How to Get Spain Tourist Visa

If you are wondering how to get Spain tourist visa, Expat Agency is what you are looking for.

F.A.Q.

(long version)

Do I need a Spain tourist visa?
Whether you need a Spain tourist visa depends on your nationality and the country you’re traveling from. Here are the main guidelines:
Schengen Visa Requirement
Spain is part of the Schengen Area, which allows visa-free travel for short stays (up to 90 days in any 180-day period) for citizens of certain countries.
No Visa Required
You generally do not need a visa if you are a citizen of:
•The European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA), or Switzerland.
•A country with a visa-waiver agreement with the Schengen Area, including the United States, Canada, Australia, Japan, the UK, and others.
Visa Required
You will need a Schengen visa to visit Spain if:
•Your nationality is not on the visa-waiver list.
•You plan to stay longer than 90 days for tourism, study, or other purposes.
Steps to Check
1.Find your country of citizenship: Check the Spain Schengen Visa website or consult the Spanish consulate for your country.
2.Determine your stay duration and purpose: If it’s for tourism and less than 90 days, check if your nationality is exempt.
3.Apply if needed: If required, apply for a Schengen visa through the Spanish consulate or visa application center in your region.
How much does it cost?
The cost of a Spain tourist visa (Schengen Visa) depends on the applicant’s age and nationality. Here’s a breakdown of the standard fees:
Standard Schengen Visa Fees
1.Adults: €80
2.Children (6–12 years): €40
3.Children under 6 years: Free
Fee Reductions or Exemptions
Some applicants may pay a reduced fee or be exempt, such as:
•Nationals of countries with reduced or waived visa fees due to bilateral agreements.
•Students, researchers, or representatives attending cultural, sports, or educational events (documentation required).
•Family members of EU/EEA nationals, under certain conditions.
Additional Costs
•Visa application centers (like VFS Global or BLS): They often charge a service fee, typically €20–€30, in addition to the visa fee.
•Optional services: Such as express processing or SMS updates, may incur extra fees.
Payment Details
•The fee is usually paid in local currency at the time of application and is non-refundable, even if the visa is denied.
Where should I apply?
You should apply for a Spain tourist visa (Schengen visa) at the Spanish consulate or embassy or a designated visa application center (e.g., VFS Global, BLS International) in your country of residence. Here’s how to determine where to apply:
Where to Apply:
1.Primary Destination Rule:
•If Spain is your main destination (where you’ll spend the most time or your primary purpose is in Spain), apply at the Spanish consulate or its authorized visa center.
•If you’re visiting multiple Schengen countries but staying equally long in each, apply at the consulate of the first country you enter.
2.Residency Requirement:
•You must apply in the country where you legally reside. For example, if you’re a resident of the U.S. but hold a different nationality, you can apply in the U.S.
3.Visa Application Centers:
•Many consulates outsource applications to third-party centers (e.g., VFS Global or BLS International) that handle submissions on their behalf.
Steps to Find the Correct Application Location:
1.Check the official website of the Spanish embassy or consulate in your country.
2.Locate authorized visa centers (if applicable). For example:
•VFS Global Spain Visa
•BLS International Spain Visa
3.Make an appointment online or by contacting the center.
Documents and Process:
•Submit your application in person, as biometrics (fingerprints) are usually required.
•Ensure you have all required documents, including the application form, passport, travel insurance, proof of funds, and itinerary.
Can I extend my Spain tourist visa?
Yes, it is possible to extend a Spain tourist visa (Schengen visa) under specific circumstances, but it’s typically only granted in exceptional situations. Extensions are not guaranteed and are subject to approval by Spanish immigration authorities.
When You Can Extend a Spain Tourist Visa
Extensions are only granted for the following reasons:
1.Force Majeure:
•Unforeseen events such as natural disasters, pandemics, or political unrest in your home country.
2.Humanitarian Reasons:
•Medical emergencies (yours or a close family member’s) requiring you to stay longer.
•Other compassionate grounds, such as unforeseen family circumstances.
3.Serious Personal Reasons:
•Situations that make it impossible for you to leave Spain as planned (e.g., canceled flights with no alternatives).
Requirements for a Visa Extension
To apply for an extension, you must provide:
1.Valid Passport:
•Your passport must still be valid for at least 3 months beyond your intended extended stay.
2.Proof of Reason:
•Medical certificates, flight cancellation proofs, or other supporting documents.
3.Sufficient Financial Means:
•Bank statements showing you can support yourself during the extended stay.
4.Travel Insurance:
•Insurance covering the extended period of stay.
Where to Apply
You must submit your application for a visa extension to the local Immigration Office (Oficina de Extranjería) or Police Station (Policía Nacional) in Spain before your current visa expires.
Key Notes
•If approved, the extension is usually for the duration of the exceptional circumstances.
•Overstaying without proper authorisation can result in fines, deportation, or bans on future travel.

