Spain visa requirements for South Africans

Travel and visa requirements

Basic Travel Requirements for South Africans visiting Spain

Travelers are required to fulfill the following requirements in order to apply for a Spanish Visa.

  • A valid passport with at least 3 months validity before return date are required. The passport should have at least two blank pages.
  • Two recent passport photographs with a light background that follows the passport format of a France visa.
  • A copy of return ticket.
  • Bank statement dating back at least 3 months to show that you can fend for yourself during your time in Spain.
  • Applicants should ensure they have a copy of the correctly filled and signed visa application form.
  • Travel insurance.
  • Proof of accommodation.
  • Letter of invitation from sponsor.

Spain Visa for South Africans

Facts about Spain

There is a lot of top tourist attraction in the city of Spain. Travelers can pick from visiting the beaches in Ibiza to letting off steam on the popular white-sand beaches in Gran Canaria and seeing a lot of historical sites in the country. You are definitely guaranteed a fun-filled stay in the city of Spain.

Recent data showed tourist visits to Spain rose 8.9 percent year-on-year to 82 million tourists. This makes Spain the second most visited country in the world after France.

Spain has 17 sovereign regions with different geography and culture. It is a country on Europe’s Iberian peninsula. Its capital city is Madrid which houses the royal palace and the prestigious Prado museum.

In most cities in Spain, consumption of alcohol in public in places other than registered bars or cafes has been banned. Also, tourists should avoid dealing in illegal drugs, as they are likely to receive lengthy jail sentences if they are caught.

Types of Spain Visa

Types of Visa Processing Time Duration of Stay
Tourist visa 15 days 180 days
Business visa 15 days 180 days
Transit visa 15 days 24 hours

General Requirements for Spain Visa

  • A valid passport with at least 3 months validity before return date are required. The passport should have at least two blank pages.
  • Two recent passport photographs with a light background that follows the passport format of a France visa.
  • A copy of return ticket.
  • Bank statement dating back at least 3 months to show that you can fend for yourself during your time in Spain.
  • Applicants should ensure they have a copy of the correctly filled and signed visa application form.
  • Travel insurance.
  • Proof of accommodation.
  • Letter of invitation from sponsor.
Spain Tourist visa Spain Business visa Spain Transit visa

Spain Tourist Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • This category is for those who want to stay in Spain for a maximum period of 180 days.
  • People who own this visa go to visit friends and relative or just for vacation, relaxation and tourism purposes.
  • You are not allowed to study with this visa.
  • It is an offence to take up a paid job with this visa.
  • A valid medical insurance is required.
  • The original copy of minor’s birth certificate is required.
  • The visa is usually process for a period of 15 days.
  • It ceases to be valid after 180 days. You are expected to leave the country at the expiration of the visa.
  • This visa type allows its holders multiple entry into the country.
  •  A non-refundable fee of €60 is paid for the visa.

Spain Business Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • This visa category is for people who want to perform business activities in Spain.
  • Holders of this visa can attend business meetings, conferences, trade fairs and sign contracts while in the country.
  • People with business visas have to provide a letter from their employers stating that he/she has been released for the business purpose.
  • The maximum period the holder of this period can stay in Spain is 180 days.
  • The processing of the visa takes about 15 days.
  • A letter of invitation from your business partner in Spain is also needed.
  • You are required to provide a letter from your employer confirming your business leave. The duration of your stay in Spain should be indicated in the visa.
  • You are required to have a valid medical insurance.
  • Proof of good health.
  • The visa typically costs €60.

Spain Airport Transit Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • A person with an airport transit visa can only be in Spain for a period of 24 hours.
  • Such person is not allowed to visit friends and relatives.
  • Foreigners with this visa are cannot take up paid work in the country.
  • You are restricted from going to one of the schools in the country to study a course.
  • If you are traveling with a minor, the original copy of the minor’s birth certificate should be provided.
  • The applicant must be in good health.
  • The visa allows its holder to join a connecting flight in Spain to his/her destination country.
  • On request, applicants should be able to provide the flight ticket and visa of their destination country.
  • This visa type costs €60 and takes a period of 15 days to be processed.

Spain Transit Visa For Seamen Eligibility & Requirements

  • This visa allows its holder to stay in the Schengen area for a period of 5 days before travelling outside the borders of the Schengen area.
  • The name of the ship you are joining and the port where you are joining the ship should be indicated in details in a letter from the Spanish maritime agency.
  • Your seaman passbook is needed.
  • Foreigners entering Spain with this visa should possess the receipt of paid visa application fees.
  • You are not allowed to go sightseeing in the country.
  • During your time in the country, you can neither work nor study.
  • Application forms of minors should be signed by both parents of the minor.
  • The visa costs €60.
  • It is valid for 5 days.

Spain Visa Fees

Visa Type

Sub Types

Visa Fees

Tourist visa

60.00 (EUR)

Business visa

60.00 (EUR)

Transit visa

Airport Transit Visa

Transit Visa for Seamen

60.00 (EUR)

60.00 (EUR)

Spain Visa Application Centres & Embassies in South Africa

Location

Address

Pretoria

337 Brooklyn Road Menlo Park Pretoria 0102

emb.pretoria@maec.es

+27-12-460-0123

Frequently Asked Questions

What is seaman visa?

Seaman visa is meant for seamen who are nationals of a foreign country who intend to join a ship in a particular country.

Does Schengen visa cover Spain?
Yes, Spain is in the Schengen area.
Is it illegal to drive in flip flops in Spain?
Yes, it is illegal to drive in flip flops in Spain. You will be fined on the spot if you do.
How much cash can I bring to Spain?
Tourists can enter Spain with a maximum of €10,000 or its equivalent in any currency.
How many cigarettes are you allowed to bring back from Spain?
You can brig in 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250g tobacco.