A citizen can stay as a tourist in Spain for a maximum of 90 days without having to have a permit.
In this situation, it is necessary to differentiate whether the citizen is a non-EU citizen, or a Community citizen, or a national of countries that are part of the Agreement on the European Economic Area or Switzerland:
- Non-EU citizens: with some exceptions, a tourist visa for staying 90 days in Spain is needed. If citizens want to stay more than 90 days in Spain, in general they must apply for a residence permit (here we give you more details about that: link to the post that talks about this).
- Community citizens or nationals of a country that is part of the Agreement on the European Economic Area or Switzerland: in this case, citizens do not need a visa to live or reside as long as they do not stay more than 90 days in Spain per half-year from the date of their first entry.
Community citizens who want to stay more than 90 days in Spain
If citizens of the EU or of a country belonging to the Agreement on the European Economic Area (or Switzerland) intend to stay more than 90 days in Spain, then they need to obtain the EU Registration Certificate in Spain, a legal document that any citizen of the European Union who wishes to live and work in Spain for more than three months has to apply for in order to be legally in the country.
Unlike residence permits and visas for non-EU citizens, if you are from the European Union, the applicable legislation will be the EU Regime, hence it is not necessary to obtain a residence permit, but the EU Certificate of Registration for stays longer than 90 days.
Do you need help with any paperwork?
GD Global Mobility can solve your problems with regards to immigration matters and international mobility.
Contact us with no obligation; we can manage the EU Citizen Registration Certificate for you.
