How to get a visa to Spain

It seems the perfect vacation spot has been found: where else but in Spain, with its siestas, to practice work-life balance and truly relax? We tell you about the entry rules, documents, and requirements — everything you need to know if you're planning a trip to the land of flamenco and jamón.

Entry Rules for Russians

General entry requirements for citizens of other states entering Spain are as follows:

• enter through one of the designated points;

• confirm identity with a valid passport or other document;

• if necessary, have a visa to enter the country;

• confirm the conditions of the planned stay and the availability of financial means. Be prepared to prove your plans with documents upon request. For example, show a return ticket or travel itinerary, an invitation from the host party, or a hotel reservation. Financial solvency can be confirmed with a bank statement, cash, or other methods such as a sponsorship letter;

• not be subject to entry bans.

A visa to Spain is required for Russians, but fortunately, Spain issues Schengen visas to Russian tourists relatively easily, and it is not needed at all for transit less than 24 hours or entry with a diplomatic passport. 

It is also possible to enter with a Schengen visa from another state, but with the condition: the time spent in Spain must not exceed the period of stay in the country for which the visa was obtained.

You will not be allowed into the country if:

• you do not meet the entry requirements;

• you are subject to an entry ban;

• you have exhausted your Schengen stay limit within a 180-day period.

The ban can be appealed by filing an appeal.

Coronavirus Restrictions

Until October 2022, Spain's entry rules included anti-COVID measures. Tourists were required to present, among other things:

• a medical certificate of COVID-19 vaccination;

• a certificate of recovery from illness;

• a PCR test.

Spain was the last EU country to maintain pandemic restrictions for citizens of non-EU countries. Now, all EU countries are open to tourists and do not require medical documents for entry.

Types of Visas

A visa to Spain can be short-term or long-term. A Category C visa is suitable for short trips, while a Category D national visa is for longer stays.

A short-stay Category C visa is issued if you plan a visit lasting up to 90 days. The purpose of the trip can be tourism, a business trip, or visiting relatives. A Type C visa can be single-entry, double-entry, or multiple-entry — accordingly, you can enter Spain once, twice, or several times during the visa's validity period. The consulate decides on the validity period: whether they will issue a visa only for the travel dates or immediately for several years.

A long-stay Category D visa will be needed if you plan to stay in the country for more than 90 days. Please note that this is no longer a Schengen visa to Spain, but a national: it is valid only in Spain and grants the right to stay in the country for up to one year, after which the document can be extended. It also allows travel to other Schengen countries, but for a period of up to 90 days within the national visa's validity period.

In addition to Schengen and national visas, visas are divided into types depending on the purpose of the trip.

A tourist visa to Spain is suitable if you are traveling to experience the culture, see the sights, and try local cuisine.

A transit visa is issued to tourists who travel through Spain to third countries. Visa-free transit is possible if the layover is less than 24 hours and the passenger is heading to a non-Schengen country.

A business visa is required for entrepreneurs who intend to conduct business in Spain, open a company or branch, or conduct negotiations. 

A work visa will be needed if a specialist comes to Spain for work or an internship.

A visitor visa is issued by invitation from friends or relatives: Spanish citizens or those residing in the country with a residence permit.

A student visa is mandatory if you plan to study in Spain, whether at a university or a language school.

Required Documents

There are several ways to obtain a visa to Spain: if you are traveling through an agency, a tour operator will help you arrange the visa, and if you decide to go to Spain independently, you need to contact the consulate or visa center. Remember that all tourists aged 12 and over who have not submitted fingerprints in the last 59 months will undergo fingerprinting, so personal presence at the consulate or visa center is mandatory.

Documents for a visa must be submitted no earlier than six months before the trip, but no later than 15 days.

