Zaragoza Entry Requirements
Visa, immigration, and customs information
Visa Requirements
Entry permissions vary by nationality. Find your category below.
Spain's visa policy follows Schengen Area regulations. Requirements depend on your nationality, purpose of visit, and length of stay. The standard tourist stay is limited to 90 days within any 180-day period for visa-exempt travelers.
Citizens of European Union member states, European Economic Area countries, and Switzerland can enter and stay indefinitely with just a valid national ID card or passport
No visa or authorization required. Can live and work freely in Spain. Only a valid ID document is needed.
Citizens of these countries can visit Spain for tourism or business without a visa for short stays
Passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond intended departure. From 2024, ETIAS pre-authorization will be required (see below). The 90-day limit applies to the entire Schengen Area, not just Spain.
From 2024, visa-exempt travelers will need ETIAS authorization before entering the Schengen Area. This applies to all nationalities currently enjoying visa-free access.
Cost: €7 per application (free for applicants under 18 or over 70)
ETIAS is not a visa but a travel authorization. One authorization covers all Schengen countries. Keep approval confirmation for presentation at border control. System expected to launch in 2024.
Citizens of countries not listed in visa-free categories must obtain a Schengen visa before travel
Common countries requiring visas include: China, India, Russia, Turkey, South Africa, Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Egypt, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, and most African and Asian nations. Processing time: typically 15 calendar days, can extend to 30-60 days in exceptional cases. Visa fee: €80 for adults, €40 for children 6-12, free for children under 6.
Arrival Process
The entry process in Zaragoza depends on your point of arrival. Most international travelers arrive via Madrid or Barcelona airports and continue to Zaragoza domestically, experiencing no additional border controls. Those arriving directly at Zaragoza Airport from non-Schengen countries will undergo standard immigration and customs procedures.
Documents to Have Ready
Tips for Smooth Entry
Customs & Duty-Free
Spain's customs regulations follow EU standards. Travelers arriving from non-EU countries must declare goods exceeding duty-free allowances. Those arriving from other EU countries face fewer restrictions on personal goods. All travelers must declare cash amounts of €10,000 or more.
Prohibited Items
- Illegal drugs and narcotics - strictly forbidden with severe criminal penalties
- Counterfeit goods - fake designer items, pirated media
- Weapons and ammunition - without proper permits and documentation
- Endangered species products - ivory, certain animal skins, protected plants (CITES regulations)
- Certain plants and plant products - fresh fruits, vegetables, and soil from non-EU countries without phytosanitary certificates
- Meat and dairy products - from non-EU countries (with few exceptions like small amounts of infant formula or special dietary needs)
- Pornographic or obscene materials - particularly those involving minors
- Hazardous materials - explosives, flammable substances, toxic chemicals
- Offensive weapons - knuckle dusters, disguised weapons, certain knives
Restricted Items
- Prescription medications - must be accompanied by prescription or doctor's letter; limited to 3 months supply for personal use; narcotics and psychotropic medications require special permits
- Pets and animals - require EU pet passport or health certificate, microchip, rabies vaccination; see special situations section for details
- Firearms and sporting weapons - require Spanish authorization, import permit, and registration; must be declared in advance
- Cultural artifacts and antiques - may require export permits from country of origin; Spanish cultural property cannot be exported without permission
- Drones and radio equipment - certain frequencies restricted; commercial drones require permits
- Large amounts of cash - must declare €10,000 or more; may be asked to prove legitimate source
- Commercial goods - require commercial documentation, VAT registration, and duty payment; not covered by tourist allowances
Health Requirements
Spain generally has minimal health entry requirements for most travelers. No vaccinations are mandatory for entry from most countries. However, travelers should ensure routine vaccinations are up-to-date and consider health insurance for their visit.
Required Vaccinations
- Yellow fever vaccination certificate required only if arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission (parts of Africa and South America) within 6 days of potential exposure. Not required for most travelers from North America, Europe, Asia, or Oceania.
