Spanish Passport Application

The Spanish Passport and it’s Benefits

The Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs is responsible for issuing Spanish passports. The standard biometric Spanish passport has a burgundy cover, 32 pages and contains the passport holder’s photograph, an electronic chip with key personal information, their signature, and a unique passport number.

Passports issued since 2015 have added security measures, allowing the holder to link emergency contact details. Foreigners in Spain who have obtained Spanish citizenship may also apply, which allows them to travel across the EU.

Spain has a highly valued passport as it allows entry to 166 countries without a visa or 186 with visa on arrival, according to the Passport Index. It gives the benefit of receiving free healthcare within the EU. The right to live, work, and study in any country within the EU, EEA, Switzerland or Spanish territory.

Types of Spanish Passports

The Spanish Passport is available in four types:

1. The Standard Passport (Pasaporte Ordinario) is a biometric passport issued to citizens for regular travel.
2. The Collective Passport (Pasaporte Colectivo) is a limited passport for those under 21 years old with a three-month validity, issued for events such as pilgrimages where a reciprocal agreement with the destination country is in place.
3. The Diplomatic Passport (Pasaporte Diplomático) is issued to government officials and diplomats.
4. Official and service passports (Pasaportes Oficiales Y De Servicio) are issued to individuals representing the government on official business.

Applying for a Spanish Passport

To obtain a first-time Spanish passport, the first step is to schedule an appointment online at an official passport office. When visiting the office, it is your responsibility to bring the following documents and file:

• A valid Spanish ID such as a Documento Nacional De Identidad is required for a first-time passport application.
• A recent colour photograph measuring 36 x 22 mm taken with a plain white background, high resolution, and without wearing a hat or dark glasses.
• Payment of the passport fee of €‎30, which can be done in cash (if paying on appointment) or with a bank card. However, individuals who can prove they have the status of a large family will receive it for free

Required Documents for Spanish Passport

How to Renew or Replace a Spanish Passport?

To renew your Spanish passport, it have less than 12 months’ validity or have run out of pages. The process for renewal is similar to applying for a new passport, but an individual’s old passport must be provided. If the original passport is lost or stolen, a police report or statement of loss is required.

An appointment must be made online. If the ID was renewed within the last two years, a new photograph is not required.

What Are the Requirements for Obtaining a Spanish Passport?

Obtaining Citizenship

To be eligible for a Spanish passport, one must be a Spanish citizen. Foreign residents must have lived in Spain for at least 10 years with legal residence before applying for Spanish citizenship. However, there are certain exceptions, such as through marriage (you can apply after one year of residence) or having a parent with Spanish citizenship.

Continuous Residence Requirements for Citizenship and Spanish Passport Eligibility

• Most applicants have to reside in Spain on a legal residence visa for 10 years before they are eligible for citizenship by naturalisation
• The continuous residence period is 5 years for refugees.
• The continuous residence period is 2 years for people from Ibero-American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, Portugal, or people of Sephardic descent.
• The continuous residence period is 1 year if you are married to a Spanish citizen and live together for that year, or if you were born in Spain

Once you are a Spanish citizen you may apply for a Spanish passport.

Resident > Citizenship > Passport Process

• Get an NIE and permission to live in Spain, then stay there legally at all times.
• You can apply for nationality after you have lived in the country for the required number of years. You don’t have to wait for “permanent” if you already meet the requirements.
• You must pass the DELE A2 (language) and CCSE (civics) tests unless you are exempt.
• Submit your nationality application with a full file.
• After obtaining citizenship and taking the oath, you can request a DNI (Documento Nacional de Identidad) and a Spanish passport.

Spanish Passport Eligibility Criteria

Is It Possible to Obtain A Spanish Passport While Holding Dual Citizenship in Spain?

If you hold dual nationality, you can have two passports, but this is only possible if you are a citizen of certain countries. Spain has agreements with a number of Latin American countries and former Spanish colonies that allow citizens to retain their current citizenship and hold dual citizenship.

The list of countries includes Andorra, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Ecuador, the Philippines, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, Puerto Rico, El Salvador, Uruguay, Venezuela, and France.

