Do you actually need a visa to enter Spain?

That depends on your country of origin. If you are from any European Union country, from Iceland, Norway or Switzerland, you don’t need a visa to visit, work, or live in Spain. On the other hand, non-EU citizens are required to get a tourist visa (if they plan to stay less than 3 months in Spain). However, not all countries need a Schengen Visa; they just need to prove certain requirements, or a residence visa for more than 90 days.

How can I make sure my visa application gets accepted?

Even though the Spanish immigration office is more strict when it comes to certain visas, they key that will ensure a successful application is simple: preparation. You just need to carefully study all the requirements for your chosen visa, and make sure you clearly demonstrate its fulfillment on your application. Nevertheless, with the help of our specialized immigration lawyers , your chances of getting a rejection will be nearly 0.

How can I get a visa to Spain?

The procedure is really straightforward. You will just need to study which of the different types of residency options best adapts to your situation, and check all its requirements. Then you just need to prepare all the required documents and submit them to the Spanish consulate at your country of origin. After reviewing your application and provided that you get a positive response, the visa will be stamped on your passport. You will then be able to enter Spain.

Which are the countries that don't need a visa to enter Spain for less than 90 days?

In the following link, you can find a list of all the countries that just require a valid passport in order to stay in Spain for a period of 3 months without the need to get a visa.

What is the duration of a Spanish visa?

That entirely depends on the specific visa. Nevertheless: Tourist or Schengen visas last a maximum of 90 days. After those 3 months, if you wish to stay in the country, you must apply for a regular residence permit. The other group of visas (like the non-lucrative visa or the work visa), which are actually residency permits, last for 1 year (and you have the possibility to renew them afterwards). All visas under the entrepreneur’s law (Law 14/2013) which vary in duration depending on the route, generally between 1 and 3 years. The family member of an EU citizen visa is for 5 years.

What is a Schengen visa?

The Schengen visa, also called a tourist visa, is the document you will have to apply for if you wish to visit Spain for tourism purposes. The main characteristic of this visa is that it is not specific to one country: with it, you can enter and freely travel through all the countries that are within the Schengen area . That is, there is no tourist visa just for visiting Spain, by obtaining a Schengen visa you would be granted the right to visit for a maximum of 90 days Spain, France, Italy and all the other countries within the area.

Should I legalize my documents?

Yes, always . Bear in mind that whenever you submit your application, you must have the attached documents legalized. That is the only option that will possess legal validity. How to do it? That will depend on your country of origin, as you are probably only required to apostille them. You can learn more about the differences between legalization and apostille here .

How to get a Visa appointment

How can you get your visa appointment? The first step is to find where the Spanish consulate in your country is located (usually that will be the country’s capital). Then, you must visit its website (simply type “Spanish consulate” + the city on Google). Then open the appointments tab, and you will find all the information regarding how to get your appointment. On that day, you will be able to submit all your visa application documents.

Spain Visa Types: How to Apply and Requirements

Spanish visas

Types of visas, requirements and how to apply successfully.

✓ Immigration specialists ✓ Personalised legal advice ✓ Complete application support

Types of visas in Spain:

Schengen or tourist visa

For those willing to visit Spain for a maximum of 90 days in a period of 180 days. Depending on your country of origin, applying for a visit visa will be required or not.

Work visa

Apply for a regular work visa both as a self-employed visa ("autónomo") or as an employee for a Spanish company, or get a Business Visa.

Non-lucrative visa

If you are not going to conduct any kind of economic activity in the country, the non-lucrative visa is for you, the only requirement being to demonstrate sufficient economic funds.

Family visa

Bring your relatives to Spain with you through the family member of an EU citizen visa, or through the family reunification process.

Student visa

If you are going to study (a degree, masters, or PhD) or conduct research, this visa will be the easiest path (with which you can later on apply for a work permit).

Digital nomad visa

If you want to start working remotely from Spain and benefit from a special tax regime that will allow you to save taxes, this new visa will be the right option.

How to apply for a Spanish Visa (Step by Step)

Living in Spain can be regarded as paradise. Sunny weather throughout the whole year, a charming atmosphere, delicious cuisine and tons of places to visit are some of the reasons to live in Spain .

That is why it is one of the preferred destinations for expats worldwide who want to start their new life in a new country. But as non-EU citizens, they face the need to get a visa in order to live and work legally in the country. But, how to do it easily?

