Spanish Passport: Ultimate Guide by Experts in 2024

The Iberian peninsula is a magical part of the Mediterranean, so it’s no wonder that thousands of people are looking into obtaining a Spanish passport.

In this ultimate guide to the Spanish passport you will learn about:

• How to get a Spanish passport
• The benefits of the Spanish passport
• How to obtain Spanish citizenship and more

About the Spanish Passport

Types of passports

There are several types of passports: biometric passports, regular passports, diplomatic passports, and service passports. Each of them is designed to cater to specific needs and circumstances.

• Regular: The regular passport is the most common passport issued to Spanish citizens. All passports currently issued are electronic passports, also known as biometric passports. The electronic passport contains an RFID chip embedded in its back cover, capable of identifying its holders without the need for contact with the readers.
• Diplomatic: A diplomatic passport is issued to Spanish diplomats and high-ranking government officials for use on official trips. In contrast, service passports are provided to Spanish nationals working in specific government departments or public organizations on assignments abroad. Both a diplomatic passport and a service passport are valid only for the duration of the specific mission or assignment.

Spanish passport ranking

The Spanish passport is presently ranked 16th on the Global Passport Index, granting visa-free access to over 100 countries. The Spain passport power is high, making it one of the world’s most coveted passports thanks to its exceptionally high mobility score, ranking 4th worldwide.

Holders of a passport enjoy the convenience of visa-free and visa-on-arrival access to numerous countries, including Brazil, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States.

This privilege enables almost immediate global travel. However, Spanish citizens need a visa for about 25 destinations worldwide, with countries like Russia being a notable example of where a visa is necessary.

Top 10 Spanish Passport Benefits

In addition to travel benefits with the Spanish passport, Spanish citizens enjoy the privileges of being part of the European Union. As an EU citizen, you have the right to live, work, and study in any EU member state, granting you access to a diverse job market, world-class education, and the opportunity to immerse yourself in the rich cultures and histories of various European countries.

Since joining the EU in 1986, Spanish citizens have enjoyed numerous benefits, which include:

1. Exceptional travel mobility: The Spanish passport ranks fourth globally on the Enhanced Mobility Index. There are over 100 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 European Union countries 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 public healthcare throughout Europe using your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). The Spanish healthcare system is also fantastic, with options for private health insurance at a much lower rate than 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, and if you want to make a difference in Spain, this is the way.
6. Educational opportunities: Looking at the benefits of Spanish citizenship, all Spanish citizens have access to a rich and 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: Also included in the benefits of a Spanish passport are the opportunities to immerse yourself in the rich Spanish culture and language.
9. Retirement in Spain: If you get the passport, you have an opportunity to retire in Spain later on with almost no hassle.
10. Spanish Passport Ranking: The Spanish passport has one of the highest passport rankings in the world. Ranked 21st in the Global Passport Index, the passport guarantees visa-free access to 174 countries to Spanish citizens, including on-arrival visa access to 31 countries. Additionally, you can access 24 countries with electronic visas.

As you can see, the benefits of a Spanish passport are immense. Whether you want to open doors for your family to travel, immerse yourself in the incredible Spanish culture, or start investing in EU countries, the Spanish passport offers all this and more to those who qualify.

Global Visa Requirements for Spanish Passport Holders

Spanish passports offer their holders numerous advantages, chief among them being the ability to travel to a wide range of countries without needing a visa. Below is an in-depth look at the entry conditions to various countries.

