Schengen visa to Spain for Russians in 2024

The content of the article

1. Ways to get a Schengen visa to Spain
2. Requirements for the recipient of a Schengen visa to Spain
3. The procedure for obtaining a Schengen visa to Spain
   1. List of documents
   2. Photo Requirements
   3. The cost of registration
   4. Where can I apply

According to the results of the high tourist season of 2024, Spain was again recognized as the most suitable European country for summer holidays, according to the rating of the Shengenvisainfo portal. The Spanish beaches, cuisine, friendliness of the locals and the number of sunny days per year received high marks. In total, 748 beaches in Spain received the Blue Flag award, which is a record number among EU countries.

The Kingdom of Spain remains one of the most sought-after destinations for summer holidays among Russians. In 2024, to visit the country, you must apply for a Schengen visa at the Spanish consulate of the country of residence. Statistics on the issuance of Schengen tourist visas by Spain is one of the most positive among the rest of the EU countries.

Ways to get a Schengen visa to Spain

Geographically at the Consulate of Spain in Russia has 2 districts: Moscow and St. Petersburg. The Moscow region includes such regions as Yekaterinburg, Kazan, Nizhny Novgorod, Samara, Novosibirsk and Kaliningrad. Applicants must submit their documents to the visa application center of the district where they are registered at their place of residence.

The only authorized Spanish visa application center in Russia is a member of BLS International. It is possible to apply to the visa application center:

• by yourself;
• with the help of the next of kin;
• through a travel agency or a commercial intermediary accredited by the Consulate General of Spain.

Russian citizens can also apply for a Schengen visa to Spain in a third country if that country is their permanent place of residence. The rules for issuing a Schengen visa do not exclude the possibility of applying in a third country, even if the applicant does not have a residence permit of that state. In this case, it is necessary to justify why the applicant cannot apply for a visa in his country of residence.

Requirements for the recipient of a Schengen visa to Spain

The main requirements of the consulate for the applicant are reliability and a guarantee of the tourist’s return to his homeland after the expiration of the visa. Such factors may include strong ties with the country of residence (availability of real estate, employment contract), as well as a favorable financial situation.

The following requirements for applicants can be distinguished:

• The applicant should not be on the EU sanctions list;
• the applicant should not have been previously deported from EU countries, and also should not have violations of the visa regime;
• no criminal record in the country of his citizenship and residence;
• it is necessary to obtain medical insurance from an authorized insurance agency;
• it is necessary to have a registration address in the country of residence;
• it is necessary to confirm the financial reliability and purity of income generation.

The procedure for obtaining a Schengen visa to Spain

Currently, a tourist Schengen visa is most often issued for up to six months with the possibility of staying in the country for up to 3 months every 183 days. However, it is also possible to issue both for a longer period, up to 5 years, and for the dates of the trip. The visa issuance period is directly influenced by the following factors: whether Schengen visas were obtained in previous years and used for their intended purpose, as well as the validity of the purpose of the trip.

The whole process of obtaining a visa can be divided into several key stages:

1. Preparation of documents. At this stage, the applicant collects the necessary documents, affixes an apostille and, if necessary, translates them. You also need to register on the visa application center’s website and fill out a form.
2. Make an appointment to submit documents to the visa application center.The applicant can make an appointment for a specific date to submit documents independently, through an agent or using a bot. Currently in Moscow and In St. Petersburg, it is possible to submit documents in a first-come, first-served format.
3. Submission of documents. On the appointed day, the applicant arrives at the visa application center with a full package of documents. Biometrics is also carried out at the center. The consular fee is paid. Documents can also be submitted through a representative by proxy.
4. Waiting for a response from the consulate. When submitting documents, approximate waiting periods are indicated — up to 45 days, but usually a decision is made in 14 days. The Consulate may request additional documents during this period. The status of the application can be tracked on the website of the visa application center using the issued details.
5. Obtaining a visa. You can pick up the documents in person or order delivery by courier.

List of documents

• Application form for a visa to Spain and consent to the processing of personal data. It is filled out on a special form in English or Spanish in block letters. The applicant’s signature is required.
• International passport. The passport must be valid for at least 3 months after the end of the trip, and it must have at least 2 blank pages for the visa and stamps.
• Photo according to the sample. A 3.5×4.5 cm color photo is required that meets the requirements for a Schengen visa. The face in the photo must occupy at least 70% of the image area.
• Receipts for payment of consular and service fees.
• Medical insurance. The insurance policy must be from an accredited insurance agent, covering an amount of more than 30,000 euros in the territory The EU and the Schengen area, valid for the entire duration of the trip.
• Copies of all pages of the Russian passport.
• Confirmation of booking accommodation in Spain.This may be a reservation for a hotel, an apartment, or a letter from the receiving party confirming the possibility of payment.
• Round-trip flights. Or a route plan that describes in detail the movements of tourists in Spain and their return to their homeland.
• Financial guarantees. You can provide one of the following options: proof of employment (letter from the employer indicating salary and leave permit), business documents, sponsorship letter. A bank statement confirming the availability of funds for the trip and a cash flow report for the last 3 months are also required.
• Additional guarantees. As additional documents, you can provide evidence of connection with the place of residence, such as property documents.

Additionally for children:

• The original and a copy of the birth certificate.
• Notarized consent from both parents, as well as copies of the first pages of their passports if the child is traveling without parents.
• Notarized consent of the other parent if the child is traveling with one of the parents.
• If the parent accompanying the child already has a visa, you need to provide a copy of this visa and a round-trip flight reservation.

The Consulate has the right to request additional documents if the documents provided are insufficient.

Photo Requirements

It is required to provide a 3.5×4.5 cm color photo that meets the standards for a Schengen visa. The face in the photo must occupy at least 70% of the total frame size. Clothes and makeup should be neutral. It is not allowed to change photos in graphic editors.

The cost of registration

The cost of self-registration of a visa through the visa application center in 2024 includes consular and service fees. The consular fee for applicants over 12 years of age is 90 euros, for children under 12 years of age — 45 euros, except for children under 6 years of age. The service fee is 1,440 rubles for each applicant over 6 years old. Payment is accepted only in cash.

Where can I apply

The Tranio team provides professional advice on obtaining visas and residence permits for investors wishing to purchase real estate in Spain.

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