To apply for a visa to Spain, you will need the following documents:

• a completed application form in English or Spanish;

• internal Russian passport;

• international passport — original and copy of all pages. Please note that the passport must not be older than 10 years and valid for at least three months after leaving Spain, and it must also have at least two blank pages;

• medical insurance with coverage of at least 30,000 euros;

• two photos 3.5 x 4.5 cm;

• receipt for payment of the fee for the required visa type;

• consent to the processing of personal data;

• tickets or flight reservations. At this step, you will need Moscow — Barcelona flights or Moscow — Madrid — you don't have to buy them, but you will need to reserve them and show them to the consul;

• accommodation reservation — hotel, hostel, rented apartment, confirmation from the host party of their readiness to accommodate you;

• proof of financial solvency — bank statement, cash, employment certificate, letter from the host party confirming their willingness to cover expenses. There must be at least 90 euros per traveler for each day of the trip;

• certificate from place of work / study, individual entrepreneur registration certificate, pension certificate — depending on status;

• for a visitor visa — a notarized invitation;

• for a business visa — information on tax registration;

• for a student or work visa — confirmation of education level and language proficiency.

Photo Requirements

The visa photo is a delicate matter, as an unsuitable photo can lead to your document package being returned. You'll have to reapply, losing money and time.

Main requirements:

• color photograph on a light background;

• photo not older than 6 months;

• size 3.5 x 4.5 cm;

• full-face in the center of the frame;

• head size in photo 3.2–3.6 cm;

• gaze directed at the camera;

• face, hair, ears clearly visible.

Visa for a Child

Children travel to Spain both with adults and independently after the age of 14. Here are the documents needed to obtain a visa for a minor:

• birth certificate — for those under 14, instead of an internal passport;

• international passport — you can include the child in your passport, but in this case, when filling out the visa application form, you will need to complete and sign a separate form for the child with a photo;

• visa application form;

• passport and international passport of the parent or legal guardian;

• two photographs;

• certificate from place of study;

• financial guarantee — bank statement from parents, sponsorship letter, confirmation of expense coverage by the host party;

• booking of tickets and accommodation;

• itinerary — where the child is going, who they will meet. It is good to provide contacts of people who will be with the child during the trip.

If the child travels with only one parent, the consent of the other parent is required. If minor children travel without adults, consent for departure from parents or legal guardians is necessary. Have the consent notarized, and also specify who will accompany the child on the trip. If the accompanying person already has a visa, attach a copy of it — proof that this person will accompany the child on the journey.

Reasons for Refusal

As we mentioned, Spain is lenient towards Russians: refusals are rare, and a large percentage of travelers receive visas for up to three months. However, refusals do occur. Pay attention to the main reasons and double-check your documents and information in advance to ensure you get the coveted visa.

• Error in documents

Even an incorrect spelling of a name in Latin characters is a strong reason to refuse document processing. Carefully double-check what you write in the application form and which documents you submit.

• You provided unreliable information

A visa will be refused if the consulate finds out that you actually don't have enough money for the trip, don't have a hotel reservation, your travel purpose doesn't match reality, or you don't study or work where you obtained your certificate from.

• Something is missing from the documents

You brought your passport, but forgot some seemingly minor document — such an oversight can cost you your long-awaited trip. Check your documents before heading to the visa center: it's better to cross-reference with the list several times than to lose the paid consular fee.

• You have a negative travel history

If you have violated the law in another country, especially within the Schengen area, this will become known to the Spanish side through the Schengen Information System — a portal accessible to all countries in the zone.

• You already received a visa but did not use it

“Why issue visas to someone who doesn't use them anyway?” — the consulate might think if they find an unused visa in your possession. On the other hand, extensive experience with visa travel will predispose the consul in your favor.

Summary

Let's summarize what's important to remember about Spain's visa policy:

• the country is quite favorable towards Russians, obtaining a visa is relatively easy;

• since October 2022, there are no anti-COVID measures or requirements for entry into the country;

• you can enter with a Schengen visa from another country, but for a period no longer than the stay in that country itself;

• apply for a visa no earlier than six months and no later than 15 days before the trip;

• when submitting documents, you must prove your solvency and travel purposes, so be prepared to show cash or a bank statement, tickets to Spain, accommodation booking;

• the exact list of documents for a visa depends on the purpose of the trip — check the list to avoid forgetting an important document;

• the visa photo must meet all requirements, otherwise the documents will be rejected, and the visa will not be issued;

• often, refusal can be avoided by carefully checking documents before submission and not attempting to deceive the consulate.

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