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Getting into Spain
Visas & entry requirements
San Sebastián is in Spain, part of the European Union and the Schengen Area. What you need to attend a congress or visit depends entirely on your nationality.
For most visitors a short stay means up to 90 days within any 180-day period, for tourism or business. EU/EEA and Swiss citizens travel freely; many other nationalities enter visa-free; and some need a Schengen visa arranged in advance. Use the map below to find your country, then read the details for your region.
EES - Entry/Exit System
Operating across Schengen since April 2026. Non-EU visitors now register a photo and fingerprints at the border instead of getting a passport stamp.
ETIAS - travel authorisation
Not yet in force. Once launched, visa-free visitors will need a €20 online authorisation before they fly. The EU will announce the start date well in advance.
Check your passport
For visa-free entry your passport should be issued within the last 10 years and valid for at least 3 months after you leave.
Find your country
Hover or tap a country to see which category it falls into for a short visit to Spain. The pin marks San Sebastián.
The map is indicative and simplified. Visa policy can change and always depends on your specific passport and purpose of travel - confirm with an official source before booking.
What you need, by region
European Union, EEA & Switzerland
Freedom of movement. Travel with a valid national ID card or passport and stay as long as you need (register locally for stays over 90 days). No ETIAS and no EES border registration.
United Kingdom
No visa for short stays of up to 90 days in any 180. A valid passport is enough. You now complete EES biometric registration on entry, and will need an ETIAS authorisation once the system goes live.
United States & Canada
No visa for short stays. Passport required. EES biometric registration applies at the border; an ETIAS authorisation will be required once launched. Same rules apply for tourism and business travel.
Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand & more
Among 60+ visa-exempt nationalities - also including much of Latin America, the Western Balkans, Israel and the UAE. No short-stay visa: passport, EES at the border, and ETIAS once it is in force.
China, India, Russia & most other nationalities
A Schengen short-stay (Type C) visa must be arranged in advance at the Spanish consulate or its visa centre before you travel. Apply early - allow several weeks and bring proof of accommodation, funds and travel insurance.
Staying over 90 days, working or studying
Any nationality (except EU/EEA/Swiss) coming to work, study or stay beyond 90 days needs a national (long-stay, Type D) visa from a Spanish consulate - a short-stay visa or visa-free entry will not cover it.
The two new EU entry systems
EES - Entry/Exit System
- Replaces passport stamping for non-EU visitors on short stays.
- On your first entry you register a facial image and fingerprints; entries and exits are then logged automatically.
- It keeps track of your 90-in-180 days for you across all Schengen countries.
- An optional "Travel to Europe" app lets you pre-fill your details to speed things up at the border.
ETIAS - travel authorisation
- It is not a visa - it is a pre-travel authorisation for visitors who already travel visa-free.
- When live: apply online for €20 (free for under-18s and over-70s), valid for 3 years or until your passport expires.
- Most approvals come through within minutes; apply before you book flights to be safe.
- Apply only through the official EU site. The application portal is not open yet - any site charging you for ETIAS today is not legitimate.
The 90/180 rule, in plain terms
Short stays are capped at 90 days within any rolling 180-day period across the whole Schengen Area - not per country. The days count across every Schengen state combined. If you need longer, or you are coming to work or study, you will need a national long-stay visa from a Spanish consulate.
Official Sources
Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Official visa requirements, entry conditions and the network of Spanish consulates where you apply.
Visit →EU - EES & ETIAS
The European Union's official portal for the Entry/Exit System and ETIAS - the only place to apply once ETIAS opens.
Visit →San Sebastián Turismoa
Once your entry is sorted, plan the rest: what to see, where to eat and how to make the most of your stay.
Visit →