Documents to travel to Spain
It is impossible to talk about tourism in Europe without referring to Spain. This country leads the world rankings and in all of them, it remains among the three nations that receive the largest number of foreign visitors, surpassed only by France and the USA. Therefore, it is not surprising that this activity is one of its most important economic sectors.
And it is not surprising that it is such a famous destination, since it is a true paradise on earth. It is the perfect place to come into contact with beautiful natural landscapes, discover charming towns, taste exquisite cuisine and much more.
Its historical and cultural heritage is not only relevant for the Spanish, since many nations, especially in Latin America, were influenced by them. So, it is a country with which many tourists feel identified.
It is also one of the most important destinations in terms of religious tourism. The famous Camino de Santiago attracts thousands of pilgrims every year, becoming the most attractive product of this branch. Additionally, the multiple monasteries and festivities that bring together faithful from different parts of the world stand out.
And no less important are its beaches. This country has almost 8,000 km of coastline, ready to offer its visitors a unique experience. If you are looking for a place to relax, enjoy and admire the greatness of the sea, Mallorca, Ibiza, Galicia, Cádiz, Asturias and Alicante should be part of your itinerary. What are you waiting for? Start preparing your next adventure; Spain and all its beauty await you.
Immigration entry requirements
Spain is one of the European countries that belong to the Schengen Area. Hence, the rules for entering its territory are guided by the border code that regulates the members of said area. In this sense, the aforementioned regulatory instrument provides for the following conditions that apply to foreigners traveling for tourism:
- travel document. It is required that it be valid for at least three months after leaving Spanish territory and that it has been issued within the previous ten years.
- Visa. If appropriate according to nationality. It is necessary that it be valid and be consistent with the purposes of the trip.
- Transportation ticket. Issued by an authorized company and in which the dates of round trip or continuity to a third country are stated.
- Accommodation supporting document. A reservation at a lodging establishment will be required. Those traveling under the sponsorship of an individual must present a letter of invitation issued by the Police Station with jurisdiction in the place of residence of the host.
- Prove economic solvency. Through suitable documents that demonstrate the sufficiency of funds to ensure subsistence during the stay.
Upon arrival, the authorities will consult the Schengen Information Service, in order to verify if the person has restricted entry. They will also check if she has been deported before and inquire about the reasons for the trip, in order to ensure that she does not constitute a threat to national security.
Conditions for processing the Schengen visa
Those people whose countries have not concluded exemption agreements with Spain can opt for a uniform Schengen visa. By means of said document, the holder is granted a residence permit for up to 90 days in a period of 180 days. It is only approved for those traveling for leisure, business, academic, volunteer, family visits, non-work practices or medical treatment.
This visa for short-term stays must be requested in person at a Spanish consular office. And on that occasion, the interested party must present himself with the following documents:
On the corresponding date of the interview at the consular office, in addition to these requirements, payment of the processing fee must be met. It is established based on the age of the applicant, as follows:
- €80 for people over 12 years old.
- €40 for children between 6 and 11 years old.
- Children under 6 years old will not pay any fee.
Compliance with these formalities does not ensure visa approval. In case of being denied, the person has the right to appeal the decision before a Spanish court with jurisdiction in the matter. For more information, visit the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation of Spain: http://www.exteriores.gob.es/Portal/es/ServiciosAlCiudadano/InformacionParaExtranjeros/Paginas/VisadosUniformSchengen.aspx
Keys about the ETIAS Permit
If you belong to the group of people who do not require a visa, then you should know what the ETIAS permit is and keep an eye on its entry into force. This document has been established by the members of the Schengen Area and according to official statements, it is expected to start being applied at the end of 2024.
Said authorization is part of a system, whose purpose is to establish a control whose purpose is to monitor the entry of nationals of the countries benefiting from the exemption agreements and increase security. Obtaining it is much simpler than that of the visa and for this it is required:
- Complete the application form.
- A passport admitted to the Schengen Area.
- Email account, where the response to the request will be notified.
- Credit card, to pay the cost of the permit.
According to the official portal https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/en/etias/ The process is very simple and does not take more than 20 minutes. Regarding its validity, it will be valid for three years and can be used for trips whose stay does not exceed 90 days.
Spain is one of the countries that keeps its borders open only for certain types of travel. However, as of February 14, 2024, entry to the country will be allowed again for non-essential reasons. By virtue of this, the government has decreed a biosecurity protocol that includes certain entry controls, which will be applied to those who travel by air and sea. This system implies compliance with the following requirements:
- Complete the Sanitary Control Form and obtain the corresponding QR code, which will be presented on boarding. Those who travel by plane, can download it from: https://spth.gob.es/ Or through the Spain Travel Health –SpTH app available for iOS and Android. Persons entering by sea must obtain it here: https://spthm.puertos.es/
- Be the holder of a vaccination certificate approved by the Ministry of Health.
- Persons between 12 and 18 years of age must present a PCR test or similar, with a negative result, taken within 72 hours prior to arrival.
Spain updates the list of high-risk areas weekly and those who come from any of the countries indicated in it will have to undergo special controls. Therefore, we recommend you visit the following website of the Ministry of Health before your trip:https://www.sanidad.gob.es/profesionales/saludPublica/ccayes/alertasActual/nCov/spth.htm In this way, you will be able to know the current measures and avoid inconveniences.
