Know before you go: Spain

Quick answer: Spain remains easy to visit in 2026: most Western travelers still need only a valid passport for stays up to 90 days, but new EU border-tech (EES biometric checks and the incoming ETIAS authorization) is changing how you cross the border, so confirm the latest rules before you fly.

Visa & entry

Nationals of the US, UK, Canada, Australia and dozens of other visa-exempt countries can still visit Spain visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day Schengen period. Two new EU systems affect this in 2026:

• Entry/Exit System (EES): This biometric border system was set as the launch date for the progressive start of operations on 30 July 2025, with the system becoming fully operational on 10 April 2026. In practice, border officers will scan your passport, take your fingerprints and capture a facial image, and that information is then stored in the system and linked to your travel record. Residents with a Spanish TIE are exempt, but tourists should allow significant extra time at passport control, especially for summer 2026, as early reports from airports where EES has been operating show queue times significantly longer than pre-EES norms.
• ETIAS: Not yet required. The system is not yet operational and no applications are collected at this point; ETIAS is expected to be launched in late-2026. Once live, a valid ETIAS travel authorisation lets you enter these European countries as often as you want for short-term stays - normally up to 90 days in any 180-day period, and it will cost roughly €7. Beware unofficial sites — there is only one official ETIAS website, europa.eu/etias, and there are many websites claiming to be official that may steal your data.
• Proof of funds: Border officers can ask non-EU visitors to show money for their stay. As of 2026, the minimum amount required is €122 per person per day, and if the stay is 9 days or more, the traveller must have at least €1,099 or its equivalent in foreign currency. Also ensure your passport is valid until at least three months after the planned date of departure from the Schengen territory, and was issued during the ten years immediately before the date of entry.

Because these rules are evolving through 2026, always confirm current requirements on the official links below before booking or traveling.

Getting around

Spain’s public transport is modern, dense, and tourist-friendly.

• High-speed rail (AVE): Spain’s high-speed rail connects Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Seville and Málaga in just a few hours, via Renfe plus newer competitors Ouigo and Iryo. Book Renfe.com, Ouigo.com or Iryo.eu in advance — fares from Madrid to Barcelona or Seville start around €35 when booked ahead.
• City metros/buses: Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia and Bilbao all have metro systems, plus modern tram systems in Barcelona, Valencia and Bilbao. In Madrid, tourists typically use the reloadable Tarjeta Multi card (€2.50, refundable-style reusable card) loaded with single tickets, 10-trip tickets, or a Tourist Travel Pass (1–7 days, unlimited travel) — note it cannot be used on high-speed trains (including the AVE to Guadalajara and the Avant to Toledo) nor Renfe Operadora regional trains, and is also not valid on Tourist Trains.
• Contactless payment: Increasingly, you don’t even need a transit card — EMT buses accept contactless Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay, and Google Pay at the front-door reader, with Metro rolling this out line by line through 2026.
• Airports: Madrid–Barajas connects to the city via metro (with a small airport supplement), Cercanías trains, and the 24-hour Exprés Aeropuerto bus. Official taxis run a flat ~€30–€33 fare between the airport and anywhere inside the M-30 ring road, which covers essentially all hotel neighborhoods.
• Taxis & ride-hail: Licensed taxis are white with a diagonal stripe; card payment is universal, and rounding up is polite though tipping isn’t expected. Uber, Bolt, Cabify and FreeNow operate in major cities.
• New national rail pass: Spain introduced a discounted national commuter/regional rail pass (around €60), but note high-speed AVE and other long-distance high-speed services are not included, and local metros, trams and city buses are not automatically covered.

Money & costs

Spain uses the euro (€). Cards are widely accepted, and contactless is the norm in cities, though it’s wise to carry some cash for small cafés, markets, or rural areas. For entry purposes, remember the 2026 proof-of-funds guidance noted above (€122/day, minimum ~€1,099 for longer stays), and that accepted forms of proof include cash, traveller’s cheques, payment letters (cartas de pago), certified cheques, and other financial documents recognised by border officials. Some cities and regions (e.g., Balearic Islands, Barcelona, parts of Catalonia) levy a separate tourist tax added to hotel bills — this is separate from the entry requirement for proof of funds, so budget a few extra euros per night depending on your destination. Tipping isn’t obligatory; rounding up or leaving small change is customary in restaurants and taxis.

Best time to visit

Late spring and early autumn are the best all-round time to visit Spain, balancing warm weather, thinner crowds, and lower prices. Concretely, May, June, September, and October suit most travelers, with comfortable days, open attractions, and shorter queues across nearly every region. High summer guarantees beach weather but brings the heaviest crowds, highest prices, and fierce heat across inland Spain — Madrid and Andalusia regularly see 34–40°C in July–August, and many locals themselves head to the coast, so locals bolt — many Spaniards go on holiday in August, so some local shops and restaurants in cities shut down while coastal resorts burst at the seams. Winter (Dec–Feb) is mild on the coast but can be cold and rainy inland; it’s the cheapest and quietest season, and the Canary Islands stay mild year-round, making them Spain’s reliable winter-sun escape when the mainland turns cool. If festivals matter to you, plan around fixed dates: Las Fallas lights up Valencia in March, Semana Santa and Seville’s Feria de Abril fall in spring, and La Tomatina hits Buñol in late August.

Emergencies & safety

Spain’s universal emergency number is 112, valid nationwide including the Canary and Balearic Islands. The number to dial is always the same: 112 — there is no need for national area codes, even when calling from a foreign mobile. Calls are free and free from both landlines and mobiles; calls can be made from mobile phones even when they are blocked, when the SIM card is inactive, or there is no coverage from the mobile phone provider. Operators can assist in over 50 languages, including English, German, French, Arabic, Chinese, Russian, and Romanian.

Useful direct lines: 091 (National Police), 062 (Guardia Civil), 061 (medical/ambulance), 080