Spain
Southern Europe · Schengen area
Do US citizens need a visa? No — up to 90 days
US citizens (tourist/business, ordinary passport) do not need a visa for stays up to 90 days in any 180-day period in the Schengen Area. ETIAS travel authorization will eventually be required in addition but is not yet in force.
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Fees & exemptions
- Adult (12+), all other nationalities
US$106
— - Child 6-11
US$53
— - Child 5 and under
US$0
— - BLS service charge
US$20
—
Fees payable in USD only, cash or debit card, effective 1 Jan 2026; USD 106 Schengen visa fee (12+) plus USD 20 BLS service charge; non-refundable.
Where to apply
BLS International Spain Visa Application Centre (outsourced partner of the Consulate/Embassy of Spain) serving the applicant's state of residence/jurisdiction
Appointment system
Book online via the BLS Spain Global portal (usa.blsspainglobal.com); appointment required, apply 15 days to 6 months before travel; only for non-US-citizen applicants who are US residents (green card/valid US visa holders) since US passport holders are visa-exempt for tourism up to 90 days.
Required documents
- Schengen application form (BLS website version) signed in blue pen
- Cover letter with trip purpose/dates
- Passport valid 3+ months beyond stay, issued within 10 years, 2 blank pages
- One 2x2in color photo, white background, taken within 6 months
- Proof of US residence status (Green Card or valid US visa; B1/B2 holders cannot apply here, must apply from home country)
- Proof of travel (round-trip flight reservation)
- Proof of accommodation for entire stay
- Proof of financial means (3 months bank statements, ending balance in USD/EUR)
- Travel medical insurance covering min. €30,000/$50,000, valid Schengen-wide
- Proof of employment/student status/self-employment
- Additional documents for minors (parental authorization, birth certificate, etc.)
Editor tips
US citizens generally do NOT need this visa for tourism up to 90 days; this process is mainly for US residents who are not US citizens/EU citizens. Apply at the BLS centre matching your state of residence jurisdiction. Only cash or debit card accepted at centre.
Country-specific quirks
B1/B2 US visa holders and EAD holders cannot apply at the US BLS centres and must apply in their home country.
Who can apply where
Your nationality decides whether you need a visa; where you legally live decides where you apply. Applications for Spain are handled by its embassy, consulate or visa centre covering your country of residence — you cannot normally apply in a country you are only visiting.
- If you are not a citizen of the country you apply from, bring your residence permit or long-stay visa — it usually has to stay valid for at least 3 months after your return.
- Visiting several Schengen countries? Apply to your main destination, or — if you split time evenly — to the country you enter first.
- Some passports are visa-exempt for short stays and only need ETIAS travel authorisation instead of a visa; long-stay and work permits are still required for everyone.
- Fees, document lists and appointment systems are set per consulate, so the local Spain mission for your region always overrides anything on this page.
Where to submit if you apply from the US
Addresses where applicants of any nationality living in the United States hand in Spain visa documents and give biometrics. Applying from elsewhere? Use the official links below to find the Spain mission covering your country of residence.
- New YorkBLS InternationalSpain Visa Application Centre - BLS International (Consulate General of Spain, New York)
Address published on the provider's site — check the link below.
Jurisdiction: NY, NJ, CT, PA, DE
Official pageCoversNYNJCTPADE - Washington DCBLS InternationalSpain Visa Application Centre - BLS International (Embassy of Spain, Washington DC)
Address published on the provider's site — check the link below.
Official pageCoversDCVAMDWVVA - MiamiBLS InternationalSpain Visa Application Centre - BLS International (Consulate General of Spain, Miami)
Address published on the provider's site — check the link below.
Official pageCoversFLPR - BostonBLS InternationalSpain Visa Application Centre - BLS International (Consulate General of Spain, Boston)
Address published on the provider's site — check the link below.
Official pageCoversMA - ChicagoBLS InternationalSpain Visa Application Centre - BLS International (Consulate General of Spain, Chicago)
Address published on the provider's site — check the link below.
Official pageCoversIL - HoustonBLS InternationalSpain Visa Application Centre - BLS International (Consulate General of Spain, Houston)
Address published on the provider's site — check the link below.
Official pageCoversTX - Los AngelesBLS InternationalSpain Visa Application Centre - BLS International (Consulate General of Spain, Los Angeles)
Address published on the provider's site — check the link below.
Official pageCoversCA - San FranciscoBLS InternationalSpain Visa Application Centre - BLS International (Consulate General of Spain, San Francisco)
Address published on the provider's site — check the link below.
Official pageCoversCA
Always cross-check requirements on the official page for your jurisdiction — details can vary by country of residence.
Where to apply
BLS International Spain Visa Application Centre (outsourced partner of the Consulate/Embassy of Spain) serving the applicant's state of residence/jurisdiction
Appointment system
Book online via the BLS Spain Global portal (usa.blsspainglobal.com); appointment required, apply 15 days to 6 months before travel; only for non-US-citizen applicants who are US residents (green card/valid US visa holders) since US passport holders are visa-exempt for tourism up to 90 days.
Who can apply where
Your nationality decides whether you need a visa; where you legally live decides where you apply. Applications for Spain are handled by its embassy, consulate or visa centre covering your country of residence.
Applicants of any nationality living in the United States hand in Spain visa documents and give biometrics at these addresses.
- New YorkBLS InternationalSpain Visa Application Centre - BLS International (Consulate General of Spain, New York)
Address published on the provider's site — check the link below.
Jurisdiction: NY, NJ, CT, PA, DE
Official pageCoversNYNJCTPADE - Washington DCBLS InternationalSpain Visa Application Centre - BLS International (Embassy of Spain, Washington DC)
Address published on the provider's site — check the link below.
Official pageCoversDCVAMDWVVA - MiamiBLS InternationalSpain Visa Application Centre - BLS International (Consulate General of Spain, Miami)
Address published on the provider's site — check the link below.
Official pageCoversFLPR - BostonBLS InternationalSpain Visa Application Centre - BLS International (Consulate General of Spain, Boston)
Address published on the provider's site — check the link below.
Official pageCoversMA - ChicagoBLS InternationalSpain Visa Application Centre - BLS International (Consulate General of Spain, Chicago)
Address published on the provider's site — check the link below.
Official pageCoversIL - HoustonBLS InternationalSpain Visa Application Centre - BLS International (Consulate General of Spain, Houston)
Address published on the provider's site — check the link below.
Official pageCoversTX - Los AngelesBLS InternationalSpain Visa Application Centre - BLS International (Consulate General of Spain, Los Angeles)
Address published on the provider's site — check the link below.
Official pageCoversCA - San FranciscoBLS InternationalSpain Visa Application Centre - BLS International (Consulate General of Spain, San Francisco)
Address published on the provider's site — check the link below.
Official pageCoversCA
Book your travel to use for supporting documents for Spain
Most consulates ask for a flight itinerary and confirmed accommodation. Search Madrid and attach the confirmations to your application.
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