Know before you go: Spain

Passport holders from the United States, Canada, Australia, the UK, Japan, and most Latin American countries can enter Spain without a visa for up to 90 days. This visa allows stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period across the entire Schengen Area. Citizens of countries including India, China, South Africa, Nigeria, Pakistan, and most African and Asian states must apply for a Schengen visa before traveling to Spain.

Two system changes are affecting travel in 2026. First, the EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) went live on April 10, 2026, replacing passport stamps with biometric registration at all Schengen borders, and this rollout is now fully operational across Schengen external borders, though it has faced significant queue issues at major airports through summer 2026, so travelers may need to scan fingerprints and face at automated gates instead of getting a passport stamp, and should budget extra time. Second, ETIAS (a pre-travel screening for currently visa-exempt nationals) is still not active: as of official Spanish government guidance, ETIAS is expected to become operational in the last quarter of 2026, and no action is required from travelers at this point. Once it does launch, it will be multi-entry, with up to 90 days stay per 180-day rolling window, and applications will run alongside a transitional period of at least six months during which travellers should apply, but anyone without an ETIAS will not be refused entry as long as they meet all other entry conditions.

Because launch dates for ETIAS have slipped repeatedly and reporting is mixed, confirm your own requirement on the official Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs entry-conditions page and the official EU ETIAS portal before you travel, not on a blog or a third-party “visa” website. Regardless of visa status, be ready to show a valid passport with at least three months of validity beyond your planned departure, plus proof of financial means and accommodation, and a round-trip or onward ticket confirming departure within 90 days.

Spain’s rail network is a major asset for visitors. AVE high-speed trains connect Madrid and Barcelona via Guadalajara, Calatayud, Zaragoza, Lleida, and Tarragona, and other AVE lines link Madrid to Valencia, Seville, Alicante, and beyond, run by the state operator Renfe alongside private competitors. Within cities, Spain has metro networks in Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia and Bilbao, with lines expanding in Málaga, and modern tram systems run in Barcelona, Valencia and Bilbao, with Zaragoza and Málaga continuing to expand services.

For visitors, city-specific passes are usually the best value. In Madrid, Tourist Travel Passes are pre-loaded onto the Tarjeta Multi, a contactless, transferable smartcard that is valid for 10 years and free when you purchase a 1, 2, 3, 5 or 7-day pass; note that it cannot be used on high-speed trains or Renfe Operadora regional trains. In Barcelona, the equivalent is the Hola Barcelona Travel Card for unlimited consecutive hours, or the T-casual for lighter use, and the metro has a specific Airport ticket priced at €5.90 in 2026, with airport metro travel included in the Hola Barcelona pass. If you’re staying longer or traveling around the country by regional and commuter rail, Spain also introduced a national monthly public transport pass called the Abono Único, part of a broader push to make public transport cheaper and cut reliance on cars, which allows unlimited travel on state-owned interregional buses, Renfe Cercanías and Rodalies commuter trains, and Renfe Media Distancia trains, though this is aimed more at residents than short-term visitors, who should instead look at Renfe’s dedicated tourist rail pass. Google Maps and Citymapper work well for real-time routes in most cities, and licensed taxis and major ride-hailing apps are widely available.

Spain’s currency is the euro. Card payments, including contactless, are accepted almost everywhere in cities, from major stores to small cafés, though it’s wise to carry some cash for small rural vendors, markets, or public toilets. When paying by card, choose to be charged in euros rather than your home currency if given the option at the terminal, since dynamic currency conversion offered by the machine is usually a worse rate than your bank’s own conversion. ATMs are widely available; using your bank or a fee-free travel card typically beats currency exchange bureaus. Budget travelers can expect lower costs outside Madrid and Barcelona, and in the interior versus the coast, while peak summer season and major festivals push up accommodation prices everywhere.

The spring and fall shoulder season months, April, May, September, and October, are the best months to visit Spain for pleasant weather, fewer crowds, and excellent hiking conditions. Countrywide the weather is warm, there’s little to no rain except along the Atlantic coast, and you’ll be ahead of the peak crowds that July and August bring, particularly to the Balearic and Canary islands and coast. High summer delivers classic beach weather but also the heaviest crowds and highest prices, especially inland where heat can be intense; if you want a warm-weather trip with thinner crowds, it’s best to visit on the edge of the shoulder seasons, like end of April/beginning of May or the end of September/beginning of October, if you want mild beach weather with fewer crowds. Winter is mild in the south and along the coasts but colder inland and in the north, and it remains a good time for museums, cities, and lower prices away from the coast.

Spain’s single emergency number is 112, which covers all kinds of emergencies including health, accidents, and situations of risk, works throughout the whole of Spain, and is free from both landlines and mobiles. You can call even when your phone is blocked, your SIM is inactive, or there is no coverage from your mobile provider, and there’s no need for national area codes, even when calling from a foreign mobile. Additional direct lines exist for specific services: 091 for Policía Nacional, 062 for Guardia Civil (rural areas and roads), 092 for Policía Local, 080 for Bomberos (fire), and 061 for medical assistance, with RACE roadside assistance reachable at 900 100 992. Non-EU visitors should carry private travel insurance, since those visiting from outside the EU are advised to carry private travel insurance, as they may receive a bill for any treatment provided, while EU/EEA travelers can use a valid EHIC. Spain is considered a safe destination overall; the main practical risk for tourists is pickpocketing in crowded areas, and if something is stolen, request a Denuncia (police report) as soon as possible for insurance claims, embassy support, or replacing important documents.