Do I need an invitation letter?
An invitation letter for a Spain tourist visa is not always required, but it depends on the purpose of your visit and your personal circumstances. Here’s a breakdown of when it might be needed:
When You Might Need an Invitation Letter
1.Visiting Friends or Family in Spain:
•If you’re staying with someone in Spain, an invitation letter is typically required.
•The host must complete an official invitation letter (Carta de Invitación) through the local Spanish police station.
•This document is notarized and confirms that they will host you during your stay.
2.Staying in Hotels or Rentals:
•If you’re staying in a hotel or other accommodation, you don’t need an invitation letter. Instead, you should provide:
•Hotel reservation confirmations or
•Proof of other booked accommodations.
3.Part of Organized Tours:
•If you’re traveling as part of a tour, the itinerary and proof of bookings may suffice instead of an invitation letter.
What do invitation letters include?
Contents of an Invitation Letter
If required, the letter must include:
•Host’s full name, address, and contact details.
•Your full name, passport details, and relationship to the host.
•The purpose of your visit, dates, and address where you’ll stay.
•A declaration of responsibility for your accommodation.
Alternatives to an Invitation Letter
If you’re unsure about needing a letter, provide the following instead:
•A detailed travel itinerary.
•Proof of sufficient funds (bank statements).
•Hotel reservations covering your stay.
Can I apply in Spain?
No, you cannot typically apply for a Spain tourist visa (Schengen visa) while you are already in Spain. Visa applications must generally be submitted in your country of residence before traveling to Spain.
Exceptions and Alternatives
There are a few limited scenarios where you might handle visa-related matters while in Spain:
1. Extending Your Stay
•You can apply to extend your visa in Spain only in exceptional circumstances, such as:
•Medical emergencies.
•Force majeure (e.g., canceled flights due to natural disasters).
•Other humanitarian reasons.
•Applications must be made at the nearest Foreigners Office (Oficina de Extranjería) or National Police Station (Policía Nacional).
2. Switching to a Long-Term Visa/Residence Permit
•If you wish to stay longer for work, study, or other purposes, you must return to your home country to apply for the appropriate long-term visa.
•Some exceptions apply to certain residency permits, but they are rare.
3. Residence as a Family Member of an EU Citizen
•If you’re a non-EU citizen visiting a family member who is an EU/EEA/Swiss national, you may be able to apply for residency under EU family reunification rules.
Key Notes
•Schengen visas are only issued outside the Schengen Area.
•Staying beyond your visa’s validity without proper authorisation may lead to fines, deportation, or bans on future travel.
Can my family members join me?
Yes, your family members can join you in Spain, but the process depends on their nationality, relationship to you, and the purpose of their stay. Here’s a guide for common scenarios:
1. If You’re on a Tourist Visa in Spain
Your family members can join you for a short visit as tourists if:
•They do not require a visa to enter Spain (e.g., citizens of visa-exempt countries like the US, UK, or Canada).
•If they do need a visa, they must apply for a Schengen tourist visa in their country of residence before traveling.
Documents They May Need:
•Proof of relationship (e.g., birth or marriage certificate).
•Proof of financial means (you or they can provide it).
•Travel itinerary, accommodation, and travel insurance.
2. If You’re a Resident in Spain
If you hold a Spanish residence permit, your family may be able to join you through family reunification (Reagrupación Familiar).
Eligible Family Members:
•Spouse or registered partner.
•Children under 18 (or dependent adult children).
•Dependent parents.
Key Requirements:
•You must have been a legal resident of Spain for at least 1 year and have a valid residence permit.
•You must demonstrate sufficient income and appropriate housing to support your family.
Steps:
1.Apply for Family Reunification: Submit an application at the Spanish Immigration Office (Oficina de Extranjería).
2.Family Applies for Visa: Once approved, family members apply for a visa at the Spanish consulate in their home country.
3.Arrival in Spain: Upon arrival, they must register and obtain a residence card.
3. If You’re an EU/EEA/Swiss Citizen
Family members of EU/EEA/Swiss citizens have special rights under EU law. They may:
•Join you in Spain with fewer restrictions.
•Apply for a residence card for EU family members (Tarjeta de Residencia de Familiar de Ciudadano de la Unión).
Required Documents:
•Proof of relationship (e.g., marriage or birth certificate).
•Your EU citizenship and residency proof in Spain.
•Comprehensive health insurance and financial means.
4. If Your Family Members Are Already in Spain
•Short-term visitors (on tourist visas or visa-free entry) cannot usually switch to long-term permits or family reunification from within Spain. They must apply from their home country.
•Exceptions include emergencies or specific residency scenarios (e.g., EU family member rights).

Nearly a decade assisting foreigners

Since 2015, Expat Agency® has been assisting foreigners on how to get Spain tourist visa from all around the world. Although it might seem like a simple process, obtaining a tourist visa for Spain often becomes a complex task that requires an immense amount of patience and considerable effort. In many cases, when foreigners apply for tourist visas at Spanish consulates around the world, their applications are denied due to a lack of understanding of the protocols and the intricacies of the Spanish bureaucratic system.

Spain Tourist Visa Assistance

A very common situation:
extending your period of legal stay or tourist visa to take a study program in Spain

First of all, we need to say this is possible. However, it will depend on several aspects, like applying on time or meeting the legal requirements like the financial means or applying for a valid study program.

You cannot apply for this visa after 6o days upon your arrival to the Schengen Area

The main requirement to get a Student Visa in Spain (from Spain) is presenting your application within the first 60 days upon your arrival, with no exception. In case you got another visa for 120 days (for instance), you will need to return to your place (country) of residency and apply at your nearest Spanish embassy.

Basically, the requirements for this visa are:

Having enough savings (livelihood) or bank balance for the required period of your studies. This is considered per day of stay and in a way similar to a tourist visa to the Schengen Area;
Depending on the duration of the visa, you will need a full health or travel insurance including repatriation;
For those study programs taking more than 6 months, you will need to present a clean criminal record;
You will need to book and pay the full study center fees in advance (in case of anyone).

We can assist you to apply for this visa from all around the world. Besides, if you are in Spain, we can also assist you to apply for this residence permit around Malaga Province. At the moment, we cannot assist other applicants around Spain because we need to be present while applying for this card at the police office.

What we do for you?

Application process supervision and information
Legal Advice
Forms Management
Booking the necessary appointments (if possible)
Travel Insurance Management
Paying the Public Fees at the bank
We do NOT provide any invitation letters