Applying for a Spanish visa is a straightforward process, but it's essential to follow each step carefully to ensure approval. Below is a breakdown of how to successfully apply for your visa:

Step 01

1. Choose the Right Visa

Identify the visa type (work, non-lucrative, student, entrepreneur).
Some visas (entrepreneur and student) can be applied for from Spain; others require applying from your home country.

Step 02

2. Prepare Your Documents

Visit the Spanish consulate or embassy in your country.
Submit the visa application form along with required documents (financial proof, health insurance, criminal record certificate).

Step 03

3. Submit Your Application

Attend your appointment and pay the visa fee.
The processing time is 3-4 months.

Processing times vary by visa type, from a few weeks (UGE-based routes like the Digital Nomad visa) to a few months (standard consular visas). See each visa guide for specific timeframes.

Step 04

4. Receive Your Visa and Travel to Spain

Once approved, get your visa stamped in your passport.

Step 05

5. Obtain Your Residence Permit

Complete the final steps to get your one-year residence permit.

Cynthia Auma

I highly recommend this law firm for their professionalism, excellent service and dedication to their clients. Throughout my immigration and residency process, the team has been incredibly helpful, professional and approachable. They respond to emails promptly, communicate clearly and are always willing to listen, offer guidance and find solutions whenever challenges arise. What I particularly appreciated was how they guided me through the entire process, explaining each step and making sure I felt supported and informed along the way. A special thank you to my lawyer, Camila and her assistant Marta for their outstanding support, patience and kindness. They have both been wonderful to work with. I genuinely appreciate their assistance and would confidently recommend this law firm to anyone looking for reliable, professional and supportive legal services.

Kl36

I want to say a very big thank you to the team at Balcells Group Lawyers and particularly, my lawyer Ms. Paula. I had used their services for the regularisation process and between April when I sent the first email and September when I got the favourable resolution, my lawyer and Balcells were almost on speed dial responding to every question, ensuring all my documentation was complete and following up on the process. Professional service from the front desk to the lawyers. If you're an expat and need English speaking legal services for immigration or any other issues such as taxes or real estate, Balcells Group is the firm for you. Once again, thank you very much.

Danielle Steele

We are very happy with our decision to work with Ana and Balcells Group. Ana and her team rescued us from another attorney who wanted to use dishonest methods to achieve visa approval. Ana was so patient with all of our questions and was always there for us to support however we needed. We will always recommend Ana and will continue to work with her for next steps in our future process.

Himika Ahmed

had a great experience with Balcells Group Lawyers. The team was incredibly supportive and always responded promptly to my questions.Thank you for making everything easier.

Abir Hamza

I had an amazing experience with Balcells group! my lawyer was Camilla Mazabuel I would like to sincerely thank her for her outstanding support throughout my residency process. She was incredibly responsive, helpful, and professional, always answering my questions promptly and keeping me informed at every stage. Before working with Camila, I had a very negative experience with another lawyer in Barcelona, which made the process feel stressful and uncertain. Camila completely changed that experience. She handled everything correctly, guided me through each step, and made the entire residency process smooth and reassuring. Thanks to her dedication and expertise, I successfully received my residency card. Choosing the right lawyer makes a huge difference, especially when dealing with an important process like residency. I highly recommend Camila to anyone looking for a reliable, knowledgeable, and genuinely caring lawyer. I am truly grateful for all her help and support❤️🥹

Cora Sanderson

Marina was the kindest and most helpful person. She made what seemed like an impossible visa process feel straightforward. I cannot thank her and the team enough for all their help and support. I would strongly recommend them to anyone struggling with a visa application!

Evgeny Averyanov

Good service

Dare IL

I successfully applied for the Digital Nomad Visa using Balcells. Mar Catalan and Ana Fraga Almoyna provided a very professional and friendly service with clear communication and support. They also helped me obtain the TIE. Highly recommend.

Polina Leman

My experience with Balcells Group has been amazing. From guiding us through every step of the process of registering pareja de hecho to helping out with all the subsequent questions and visa extension, their team has been extremely helpful. A special thanks to Marina for her responsiveness, professionalism and kindness. I'd definitely work with them again.

Zohaib Hassan

I had an amazing experience with them, Ińes did an amazing job for my Digital Nomad visa, Even in busy schedules she responded every query very quickly and assisted me in every step. Thank you so much team specially Ińes.