How to apply for a visa for Spain from Ecuador?

Spain is a highly valued destination for Ecuadorians. Not only because both countries share the same language, but also because Spain has a large Ecuadorian community, making visits to family or friends in the old continent very common. Whether it's for a vacation or to visit family, organizing a trip to Spain from Ecuador requires some prior preparation.

Below, we explain everything you need to know about obtaining a visa to Spain for Ecuadorians and other requirements for traveling to Europe. Let's dive in!

Do Ecuadorians need a visa to go to Spain?

The answer is yes: Ecuadorians need a visa to go to Spain. It is true that, for years, the situation regarding the Schengen visa for Ecuadorian citizens has been under review, but unfortunately, no agreement has been reached yet, so the obligation to apply for a visa to Spain from Ecuador remains in place.

The visa Ecuadorians need to travel to Spain is the Schengen visa. There are several types of Schengen visas, although the most common is the Schengen type C visa. This visa allows you to stay in the Schengen area for a maximum of 90 days within any 180-day period. The great thing about this visa is that it not only allows you to travel throughout Spain but also throughout the entire Schengen area, which means 27 European countries!

These are the countries:

  • Germany
  • Austria
  • Belgium
  • Croatia
  • Denmark
  • Slovenia
  • Spain
  • Estonia
  • Finland
  • France
  • Greece
  • Hungary
  • Iceland
  • Italy
  • Latvia
  • Liechtenstein
  • Lithuania
  • Luxembourg
  • Malta
  • Norway
  • Netherlands
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Czech Republic
  • Slovakia
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland

It is important to note that the following countries are not part of the Schengen area (and therefore cannot be visited with a Schengen visa):

  • Bulgaria
  • Cyprus
  • Ireland
  • Romania
  • United Kingdom (due to Brexit)

Who needs a Schengen visa to go to Spain?

You may be applying for a visa to Spain from Ecuador but not be Ecuadorian. In that case, do you need to apply for a visa to Spain? That depends on your nationality. We clarify this in our article Who needs a visa for the Schengen Area?

How to apply for this Schengen visa to go to Spain?

Where to apply?

The first step to applying for a visa to Spain from Ecuador is to schedule an appointment at the BLS center corresponding to you. In Ecuador, there are two consular districts (the BLS centers follow these districts):

  • The provinces listed below correspond to the consular district of the Spanish Consulate General in Quito: Esmeraldas, Imbabura, Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas, Cotopaxi, Tungurahua, Pichincha, Chimborazo, Bolívar, Sucumbíos, Orellana, Napo, Pastaza, Morona Santiago.
  • On the other hand, the provinces corresponding to the consular district of the Spanish Consulate General in Guayaquil are the following: Guayas, Santa Elena, Manabí, Los Ríos, El Oro, Cañar, Azuay, Loja, Zamora Chinchipe, Galápagos

Both the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and BLS inform that every Wednesday from 1:00 PM, new appointments for visa applications to Spain are released. Therefore, we strongly recommend staying alert at that time of the week, as appointments are quickly taken.

It is important to mention that each applicant must have their own appointment. We mention this because, if you are going to Spain with family, each member must schedule their own appointment.

Application deadline

The visa to Spain for Ecuadorians should be applied for between 6 months and 15 days before the planned travel date.

You should also know that they may ask for biometric data during the visa application process. The biometric data they may ask for are: a facial image and fingerprints.

What documents will I need to apply for a visa to Spain from Ecuador?

In our article What documents to provide for a Schengen visa? we explain this in detail. However, here is a general list of what you will need to provide.

  • 2. A recent color passport-sized photograph, taken facing forward, without dark glasses, reflections, or clothing that hides parts of the face.
  • 3. A valid passport. You must present the original and a photocopy of the page showing the biometric data. It must be valid for at least 3 months after the expected departure date from the Schengen area.
  • 4. Travel medical insurance. Having travel medical insurance is mandatory to apply for a Schengen visa. Additionally, this insurance must meet certain requirements. AXA's travel insurance for Schengen visas meets all these requirements.
  • 5. Pay the fee: we explain the pricing details a little later.
  • 6. Insurance policy. Having travel medical insurance is a mandatory requirement for obtaining a Schengen visa.
  • 7. Documents that prove the purpose of the trip: availability of sufficient financial means and proof that the applicant intends to leave the Schengen area before the visa expires.
  • 8. Proof of residence in the consular district

Did you know that, according to the Spanish National Statistics Institute, Ecuadorians are one of the most present foreign nationalities in Spain? The cities with the highest number of Ecuadorians are Madrid, Barcelona, and Murcia.

