Visa & ETIAS For Short Stays Up to 90 Days
The first question is whether you need a Visa024 or a ETIAS declaration (in 2025). Citizens from countries that need a Visa do not need an ETIAS declaration, and the other way around.
If you are a citizen from a visa-exempt country with valid passports traveling for tourism or business, you can enter the Shengen Area without a visa for a period of 90 days within each six-month period.
Who needs an ETIAS
What is a Schengen visa?
A Schengen visa is an entry permit for non-EU nationals to make a short, temporary visit of up to 90 days in any 180-day period to a country in the Schengen area.
You must submit your application to the consulate at least 15 days before your intended journey and no earlier than 6 months beforehand.
More info on SCHENGEN VISA EU website
ETIAS in a nutshell
Starting in 2025, ETIAS travel authorisation is an entry requirement for visa-exempt nationals travelling to any of these 30 European countries.
It is linked to a traveller’s passport. It is valid for up to three years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first.
More info in ETIAS EU website
ETIAS APPLICATION WEBSITE (still not in place)
The Schengen visa
A Schengen visa is an authorisation issued by a Schengen state that allows travellers to enter the Schengen area for:
- intended short stays in or transit through the territory of a Schengen state (short stay visa)
- transit through the international transit areas of airports of the Schengen states (airport transit visa)
Short stays are stays of no more than 90 days within any 180-day period.
Today, 29 European countries issue Schengen visas, as members of the Schengen area:
- 25 of the 27 EU member states
- Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland
Where to apply
You must lodge your application for a Schengen visa at the consulate of the country you intend to visit.
- Visiting more than 1 Schengen countries: apply at the consulate of the country where you will spend the longest time.
- Visiting several Schengen countries (for stays of equal length): apply at the consulate of the first country you will visit.
As a general rule, you must apply for a Schengen visa at the consulate with territorial responsibility for the country where you are legally resident.
Applying in Spain
Here you have the link to the Spanish Foreign Office and a list of Embassies and Consulates. You can also find a FAQ leaflet witten by the Spanish Foreign Office on the matter.
Here is the Foreign Office consulate services website
And here you have Embassies & Consulates by country