Millions of tourists travel to Spain every year, and it is not surprising that the country is among the top 3 most visited countries in the world. However, a visa is required to travel to Spain in most cases. Our article will answer questions related to the specifics of foreigners in Spain and Spanish visa requirements.
CONTENT:
- How to get a visa for Spain?
- Types of visas for Spain
- Documents for a visa for Spain
- Visa-free entry to Spain
- ETIAS authorization
- ETIAS Documentation Requirements
- Where to acquire a visa for Spain
- Terms of visa registration for Spain
- Do Russians need a visa for Spain?
- Rules of entry to Spain for citizens of the Russian Federation
- Do citizens of the CIS and other countries need a visa for Spain?
- Visa upon arrival in Spain
- Violation of the visa regime in Spain
- We will help you buy property in Spain
HOW TO GET A VISA FOR SPAIN?
The specifics of obtaining a visa for Spain depend on the type of visa sought.
TYPES OF VISAS FOR SPAIN
There are different types of visas depending on the reason for your visit.
Tourist visa
You'll require a tourist visa if the purpose of your travel is recreation, leisure, healthcare, etc.
How to get a tourist visa for Spain.
There are 2 options to apply for a tourist visa to Spain:
Firstly, an ETIAS travel permit is granted to citizens of respective countries (over 60 as of today) for a short stay of no more than 90 days in Spanish territory.
Required documents to obtain a tourist visa:
- A passport that is valid for at least 3 months.
- An email account.
- Credit or debit card (to pay a set rate).
Secondly, for foreign citizens who cannot apply for an ETIAS visa, another option is to enter Spain for up to 90 days on a Schengen visa.
Required documents to obtain a Schengen visa:
- A copy of your passport that is valid for at least 3 months.
- 2 photographs (3.5 cm x 4 cm) with a white background.
- Bank statements.
- Certificates of work or study.
- Travel booking.
- Travel insurance.
- Reservation of accommodation in the country.
- Payment of the visa fee.
Please note: if the applicant is a minor, they must always be accompanied by their parents or legal guardians.
Business
If you are traveling to Spain for business-related activities, you'll require a business visa.
Required documents to obtain a business visa:
- Letter of invitation from a Spanish company detailing the reason for the visit.
- Period of stay in the country.
- Activities carried out by the company.
- The party that bears the travel expenses (host or guest).
- A copy of the identity card of the person that extended the invitation.
The invitation must be signed by the commercial or general director of the company.
Education
A study visa is required when the purpose of your trip is training/education for fewer than 90 days (language courses, exchange programs, etc.).
Required documents to obtain a study visa:
- Letter of admission to a public or private educational institution.
- Certificate of the curriculum to be studied.
- Payment confirmation for tuition or course booking.
Sports, cultural or scientific events
The reason for your trip is to participate in sports or cultural events, cultural exchange programs, conferences, congresses, etc.
Required documents to obtain a visa:
- An invitation from a Spanish organization signed by a representative of the inviting party with an activity description and specific dates.
- A copy of the identity card of the person that extended the invitation.
Visiting family or friends
The purpose of the trip is to visit relatives and friends living in Spain or Russian citizens who do not live in Spain but own property.
Required documents to obtain a guest visa:
An invitation letter (not handwritten) from the host (which you can receive by email or fax) that states:
- Details of the inviting person and the dates and purpose of the trip.
- Details of the invited person and their residential address in Spain.
- A copy of the identity card of the person that invited you.
Homeowners
In this case, the purpose of the trip is to visit a property purchased in Spain.
How to apply for a visa for 10 years by buying property in Spain.
An investor visa (Golden Visa) is issued to persons purchasing real estate in Spain with a minimum value of 500,000 euros. You can invest in commercial real estate, houses, or apartments in Spain. The Golden Visa gives you the right to move freely throughout Europe. After 5 years, the investor and his family receive the right to permanent residence.
Required documents to obtain an investor visa:
- A photocopy of the deed of the house purchase and sale in Spain.
- Original information record issued by the Land Registry 3 months before submitting your visa application.
Transit
The purpose of the trip is to visit a third country but in transit through Spanish territory. However, the traveler cannot leave the restricted area of the airport. The stay at the airport cannot exceed 24 hours.
How to get a transit visa for Spain.
Required documents to obtain a transit visa:
- A photocopy of the visa to your country of destination.
DOCUMENTS FOR A VISA FOR SPAIN
The documents to obtain these visas are similar, although they have some differences. For example, you must provide an invitation from a Spanish company or organization for a business visa, a letter of admission from an educational institution for a student visa, or an invitation if you are visiting relatives. In contrast, homeowners must provide a copy of the sales contract and a certificate of the registered real estate.
The following documents are required for all types of visas: copies of passports, completed application forms, photos, medical insurance, financial guarantees, etc.
VISA-FREE ENTRY TO SPAIN
According to the Royal Decree of February 16, 2007, citizens of the European Union, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland do not need a visa to enter Spain.
ETIAS AUTHORIZATION
For citizens from more than 60 countries, it is possible to apply for an ETIAS (European Entry Authorization System) travel permit.
ETIAS is a travel permit for short-term tourist or business stays that does not allow other activities such as paid work or residence in the country.
The ETIAS permit allows you to enter Spain for a period not exceeding 90 days.
The ETIAS travel authorization to Europe will come into force from the end of 2022, when citizens of Schengen countries can apply for an ETIAS visa.
Eligible citizens for an ETIAS visa will need to obtain a travel permit to move freely within Spanish territory.
From the moment of approval of an ETIAS visa for Spain, the traveler receives permission to travel within Spanish territory for 90 days and 3 consecutive years from its date of issue.
ETIAS DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENTS
Before traveling to Spain, you should familiarize yourself with the documentation requirements. The list of requirements depends on your citizenship and the purpose of your travel to Spain.
In general, the requirements to enter Spanish territory are as follows:
- Visa application form (Schengen visa or ETIAS authorization from the end of 2022).
- Photos (3.5 cm x 4 cm) with a white background.
- A valid passport for at least 3 months after leaving the Schengen area.
- Valid medical insurance while traveling to Spain.
- Payment of visa fees.
- Accreditation for residence while staying in the country.
- Ticket to leave Spain.
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WHERE TO acquire A VISA FOR SPAIN
A visa for Spain is issued in Moscow at the Consulate General or an authorized visa center.
TERMS OF SPANISH VISA REGISTRATION
To obtain a Schengen visa, you need to apply to the consulate, which responds to the request within 10 calendar days from the date of receiving the documents.
A Spanish national visa is issued within 45-90 days. Documents for its registration are submitted only to the home country's embassy.
DO RUSSIANS NEED A VISA FOR SPAIN?
A mandatory visa process has been established between Spain and Russia.
The main document that a Russian must have to enter Spain is a Schengen visa obtained in Moscow or several other large cities in Russia.
RULES OF ENTRY TO SPAIN FOR CITIZENS OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION
Citizens of the Russian Federation crossing Spain’s border must provide:
- International passport.
- Return flights.
- A document confirming a hotel room reservation.
- Proof of financial soundness.
- Medical insurance.
DO CITIZENS OF THE CIS AND OTHER COUNTRIES NEED A VISA TO GO TO SPAIN?
A visa for Spain allows citizens of the CIS and other countries to stay in Spain for a specific time.
You can register for any visa depending on the purpose of the trip.
Documents must be submitted to the visa center of the residence country.
VISA UPON ARRIVAL IN SPAIN
Citizens of certain countries do not need to apply for a visa in advance to visit Spain. Visas are issued immediately upon arrival in Spain for up to 90 days for citizens of Germany, Denmark, Poland, France, Portugal, Finland, Hungary, Italy, Austria, Sweden, Slovenia, Belgium, Greece, Estonia, Slovenia, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Czech Republic, Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein.
VIOLATION OF THE VISA REGIME IN SPAIN
For non-compliance with the rules of entry into the country and its domestic legislation, the perpetrator is subject to a fine.
Minor violations of the visa regime in Spain involve a fine of up to 500 euros, serious violations are from 501 to 10,000 euros, and severe violations are from 10,001 to 100,000 euros.
When determining the amount of the fine, special attention is paid to the financial capabilities of the offender. Therefore, the following can be superimposed:
- administrative arrest;
- deportation;
- a ban on subsequent visits to the country.
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