Visiting Spain
Spain is in the Schengen area, so time you spend there counts towards your Schengen stay. Expect a tourist tax in Catalonia and the Balearic Islands, and extra passport checks if you visit Ceuta or Melilla.
What you need, by passport
- US passportNo visa needed for up to 90 days in 180Cleared
- UK passportNo visa needed for up to 90 days in 180Cleared
- Irish passportNo visa or time limit as an EU citizenCleared
- Canadian passportNo visa needed for up to 90 days in 180Cleared
- Australian passportNo visa needed for up to 90 days in 180Cleared
- New Zealand passportNo visa needed for up to 90 days in 180Cleared
Quick answers
Do I need a visa to visit Spain?
Not for a short visit on a US, UK, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand passport. You can stay up to 90 days in any 180 across the whole Schengen area. Irish citizens can live and work there with no time limit.
Is Spain in the Schengen area?
Yes, since 26 March 1995. Time you spend in Spain counts towards your 90 days in any 180, together with every other Schengen country.
Do I need ETIAS for Spain?
Not yet. When it starts, you'll need to apply online for ETIAS before you travel. It will cost €20 (free if you're under 18 or over 70) and last 3 years or until your passport expires. There's no start date yet: the EU says it will announce it several months ahead. Until then, don't pay any website for it.
How long does my passport need to be valid for Spain?
Your passport must have been issued less than 10 years before you arrive, and be valid for at least 3 months after the day you leave the Schengen area.
Good to know in Spain
Catalonia tourist tax. Places to stay in Catalonia charge a tourist tax for each guest aged 17 or over, for up to 7 nights. Since 1 April 2026 it's €6 to €12 a night in Barcelona and €0.80 to €4.50 elsewhere, depending on the type of accommodation. VAT is added on top.
Balearic Islands tourist tax. Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera charge a sustainable tourism tax of €1 to €4 a night from May to October, and €0.25 to €1 from November to April, plus 10% VAT. It's halved from your ninth night in the same place. Under-16s don't pay.
Ceuta and Melilla checks. Spain's cities of Ceuta and Melilla in North Africa have special Schengen rules. When you leave them by ferry or plane for mainland Spain, police check your passport, and ferry and airline staff check your documents too.
Crossing to Gibraltar. Since 15 July 2026, Gibraltar's entry rules for short visits match the Schengen rules, and there are no passport booths at the land border with Spain. Time you spend in Gibraltar counts towards your Schengen days.
Checked 26 October 2026 against European Union, European Commission, Agència Tributària de Catalunya, Agència d'Estratègia Turística de les Illes Balears, Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation and GOV.UK.
See the 21 official sources
- What is ETIAS (European Union (Travel to Europe))
- What you need to apply (ETIAS) (European Union (Travel to Europe))
- ETIAS frequently asked questions (European Union (Travel to Europe))
- ETIAS timeline explained (European Union (Travel to Europe))
- Who should apply (ETIAS) (European Union (Travel to Europe))
- How does the EES work? (European Union (Travel to Europe))
- What is the EES? (European Union (Travel to Europe))
- FAQs about EES (European Union (Travel to Europe))
- Smart Borders (European Commission (Migration and Home Affairs))
- Short-stay calculator (European Commission (Migration and Home Affairs))
- User manual for the short-stay Schengen calculator (European Commission)
- Travel documents for non-EU nationals (European Union (Your Europe))
- Travel documents for EU nationals (European Union (Your Europe))
- Residence rights when living abroad in the EU (European Union (Your Europe))
- Documents for minors travelling in the EU (European Union (Your Europe))
- Tax on stays in tourism establishments in Catalonia: information on tax rates (Agència Tributària de Catalunya (Generalitat de Catalunya))
- Impost sobre les estades en establiments turístics (Agència Tributària de Catalunya (Generalitat de Catalunya))
- ITS Calculator: Sustainable Tourism Tax rates (Agència d'Estratègia Turística de les Illes Balears (Govern de les Illes Balears))
- Ceuta, Melilla (Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation)
- Spain entry requirements (GOV.UK)
- Gibraltar entry requirements (GOV.UK)