🇪🇸 Spain visa requirements for American citizens
No visa needed — American citizens can stay in Spain visa-free for up to 90 days.
Entry rules for United States passport holders
Holders of a valid passport from United States can travel to Spain for tourism or short business trips without applying for a visa, for stays of up to 90 days. You'll typically just need a passport valid for at least six months beyond your arrival date, and you may be asked to show proof of onward travel or sufficient funds at the border.
The 90-day limit applies to the visit itself — if you plan to stay longer, work, or study in Spain, you'll need to apply for the appropriate visa or permit before traveling.
Entry rules can change at short notice. Always confirm current requirements with the official Spain immigration authority or your nearest embassy before booking.
Spain is in the Schengen Area
Your stay in Spain counts against the same 90-day allowance as every other Schengen country, within a rolling 180-day period — the clock does not reset when you cross an internal border.
See the full Schengen rules for American citizens →How this compares
The American passport ranks #32 worldwide, opening 159 destinations without a visa arranged in advance (116 visa-free, 36 with a visa on arrival and 7 with an eTA). Spain is one of them.
In the other direction, Spanish citizens traveling to United States face a different rule: eta required.
Southern Europe is fully open to American travelers — all 9 destinations in the region can be entered without arranging a visa first.
About Spain
- Capital
- Madrid
- Region
- Southern Europe
- Currency
- euro (€)
- Languages
- Spanish, Catalan, Basque
Planning a trip to Spain?
- Travel insurance →
- Tours and activities →
- Airport transfers →
- Claim flight compensation →
- Rent a car locally →
- City attraction passes →
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Frequently asked questions
Do American citizens need a visa for Spain?
No visa needed — American citizens can stay in Spain visa-free for up to 90 days.
How long can American citizens stay in Spain without a visa?
American citizens can stay in Spain for up to 90 days visa-free. Longer stays require a visa or residence permit arranged in advance.
What currency is used in Spain?
The currency in Spain is the euro (€). The capital city is Madrid.
Is this information up to date?
Current status: Visa-free · 90 days for American citizens traveling to Spain. This page is built from the open Passport Index dataset, which was last updated on 2025-01-12. Visa rules can change between dataset updates, so always confirm with the Spain embassy or immigration authority before booking.
More of Europe for American passport holders
Going the other way? United States visa requirements for Spanish citizens →
Source data last updated 2025-01-12.