People of Sephardic Jewish descent are also eligible. However, Spanish citizens from other countries must renounce their original nationality and passport.

Spanish citizens do not need a passport to travel to certain countries; they may use DNI (Documento Nacional de Identidad) to travel within Europe, the EEA (European Economic Area), and Switzerland.

What to Do If You Have Lost or Stolen Spanish Passport?

If a passport is lost or stolen, it is important to contact the authorities immediately and apply for a replacement. Spain will typically issue a duplicate passport that will be valid for the same period as the original.

If you are abroad, contact the nearest Spanish consulate general to obtain a provisional passport for travel. However, any subsequent replacement passports may only be valid for six months if they are lost or stolen again.

How Long Is A Spanish Passport Valid For?

The validity of Spanish Passports varies based on age:

• Passports for children under five years old are valid for two years.
• Passports for individuals under 30, when issued, are valid for five years.
• Passports for those 30 and above, when issued, are valid for ten years.

What Is the Cost of Obtaining a Spanish Passport?

The cost for a Spanish Passport is €30 for all types of applications, including first-time applications, renewals, and replacement passports for both adults and minors. However, if you are considered a beneficiary of large family status, the fee will be waived.

How Long Does It Take to Process and Get Expedited Services?

In Spain, you can get your passport quickly after making an appointment. The booklet is typically ready in a few days or weeks, depending on the office’s workload. At consulates, processing times vary depending on the number of applications and shipping time. Longer waits are likely in late spring and summer, as well as around the holidays at the end of the year.

Rules for Spanish Passports 

Photograph Requirements

• The photograph size must be 32×26 mm (26×32 mm is also acceptable if the picture is turned). The background should be white/light in colour, and the photo must have been taken within the last six months.
• The head should occupy about 70% of the picture; the face should be centred, the eyes should be open, and there should be no shadows or filters.
• No head coverings are allowed unless they are for religious reasons; the face must be fully visible.
• Usually, two identical photos are needed for passports

Common Passport Photo Rejection Reasons

• There is glare on the glasses, tinted lenses, busy backgrounds
• The passport is the wrong size
• There is too much retouching or image editing
• The head is too small or cropped.

Quick Guide to Taking Your Passport Photograph

Stand 0.5 to 1 metre away from a plain light wall, using indirect daylight. Set the camera at eye level, keeping your shoulders square, and ensure that the crown and chin fit within the face-size rule. Print on photo paper at the exact size specification.

Alternatively, local vendors in most countries, including Spain, can take your passport photograph for a fee. They will follow the guidelines for Spanish passports, and in some cases, they will guarantee the photograph will be accepted.

How to Apply if You Are Spanish and Live Abroad?

If you are a Spanish citizen and have been living abroad or in Spanish territory, you will need to apply through the Spanish consulate in your country of residence. The process is similar to obtaining a passport in Spain. However, if you do not have your previous Spanish Passport or a valid ID, or if these documents have expired for more than three years, you will need to provide a copy of your birth certificate.

Additionally, you will need to provide a document that proves your residency in the area served by the consulate.

Spanish Passport Application Process (From Overseas): Step by step

Emergency Passports

If you have an immediate, proven need (such as a medical emergency, urgent work travel, or a loss or theft with a police report), consulates can provide you with emergency travel documents or temporary passports. Requirements and formats vary; check with your consulate for proof and fees. Plan, as emergency documents may not be valid for long or for international travel.

How to Get a Spanish Passport in the UK (Consulates)

The Consulate General in the UK can give out and renew Spanish passports. You must be eligible to apply, having been born in Spain or having obtained citizenship.

London, Manchester, and Edinburgh all have their own areas of jurisdiction. Before making an appointment, check which post covers your county. Edinburgh is responsible for applications from Scotland, Northern Ireland, and certain counties in North-East England, including Cumbria, Northumberland, Durham, Tyne & Wear, and the Tees Valley. 