Recommended Vaccinations
- Routine vaccinations: MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), DTP (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis), influenza, COVID-19
- Hepatitis A - recommended for most travelers, especially if visiting rural areas or eating street food
- Hepatitis B - for travelers who might have intimate contact with locals or require medical procedures
- Rabies - only for those working with animals or planning extensive outdoor activities in rural areas
- Tick-borne encephalitis - if hiking in forested areas during spring/summer in certain regions
Health Insurance
Travel health insurance is strongly recommended for all visitors and mandatory for visa applicants (minimum €30,000 coverage). EU/EEA/Swiss citizens should carry their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) for access to state healthcare at reduced cost or free. Non-EU travelers should have comprehensive insurance covering medical treatment, hospitalization, and repatriation, as healthcare can be expensive for non-residents. Spain has excellent healthcare facilities, but private hospitals may require proof of insurance or payment guarantees before treatment.
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Special Situations
Additional requirements for specific circumstances.
Children must have their own passport (family passports no longer accepted). Minors under 18 traveling without both parents should carry a notarized parental consent letter in Spanish or English, signed by non-accompanying parent(s), including contact details and travel dates. Single parents should carry child's birth certificate showing sole custody if applicable. Divorced parents should carry custody documentation. Spain is vigilant about child abduction, so proper documentation prevents delays. Children count toward the 90-day Schengen limit. EU citizens' children enjoy same freedom of movement rights.
Dogs, cats, and ferrets from EU countries need: EU pet passport, microchip (ISO 11784/11785 compliant), valid rabies vaccination (at least 21 days before entry), and veterinary health certificate if under 12 weeks. From non-EU countries: microchip, rabies vaccination and titer test (except from rabies-free countries), veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days of travel, and treatment against Echinococcus (for dogs from certain countries). Maximum 5 pets per person for non-commercial travel. Airlines have separate pet policies. Certain breeds may face restrictions. Service animals have special provisions but still need health documentation. Birds, rabbits, and other pets have different requirements - check with Spanish agricultural ministry (MAPA).
Tourist visas/visa-free stays limited to 90 days per 180-day period in the Schengen Area. For longer stays, you must apply for appropriate visa/residence permit before the 90 days expire: Student visa (for enrolled students), Work visa (requires job offer and employer sponsorship), Non-lucrative residence visa (for retirees/financially independent, requires proof of €28,000+ annual income and health insurance), Golden visa (for property investors €500,000+), or Family reunification (for family members of Spanish/EU residents). Apply at Spanish consulate in your home country before travel. Extensions of tourist stays are rarely granted except for exceptional circumstances (medical emergency, force majeure). Overstaying can result in fines, deportation, and Schengen entry bans. EU/EEA/Swiss citizens can stay indefinitely but should register with local authorities if staying over 3 months.
Spain introduced a Digital Nomad Visa in 2023 for remote workers employed by non-Spanish companies or self-employed with international clients. Requirements: proof of remote work for at least 1 year, minimum income of €200% Spanish minimum wage (approximately €2,160/month), health insurance, clean criminal record, and contract/client agreements. Allows 1-year residence (renewable up to 5 years). Cannot work for Spanish companies (maximum 20% income from Spanish sources). Apply at Spanish consulate. Tourist visa does not permit work, even if remote.
Students from visa-required countries need a student visa before arrival. Requirements: acceptance letter from recognized Spanish educational institution, proof of financial means (€900/month or €10,800/year), health insurance, accommodation proof, clean criminal record, and medical certificate. Apply at Spanish consulate 2-3 months before course start. Visa allows part-time work (up to 30 hours/week). EU/EEA students can study freely but should register if staying over 3 months. Student visa holders must apply for student residence card (TIE) within 30 days of arrival in Spain.
Short business visits (meetings, conferences, negotiations) allowed under tourist visa/visa-free entry for up to 90 days. Cannot receive salary from Spanish entities or engage in direct employment. Should carry: business invitation letter, conference registration, proof of employer, and return ticket. For extended business activities or work assignments, proper work visa required. Digital nomads need specific digital nomad visa. Trade fair exhibitors may need temporary import permits for goods/samples. EU/EEA citizens can work freely without restrictions.
Spain recognizes dual citizenship with certain countries. If you hold Spanish citizenship plus another, enter and exit Spain using your Spanish passport. If holding EU citizenship plus non-EU, use EU passport for easier entry. When holding visa-exempt and visa-required citizenships, use the visa-exempt passport for entry. Always use the same passport for entry and exit from Schengen Area. Some countries don't recognize dual citizenship - check your home country's rules. Spanish citizenship by descent may be available to grandchildren of Spanish citizens - consult consulate.