Spanish Passport

What is a Spanish Passport?

The Spanish passport (pasaporte español) is an identity document issued to Spanish citizens for travel outside Spain. Specifically, the ordinary Spanish passport (Pasaporte Ordinario) is a public, personal, individual, and non-transferable biometric document.

It is issued by the competent bodies of the General Administration of the State and primarily serves to accredit the identity and nationality of Spanish citizens outside Spain. The standard passport features a burgundy cover, typically contains 32 pages, and includes an electronic chip with key personal information and enhanced security measures.

As every Spanish citizen is also a citizen of the European Union, the passport, along with the national identity card, grants the holder free rights of movement and residence in any of the states of the European Union, European Economic Area (EEA), and Switzerland.

The Spanish passport is considered one of the most desirable and powerful passports in the world, ranking highly globally. It provides its holders with visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to a significant number of destinations, ranging from 189 to 192 countries and territories.

Besides the Ordinary Passport, there are three other types: the Collective Passport, the Diplomatic Passport, and Official and Service Passports

Types of Spanish Passport

The Spanish Passport is issued in four main types:

1. Ordinary Passport (Pasaporte Ordinario): This is the standard biometric passport issued to Spanish citizens for regular international travel, such as for vacations and business trips. It features a burgundy cover and typically has 32 pages. Spanish passports grant its holders the right to live, work and study within the EU, EEA, and Switzerland.
2. Collective Passport (Pasaporte Colectivo): This is a limited passport issued for the occasion of group events, like pilgrimages or excursions, where a reciprocal agreement exists with the destination country. It is often issued to those under 21 years old for educational trips, has a limited number of pages, and its validity is restricted to a single trip, not exceeding three months.
3. Diplomatic Passport (Pasaporte Diplomático): This passport is specifically issued to Spanish diplomats, diplomatic couriers, and top-ranking government officials.
4. Official and Service Passports (Pasaportes Oficiales Y De Servicio): These are issued to individuals representing the Spanish government when travelling on official business.

Requirements to Apply for Spanish Passport

To apply for a Spanish passport, applicants must fulfill specific eligibility criteria established by the General Administration of the State. The primary requirement is holding Spanish citizenship; having Spanish residency alone is not sufficient.

Eligibility Requirements

• Citizenship: Only Spanish citizens are eligible to apply for the passport. Applicants must possess a valid Spanish ID (DNI) or, if unavailable, a Spanish nationality certificate.
• Appointment: The first step in the application process involves scheduling an appointment online at an official passport office through the National Police Electronic Headquarters.
• Application Fee: The application fee is €30, which can be paid during the appointment. There are fee waivers for individuals who qualify as part of a large family.
• Biometric Data: Applicants are required to provide biometric data, including fingerprints, as part of the application process.

Special Circumstances

• Minors and Incapacitated Persons: For applicants under parental authority, consent from parents or guardians is necessary for the issuance of the passport.
• Applying from Abroad: Spanish citizens residing outside Spain must apply through the nearest Spanish consulate or embassy and provide proof of residency in the consulate’s jurisdiction.

The passport application may be denied or limited under certain circumstances, including ongoing criminal proceedings or administrative errors in the application process. These requirements ensure that only eligible citizens can obtain a Spanish passport.

Are you applying for a passport on behalf of someone else, and are unsure of the process? Our team can help you today. Speak to an immigration advisor by calling us on +234 2013306361, or you can get in touch online.

Required Documentation for Spanish Passport Application

To apply for an Ordinary Spanish Passport (Pasaporte Ordinario), applicants must present specific documentation as outlined by the General Administration of the State and the National Police.

Proof of Citizenship: Applicants must provide proof of identity and citizenship by presenting a valid Spanish ID (DNI). For first-time applications, the DNI is mandatory. If the DNI is unavailable, a Spanish nationality certificate can be used instead.

Recent Colour Photograph: you must submit a recent colour photograph as part of your application for your passport. The photo must comply with the following criteria:

• Have been taken within the last six months
• Have a plain white background and be high resolution, clearly depicting the facial features.
• The head should occupy about 70% of the image, with the face centered and eyes open
• Hats or dark glasses are not permitted unless the head covering is for religious reasons, provided the face remains fully visible.
• Typically, two identical photos are needed.

