SpainBusiness and self-employment

Spain business visa (Schengen type C)

Schengen visa for business trips

In short

Business trips to Spain of up to 90 days require a Schengen visa supported by an invitation from the Spanish company, stating whether it covers your costs, and your employer's documents. If the company pays, you do not need to show personal funds.

checked 25 October 2026

Key facts

Maximum stay
Up to 90 days in any 180-day period
Fee
€90From age 12 EUR 90; ages 6–12 EUR 45; under 6 free. The consulate states the currency and method of payment; an external service provider, where used, charges its own service fee.
Processing time
15 calendar days from submission, extendable up to 45 days if documents or an interview are requested.
Work
Business activities only.
Where to apply
Spanish consulate responsible for your place of residence, or its external service provider.

Company documents

Bring the Spanish company's invitation, stating whether it covers the costs, and an employer letter with your position, start date, salary and approved leave, with proof of social security registration. Company owners add proof of company registration and tax returns. Events need an invitation from the organiser, club or federation.

Required documents

Identity

  • Schengen application form (Spanish-English), signed
  • Recent colour photo with light background
  • Passport issued less than 10 years ago, valid three months after leaving Schengen, two blank pages; copy of data page and of pages with visas and stamps
  • Proof of legal residence in the consular district; non-nationals: residence permit valid at least three months beyond the return

Travel

  • Flight reservation and hotel booking or travel plan

Money

  • Bank statement of the last three months issued within the last 15 days, plus payslips or pension income

Work

  • Employer letter with position, salary and approved leave, plus proof of social security registration; business owners: company registration and tax returns; students: enrolment certificate
  • Invitation from the Spanish company stating whether it covers the costs

Insurance

  • Travel medical insurance for the whole Schengen area, minimum EUR 30,000

Funds

If the trip is not paid by the company, you show personal funds as for tourism: EUR 122.10 a day, at least EUR 1,098.90.

Timing

The decision normally takes 15 days and up to 45 if the consulate asks for more documents or an interview. Apply at least 15 days before travelling.

Refusal and appeal

A refusal can be challenged with an optional administrative appeal (recurso de reposición) to the consulate within one month, or directly before the High Court of Justice of Madrid within two months.

How to apply, step by step

  1. Check which Spanish consulate covers your place of residence and that Spain is your main destination.
  2. Book an appointment with the consulate, or with the external service provider it uses where there is one.
  3. Prepare the documents on the consulate's list for your purpose; bank statements must be no older than 15 days.
  4. Lodge the file in person, give fingerprints and pay the visa fee in the currency the consulate indicates, plus any provider fee.
  5. Track the application online with the code on your receipt; the decision normally comes within 15 days.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need bank statements if the company pays?

Personal funds are required only if the trip is not paid by the company.

Can I attend a trade fair?

Yes, with the organiser's invitation or registration.

Can I work for the Spanish company?

No, employment needs a work authorisation and a national visa.

Official sources

Summarised from the official sources above. Rules, fees and processing times change: confirm with the embassy or the official portal before you apply.

Other visa types for Spain

Visits and short stays

Business and self-employment

Study and training

  • Student visa Processing time: Apply at least two months before studies start; once the stay authorisation is favourable, the visa is decided within one month.
  • Researcher visa Validity: Visa: one year, or the authorisation's validity if shorter; the visa itself proves residence and the TIE is optional. Residence authorisations under Law 14/2013 are renewable for two years at a time.

Work

  • Work visa Validity: Up to 180 days for authorisations of up to six months, otherwise 365 days; seasonal contracts up to 270 days.
  • EU Blue Card Validity: Visa: one year, or the authorisation's validity if shorter; the visa itself proves residence and the TIE is optional. Residence authorisations under Law 14/2013 are renewable for two years at a time.
  • Intra-company transfer visa Validity: Visa: one year, or the authorisation's validity if shorter; the visa itself proves residence and the TIE is optional. Residence authorisations under Law 14/2013 are renewable for two years at a time.
  • Digital nomad visa Validity: Visa up to one year; then a residence authorisation of up to three years, renewable for two.

Family

Residence

  • Retirement visa Validity: Visa valid for 365 days; apply for the TIE within one month of arrival; renewals are filed in the two months before expiry.
  • Permanent residence Validity: The status is indefinite; the TIE card is first renewed after five years, then every five years until age 30 and every ten years after that.

Faster processing

  • Fast-track and priority visa services Validity: Visa: one year or the authorisation's length if shorter. Highly qualified, entrepreneur and teleworker authorisations: up to three years, renewable for two.

Protection

  • Asylum and international protection Processing time: Border: admission decision within four days; inside Spain: within one month; regular procedure: six months, after which silence counts as refusal.

Spain visa guide