And AXA, how can it help me with obtaining a Schengen visa?

As you may have seen in the previous section, having a travel medical insurance policy is a mandatory requirement for obtaining a Schengen visa, and this is exactly where AXA comes in. AXA's Schengen visa travel insurance not only meets all the requirements set by European authorities but also:

  • The insurance cost will be refunded if your visa application is rejected.
  • It offers a very competitive price (from €22 per week).
  • It suits both your travel style and your budget. There are three insurance options for the Schengen visa:
    • Low Cost: As the name suggests, this is the cheapest option of the three (from €22 per week). It has a maximum coverage of €30,000 and covers all Schengen area countries as well as European microstates (Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, Vatican).
    • Europe Travel: The maximum coverage of this insurance increases significantly. It is €100,000. The covered geographical area is also broader. It covers the Schengen area, the European microstates (Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, and Vatican), all European Union member countries (including EU countries not part of the Schengen area, namely: Bulgaria, Cyprus, Ireland, and Romania), and the United Kingdom.
    • MultiTrip: This is an annual contract ideal for people with a multiple-entry Schengen visa. If you plan to enter the Schengen area multiple times a year. The maximum coverage is €100,000 and it covers the Schengen area, European microstates (Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, and Vatican), all European Union member countries (including EU countries not part of the Schengen area, namely: Bulgaria, Cyprus, Ireland, and Romania), and the United Kingdom.

What if I want to stay in Spain for more than 90 days?

If your stay exceeds 90 days (for academic, family reunification, or work reasons…), you must apply for a national visa with the authorities of the relevant country.

You can apply for an extension of your stay by submitting form EX-00.

How much does a Schengen visa cost?

The visa to Spain from Ecuador costs €80 for persons over 12 years old and €40 for children between 6 and 11 years old. Children under 5 years old do not pay.

“Digital Nomad” Visa

From AXA, we are very excited to share a fantastic piece of news (especially if you are Ecuadorian). Well, in the first quarter of 2023, the Spanish government approved a law related to its visa policy. This is the “Digital Nomad” visa. As you may already know, or even have experienced firsthand, the COVID-19 pandemic has boosted remote working around the world, and people who move or even settle in other countries while keeping their original job are now referred to as “Digital Nomads,” and Spain wants to attract this type of worker.

Therefore, regardless of your nationality (without having to refer to the old lists of countries that have an agreement with Schengen or not) you can apply for this visa. However, there are certain criteria that you must meet to obtain it:

  • Have a degree or postgraduate degree from a recognized university or at least 3 years of professional experience.
  • Show evidence of a real and ongoing activity from the company you work for.
  • The company you work for cannot be a Spanish company. If you receive income from a Spanish company, these cannot account for more than 20% of your annual income.
  • A document specifying that the person is allowed to work remotely.
  • Proof that the employment or professional relationship between the applicant and employer has existed for at least three months.

If you want to know more about this new visa, you can consult the digital nomad portal.

We hope this article has been helpful regarding how to apply for a Schengen visa from Ecuador. From AXA, we wish you a great trip.

More information:

Related Articles

Do Ecuadorians need to process the ETIAS form?

No. Nationals of countries that need to apply for a Schengen visa will not need to process the ETIAS form.

Can I work in Spain with a Schengen visa?

No. If you want to work in Spain, you will need to apply for a specific visa for that purpose with the Spanish authorities.

Can I go to the United Kingdom with a Schengen visa?

No. The United Kingdom is neither part of the European Union nor the Schengen Area. If you want to go to the United Kingdom, you will need to apply for a national visa.

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