Country	Spain
Afghanistan	visa required
Albania	visa free (90 days)
Algeria	visa required
Andorra	visa free
Angola	visa free (30 days)
Antigua and Barbuda	visa free (180 days)
Argentina	visa free (90 days)
Armenia	visa free (180 days)
Australia	e-visa
Austria	visa free
Azerbaijan	e-visa
Bahamas	visa free (90 days)
Bahrain	visa on arrival
Bangladesh	visa on arrival
Barbados	visa free (90 days)
Belarus	visa free (30 days)
Belgium	visa free
Belize	visa free
Benin	e-visa
Bhutan	e-visa
Bolivia, Plurinational State of	visa free (90 days)
Bosnia and Herzegovina	visa free (90 days)
Botswana	visa free (90 days)
Brazil	visa free (90 days)
Brunei Darussalam	visa free (90 days)
Bulgaria	visa free
Burkina Faso	visa on arrival
Burundi	visa on arrival
Cambodia	visa on arrival
Cameroon	e-visa
Canada	e-visa
Cabo Verde	visa free (30 days)
Central African Republic	visa required
Chad	visa required
Chile	visa free (90 days)
China	visa free (15 days)
Colombia	visa free (90 days)
Comoros	visa on arrival
Congo	visa required
Congo, The Democratic Republic of the	e-visa
Costa Rica	visa free (180 days)
Côte d'Ivoire	e-visa
Croatia	visa free
Cuba	visa required
Cyprus	visa free
Czechia	visa free
Denmark	visa free
Djibouti	e-visa
Dominica	visa free (180 days)
Dominican Republic	visa free
Ecuador	visa free (90 days)
Egypt	visa on arrival
El Salvador	visa free (90 days)
Equatorial Guinea	e-visa
Eritrea	visa required
Estonia	visa free
Eswatini	visa free (30 days)
Ethiopia	visa on arrival
Fiji	visa free (120 days)
Finland	visa free
France	visa free
Gabon	visa free (30 days)
Gambia	visa free (90 days)
Georgia	visa free (360 days)
Germany	visa free
Ghana	visa on arrival
Greece	visa free
Grenada	visa free (90 days)
Guatemala	visa free (90 days)
Guinea	e-visa
Guinea-Bissau	visa on arrival
Guyana	visa free (90 days)
Haiti	visa free (90 days)
Honduras	visa free (90 days)
Hong Kong	visa free (90 days)
Hungary	visa free
Iceland	visa free
India	e-visa
Indonesia	visa on arrival
Iran, Islamic Republic of	e-visa
Iraq	visa on arrival
Ireland	visa free
Israel	visa free (90 days)
Italy	visa free
Jamaica	visa free (90 days)
Japan	visa free (90 days)
Jordan	visa on arrival
Kazakhstan	visa free (30 days)
Kenya	e-visa
Kiribati	visa free (90 days)
Kuwait	visa on arrival
Kyrgyzstan	visa free (60 days)
Lao People's Democratic Republic	visa on arrival
Latvia	visa free
Lebanon	visa on arrival
Lesotho	visa free (14 days)
Liberia	visa required
Libya	visa required
Liechtenstein	visa free
Lithuania	visa free
Luxembourg	visa free
Macao	visa free (90 days)
Madagascar	visa on arrival
Malawi	visa on arrival
Malaysia	visa free (90 days)
Maldives	visa on arrival
Mali	visa required
Malta	visa free
Marshall Islands	visa free (90 days)
Mauritania	visa on arrival
Mauritius	visa free (90 days)
Mexico	visa free (180 days)
Micronesia, Federated States of	visa free (90 days)
Moldova, Republic of	visa free (90 days)
Monaco	visa free
Mongolia	visa free (30 days)
Montenegro	visa free (90 days)
Morocco	visa free (90 days)
Mozambique	visa free (30 days)
Myanmar	e-visa
Namibia	visa free (90 days)
Nauru	visa required
Nepal	visa on arrival
Netherlands	visa free
New Zealand	e-visa
Nicaragua	visa free (90 days)
Niger	visa required
Nigeria	e-visa
Korea, Democratic People's Republic of	visa required
North Macedonia	visa free (90 days)
Norway	visa free
Oman	visa on arrival
Pakistan	e-visa
Palau	visa free (90 days)
Palestine, State of	visa free
Panama	visa free (90 days)
Papua New Guinea	e-visa
Paraguay	visa free (90 days)
Peru	visa free (90 days)
Philippines	visa free (30 days)
Poland	visa free
Portugal	visa free
Qatar	visa on arrival
Romania	visa free
Russian Federation	e-visa
Rwanda	visa on arrival
Saint Kitts and Nevis	visa free (90 days)
Saint Lucia	visa free (90 days)
Samoa	visa free (90 days)
San Marino	visa free
Sao Tome and Principe	visa free (15 days)
Saudi Arabia	visa on arrival
Senegal	visa free (90 days)
Serbia	visa free (90 days)
Seychelles	visa free (90 days)
Sierra Leone	visa on arrival
Singapore	visa free (90 days)
Slovakia	visa free
Slovenia	visa free
Solomon Islands	visa free (90 days)
Somalia	visa on arrival
South Africa	visa free (90 days)
Korea, Republic of	visa free (90 days)
South Sudan	e-visa
Sri Lanka	e-visa
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines	visa free (90 days)
Sudan	visa required
Suriname	visa required
Sweden	visa free
Switzerland	visa free
Syrian Arab Republic	visa required
Taiwan, Province of China	visa free (90 days)
Tajikistan	visa free (30 days)
Tanzania, United Republic of	visa on arrival
Thailand	visa free (30 days)
Timor-Leste	visa free (90 days)
Togo	visa on arrival
Tonga	visa free (90 days)
Trinidad and Tobago	visa free (90 days)
Tunisia	visa free (90 days)
Turkmenistan	visa required
Tuvalu	visa free (90 days)
Turkey	visa free (90 days)
Uganda	e-visa
Ukraine	visa free (90 days)
United Arab Emirates	visa free (90 days)
United Kingdom	visa free (180 days)
United States	e-visa
Uruguay	visa free (90 days)
Uzbekistan	visa free (30 days)
Vanuatu	visa free (90 days)
Holy See (Vatican City State)	visa free
Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of	visa free (90 days)
Viet Nam	visa free (45 days)
Yemen	visa required
Zambia	visa free (90 days)
Zimbabwe	visa on arrival

