How to apply for a visa for Spain from Colombia?

Spain occupies a prominent place among the most visited destinations in all of Europe, and it is clear that it has a very special attraction for tourists from Colombia: in 2018 alone, more than 400,000 Colombians visited the country, nearly double the number three years earlier, making it their favorite European destination and the third globally, behind only the United States and Mexico.

Colombia is part of the list of countries with which the Schengen states have made a series of parallel agreements to exempt their citizens from the obligation of presenting a visa when crossing the borders of their territory, meaning that they do not need a visa for Spain.

People residing in Colombia but who do not have a passport from this country can check whether they need a visa for Spain at the following link:

• How to obtain a Schengen visa to travel to Spain?

If they are required to obtain a Schengen visa to enter Spain, they can find all the necessary documents to apply for it on the website of the Spanish Embassy in Bogotá and the Spanish Consulate General in Bogotá.

• Embassy: exteriores.gob.es/Embajadas/Bogota/es/Paginas/inicio.aspx
• Consulate: exteriores.gob.es/Consulados/BOGOTA/es/Paginas/inicio.aspx

When is a visa required to travel to Spain?

As mentioned earlier, Colombian citizens do not need to present a visa to enter Spanish territory or any other country within the Schengen Area, as long as their stay does not exceed three months. Therefore, they can move freely within Germany, Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, Slovenia, Spain, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Netherlands, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Sweden, and Switzerland.

However, starting in 2023, it will be necessary for all of them to obtain an ETIAS visa. This will be a simple process lasting about twenty minutes, requiring only a valid Colombian passport, a debit or credit card, and an email address.

For stays longer than three months, travelers are required to obtain a Spanish visa, and depending on the nature of the visit, one of the following three types must be requested: tourist or private, professional, or study or other types of training. These visas authorize their holders to reside, study, or work in Spain for more than 90 days.

Information about these types of permits and who can apply for them is summarized in the following link: exteriores.gob.es/Consulados/BOGOTA/es/InformacionParaExtranjeros/Paginas/Visados-de-larga-duraci%c3%b3n.aspx

What are the requirements to travel from Colombia to Spain?

Colombian citizens wishing to enter Spanish territory must have a valid passport and one that remains valid for at least three months after their planned departure date, issued within the last ten years. In the case of minors traveling alone or accompanied by one of their parents, they will need to present a parental authorization or a legal guardian's permission along with their national identity document.

For stays under three months, only the following documents need to be presented:

• Passport.
• Round-trip ticket.
• Justification for the purpose of the trip and its conditions: for leisure or private travel, a reservation at an accommodation or an invitation letter from an individual, along with proof of sufficient financial means to cover the entire stay.

Exceptionally, medical certificates required by the relevant authorities may also be requested.

The visa application for long-term trips must be processed at the Spanish Diplomatic Missions or Consular Offices, and a fee will be charged that is non-refundable if the application is denied. The maximum processing time is usually one month from the submission date, and if the application is approved, the visa must be collected in person.

Link to schedule an appointment: exteriores.gob.es/Consulados/BOGOTA/es/ServiciosConsulares/Paginas/Cita-Previa.aspx

Spanish Consulate General in Bogotá: exteriores.gob.es/Consulados/BOGOTA/es/Paginas/inicio.aspx

Can I visit other Schengen countries with my Spanish visa?

Yes. Foreign citizens with a valid stay permit or long-term visa issued by a Schengen state can move freely within other Schengen countries for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. This includes Germany, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Slovenia, Spain, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Netherlands, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Sweden, and Switzerland.

On the other hand, visas issued by European Union countries that are not part of the Schengen Area - Ireland, Cyprus, Romania, and Bulgaria - are only valid for those countries.

Do I need health insurance to obtain a visa for Spain?

Colombians traveling to Spain are not required to purchase travel medical insurance for stays under 90 days, which is mandatory for obtaining the Schengen visa that citizens from other countries need.

Why choose AXA's Schengen visa travel insurance?

AXA offers a wide range of travel medical insurance at very competitive prices, starting at €22 per week, which meet all the mandatory requirements for obtaining a European visa and also provide full coverage for trips to multiple destinations according to current European policies. Once the insurance is purchased, a certificate will be automatically provided to begin the visa application process as soon as possible.

Important Information

At AXA, we strive to always provide accurate and up-to-date information, but visa regulations can be changed at any time by the embassy or consulate of the Schengen state you wish to visit from your place of residence. For this reason, we cannot be held responsible for the consequences of such changes. Please contact the consular authorities to learn about the terms and conditions for obtaining a Schengen visa that are in effect at the time you apply.

Other countries:

• How to apply for a visa for Spain from Mexico?
• How to apply for a visa for Spain from Argentina?
• How to apply for a visa for Spain from Ecuador?
• How to apply for a visa for Spain from Peru?
• How to apply for a visa for Spain from Cuba?
• How to apply for a visa for Spain from Bolivia?
• How to apply for a visa for Spain from the United States?
• How to apply for a visa for Spain from Chile?
• What are the requirements to travel to Spain as a tourist?
• How to apply for a visa for Spain from India?

Frequently Asked Questions about visas for Spain from Colombia

Can I be asked for any documentation at the Spanish border?

Colombian citizens do not require a Schengen visa to travel to Spain or other Schengen countries for less than 90 days, but they must be able to demonstrate that they meet the previously mentioned requirements to Spanish authorities if requested.

Am I required to purchase travel medical insurance for Spain?

No, but you should keep in mind that any medical or other emergencies that occur during your stay abroad can result in significant costs.

What documentation is recommended for travel?

Although you do not need a Schengen visa, it is always a good idea to travel with proof of accommodation, some form of evidence that you have sufficient financial means to cover the stay, documents explaining the purpose of your visit if applicable, and a return ticket to demonstrate that you plan to leave the Schengen Area before 90 days.