Visa types
Tourist Schengen visa
A short-stay visa for trips to Barcelona, Madrid, Andalusia or the islands.
Business visa
For meetings, trade fairs and business talks in Spain; an invitation from the Spanish company is the core of the file.
Visiting family or friends
For visiting relatives or friends in Spain; an invitation and the host's residence document are requested.
Student visa
A national student visa for study or language programmes longer than 90 days, requiring admission and proof of funding.
Typical documents
- Valid passport and copies of previous visas
- Completed and signed application form
- Biometric passport photo
- Travel medical insurance valid across the Schengen area
- Return flight reservation
- Proof of accommodation or invitation letter
- Recent bank statements
- Employer letter, payslips and SGK service record
- For business owners: tax registration and trade registry gazette
- For students: certificate of enrolment and the sponsor's documents
Document lists vary by applicant and by consulate; the consulate's current official list is always the one that counts.
How to apply
- 1
Confirm that Spain is your main destination and choose your visa category.
- 2
Check the Spanish mission's current document list.
- 3
Complete the application form and prepare your documents.
- 4
Book an appointment at the authorised visa application centre.
- 5
Submit your documents and give your biometric data at the appointment.
- 6
Track your application and collect your passport.
Which Spanish mission in Türkiye handles your application?
Spain has two missions in Türkiye that accept visa applications: the Embassy in Ankara and the Consulate General in Istanbul. Which one is competent depends on the province where you live.
- Consulate General in Istanbul: Istanbul, Tekirdağ, Kırklareli, Kocaeli, Sakarya, Bilecik, Bursa, Yalova, Çanakkale, Balıkesir, Manisa, İzmir, Aydın, Denizli, Muğla, Antalya, Mersin, Bolu, Zonguldak, Bartın, Karabük, Kastamonu, Sinop, Samsun, Ordu, Giresun, Trabzon, Rize and Artvin.
- Embassy in Ankara: applicants living in provinces not on this list (including Ankara).
Both missions take applications through the authorised visa application centre, by appointment. According to their pages, you must apply in person; for applicants under 18, their legal representatives submit the application. You will be asked to prove that you live within that mission's district. Check the current province list on the Istanbul Consulate General's jurisdiction page.
How the main destination is decided is explained in our which country to apply to guide.
Rules and documents specific to a Spain application
- Apply no earlier than 6 months and no later than 15 days before your planned travel date (up to 9 months ahead for seafarers).
- Proof that you live in the mission's district: the Istanbul Consulate General's list includes a residence certificate (ikametgâh belgesi) and a civil registry record (nüfus kayıt örneği).
- Foreign nationals living in Türkiye: a residence permit valid for at least 3 months after your return date.
- According to the Istanbul Consulate General, children under 18 travelling alone or with one parent need a notarised consent signed by both parents, naming the person responsible for the child in Spain with their passport number and relationship to the child, translated into Spanish and apostilled.
- After you apply, the code on your receipt lets you check your file's status on the [Spanish Foreign Ministry's tracking page](https://sutramiteconsular.maec.es/Home.aspx).
- Entering Gibraltar also requires a Schengen visa; according to the missions' pages, if Gibraltar is your main destination you apply to Spain.
Challenging a refusal in Spain
According to the Spanish missions' pages, there are two ways to challenge a refusal:
- Recurso de reposición: an appeal to the mission that took the decision, within one month of being notified of the refusal.
- Recurso contencioso-administrativo: a court action before the High Court of Justice of Madrid (Tribunal Superior de Justicia de Madrid), within two months of notification.
Reading the refusal grounds and choosing between an appeal and a new application are covered in our refusal and appeal guide.
If your trip includes Ceuta or Melilla: according to the Spanish Foreign Ministry, a Schengen check takes place when leaving these cities for mainland Spain by sea or air, and passengers identify themselves to the National Police at the port and airport. Keep your passport and visa with you. (Source)
Practical tips
- For a summer holiday in Spain, planning your application in spring makes finding an appointment easier.
- If a family member is paying for your trip, add a sponsorship letter and the sponsor's financial documents.
- If you are travelling on a tour, the tour programme and bookings should match the rest of your file.
- If you are heading to the Canary or Balearic Islands, document your domestic flights and accommodation too.
Official sources
We checked the information on this page against the official sources below. Always confirm the current rules there before you apply.