Spain
Phone Code
+34
Capital
Madrid
Population
47 Million
Native Name
España
Region
Europe
Southern Europe
Timezones
Central European Time
UTC+01:00
+2 more
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Spain is the world's second-most-visited country — and the reasons run far deeper than sun and sand. Madrid pulses as the political and cultural capital with the Prado, Reina Sofía and Thyssen-Bornemisza museums. Barcelona blends Gaudí's fantastical architecture with Mediterranean beach life. Seville is the heart of Andalusian flamenco and Moorish heritage. The Basque Country delivers the Guggenheim Bilbao and one of Europe's finest food scenes. Beyond the cities: the Balearic Islands (Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza), the volcanic Canary Islands with year-round warmth, the Pyrenees, the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage, over 40 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and a wine and tapas culture that has become a global reference. Spain is an EU and Schengen founding member with a diverse economy spanning tourism, agriculture (wine, olive oil, citrus), renewable energy, technology and aerospace. Direct flights connect Spain to most major cities worldwide, and the AVE high-speed rail network links Madrid to Barcelona, Seville and Valencia in under three hours.
Spain Visa & Immigration System
Spain belongs to the Schengen Area and applies common European entry rules. EU, EEA and Swiss citizens can enter, reside and work freely with a valid national ID card or passport — no visa, no restrictions. Citizens of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Brazil and many other countries can visit visa-free for tourism or business stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period across the entire Schengen Area. U.S. State Department confirms no visa is needed for stays under 90 days, though warns that students and athletes must obtain a visa regardless of program duration — U.S. travelers have been denied entry for lacking the proper visa even for short programs. UK Foreign Office confirms British citizens can enter for up to 90 days for tourism, family visits, business meetings, cultural and sports events. Passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond departure date and issued within the last 10 years. Border officials may request proof of sufficient funds, return tickets, accommodation confirmation and travel insurance. Those requiring a Schengen visa (Type C) should apply at the competent Spanish consulate, typically via BLS International or VFS Global. For stays beyond 90 days — work, study, family reunification, retirement — a national long-stay visa (Type D) must be obtained before departure. After arrival, residence card (TIE) registration must be completed within 30 days. Processing for Schengen visas typically takes 15 calendar days.
Common Visa Types
Visa-Free Entry (Schengen)
Tourism, sightseeing, visiting family and friends, business meetings, conferences, cultural and sports events for US, UK, Canadian, Australian, Japanese, South Korean, Mexican, Argentine and other eligible nationals. Covers the entire 27-country Schengen Area. Passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond departure and issued within the last 10 years. Border officials may request proof of sufficient funds, return ticket and accommodation. Does not authorize employment or study as primary purpose.
EU/EEA/Swiss Entry
For EU, EEA and Swiss citizens — tourism, work, residence or any purpose without restrictions. Enter with a valid national ID card or passport. Full freedom of movement applies including the right to work, study and reside without a permit.
Schengen Visa (Type C)
Short-stay visa for nationalities that require one: tourism (Madrid, Barcelona, Andalusia, Balearic and Canary Islands), business trips, conferences, cultural events, medical treatment. Applied for at Spanish consulates via BLS International or VFS Global. Requires travel insurance with minimum €30,000 coverage.
Student Visa (Type D)
Enrollment at Spanish universities (Complutense Madrid, University of Barcelona, IE Business School, ESADE), Erasmus+ exchange, doctoral research, Spanish language courses, athletic training programs. U.S. State Department warns this visa is required even for programs under 90 days when study or athletics is the primary purpose — students have been denied entry without it. Application through Spanish consulate with acceptance letter, proof of funds and health insurance.
Long-Stay Work Visa (Type D)
Employment with a Spanish employer, intra-company transfers, positions in high-demand sectors. Requires a signed employment contract and employer sponsorship. Leads to residence permit (TIE) upon arrival, to be applied for within 30 days.
Digital Nomad Visa
For remote workers employed by or contracting for companies outside Spain. Allows living in Spain while working remotely. Requires proof of regular foreign income. Part of Spain's growing appeal for the international remote-work community, with popular bases in Barcelona, Valencia, Málaga, the Canary Islands and Mallorca.
