Explore Spain: Visa Requirements To Must-Visit Places — All You Need To Know For Your Visit

Explore Spain: From Barcelona's iconic La Sagrada Familia Basilica to Madrid's renowned Prado art museum and the stunning Costa del Sol, experience your 'Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara' moment.

Plaza de Cibeles is one of the main tourist attractions in Madrid, capital of Spain.

Source : Getty

Are you a fan of Zoya Akhtar’s Bollywood hit "Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara" and waiting for your moment to be in Spain? Then it is time to plan your trip to Europe’s second most visited country. With glorious mountain ranges, warm Mediterranean waters, rich history, culture, and delicious cuisines to attract tourists from around the globe, tourism is one of the most contributing factors to Spain’s economy.

Spain has over 3,000 miles of coastline and about 48 UNESCO World Heritage sites making it a blend of nature and historical places. Featuring some of the most exquisite destinations like Barcelona, La Sagrada Familia Basilica, Madrid and its famous Prado art museum, and the Costa del Sol with warm, picturesque beaches Spain has everything to satisfy your thirst for travel. So, pack your bags and get ready as you will have much to discover and explore.

Visa Procedure And Requirements

Foreign nationals outside the European Union (EU) nations willing to visit Spain, have multiple categories of visas according to the purpose of their visit.

1- Schengen Visa (For short-term stay)

2- National Visa (For long-term stay)

Schengen Visa

The Schengen visa is for foreign nationals from countries outside the European Union. This visa allows the holder to stay in the Schengen area (EU) for up to 90 days within any 180 days. Schengen Visa is issued for multiple purposes mentioned below:

- Tourist Visa

- Business Visa

- Airport Transit Visa

- Transit Visa for Seamen

- Relative of EEA/EU Citizens

National Visa

A national visa is for foreign nationals from countries outside the EU willing to stay longer than 90 days. Spain grants national visas for the purposes mentioned below:

- Study visa

- Internship visa

- Researcher visa

- General scheme for family reunification visa

- Employee visa

- Self-employed work visa

- Visa for highly qualified workers and intra-company transfers

- Investor visa

- Entrepreneur visa

- Non-lucrative residence visa

- Digital nomad visa

- Long-term residence or EU long-term residence recovery

- Visa in case of loss or theft of residence permit card

- Residence visa with working permit exemption

Schengen Tourist Visa

Being Europe’s 4th largest country full of natural and architectural wonders Spain is loved by tourists all across the globe.  Wonderful sightseeing, vibrant festivals to exciting adventure activities, Spain exudes irresistible magnetism and allure. To explore all of this and find your "Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara" moment, you have to apply for the Schengen tourist visa.

Visa Requirements For Indian Citizens

For Indian citizens planning to visit Spain, the following documents are essential:

1. Application form
2. One Photograph
3. Passport which must be valid for at least 6 months and have at least 2 blank pages
4. Photocopy of the pages that contain biometric data, previous visas from different countries, and migration stamps of the current and the last passport
5. Medical insurance must be of at least Rs 24,99,030 or its equivalent in Spanish currency
6. Travel Itinerary: A travel plan, informing about your accommodations, return tickets
7. Financial Means: You have to submit a few documents to show you can support your trip which includes:

• Original, stamped, and signed bank statements of the applicant and sponsor (if any) for the last 3 months
• Income tax returns (ITR-V or Form 16) for the last two years of the applicant and sponsor, if applicable
• Salary slips for the last three months, when available
• Self-attested photocopy of the PAN card

Points To Be Noted

- Application must be submitted in person

- Visa application period is between 6 months and 15 days 

 -You have to pay approximately Rs 7,000 as the Visa Fee

- In case of Visa refusal, you can request reconsideration by submitting an appeal letter in person at the Consular Section

- If you are planning to visit various EU countries, then your Visa will be considered only in the following conditions:

• Country related to the main purpose of travel
•  A country with the maximum period of stay
•  State of first entry
• You can book your appointment for the centre visit, download the visa application form, and pay the visa fees by visiting the official website.

Schengen Area Benefits With Schengen Visa

Spain is part of the Schengen Area (European Union), which currently has 26 European countries allowing easy access without any visa or other hassle. Those 26 countries are Germany, Austria, Belgium, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

Travel Logistics

The best and cheapest way to reach Spain is by air and there are several airlines such as Blue Air, Ryanair, EasyJet, Air France, and British Airways offering flights between India and Spain. It can take at least 9 to 12 hours to reach Spain depending on the airline you choose. Flight tickets can range between Rs. 35,000 to Rs 60,000 as per the season. You can access these flights from Delhi, Mumbai, or Chennai airports to any of the international Spain airports such as Madrid, Barcelona, Malaga, and Palma de Mallorca Airport in Spain.

Although travelling by air is the shortest and most budget-friendly way, you can also choose to go by road, crossing multiple borders.  Travelling by road can be hectic, complicated, and sometimes annoying as you have to take permission while crossing each border. You will also need an international driving license to drive a vehicle on your own.