Spanish Passport Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for a Spanish passport, you must first become a Spanish citizen. There are several pathways to obtaining Spanish citizenship, typically involving ten years of being a Spanish resident.

There are various routes under the Spanish system, for acquiring Spanish nationality (whereby you can get a passport). We’ll explore all of them below.

1. Spanish citizenship by descent

If you have a close family connection with Spanish relatives, you can obtain Spanish citizenship by descent. This includes individuals born to a Spanish mother or Spanish father, and having a Spanish grandparent (specifically grandchildren of Spanish women born in Spain and married to non-Spanish citizens before 1978). This process is called Spanish Citizenship by Descent, and includes not only people who have Spanish parents but also those who are under the care of a Spanish national or were adopted and are over 18 years old.

2.Spanish citizenship by discretionary conferral

Here, Spanish citizenship is granted at the discretion of the Government by Royal Decree. The person concerned must prove that there are exceptional circumstances warranting the granting of nationality, such as reasons relating to culture, sport, science, solidarity, etc.

3. Spanish citizenship by possession of status

This is an unusual route for acquiring Spanish nationality based on the person who possessed and used Spanish nationality for ten years. The person concerned must have possessed and used Spanish nationality in good faith, and a record of nationality must be held in the Civil Register, even if that record is annulled.

4. Spanish citizenship by naturalization

This is, without doubt, the most common naturalization procedure foreign nationals use to obtain Spanish citizenship. This route requires that the applicant is a Spanish resident for between 2-10 years depending on their individual circumstances. For example, those born in Ibero-American countries, France, Portugal, Andorra, Equatorial Guinea, and the Philippines are eligible for Spanish citizenship after two years. However, most foreign nationals only qualify after ten years of residency in Spain.

5.Spanish citizenship for Sephardic Jews

The Spanish Nationality Law enables individuals of Sephardic Origin (descendants of those expelled from Spain in the 15th century) to obtain Spanish citizenship without renouncing their current citizenship and requiring residency in Spain. It’s important to note that additional requirements must be met to obtain Spanish citizenship, such as taking a Spanish language test to demonstrate basic proficiency in Spanish. Please note that if you’re from a Spanish-speaking country, you won’t have to take the language exam. Having a clean criminal record is also necessary.

6.Spanish citizenship by investment

Spain does not offer a direct citizenship-by-investment program. Unlike some other countries, Spain doesn’t grant citizenship purely based on a financial investment. However, Spain does have a residency-by-investment program, commonly referred to as the “Golden Visa” program. This program can eventually lead to citizenship, but it requires a longer process, including a period of residency, as well as a significant financial investment in Spain through real estate or business investment.

