U.S. Citizens: A Quick Guide to Traveling to Spain, Now

The following post is sponsored by iVisa. Brand collaborations and sponsorships are valuable contributions to the development of RGNN’s non-profit mission and our educational programs.

Covid has changed the way we live – and travel. Going to a foreign country (or foreign continent!) has always required research, preparation and booking, but ever since the start of the pandemic, travel regulations have changed, and are changing constantly.

At RGNN, many of our students are U.S. citizens, and this post is for you. If you have a different nationality, you can also travel to Spain, of course, but the requirements may vary slightly. In collaboration with iVisa, which provides electronic visa processing and guidance, we are guiding you through the most important points you need to know about traveling to Spain as a U.S. citizen.

If you are visiting for less than 90 days, you don’t need a visa

Traveling to Spain as a U.S. citizen for less than three months (90 days) currently does not require a visa. That said, if you are planning to stay, and study or work, in Spain for more than 90 days, you will need a student or work visa. To obtain more information about student or work visas, iVisa has a very useful list of Spanish embassies all over the world, linked here.

Passports required

As a U.S. citizen, you will need a valid passport to enter Spain. The passport needs to be valid for three months after the date you plan to leave Spain, or the Schengen territory if you are traveling to other European countries. (If you are not familiar with the Schengen territory, the European Commission has a useful map to show you the countries here). If you don’t have a passport or your passport is expiring before the three months after the date you plan to leave, we suggest getting a new passport in the U.S. well ahead of time so as not to be in a rush before you have to leave.

Quarantine and covid tests are not required

Starting on 21 October 2022, all COVID-19 travel restrictions for visitors to Spain have been lifted. The rules that previously applied to travelers coming to Spain no longer apply:

• you are no longer required to show proof of being fully vaccinated
• you are no longer required to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test
• you are no longer required to show proof of having recovered from COVID-19 in the last 6 months.
• you are no longer required to complete a health control form prior to travel.

Please do keep in mind that Spanish airlines currently do still require a health mask on board of the planes.

Health insurance is not required, but we highly recommend it

Health insurance is not required, but we highly recommend it when traveling abroad in general. You can inquire with your U.S. health insurance provider about international coverage before you leave. Again, we recommend doing so ahead of time, so you are not in a rush the last day before you leave.

Registering with the U.S. embassy

Registering with the U.S. embassy is also not required, but recommended. iVisa allows you to do this online for a $12.95 USD fee. Registering with the embassy is especially useful in the case of an emergency.

If you have any additional questions, we always recommend contacting your nearest Spanish embassy.  

Enjoy your trip and hasta pronto!