Spanish Passport: How to Get one and Requirements in 2026

A Spanish passport is a valuable travel document, granting holders visa-free access to 127 countries and visa-on-arrival access to many more. Spanish citizens are also EU citizens, which means they can live, work, and travel freely across the European Union, the European Economic Area, and Switzerland.

Spain ranks 20th on the Global Citizen Solutions Passport Index, making it one of the strongest passports for international mobility. This article explains everything you need to know about the Spanish passport. You will learn how powerful the passport is, how to get one, what documents you need, the application process, the costs, and other important details.

Spanish Passport: Key Takeaways

The Spanish Passport ranks 20th in the world on the Passport Index by Global Citizen Solutions.

Holders may travel to over 180 destinations, either without a visa, or with a visa-on-arrival.

Spanish citizens derive many additional benefits, like EU mobility, access to healthcare and education, and political participation.

Spanish citizenship can be acquired through birth, marriage, descent, and naturalization. There is a reduced 2-year pathway to citizenship by naturalization for citizens of Latin America, Brazil, the Philippines and certain other countries.

The Spanish passport ranks 20th in the Passport Index by Global Citizen Solutions. What sets our Index apart is its holistic approach. Instead of focusing only on visa-free travel, it evaluates passports based on three essential factors: quality of life, enhanced mobility, and investment opportunities. This makes it a more complete and insightful ranking for those looking at the true value of citizenship. Spain ranks 4th on the Quality of Life Index and 5th on the Enhanced Mobility Index, making it one of the most desirable passports in the world.

Spanish citizens enjoy numerous benefits, which include:

1. Exceptional travel mobility: The Spanish passport ranks fourth globally on the Enhanced Mobility Index. There are 127 Spanish passport visa-free countries, enhancing mobility across the globe.
2. Live and work in the European Union: Spain is a member of the European Union (EU), and so the Spanish passport grants individuals free movement and the right to live, work, and study in EU countries. This is without the need for additional visas or permits.
3. Access to high-quality healthcare: One of the main benefits of having a Spanish passport is that you become an EU citizen, granting you access to public healthcare throughout Europe using your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). The Spanish healthcare system is world-class, with options for private health insurance at a much lower rate than in other European countries and the US.
4. Safe Investments: With a stable economy and political neutrality, Spanish citizens have access to a secure and reliable investment landscape.
5. Voting rights: Spanish citizens have a right to vote in elections both in Spain and in the EU.
6. Educational opportunities: All Spanish citizens have access to a comprehensive educational system, including preschool, primary, secondary, and tertiary education.
7. Consular benefits: All Spanish citizens can reach out to Spanish consulates and embassies across the world in case of any issues during their travels.
8. Spanish culture and language: The benefits of a Spanish passport include the opportunities to immerse yourself in the rich Spanish culture and language.
9. Retirement in Spain: If you get the passport, you have the opportunity to retire in Spain.
10. Spanish Passport Ranking: The Spanish passport has one of the highest passport rankings in the world. Ranked 20th in the Global Passport Index, the passport guarantees visa-free access to 127 countries to Spanish citizens, including on-arrival visa access to 41 countries. Additionally, you can access 37 countries with electronic visas.

To qualify for a Spanish passport, you must first become a Spanish citizen. There are several pathways to obtaining Spanish citizenship, and each route has a different timeline. Here are the main pathways to a Spanish passport:

Citizenship By Birth

A child is automatically granted Spanish citizenship if born in Spain to at least one Spanish parent. Children born in Spain to foreign parents may also qualify if at least one parent was also born in Spain (except children of diplomats), or if the child would otherwise be stateless because the parents’ home country does not automatically grant nationality by birth. Spain follows jus sanguinis (right of blood) but also allows citizenship by birth in specific cases to avoid statelessness.

Citizenship by Descent

You may be eligible for Spanish nationality if you have Spanish ancestry. If one or both of your parents were Spanish at birth, you could claim Spanish citizenship by descent even if you were born abroad. In some cases, you may also qualify through a Spanish grandparent, especially if they were born in Spain.