You can opt for a cruise as well if you want to be in the water for a few days. However, you first have to reach one of the North African countries like Tangiers, Morocco as there is no direct cruise or ferry service available. It can take weeks to reach Spain by sea and can be quite expensive. Still, if you are looking for some luxury and leisure travel, this will be your option.

Spain has a well-connected road, air, and high-speed train network to make your internal transportation hassle-free. Public transport is a budget-friendly option in Spain as buses, connect villages to cities frequently and efficiently. You can rent a car to roam around but for that, you should be above 21 and must have an international driving license. Spain is known for its high-speed extensive trains which are quite affordable for tourists and offer a great experience with beautiful views.

With several great accommodation facilities, Spain offers budget-friendly hostels and couchsurfing options to luxurious homestays and Airbnbs. GO GO Espana, Uniplaces, and Booking.com are a few well-known online platforms offering some great deals. Make sure to book all your accommodation in advance as you have to show your accommodation proof at the airport as well. Stay can range from Rs 3,000 per night to Rs 30-40,000 based on your location and property. 

Depending on the season, airline, and accommodation choices, a round trip for 7-8 days in Spain could range from Rs 70,000 to 200,000. Since 2002, Spain has used the euro as its official currency and for one euro, you have to spend approximately Rs 90.

Best Time To Visit:

Spain has three different seasons and you will find it exquisite in each season. When spring from March to May and autumn from September to November are the peak seasons attracting most tourists, travellers are also choosing January, February, and August to find Spain cheaper and less crowded comparatively.

Spain has a mixed climate where temperatures do not vary drastically, but travelling in June or August can be humid and affect your plans due to heat waves.

Language

While the official language is Spanish, you will find locals speaking different regional languages as well here. For example Catalan in Catalonia, Galician in Galicia, and Basque in the Basque Country. People do speak English as well, although the number of speakers is limited. Here are a few Spanish phrases to make your journey easier - Hola - hello, Gracias - thank you, Por favor - please, De nada - you’re welcome, Mucho gusto - nice to meet you, and Buenas Noches - good night.

Explore The Treasure of Spain: 

With a great combination of exotic and phenomenal architecture, along with the blessings of natural views, Spain is the symbol of vibrant culture, life, and adventure. While Spain’s southern coast is packed with historic old towns, its northern part boasts a mind-blowing mountainous range. Spain is adored by travellers of all kinds, whether you're solo, on a family vacation, or enjoying a trip with friends.

While Madrid and Barcelona attract the most tourists, cities like Malaga, Ronda, Sevilla, Cordoba, and Granada are also highly popular among visitors. World Heritage site, Córdoba is known for its colourful arches and sheer size, dating back to the Middle Ages and Andalusia is ideal for outdoor enthusiasts, full of nature and fun activities. It is a top attraction for the towering fortresses, monumental mosques, and awe-inspiring palaces constructed during the Moors’ 800-year rule.

From snowy peaks in the Sierra Nevada and the ancient woodlands of Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park, the sub-tropical beaches in Granada, and the wildlife of the Almería desert, Spain has everything to make your journey a cherished memory for a lifetime.

Europe’s only desert, with stunning rock formations in the Cabo de Gata-Níjar Nature Reserve, will also leave you in awe. Just an hour away from Madrid, you can find art-filled medieval castles, hiking trails, beautiful blue beaches for water activities, and the world-famous Picasso Museum.

If you are there in summer, the UNESCO-recognised El Retiro Park, which spans 308 acres of classical gardens, trickling fountains, lakes, and expansive green lawns, should be on your itinerary. For art lovers, Museo Nacional Del Prado, one of the world’s most important institutions for European painting, housing masterpieces like Picasso’s Guernica is a must-visit. High-design bodegas dreamed up by Frank Gehry, Santiago Calatrava, and Zaha Hadid are a gift for architecture lovers.

Apart from nature, wildlife, mountains, and architecture, Spain is known for its oldest wines and delicious cuisines. Located an hour’s drive away from Bilbao, Spain’s premier wine region is home to more than 500 wineries and is known worldwide for its bold, oaky reds. You can learn about wine tasting and preservation here. Tapas, tortilla de patatas, migas, gazpacho, and paella valenciana are some of the must-try cuisines.

You must have heard about Spain's grand and fun festivals. Some of the most famous festivals are La Tomatina — or “tomato throwing” — in August, and the Running of the Bulls in July. If you are an outdoor enthusiast, Spain offers plenty of adventures, including exploring the hiking trails of the Pyrenees, surfing the northern coast of the Basque Country, and kiteboarding in Tarifa. You can also enjoy skydiving, snorkeling, and a hot air balloon ride as a cherry on the cake.

Spain has a lot to explore at every corner, and no one can cover it completely in even a month, so its long coastline, mountains, and wine may call you back again and again.