Last reviewed: · Prices in Euros (€) are approximate and for orientation only.
Passport Validity & the Schengen 90/180-Day Rule
Citizens of the US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan can enter Spain and the Schengen Area visa-free for up to 90 days within any rolling 180-day period. Your passport must have been issued within the last 10 years and remain valid for at least 3 months after the date you exit the Schengen Area.
EU Entry/Exit System (EES) & ETIAS Authorization
Under the EU's digital Entry/Exit System (EES), non-EU travelers arriving at Madrid-Barajas, Barcelona-El Prat, Málaga, or Palma de Mallorca register fingerprints and a facial scan at self-service border kiosks instead of receiving manual ink stamps. Once ETIAS launches six months after EES stabilization, visa-exempt travelers aged 18–70 will complete a €7 online authorization valid for 3 years.
Spain's Royal Decree 933/2021 Hotel & Car Rental Check-In Data (SES.Hospedajes)
Do not be alarmed when Spanish hotels, Airbnb hosts, or car rental desks ask for every guest's passport number, home address, phone number, email, and relationship to minors under 18. Under Spain's Ministry of the Interior SES.Hospedajes law (Real Decreto 933/2021), all lodging and vehicle providers are legally fined if they do not transmit these details at check-in.
Key Takeaways & Local Tips
- Keep a photo of your passport bio page on your phone, plus your physical ID or passport when boarding high-speed AVE trains or entering the Alhambra.
- Time spent in France, Italy, Portugal, or Switzerland counts toward the same 90-day Schengen allowance as Spain.
- Non-EU visitors may theoretically be asked at border control for proof of accommodation, return ticket, and financial means.
Official sources & further reading
Rules, prices and schedules change. Confirm details here before you travel: