Destination guide
Last updated: June 15, 2026Next door and full of life — from Madrid to Barcelona, Andalusia to the Basque Country. Sun, tapas, art and street life until the early hours. Here is the essential to enter and get around, verified.
Travel essentials
This destination is part of the Schengen area, and entry rules depend on your passport. EU/EEA and Swiss citizens move freely. Brazilians enter visa-free for up to 90 days per 180 — and, from the last quarter of 2026, will need the ETIAS electronic authorisation (see below). Passports from Angola, Guinea-Bissau, Nigeria, Ghana and Senegal need a Schengen short-stay (Type C) visa; Cape Verde does too, but under the EU Visa Facilitation Agreement (simpler and cheaper). Important note: since 10 April 2026, the new Entry/Exit System (EES) records biometric data at the border — allow some extra time on arrival. Always confirm at the official source before travelling.
| Passport | Entry rule | Max stay |
|---|---|---|
| EU / EEA / Switzerland | Free movement (no visa) | No limit |
| Brazil | Visa-free; ETIAS from Q4 2026 | 90 days / 180 |
| Cabo Verde | Schengen Type C visa — EU Facilitation Agreement (~€35 fee, simplified) | 90 days / 180 |
| Angola · Guinea-Bissau · Nigeria · Ghana · Senegal | Schengen Type C visa (short stay, ~€90) | 90 days / 180 |
⚠️ Border rules change without notice. Always confirm with the official source (consulate, immigration, travel.state.gov, gov.uk, Portal das Comunidades) before travelling.
ETIAS is an electronic travel authorisation (not a visa) for nationals of visa-exempt countries — such as Brazil. It is expected to start in the last quarter of 2026; it costs about €20 (free for under-18s and over-70s), is valid for 3 years (or until the passport expires) and allows multiple entries for stays of up to 90 days per 180. The Q4 2026 start is followed by a transitional grace period, with ETIAS becoming mandatory in 2027. Those who need a Schengen visa (most African passports in the corridor) do not use ETIAS — they use the visa. Apply online, well ahead, before travelling.
Health
No vaccinations are required. EU residents should carry the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for necessary healthcare during the stay. Those travelling on a Schengen visa must show travel insurance with minimum medical cover of €30,000, valid across the Schengen area. Health, drinking-water and medical standards are high.
Passport
For third-country nationals, the passport must have been issued within the last 10 years and be valid for at least 3 months beyond the intended departure date from the Schengen area. EU/EEA citizens may travel with a valid national ID card.
Arrival & Safety
Airport
Madrid-Barajas (MAD) and Barcelona-El Prat (BCN) are the big hubs, both linked to the centre by metro and train. Palma, Málaga, Valencia, Seville, Bilbao and the Canaries have international airports. The AVE (high-speed train) connects the main cities in a few hours.
Getting in
Cabify, Uber and Bolt operate in the big cities (Uber/Bolt with limits in Barcelona — the traditional taxi is strong there). The Madrid and Barcelona metros are excellent and cheap; the AVE and Renfe trains cover the country. Buy a multi-ride metro ticket to save.
Safety
Spain is safe, but at Level 2 (US) mainly due to the diffuse terrorism risk common to much of Western Europe. In practice, the real issue for travellers is pickpockets, very active in Barcelona (Las Ramblas, metro, Barceloneta beach) and Madrid (Sol, Gran Vía). There’s no significant violent crime against tourists; watch pockets and bags in crowds.
⚠️ Border rules change without notice. Always confirm with the official source (consulate, immigration, travel.state.gov, gov.uk, Portal das Comunidades) before travelling.
Money
Currency: euro (€). Cards and contactless payments are accepted almost everywhere — transport, restaurants and small shops — and cash is increasingly optional. ATMs are plentiful; Apple Pay and Google Pay work widely. Avoid airport currency-exchange desks (poorer rates).