Visas and stays in Spain: entry requirements in 2026
If you are traveling to Spain, the first thing is to distinguish between a short stay , a visa , and a residence authorization . For visits of up to 90 days within any 180-day period, Schengen rules apply; to stay longer, study, work, or reside, other visas or authorizations may be required.
90 days in 180
A short-term Schengen stay is calculated over a rolling window of 180 days.
121,10 € per day
With a minimum of 1.098,90 € per person, according to the current information from the Ministry of the Interior.
EES active · ETIAS not yet
The EES is now fully operational. As of 11 September 2026, ETIAS is not yet accepting applications.
Stay, visa and residence: they are not the same
A stay describes the time you can legally remain in Spain without holding a residence permit. For tourism, business, family visits and other short-term non-lucrative purposes, the general Schengen framework allows up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
A visa is prior authorization that certain people need to travel to or stay in Spain, depending on their nationality, the duration and the purpose of the trip. A Schengen visa is intended for short stays; national visas are used for many study, work or residence situations of longer duration.
Residence is a different category. If your goal is to live in Spain beyond a temporary visit, you should check which residence permit applies and not rely solely on the entry rules for tourists.
Temporary visit
Up to 90 days within 180, except where legally authorized exceptions or extensions apply.
Prior authorization
It may be a short-stay Schengen visa or a national visa, depending on nationality, duration and purpose.
Living in Spain
You must qualify under a residence permit or a specific regime.
View residence options →Requirements for entering Spain for a short stay
Entry does not depend solely on having a ticket. The authorities may check that you meet the conditions set out in the Schengen Borders Code and the applicable Spanish regulations.
Valid passport or travel document
It must be valid for at least three months after your planned departure date from the Schengen Area and have been issued within the previous ten years.
Visa, when required
Nationals of countries subject to visa requirements must have a valid visa, unless an applicable exemption applies.
Justifying the purpose and conditions of your trip
You may be asked to provide bookings, invitations, professional documents, proof of enrolment, or any other evidence appropriate to the stated purpose.
Accommodation
For tourist or private trips, proof of accommodation or a letter of invitation may be required if you are staying in a private home.
Sufficient financial means
You must be able to prove that you have sufficient resources for your stay and, where applicable, for the people travelling with you who are in your care.
Departure, security and prohibitions
Authorities may check your return or onward ticket, whether you are subject to an entry ban, and whether you pose a risk to public order, security or public health.
Do I need a visa to travel to Spain?
It depends mainly on your nationality , the travel document you use and the type of stay. We do not recommend keeping a definitive list of countries on this page, because European regulations may change and exceptions apply to certain documents, residence permits or personal circumstances.
Apply for a Schengen visa before travelling
As a general rule, a short-stay visa allows stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period for tourism, business, visits and other authorised activities.
You do not need a Schengen visa, but you must still meet the entry requirements
The visa exemption does not remove the 90/180 rule or the obligation to justify, when required, your trip, accommodation, financial means and departure.
How does the 90-day rule within 180 work?
It is not “90 days per calendar half-year.” A rolling window of 180 days is used: for each day of your stay, the previous 180 days are checked, and you must not have exceeded 90 days of countable presence in the Schengen Area, unless you have a permit allowing a different situation.
within any rolling period of 180 days for a short stay in the Schengen Area.
How much money must you prove you have to enter Spain?
The Ministry of the Interior states that, effective 1 January 2026, the minimum reference amount is equivalent to 10 % of the gross statutory minimum wage per person for each day of stay.
Multiplied by the number of days planned and the number of people travelling at your expense.
This is the minimum required even if the planned stay is short.
Funds can be evidenced using the means accepted under the regulations and by border control. In addition, a corresponding named, confirmed return ticket may be required to return to the country of origin or continue to a third country.
EES and ETIAS: what is already operational and what is not yet
EES · Entry/Exit System
The Entry/Exit System has been fully operational in Schengen countries since 10 April 2026 . It electronically records entries and exits of third-country nationals on short stays and uses biometric data.
ETIAS
As of 11 September 2026 , ETIAS is not yet operational and applications are not being accepted. The EU plans to launch it in the last quarter of 2026 and will officially announce the exact date.
Which stay or visa procedure do you need?
Start with the duration and actual purpose of your trip. These are the main options in this section.
Short stay
For stays of up to 90 days within 180 and Schengen entry requirements.
View the guide →Extension of stay
For certain cases in which you need to stay beyond the initially authorized period of stay.
View the guide →Studies, internships, or volunteering
For stays related to studies and other training activities, depending on the applicable duration and requirements.
View the guide →Letter of invitation
A document that may be used to prove accommodation for a private visit when you are staying at someone else’s home.
View the guide →Residence in Spain
If you want to live, work, or reside in Spain, check which residence permit is right for your situation.
View residence options →Work, residence, and other visas
Many plans involving stays of more than 90 days require a national visa and, in some cases, prior authorization.
Official consular services ↗What is a letter of invitation, and when can border officials ask for one?
If you are going to stay at a private individual’s home, a letter of invitation is one of the documents that may be used to confirm where you will be staying during your visit. In Spain, it is requested by the inviting person at the competent police station.
The letter of invitation does not replace the other requirements: it does not remove the visa requirement when one applies, nor does it in itself prove sufficient financial means, an onward ticket, or the other entry conditions.
See the letter of invitation guide →Frequently asked questions about visas and stays in Spain
Can I stay 90 days, leave for one day, and come back for another 90?
Does having a Schengen visa guarantee that I will be allowed to enter?
How much money do I need to enter Spain in 2026?
Do I need a letter of invitation if I have a hotel?
Is ETIAS already mandatory in September 2026?
What is the EES?
Can I work while on a tourist stay?
What should I do if I want to stay for more than 90 days?
Official sources
Choose the procedure based on the length and purpose of your trip
Tourism, study, work, family visits and residence are subject to different rules. Start with your actual purpose and avoid using a short stay for an objective that requires a different authorization.