination country's embassy website for current requirements, use the IATA Travel Centre database for airline-verified information, or consult your airline before booking as they verify travel documents at check-in. Requirements can change, so always verify within 2 weeks of departure. Most Spanish travel agencies and tour operators also provide up-to-date visa information.