Process of Getting the Spanish Passport through Investment

Launched in 2013, the Spain Golden Visa Program gives investors and their families the incredible opportunity to get long-term residency in the country. However, the Golden Visa does not directly lead to citizenship.

After living in the country for five years, you can apply for permanent residency, and then to apply for citizenship, you need to have been a legal resident in Spain for ten years.

You must also maintain the investment for the duration of your residency. Additionally, you need to spend a certain amount of time in Spain each year to renew the residency permit. Apart from the investment, there are application fees, legal fees, and processing fees. These can vary depending on the complexity of your case and the professionals you engage with.

Investment options

Several investment routes are available to investors, such as:

• Investing a minimum of €500,000 in Spanish real estate (you are free to invest in multiple properties)
• Making a bank deposit of at least €1 million into a Spanish bank account
• Investing at least €1 million in shares of Spanish businesses
• Contributing €2 million towards government bonds
• Starting a business in Spain and investing €1 million, with the business generating employment and contributing to technological/or scientific innovation, or having a strong socioeconomic impact.

The initial visa is valid for one year. After this, the residence permit is valid for three years. This residence permit can then be renewed every five years. After you’ve been domiciled in the country for five years, you can apply for permanent residency. Permanent residence is an important step towards Spanish citizenship.

Note that applicants are required to visit Spain to submit their biometric data.

Minimum stay requirements

To be eligible for Spanish citizenship through the Spanish Golden Visa program, an applicant must hold a residence permit and spend at least 183 days per year for ten years in Spain.

To obtain Spanish nationality through the Spain Golden Visa program, you need to fulfill a few stay requirements.

• You must have been a Spanish resident for ten years
• Applicants must have resided in Spain for at least six months per year throughout that time to qualify

However, for individuals from former Spanish colonies and territories, Spanish citizenship can be obtained within two years by meeting the minimum stay policy of the Spanish government.

Spanish residency through the Golden Visa

The Golden Visa grants you and your family members residency in Spain. Initially, the residency visa is issued for three years and can be renewed for five-year periods as long as the investment is maintained. Once you and your family have remained residents of Spain for ten years you may be eligible for citizenship and a Spanish passport.

Spanish Passport Requirements

Applying for a Spanish passport requires following steps and fulfilling specific requirements. Before starting the application process, ensure you meet the passport requirements. To be eligible for a passport, you must be a Spanish citizen by birth, naturalization, or other means.

Required documents for the Spanish passport

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

• A valid Spanish ID card (DNI) or, if you don’t have one, your Spanish nationality certificate
• Proof of payment of the passport application fee, which is €30 for the regular passport
• For minor children or individuals under legal guardianship, additional documentation will be required, such as parental consent or a court order granting permission to apply for a passport.
• Two recent, identical passport-size photos (32 x 26 mm) with a white and smooth background. The face must be fully frontal and without dark glasses or any other clothing that could prevent the identification of the person (the photograph must clearly show the oval of the face, which includes eyebrows, eyes, nose, mouth, and chin, and must be in high resolution and on good quality photographic paper).

All Spanish citizens have the right to obtain an ordinary passport as long as any of the following circumstances do not apply:

• Having been sentenced to penalties or security measures that entail the deprivation or limitation of their freedom of residence or movement.
• When the judicial authority has prohibited its issuance or departure from Spain.
• This right is not limited by the Ministry of Interior due to states of alarm, exception, and siege.

How to Get a Spanish Passport: Step-By-Step Process

1. Schedule an appointment: You must schedule an appointment at your local police station or the nearest Spanish Consulate or Embassy if you are living abroad. Appointments can typically be booked online or by phone. Ensure you arrive on time and bring all the required documents with you.
2. Submit your passport application form and documents: A government official will review your documents and take your biometric data (digital photos and fingerprints) during your appointment. You will also be asked to verify your personal information before submitting your application.
3. 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.
4. Collect your passport: You will be notified once your application has been approved and your passport is ready for collection. Bring your receipt and any identification documents required for collection.