Non-Lucrative Residence Visa
For financially independent individuals — retirees, early retirees, those with passive income — who wish to reside in Spain without working. Must demonstrate sufficient financial means to support the stay without Spanish employment. Popular with British, American, German and Scandinavian retirees seeking Mediterranean lifestyle on the Costa del Sol, Costa Blanca, Balearic Islands and Canary Islands.
Family Reunification Visa (Type D)
Joining a spouse, registered partner, minor children or other family members legally residing in Spain — whether Spanish citizens or residence permit holders.
Entrepreneur Visa
For foreign nationals establishing a business in Spain — startups, innovative enterprises, investors. Requires a detailed business plan evaluated by Spanish authorities. Facilitates access to Spain's growing tech and startup ecosystem, particularly in Barcelona and Madrid.
Important Travel Information
Travel Guide
Spain is a country that could keep you busy for months and still leave corners unexplored. Madrid anchors the centre with three world-class art museums within walking distance — the Prado (Velázquez, Goya, El Greco), the Reina Sofía (Picasso's Guernica) and the Thyssen-Bornemisza — plus the Retiro Park, the Mercado de San Miguel, and a nightlife culture where dinner starts at 10pm and bars don't fill up until midnight. Barcelona is its Mediterranean counterpoint: Gaudí's Sagrada Família (under construction since 1882, finally approaching completion), Park Güell, the Gothic Quarter's labyrinth of medieval lanes, Barceloneta beach, and a food scene that spans Boquería market stalls to Michelin-starred molecular gastronomy. Andalusia delivers Spain's most iconic imagery — the Alhambra in Granada (a Moorish palace complex that alone justifies a trip to Spain), Seville's flamenco tablaos and the Real Alcázar, Córdoba's Mezquita with its forest of red-and-white arches, and the white hilltop villages (pueblos blancos) strung along mountain roads between Ronda and Cádiz. The Basque Country offers the Guggenheim Bilbao, San Sebastián's legendary pintxos bars, and some of the most dramatic coastline in Europe. The Camino de Santiago draws walkers from around the world to cross northern Spain on foot, ending at the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela. The Balearic Islands range from Ibiza's superclub culture to Menorca's unspoilt coves and Mallorca's Serra de Tramuntana hiking. The Canary Islands sit off the African coast with volcanic landscapes (Teide, Lanzarote's Timanfaya) and year-round warm weather. And everywhere: tapas, wine (Rioja, Ribera del Duero, Priorat, Sherry from Jerez), and a way of life that treats eating, drinking and conversation as the point of the day rather than an interruption to it.
Ways to Experience This Destination
Madrid's Golden Triangle of art (Prado, Reina Sofía, Thyssen-Bornemisza), Barcelona's Gaudí architecture and Gothic Quarter, Seville's flamenco and the Real Alcázar, Granada's Alhambra, Córdoba's Mezquita, Bilbao's Guggenheim, Valencia's City of Arts and Sciences, Toledo's medieval skyline. Spain has over 40 UNESCO World Heritage Sites — the third-highest count in the world.
The Balearic Islands (Mallorca's Serra de Tramuntana, Menorca's virgin coves, Ibiza's beach clubs and quieter north), the Canary Islands (Tenerife's Teide volcano, Lanzarote's lava landscapes, Fuerteventura's dunes), Costa del Sol (Marbella, Málaga), Costa Brava (Catalonia's rugged coast), Costa Blanca (Alicante), and the wild Atlantic beaches of Galicia and Asturias.
Tapas culture — from Madrid's La Latina crawl to Seville's barrio bars to San Sebastián's pintxos (the highest concentration of Michelin stars per capita in the world). Wine regions: Rioja, Ribera del Duero, Priorat, Rías Baixas Albariño, Sherry from Jerez. Paella in Valencia, jamón ibérico from Extremadura, churros con chocolate in Madrid, seafood on the Galician coast. Markets: Boquería (Barcelona), San Miguel (Madrid), Atarazanas (Málaga).