Citizenship By Naturalization

To apply for Spanish citizenship by naturalization, most foreigners must live legally in Spain for 10 years. Refugees can apply after 3 years, and citizens of Latin American countries, the Philippines, Andorra, Equatorial Guinea, and Sephardic Jews after 2 years. Time spent in Spain on visas like the Spain Non-Lucrative Visa or the Spain Digital Nomad Visa counts toward this residency requirement as long as the stay is uninterrupted.

Citizenship By Marriage

If you’re married to a Spanish citizen, you can apply for citizenship after just one year of legal residence in Spain. The marriage must still be valid at the time of application.

Discover the benefits retiring in Spain with our Spain Non-Lucrative Visa Guide

Learn More

To apply for the Spanish passport, you will need to provide several documents, including:

• Valid Spanish National ID card (DNI)
• Proof of Spanish citizenship (such as a Spanish birth certificate or naturalization certificate)
• Completed passport application form
• Recent passport-sized photos that meet official requirements (color photos, 32mm x 26mm in size, showing a clear, front-facing view with a neutral expression and a plain background)
• Proof of payment of the passport fee

For minors, additional documents like parents’ IDs and consent forms may be required.

1. Obtain Spanish Citizenship: You must be a Spanish citizen before applying for a passport. This can be through birth, descent, marriage, or naturalization.
2. Schedule an appointment: If you live abroad, you must schedule an appointment at your nearest Spanish Consulate or Embassy. Appointments can typically be booked online or by phone. Ensure you arrive on time and bring all the required documents with you.
3. Submit your passport application form and documents: During your appointment, a government official will review your documents and take your biometric data, digital photos and fingerprints. You will also be asked to verify your personal information before submitting your application.
4. Pay the application fees: You must pay the passport application fee at the time of submission. The fee can be paid in cash or by credit/debit card, depending on the location. Ensure you keep the receipt as proof of payment. The cost of a passport is €30. This fee must be paid at the time of the passport application.
5. Collect your passport: You will be notified once your application has been approved and your passport is ready for collection. Bring your receipt and the identification documents required for collection.

The Spanish government charges a standard fee of €30 for issuing a first passport, as well as for replacing or renewing an existing one. This fee can be paid in cash directly at the passport issuing office, or alternatively, it can be paid online using the Telematic service.

If you need to renew your Spanish passport, visit the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs or your local police (Garda Civil) station. It’s important to schedule an appointment online. But if you’re abroad you’ll need to find and visit a Spanish embassy or consulate.

• Make sure your passport is expired or about to expire within 12 months.
• Book an appointment online at citapreviadnie.es.
• Bring your old passport or police report if it’s lost.
• Bring your Spanish National ID (DNI).
• Bring one biometric passport photo (32 x 26 mm, white background).
• Pay the renewal fee of €30.
• Attend your appointment at a police station or Spanish consulate.
• Provide fingerprints and submit documents.
• Your new passport is ready in about 1 week in Spain or 2 to 4 weeks abroad

Renewing a lost, stolen, or damaged Spanish passport

If your passport’s gone missing, been stolen, is about to expire, or has seen better days, you can replace it at the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Bring your valid national ID and the passport you need to replace. If you lack these papers, the consular office might be able to confirm your Spanish citizenship by contacting the authorities back home.

Yes, dual citizenship is possible with a Spanish passport, but it depends on your country of origin.

• Spain allows dual citizenship only with certain countries, mainly those with historical ties, such as Latin American, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, and Portugal. Citizens of these countries can retain their original nationality when acquiring Spanish citizenship.
• For other nationalities, Spain typically requires applicants to renounce their previous citizenship when becoming Spanish citizens.

How Can Global Citizen Solutions Help You?

Global Citizen Solutions is an advisory migration consultancy firm with years of experience delivering bespoke residence and citizenship by investment solutions for international families. With offices worldwide and an experienced, hands-on team, we have helped hundreds of clients worldwide acquire citizenship, residence visas, or homes while diversifying their portfolios with robust investments. 

We guide you from start to finish, taking you beyond your citizenship or residency by investment application.