Visas for Spain

Securing the right visa for Spain depends on your nationality and intended stay length. As Spain is a Schengen state, many international arrivals don’t need a visa for short-term visits or business trips. Starting October 2025, the European Union’s (EU) new Entry/Exit System will replace passport stamps with biometric registration for all non-EU visitors.

Visit and business visas for Spain

Visit and business visas for Spain follow standard Schengen rules for short-term stays. Citizens of the EU and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and nationals belonging to countries on the Spanish government’s designated travel list get visa-free entry and the right to a 90-day stay. You’ll simply need a passport that’s valid for three months from your final travel date and was issued within the last 10 years.

Spain’s designated visa-free list includes countries like Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and the US, but excludes India and South Africa, among others. Citizens of countries that don’t appear on the list must apply for a Schengen visa for tourism or business purposes. Peak application periods typically run from March through July, so plan accordingly if you’re planning summer business travel or conferences in Spain.

Applying for a Schengen visa

Applying for a Schengen visa for Spain opens the door to up to 90 days of travel within a six-month period from your entry date. The Schengen visa works for various purposes: transit, tourism, business or medical treatment.

You’ll need to gather the required documents, complete a visa application form and submit your paperwork to the Spanish consulate or embassy in your home country before travelling. Processing times vary, so submit your application well before your departure date.

Business travel to Spain requires a letter of invitation from the Spanish business party and a letter from your employer stating your duties in Spain. Conference attendance calls for proof of registration and accommodation.

Long-stay visas for Spain

Long-stay visas for Spain let you stay beyond three months and include several pathways for different circumstances. Spanish long-stay visas include study, work, au pair, entrepreneur, working holiday and non-lucrative residence visas.

Au pair, work, and working holiday visas let you work legally under specific conditions. The entrepreneur visa serves those looking to start a business in Spain. Spain eliminated its Golden Visa programme completely, ending all investment-based residency pathways, including real estate, business investments, and government bonds.

You’ll need to apply for a Spanish National Visa, attend a visa appointment (by phone, online or in person) and pay the visa fees. Start the application process at least six months before your desired departure date. Last-minute applications should be submitted at least two weeks before travelling to Spain, although this timeline often creates unnecessary stress for business professionals managing international relocations.

Getting an NIE number

Getting an NIE number in Spain is mandatory for all third-country nationals intending to live and work for longer than three months. The NIE (Número de Identificación de Extranjeros) number allows you to open a bank account, secure a mobile phone contract and purchase a car in Spain, plus handle other administrative tasks.

Check specific application processes for the NIE number with your local police station or foreigner’s department, as procedures differ between Spain’s autonomous regions. The application process largely remains unchanged under the new immigration regulation, although some regions increasingly push toward digital applications requiring a digital certificate. 

Read our guide: NIE Number and Residency in Spain

Student visas for Spain

Student visas for Spain changed significantly under the 2025 immigration regulation changes. You can no longer obtain student visas to study at sports academies, including football schools, as these no longer qualify as eligible academic programmes.

Processing times depend on where you apply: two months if submitted within Spain, one month if applied from abroad, or just 15 working days if submitted directly by a higher education centre. There's a minimum monthly income threshold which is updated annually to reflect cost-of-living changes.

Family members may accompany you if you’re pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s degree, although they can’t submit applications simultaneously and must wait for your authorisation approval first. This sequential process often adds two to three months to family planning timelines.

Student-to-work permit transitions in Spain also became far more streamlined under the new immigration regulation. If you’re studying in higher education in Spain, you can now work up to 30 hours per week from the first day your residence permit becomes valid without needing additional authorisation.

Study permits now cover the entire duration of your academic programme, eliminating annual renewals and providing much greater stability. After graduation, you have simplified pathways to transition to full work permits. You can apply for the 12-month job seeker permit to remain in Spain while seeking employment.

Non-lucrative visas for Spain

Non-lucrative visas for Spain are the country’s retirement visa option for non-EU nationals who wish to reside without working. You’ll need to demonstrate passive income to meet Spain’s annual requirements (calculated as 400 percent of Spain’s IPREM indicator) for yourself, plus additional amounts for any dependents.

This Spanish residence permit runs for two years initially and can be renewed, provided you maintain the required income levels and spend at least six months per year in Spain. The visa prohibits work activities but grants access to Spain’s lifestyle and healthcare system. Many professionals use this route for early retirement or sabbatical periods while maintaining overseas income streams.

Digital nomad and teleworking visas for Spain

Digital nomad and teleworking visas for Spain were launched in 2023 as part of the Startup Act to attract remote workers and freelancers. You can apply for this visa to live and work legally within Spain if you work remotely for companies outside Spain or freelance globally. Many digital nomads appreciate Spain’s timezone alignment with both European and American business hours, making client management more straightforward than other southern European options.

Income requirements currently sit at roughly twice Spain’s minimum wage. For dependants, you’ll need additional monthly income for each member. The visa requires either a university degree or three years of professional experience in your field.

The visa allows up to 12 months initially and can be renewed for up to five years total. You can apply either at a Spanish consulate in your home country, or enter Spain as a tourist and apply for a residence permit from within the country before your 90-day stay expires. After five years of continuous residence, you may qualify for permanent residency.

Jobseeker visas for Spain

Jobseeker visas for Spain got a major expansion in 2025 under the updated immigration regulation, and the validity period was expanded from 90 days to a full 12 months. This Spanish visa allows non-EU nationals to enter Spain and look for work while living there.

You can apply for this visa even without prior study in Spain, making it accessible to qualified professionals from abroad. Many professionals use the extended timeframe to establish business networks and understand regional employment markets before committing to specific roles.

Read more: Work Permits for Spain

Family reunification visas for Spain

Family reunification visas for Spain received major updates under the new immigration regulation. Family members of Spanish citizens can now obtain five-year residence permits with immediate work authorisation. This represents a major improvement from previous arrangements and provides much greater security for families.

Eligible family members include spouses, registered partners, unmarried partners (with proof of at least 12 months cohabitation), children under 26 years old (increased from the previous 21-year limit), and dependent parents or ascendants. The permits provide immediate work rights, eliminating the need for separate work authorisation.

Family members of Spanish citizens who were already in Spanish territory on November 20, 2024, have until November 20, 2025, to apply for residence from within Spain. This applies specifically to children over 18 (between 18 and 26 years) and dependent parents. Spouses, partners, and children can work legally while their applications are being processed.

Visa regulations are subject to change at short notice, and you should contact your respective embassy or consulate for the latest details