Who Needs a Visa to Enter Spain?

If you're planning to come to Spain — and possibly apply for one of the residence permits that can be requested from within the country, such as the increasingly popular digital nomad visa — one of the first things you should check is this.

Do you need a visa just to enter the country?

The answer depends entirely on your nationality. As a member of the Schengen Area, Spain allows visa-free entry for some travelers, while others must obtain a Schengen visa (Type C) even for short stays.

Countries That Do Need a Visa to Enter Spain

If your country is not on the visa-exempt list, you must apply for a Schengen visa (Type C) just to enter Spain — even for a short visit.

Nationalities that require a visa:

What If You're Living Abroad (But Not a Citizen)?

This is a common situation for remote professionals and expats. For example:

• A Filipino citizen working in Dubai
• A Nigerian living in the United Kingdom
• An Indian national based in Qatar
• A Syrian residing in Germany

Here's what you need to know:

If you are a national of a country that normally requires a visa to enter Spain, but you are currently living in another Schengen country with a valid residence permit, you can travel to Spain without needing a separate visa — as long as your stay does not exceed 90 days and your permit remains valid. This opens the door to applying for certain residence permits from within Spain, depending on your situation.

However, if you are living in a non-Schengen country (such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia, or the UK), and your nationality does require a visa, you will generally need to submit your residence permit application at the Spanish consulate in your country of legal residence — even if you hold a valid work visa or residence card there.

In practice, this means you may face longer processing times and stricter documentation requirements, particularly in regions where Spanish consulates are known for delays or limited availability of appointments.

Final Tips

• Check your visa requirements before making any travel plans. You can consult the official government list. or speak with a qualified immigration advisor.
• You can only apply for a residence permit from within Spain if the specific residence permit allows in-country applications (for example, the digital nomad visa does, while the non-lucrative visa does not).
• If in doubt, speak with a qualified immigration advisor.