Spain is a land rich in history, culture, and natural beauty, with diverse landscapes that range from the Pyrenees mountains in the north to the sunny beaches of the Mediterranean. So while you have access to magical landscapes and bustling cities on a Spain passport, visa-free countries are only a short airplane trip away.
Spain passport holders have plenty of options when it comes to traveling. Not only can you choose to travel to visa-free countries, but there are also countries that will permit your entry solely based on an Electronic Travel Authorization and an electronic visa. All Spain passport holders can travel freely within the European Union, as these are classified as visa-free countries. But there are countries outside the European Union where you can travel visa-free. While preparing for your trip, bear in mind that there might be temporary travel restrictions in some countries.
Here’s a detailed guide for all Spain passport holders listing all Spain passport visa-free countries you can visit this year.
Overview of a Spanish Passport
The Spanish passport is one of the most powerful in the world, allowing visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to over 127 countries. According Global Passport Index by Global Citizen Solutions, Spain has one of the most powerful passports ranking 20th on the index.
Spanish passport holders have the privilege to travel visa-free for tourism and business, which can open doors to a variety of experiences and opportunities across different continents.
Spain Passport Rankings Visa Free Countries for Spanish Passport Holders
Here’s a list of all visa-free countries for Spain passport holders.
United Arab Emirates
Antigua and Barbuda
Albania
Armenia
Angola
Argentina
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Barbados
Brunei
Bolivia
Brazil
Bahamas
Botswana
Belarus
Chile
China
Colombia
Costa Rica
Cape Verde
Dominica
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
Fiji
Federated States of Micronesia
United Kingdom
Grenada
Georgia
Guatemala
Guyana
Honduras
Haiti
Israel
Jamaica
Japan
Kyrgyzstan
Kiribati
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Kazakhstan
Laos
Saint Lucia
Lesotho
Morocco
Moldova
Montenegro
Marshall Islands
North Macedonia
Mongolia
Mauritius
Mexico
Malaysia
Mozambique
Nicaragua
Nauru
Panama
Peru
Philippines
Palau
Paraguay
Qatar
Serbia
Solomon Islands
Seychelles
Singapore
Senegal
Suriname
Sao Tome and Principe
El Salvador
Eswatini
Thailand
Tajikistan
East Timor
Tunisia
Tonga
Turkey
Trinidad and Tobago
Tuvalu
Ukraine
United States
Uruguay
Uzbekistan
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Venezuela
Vietnam
Vanuatu
Samoa
South Africa
ZambiaVisa on Arrival Countries for Spanish Passport Holders
Here’s a list of all countries for Spanish passport holders which will require you to get a visa upon arrival.
Bangladesh
Guinea-Bissau
Indonesia
Comoros
Lebanon
MaldivesCountries that Require an eVisa for Spanish Passport Holders
The list below shows all the countries where Spanish passport holders can visit by getting electronic visas before traveling.
Azerbaijan
Burkina Faso
Bahrain
Burundi
Benin
Bhutan
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Ivory Coast
Cameroon
Cuba
Djibouti
Egypt
Ethiopia
Gabon
Guinea
Equatorial Guinea
India
Iraq
Iran
Jordan
Cambodia
Kuwait
Sri Lanka
Libya
Madagascar
Myanmar
Mauritania
Malawi
Namibia
Nigeria
Nepal
Oman
Papua New Guinea
Pakistan
Russia
Rwanda
Saudi Arabia
Sierra Leone
Somalia
South Sudan
Syria
Chad
Togo
Tanzania
Uganda
ZimbabweCountries with Visa Requirements for Spain Passport Holders
The list below shows all the countries requiring Spanish passport holders to adhere to the respective nation’s visa regulations and apply for a valid visa before making travel arrangements.
Afghanistan
Central African Republic
Republic of the Congo
Algeria
Eritrea
Ghana
Liberia
Mali
Niger
Sudan
Turkmenistan
Yemen
4 Benefits of a Spanish Passport
- Extensive visa-free access: Spanish passport holders enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to over 180 countries, including the USA, Canada, and the majority of countries in Europe, Asia, and Latin America. This makes international travel for both leisure and business highly convenient and hassle-free.
- EU membership benefits: As Spain is a member of the European Union, Spanish citizens have the right to live, work, and study in any other EU country without the need for additional permits or visas, offering a wealth of opportunities for career growth, education, and cultural experiences.
- Access to Schengen Area: Holding a Spanish passport allows unrestricted travel within the Schengen Area, which encompasses 27 European countries that have abolished passports and other types of border control at their mutual borders, facilitating easy and efficient intra-European travel.
- Consular support and protection: Spanish citizens can rely on consular support and protection from any EU member state when traveling abroad, especially in countries where Spain may not have a significant diplomatic presence. This provides an added layer of security in case of emergencies.
- Strong global reputation: Spain’s passport is globally respected and ranks high in terms of travel freedom. This strong reputation can facilitate smoother travel experiences, including easier processing at border controls and wider acceptance of visa applications to countries that do require them.
Most Popular Spain Visa-Free Travel Destinations
Since Spain is an EU member state and part of the Schengen Area, obtaining the Spain Golden Visa means you can travel visa-free to all 26 countries constituting the Schengen zone. The Schengen Zone encompasses a monumental agreement among European countries, allowing free and unrestricted movement across their borders as if they were a single country for international travel purposes.
Spanish passport holders can travel to all 26 countries in the Schengen zone without a visa:
- Austria
- Belgium
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
On top of that, Spanish citizens can travel to South Africa without a visa. It’s important to note that there are specific entry requirements and you can stay for a limited amount of time.
Spanish Passport Through Investment
The easiest way to get a Spanish passport is through a financial investment in the Spanish economy. The Spanish Golden Visa was launched in 2013 as part of the national strategy to boost the Spanish economy and increase foreign investment. Also known as the Investor Visa, Spain’s Golden Visa is a residency by investment program offering non-EU citizens legal residence in Spain in exchange for significant capital investment in the country.
Please note that the Spain Golden Visa program is not a direct route to obtain Spanish citizenship. However, after acquiring a Spain Golden Visa and living in Spain for ten years as a Spanish resident, you could be eligible for citizenship.
Important to note: The Spanish Golden Visa program ended on April 3, 2025. After this date, new applications for the Spanish Golden Visa will no longer be accepted.
Other Spanish Residency Options
Spain Digital Nomad Visa (Spain)
The Spain Digital Nomad Visa allows non-EU citizens to live in Spain while working remotely for foreign companies or clients. It is issued for one year if you apply from abroad, or up to three years if you apply from within Spain, and can be renewed for a total stay of up to five years. After five years of continuous legal residence, you can apply for permanent residency. Spanish citizenship generally requires ten years of legal residence, so this visa can lead to citizenship as long as you maintain legal residency for the required period.
Spain Non-Lucrative Visa
The Spain Non-Lucrative Visa is for people who want to live in Spain without working there. Applicants must show they have enough financial means to support themselves independently. The visa is first issued for one year and can then be renewed in two-year increments, allowing a total of five years of temporary residence. After five years, holders can apply for permanent residency. Like other long-term residents, those on the Non-Lucrative Visa can apply for Spanish citizenship after ten years of legal residence, provided they continue meeting Spain’s residence requirements.
How Can Global Citizen Solutions Help You?
Global Citizen Solutions is a boutique 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.