The Camino de Santiago — multiple routes crossing northern Spain (Camino Francés the classic, Camino del Norte along the coast, Camino Portugués from the south), ending at the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. Also: the GR trails in the Pyrenees, the Caminito del Rey gorge walk near Málaga, the Ruta del Cares in the Picos de Europa, and the volcanic trails of Tenerife and Lanzarote.
Semana Santa (Holy Week) processions in Seville, Málaga and Valladolid. San Fermín (Running of the Bulls) in Pamplona. La Tomatina (tomato fight) in Buñol. Feria de Abril in Seville. Las Fallas in Valencia (giant sculptures burned in the streets). Carnival in Cádiz and Tenerife. And Spain's nightlife culture — where dinner starts at 10pm, bars fill up at midnight, and clubs run until dawn.
Moorish Spain: the Alhambra (Granada), the Mezquita (Córdoba), the Alcázar (Seville). Medieval: Toledo's walled city, Segovia's Roman aqueduct, Ávila's complete city walls. Gothic: the cathedrals of Burgos, León and Seville (the largest Gothic church in the world). Modernist: Gaudí's Barcelona (Sagrada Família, Casa Batlló, La Pedrera). Contemporary: Bilbao's Guggenheim, Valencia's City of Arts and Sciences.
Money & Currency
Euro (EUR)
Currency code: EUR
Practical Money Tips
Currency Exchange in Spain
Spain uses the Euro (EUR), so travelers from other Eurozone countries need no exchange. For visitors converting from USD, GBP, AUD, CAD or other currencies, ATMs consistently offer the best rates. Dedicated exchange offices exist in Madrid (Sol, Gran Vía), Barcelona (Las Ramblas, Plaça de Catalunya) and other tourist centres, but commissions of 3–8% are standard — the ones on Las Ramblas are particularly aggressive. Banks exchange currency but with limited hours and slow service. Avoid airport exchanges at Madrid-Barajas and Barcelona-El Prat — rates are the worst available. In smaller cities and towns, exchange offices are rare; ATMs are the only practical option.
ATM Availability
ATMs (cajeros automáticos) are widespread throughout Spain — in bank branches, shopping centres, airports, train stations and even small towns. Major Spanish banks include CaixaBank (the largest), Santander, BBVA, Bankinter and Sabadell. Daily withdrawal limits are typically €300–600. Visa and Mastercard work at virtually all machines; Maestro at most. Always decline the 'conversion to your home currency' option (Dynamic Currency Conversion) — it adds a 3–5% markup. Many Spanish ATMs charge no fee on their end, but your home bank may charge €2–5 per international withdrawal. On smaller Balearic and Canary islands, ATMs may be limited to the main town — withdraw before heading to remote beaches or villages.
Card Acceptance
Card payments are widely accepted in Spain's cities, tourist areas and larger businesses. Visa and Mastercard work almost everywhere; contactless payment (tap-to-pay) is standard at modern terminals. Apple Pay and Google Pay function at most retailers, supermarkets and restaurants. American Express has more limited acceptance. Cash remains important in Spain more than in some northern European countries: traditional tapas bars, smaller shops, village markets, rural areas, beach chiringuitos (beach bars), and some taxis prefer or require cash. Many small businesses have minimum card amounts (€5–10). Carry €30–50 in small notes alongside your cards, especially outside major cities and tourist zones.
Tipping Customs
Tipping is not obligatory in Spain — there is no service charge and no expectation of 15–20% as in the US. Spaniards typically leave small change or round up the bill. In sit-down restaurants, leaving 5–10% for good service is generous; many locals simply leave €1–2 or the loose coins from change. At tapas bars, tipping is minimal — rounding up or leaving spare change. Café: nothing, or the coins from change. Hotel porters: €1–2 per bag. Taxi: round up to the nearest euro. Tour guides: €5–10 per person for a half-day tour. Housekeeping: €1–2 per day. Always tip in cash even if paying by card.
Note: Always check current exchange rates before traveling. Currency exchange is available at airports, banks, and authorized money changers.
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