Spain
About
| Spain attracts holidaymakers from around the world seeking sun and sand, good food and wine, and a colourful and pulsating vibe. Attractions include flamenco shows, bullfights, paella and sangria, medieval towns, castles, and even snow skiing in the Sierra Nevada. Try Pamplona outside the fiesta season. The main attractions are its old walled quarter, Renaissance cathedral and imposing citadel. Run with the bulls or join with the crowds at the Festival of San Fermín in Pamplona. Sunbathing, swimming, boardsailing and crowd-watching are favourite pastimes at the dozens of popular resorts along the Costa Do Sal. Spain is a great place for sailing, with plenty of harbours and sailing clubs. |
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| Capital: | Madrid (MAD) |
| Currency: | Euro (EUR) |
| Language: | Castilian Spanish. Other languages spoken; Catalan, in Catalonia; Galician, in Galicia; Euskera/Basque, in the Basque Country; Valencian, in the Region of Valencia; and a particular variety of Catalan, spoken in the Balearic Islands. English may be understood in tourist areas. |
| Dialling code from SA: | + 34 |
| Time Zones: | UTC / GMT +1 (1 hour behind South Africa) |
| Daylight Savings Time: | From last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October: UTC / GMT +2 (same time as South Africa) |
| Side of the Road: | Right. An International Drivers Licence is required. |
| Best Time to go: | April – June & September - October |
| Best For: | UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Ancient and Medieval Architecture, Running of the bulls |
| Plugs: | 230 volts AC, 50Hz. Round two-pin plugs are in use |
| Drinking Water: | Mains water in hotels and towns is safe to drink. In Ibiza, tap water has a salty taste and bottled water may be preferred. |
| Health: | There are adequate and well-equipped medical facilities, however visitors are required to pay for these services. Comprehensive health insurance is recommended. If you require any medication on your travels it is best to bring it with you, in the original packaging, with a signed and dated letter from your doctor detailing exactly what it is and why you need it. |
| Customs: | Normal social courtesies. Lunch and dinner are eaten late. |
| Local Offences / Laws: | Smoking is prohibited in public areas. Drinking in the streets is illegal. |
| Duty Free: | Spain is within the European Union. If you are travelling from the UK, you are entitled to buy fragrance, skincare, cosmetics, Champagne, wine, selected spirits, fashion accessories, gifts and souvenirs - all at tax-free equivalent prices. If you are travelling from within the EU, there is no limit on the amount or value of goods you may import, providing your goods are for personal consumption. Goods imported for commercial purposes are subject to duty and the following guideline amounts are in place to determine whether this is the case: • 800 cigarettes or 400 cigarillos or 200 cigars or 1kg of tobacco. • 10L of spirits over 22% volume, 20L of alcoholic beverages less than 22% volume, 90L of wine (no more than 60L of sparkling wine) and 110L of beer. If you are arriving from a non-EU country, the following goods may be imported into Spain by persons over 17 years of age without incurring customs duty: • 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco. • 4L of wine and 16L of beer and 1L of spirits over 22% volume or 2L of alcoholic beverages less than 22% volume. • Other goods up to the value of €430 for air and sea travellers and €300 for other travellers. |
| Prohibited Imports: | Meat and dairy products from outside the EU, and unauthorised firearms and ammunition. |
| Prohibited Exports: | Endangered species require an export permit. |
Issuing Authorities
Embassy of Spain
337 Brooklyn Road, Lord Charles Complex, Brooklyn, Pretoria
Tel: 012 460 0123
E-mail: emb.pretoria@maec.es
Visas: emb.pretoria.vis@maec.es
Web: https://www.exteriores.gob.es/Embajadas/pretoria/en/Paginas/index.aspx
Consulate-General of Spain, Cape Town
37 Shortmarket Street, Cape Town, 8001
Tel: 021 422 2415
E-mail: cog.cabo@maec.es
Visas: visacapetown@maec.es
Schengen visas may only be applied for at BLS International.
Public Holidays 2025: Jan 1, 6; Apr 18; May 1; Aug 15; Oct 13; Nov 1; Dec 6, 8, 25 (Individual states / provinces may observe additional holidays)
Public Holidays 2026: Jan 1, 6; Apr 3; May 1; Aug 15; Oct 12; Dec 8, 25 (Individual states / provinces may observe additional holidays)
Visa Requirements
Visas are required by S.A. passport holders
Spain is a member of the Schengen Agreement.
- If you intend to visit only Spain, you must apply at the Embassy of Spain/ Visa Application Centre.
- If you intend to visit several Schengen countries, you must apply for a visa at the Embassy or Consulate that is your main destination / longest stay.
- If you intend to visit several countries but are spending an equal number of days in each, you should apply for a visa at the Embassy or Consulate of the country of your first point of entry.
Schengen visas may only be applied for at BLS International.
BLS INTERNATIONAL
Tel: 010 500 2032
Web: sa.blsspainvisa.com
Cape Town: info.cpt@blshelpline.com - 10th Floor, The Tower Building, 2 Hertzog Boulevard, Foreshore, Cape Town
Pretoria: info.pry@blshelpline.com - 1st Floor, Landmark Building, 13 Umgazi Street, Menlo Park, Pretoria
Durban: info.dur@blshelpline.com - 1st Floor, Silver Oaks Building, 36 Silverton Road, Musgrave, Durban
Cape Town / Durban Offices: Only residents in the provinces of Northern, Eastern, Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Madagascar, Mauritius and Comoros.
Pretoria Office: Only residents in Limpopo, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, North West, Free State and Lesotho.
REQUIREMENTS:
See General Schengen Visa Requirements
In addition:
NOTE: Supporting documents must be in Spanish or English, except when specifically required, though the Embassy/Consulate General may request translations into Spanish. In case of groups or families, each applicant must have his/her own set of documents.
- Copy of the data page of passport
- Movement between/inside the Schengen states must be shown (flights, car hire, train bookings)
- Tours and cruises must have a fully paid invoice.
- Proof of sufficient funds - bank statements (current / savings account only, no overdraft. Credit card statements not accepted). Minimum EUR 118 per person per day, with balance of EUR 1065 always reflected.
Visa Processing Time
Apply at least 4 weeks prior to your intended travel date, and not more than 6 months prior.
The appointment to lodge an application shall take place two weeks from the date when the appointment was requested. Visa processing takes approximately 15 days.
Visa Validity
Stays of up to 90 days in a 180 day period
Visa Cost
Schengen Visa: EUR90 - ZAR 1866
Children (6-12): EUR45 - ZAR 933
Children (under 6): Free
BLS Service Fee: ZAR 350
Fees are subject to change according to fluctuating exchange rates. Fees are payable with Credit and Debit Cards (Visa and Master Card). No cash payments.
All fees are non-refundable.
SA Representative
South African Embassy
6th floor Edificio Lista, 91 Calle de Claudio Coello, Madrid
Tel: +34 91 436 3780
E-mail: madrid.embassy@dirco.gov.za
Website: dirco1.azurewebsites.net/madrid/en/
Travel Health
| Compulsory: | None |
| Recommended Travel Vaccines: | Hepatitis B, Tetanus, Polio |