Fast-track application for former Spanish colony citizens

Citizens of former Spanish colonies are eligible for an accelerated path to Spanish citizenship.

Suppose you are from an Ibero-American country (which includes most former Spanish-speaking colonies in South America), Andorra, the Philippines, or Equatorial Guinea. In that case, you only need two years of residency in Spain to obtain citizenship.

The Spanish government has recently updated its guidelines, allowing applicants to exit Spain multiple times while still fulfilling the stay requirements for citizenship. Ultimately, applicants needs to visit Spain every two to three months over two years, working out to eight visits.

Spanish Passport Cost

At present, 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.

Dual Citizenship in Spain

Spain allows dual citizenship for nationals from specific countries, such as Ibero-American countries (most Latin American countries, including Brazil), Andorra, the Philippines, France, Equatorial Guinea, and Portugal. Citizens of these countries can keep their original nationality while obtaining Spanish citizenship.

However, Spain generally does not permit dual citizenship for citizens of other countries not mentioned above. In these cases, individuals may be required to renounce their original citizenship when obtaining Spanish citizenship.

Spanish Passport Renewal

If you need to renew your Spanish passport, go to the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs or your local police (Garda) station. It’s important to schedule an appointment online.

But if you’re abroad, in another country, you’ll need to find and visit a Spanish embassy or consulate.

Required documents for renewing the Spanish passport

When renewing your passport, you’ll need the following documentation:

• Current or expired passport (in case your passport was stolen, you need to provide a police report too from a police station)
• Valid Spanish D.N.I
• Three photographs of 3 x 4 cm that aren’t older than six months
• Renewal fee which is €30

Spanish passport renewal waiting time

It generally takes about a month to renew your passport. Start by popping into a passport office if you’re in Spain. If you’re elsewhere, an embassy or consulate will do. Fill out your application with great care and gather all the necessary documents.

Renewing a lost, stolen, or damaged Spanish passport

If your passport’s gone missing, been nicked, is about to expire, or has seen better days, you can sort out a new one 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. Just a heads-up, though: if it goes down this route, your new passport might only be good for three weeks. This short window gives you a chance to round up the proper additional documents for Spanish authorities.

Renewal cost

Renewing your Spanish passport costs €30.

How to renew a Spanish passport in the USA

To renew your Spanish passport in the USA, you need to follow these steps:

• Schedule an appointment with the Spanish Consulate that has jurisdiction over your area of residence. You can typically book an appointment online or by phone.
• Gather the required documents, including your current Spanish passport, Spanish ID card (DNI), and two recent passport-size photos with a white background
• Attend your appointment and submit the required documents, pay the application fee, and have your biometric data (digital photo and fingerprints) taken.
• Once your application is approved, you will be notified when your new passport is ready for collection at the Spanish Consulate.

Do I need to live in Spain to obtain Spanish citizenship?

To obtain Spanish citizenship through the Spanish Golden Visa program, you generally do not need to maintain a continuous or long-term physical presence in Spain. However, there are specific residency requirements that you should be aware of:

• Initial visa period: The Golden Visa initially allows you to live in Spain for one or two years.
• Renewals: You can renew this visa for two additional five-year periods.
• Physical presence requirements: The Spanish Golden Visa requirements include remaining in Spain for a minimum of 183 days per year for at least five years.
• Path to permanent residency and citizenship: If you aim to acquire permanent residency or Spanish citizenship, the requirements change. For permanent residency, you must live in Spain for five years. For citizenship, you generally need to be a resident for ten years. However, this period can be shorter in some specific cases (like for refugees or nationals from Ibero-American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, or Portugal).

Is It Worth Having a Spanish Passport?

It is absolutely worth it to have a second passport from Spain. Not only will you and your family members be able to live, work, and study in one of the best European countries, but your worldwide opportunities will broaden with visa-free access to over 100 countries worldwide.

Becoming a Spanish citizen not only provides practical advantages such as visa-free access to a high standard of living within the EU but also opens doors to cultural experiences, business opportunities, and a stable political environment. Additionally, the option for dual citizenship allows for flexibility.

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. 

Frequently Asked Questions about the Spanish Passport