• To schedule an appointment, visit the consulate’s website and click on “Cita previa.” Then, choose “Passports” (Pasaportes).
• Bring both the originals and copies. You should have proof of consular registration, a Spanish ID or nationality certificate, a previous passport (if renewing), recent compliant photos, and any other required forms.
• Bring your current passport or nationality certificate, proof of address in the UK within the consular district, and two photos that meet the required specifications. Check what payment methods (card or exact cash) are accepted at consulates. You can’t renew online from the UK; you have to go in person.

How to Avoid Common Mistakes That Could Get Your Passport Application Denied

There are instances where passport issuance may be denied in Spain, such as for national security reasons, court-ordered restrictions on leaving the country, or due to a state of alarm. When applying for a passport for a minor or an incapacitated person, consent from both parents or all legal guardians must be provided. Common mistakes that could see your Spanish passport application be refused include:

• Unregistered foreign marriage, certificates with names or dates that don’t match
• Police records that are no longer valid in the nationality file
• Photos that don’t meet passport requirements
• The background or size of the passport photo is wrong
• You do not provide suitable supporting documentation, or there are no original documents or certified copies (with approved translations if applicable)
• Names, dates, or places of birth don’t match up on all certificates
• You didn’t register with the right consulate for your address
• Not providing parental consent or proof of custody for minor passport applications
• Not providing old passport or civil registry entries (where applicable)
• Fees not paid or paid with the wrong method
• Missed an appointment or scheduled an appointment for the wrong service.
• Using the size of a visa photo (35×45) instead of the size specification of a Spanish passport.
• Expecting to be able to renew online from overseas when you require an appointment

Passports for Children and Permission from Parents (Including for Babies Born Abroad)

Typically, both parents or legal guardians must provide their permission in person for a child’s passport. You must apply for a passport with the child’s Spanish birth certificate or foreign birth certificate with Spanish registration, the parents’ IDs, proof of parental responsibility or court orders (if applicable), and child photos that meet the requirements. Validity for minors is shorter than for adults, so plan renewals early. 

• Photos of babies still have to follow size and background rules. A relaxed expression is fine, but if possible, the eyes should be open.
• Sign the form where it says “parental consent.” It requires the signature of both parents, and if one is unable to attend, a notarised consent is required.
• Before obtaining the passport, ensure the child is registered in the Consular Civil Registry.
• If the child was born outside Spain, register the birth and obtain the literal Spanish certificate before requesting the passport.

Visa-Free Access & Places You Can Go With a Spanish Passport

Spain’s passport is consistently ranked among the best. It allows you to travel to many places without a visa or with a visa on arrival. Before you go, check an official source or the consulate of the country you’re going to see if the rules have changed.

• Most of Europe, the Schengen Area, and parts of the Americas and Asia are visa-free or offer visa-on-arrival options for short trips for tourism purposes.
• EU free movement rights allow you to live and work in the EU/EEA as long as you are registered. This differs from visa-free tourism outside of Europe, which typically has limitations on the duration of stay and entry conditions.

Special Routes for Naturalised Citizens and Those Who Marry a Citizen

If you received your nationality by living in Spain (including the one-year route for spouses), you can apply for the same Spanish passport as someone who was born in Spain. If you already have a DNI, bring your Spanish Civil Registry entry (or literal certificate) and your old passport or nationality certificate.

If you were married to a Spanish Citizen Abroad:

• Ensure that your foreign marriage is registered in the Spanish Civil Registry before or at the same time as your nationality application.
• Show that you lived together for the required amount of time when using the one-year route.
• Keep your DELE/CCSE certificates unless you are exempt.

How can IAS Help with a Spanish passport Application?

Whether you are a foreign resident or citizen of Spain, IAS offers assistance with the Spanish Passport Application Process, including understanding the requirements and application steps. We provide service tailored to individual needs and circumstances. Our lawyers will work closely with clients to explain the process and address any questions or concerns they may have.

IAS will help prepare a portfolio of evidence for the application and submit it to the relevant governing body, providing a letter of recommendation as well as an update on the status.

Utilising our professional services can simplify the application process and enhance the chances of success. If you have any other questions or would like to apply for a Spanish passport, contact us by calling (+44) 333 4149244 for more information.