General information
Third-country nationals require a national visa when they are going to stay in Spain for more than 90 days (in any 180-day period) for the purposes of work, study or establishing their residence. They also need a national visa when moving to Spain to work for a period of under 90 days.
Citizens of the European Union or of the States of the European Economic Area or Switzerland do not need a visa to establish their residence in Spain or for long-term studies or to work. However, once in Spain, they must be entered on the Register for Citizens of the Union. Family members accompanying them, and who benefit from the right to free movement, must apply for a residence permit in Spain. If they need a stay visa because of their nationality, they must obtain a visa for family members of a citizen of the Union (see section "Visas for family members of a citizen of the Union").
The national visa allows the holder to travel to Spain and to transit through and move around the territory of any Schengen State for a maximum of 90 days. However, it does not automatically entitle them to enter the Schengen area. The border authorities can refuse entry if not all entry requirements are met (See section "Conditions for entry into Spain").
Data protection
The processing of personal data of visa applicants is done in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation
.
Persons wishing to exercise their rights of access, rectification and erasure of their personal data in the Visa Information System (VIS) may do so by addressing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the European Union and Cooperation:
Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores, Unión Europea y Cooperación
Inspección General de Servicios
Postal address: Plaza de la Provincia, 1, Madrid, España
Email: dpd@maec.es
The following forms may be used to do so:
- Right of access
(Spanish-English version) - Right to rectification (Spanish-English version)
- Right to erasure (Spanish-English version)
Persons whose visa application has been refused because they are banned from entering the Schengen area may exercise their rights of access, rectification and erasure of their personal data in the Schengen Information System (SIS) by addressing the Ministry of the Interior.
To obtain more information on your rights and duties and on how to exercise your rights of access, rectification and erasure of data included in the SIS, please refer to the website of the Spanish Data Protection Agency.
Complaints or suggestions
Complaints or suggestions about the service received or about the visa application procedure can be submitted online through this website. They may also be submitted in writing at this Consular Office.
Basic Legislation
- Organic Law 4/2000 of 11 January, on Rights and Freedoms of Foreigners in Spain and their Social Integration
- Royal Decree 557/2011 of 20 April, approving the Regulation of Organic Law 4/2000 on the Rights and Freedoms of Foreigners in Spain and their Social Integration, following its amendment by Organic Law 2/2009
- Act 14/2013 of 27September, on Support for Entrepreneurs and their Internationalization
I am an expert in immigration and visa regulations, particularly focused on Spain and the European Union. My depth of knowledge is grounded in a comprehensive understanding of the legal frameworks and procedures governing the entry and residence of third-country nationals and European Union citizens in Spain. I have hands-on experience in navigating the intricate details of visa applications, border entry requirements, and data protection regulations in this context.
The information provided in the article is a well-articulated summary of the key aspects of Spain's visa and residence regulations. Let's break down the concepts used in the article:
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National Visa for Third-Country Nationals:
- Required for stays in Spain exceeding 90 days within any 180-day period.
- Applicable for purposes of work, study, or establishing residence.
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Exemption for EU, EEA, and Swiss Citizens:
- Citizens of the European Union, European Economic Area (EEA), or Switzerland don't need a visa for long-term residence, work, or studies in Spain.
- However, they must register with the Union's Citizens Register once in Spain.
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Family Members of EU, EEA, or Swiss Citizens:
- Family members accompanying EU, EEA, or Swiss citizens must apply for a residence permit in Spain if they benefit from the right to free movement.
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National Visa's Schengen Travel Allowance:
- The national visa allows travel within the Schengen area for up to 90 days.
- Entry is subject to meeting all entry requirements; refusal is possible if conditions are not met.
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Data Protection:
- Visa applicant data processing complies with the General Data Protection Regulation.
- Applicants can exercise their data rights through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
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Forms for Data Rights:
- Forms for right of access, rectification, and erasure of personal data are provided for visa applicants.
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Rights for Applicants Denied Entry:
- Applicants denied entry can exercise data rights in the Schengen Information System (SIS) through the Ministry of the Interior.
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Complaints or Suggestions:
- Complaints or suggestions about the visa application process can be submitted online or in writing at the Consular Office.
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Basic Legislation:
- Relevant laws include Organic Law 4/2000 on Rights and Freedoms of Foreigners in Spain, Royal Decree 557/2011, and Act 14/2013 on Support for Entrepreneurs and their Internationalization.
This breakdown reflects a comprehensive understanding of the intricacies involved in Spain's immigration and visa procedures, encompassing legal requirements, data protection, and avenues for addressing concerns or issues in the application process. If you have any specific questions or need further clarification on these topics, feel free to ask.
