Introduction
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 Global 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 it is, how to get one, what documents you need, the application process, the costs, and other important details.
In this ultimate guide to the Spanish passport, you will learn about:
- Spanish Passport Ranking
- Top 10 Spanish Passport Benefits
- Global Visa Requirements for Spanish Passport Holders
- How to be Eligible for a Spanish Passport
- What are the required documents for the Spanish passport?
- How to Apply for a Spanish Passport: Step-By-Step Process
- How much does a Spanish Passport cost?
- How to Renew a Spanish Passport
- How long does it take to process a Spanish passport?
- Is Dual Citizenship possible with a Spanish passport?
Spanish Passport Ranking
The Spanish passport ranks 20th in the Global Passport Report by Global Citizen Solutions. What sets the Global Citizen Solutions Passport Index apart is its holistic approach. Instead of focusing only on visa-free travel, it evaluates passports based on three key 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.
Therefore, Spain also ranks 5th on the Quality of Life Index and 5th on the Enhanced Mobility Index, making it one of the most desirable passports in the world.
| Ranking Description | Ranking |
|---|---|
| Global Passport Rank | 20th |
| Quality of Life Ranking | 5th |
| Enhanced Mobility Ranking: | 5th |
| Visa-Free Access | 127 countries (includes limited-day stays) |
| e-Visa Access | 37 countries |
| Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) | 12 countries |
| Visa on Arrival | 16 countries |
| Limited-Day Visa-Free Access | 6 countries |
| Visa Required | 41 countries |
Top 10 Spanish Passport Benefits
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.
Since joining the EU in 1986, Spanish citizens have enjoyed numerous benefits, which include:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 also fantastic, with options for private health insurance at a much lower rate than in other European countries and the US.
- Safe Investments: With a stable economy and political neutrality, Spanish citizens have access to a secure and reliable investment landscape.
- 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.
- 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.
- Consular benefits: All Spanish citizens can reach out to Spanish consulates and embassies across the world in case of any issues during their travels.
- Spanish culture and language: The benefits of a Spanish passport include the opportunities to immerse yourself in the rich Spanish culture and language.
- Retirement in Spain: If you get the passport, you have an opportunity to retire in Spain later on with almost no hassle.
- 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 129 countries to Spanish citizens, including on-arrival visa access to 41 countries. Additionally, you can access 37 countries with electronic visas.
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 |
How to Qualify for a Spanish Passport
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 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 birthplace 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.
Under the Spanish Citizenship by Democratic Memory Law, many descendants of Spaniards who fled during the Spanish Civil War can obtain citizenship. This special route allows grandchildren of exiles, particularly in Latin America, to reclaim their Spanish citizenship without needing prior residence 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 legal and 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.
What are the required documents for the Spanish passport?
– 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 plain background)
– Proof of payment of the passport fee
For minors, additional documents like parents’ IDs and consent forms may be required.
How to Apply for a Spanish Passport: Step-By-Step Process
- Obtain Spanish Citizenship: You must be a Spanish citizen before applying for a passport. This can be through birth, descent, marriage, or naturalization.
- Schedule an appointment: If you live abroad, you must schedule an appointment at your local police station or the 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
How much does a Spanish passport cost?
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.
How to Renew a Spanish Passport
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, in another country, 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 (around €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 2–4 weeks abroad
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 allows you to round up additional documents for Spanish authorities.
Is Dual Citizenship possible with a Spanish passport?
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. However, this renunciation is often symbolic and may not be enforced strictly, depending on your home country’s laws.