During the application process, you must pay the application fee and provide biometric data, including fingerprints.

Spanish citizens living abroad must apply through the nearest Spanish consulate or embassy, providing proof of residency in that area. If a previous passport or ID has expired for more than three years, a copy of the birth certificate is required.

When renewing a passport, applicants must provide their old passport, even if it has expired. If the DNI was renewed within the last two years, a new photograph may not be necessary. In cases of lost or stolen passports, a police report or statement of loss is required for replacement.

Minors or Incapacitated Persons

For minors or individuals who are under the care of others, obtaining a passport requires the express consent of the parents or legal guardians. If one parent/guardian cannot attend the appointment, notarised consent is necessary. The child or individual should also be registered in the Consular Civil Registry.

Passport applications may be refused due to administrative errors or documentation issues. Common causes for refusal include photographs that do not meet specific requirements, failure to provide suitable supporting documentation, discrepancies in names or dates across certificates, and lack of parental consent or proof of custody for minors.

Spanish Passport Application Process: How to Apply

The application process for the Ordinary Spanish Passport (Pasaporte Ordinario) is straightforward once the fundamental prerequisite of Spanish citizenship has been met.

Citizenship Prerequisite

To be eligible to apply for a Spanish passport, applicants must be a Spanish citizen; simply holding Spanish residence is not sufficient.

Foreign residents living in Spain must apply for and obtain Spanish citizenship before being able to apply for a passport. Foreign residents typically must live legally in Spain for 10 years before applying for citizenship by naturalisation, though reduced periods apply for specific groups.

After citizenship is obtained and the oath is taken, the individual must request the DNI (Documento Nacional de Identidad). A valid Spanish ID (DNI) is required for a first-time passport application, although the Spanish nationality certificate can be used in its place if the DNI is unavailable.

Application Process

The application process requires an in-person appointment:

• Schedule an Appointment: The first step is to schedule an appointment online at an official passport office. This is done using the “Pre-appointment ID and passport” service, available through the National Police Electronic Headquarters.
• Location: The application is submitted at a local police station that services applications.
• Applying Abroad: If a Spanish citizen lives abroad, they must apply for the passport or renewal at the nearest Spanish Embassy or Consulate.
• Attend Appointment: The applicant must attend the appointment in person.
• Submit required documentation and biometric details: at the appointment, the applicant must present the following:
  • Identity Proof: A valid Spanish ID (DNI) or, if the DNI is unavailable, the Spanish nationality certificate.
  • Photograph: A recent high resolution colour photograph on plain white background, with all facial features clearly visible
  • Biometric Data: The applicant must provide biometric data, which includes fingerprints.
• Payment: The fee for the application is €30. This fee can be paid in cash (if paying on appointment) or with a bank card. The fee is waived for individuals who can prove they have the status of a large family.

If you would like support with your application for a Spanish passport, our team can help. We offer passport application services so that you can sit back, relax, and know that this highly important application procedure is in safe hands. Get in touch online today or call us on +234 2013306361

How Much Does the Spanish Passport Cost?

The cost to obtain an Ordinary Spanish Passport (Pasaporte Ordinario), whether for a first-time application, renewal, or replacement, is a standard fee of €30. The application fee is €30 for all types of applications, including first-time applications, renewals, and replacement passports, for both adults and minors.

This fee can be paid either in cash (if paying at the appointment) or with a bank card. The fee will be waived for individuals who can prove they have the status of a large family.

While the application fee itself is fixed at €30, it is important to remember that this fee is only charged once the individual has successfully obtained Spanish citizenship, which is a prerequisite for the passport. Obtaining citizenship often involves a long and costly process spanning many years.

How Long Does it Take to Get a Spanish Passport?

The processing time for obtaining a Spanish passport typically takes between a few days and a month, once the in-person application and necessary documentation have been submitted.

The specific timeframes and factors affecting the process are:

• General Wait Time: After submitting the application, applicants can generally expect to wait 2 to 4 weeks for the passport. The wait time is commonly no longer than a month.
• Speed in Spain: In Spain, you can often get your passport quickly after making the appointment. The passport booklet is typically ready in a few days or weeks, depending on the specific office’s workload.
• Applying Abroad (Consulates): If the application is filed at a Spanish consulate, processing times may vary. This variation depends on the number of applications and shipping time.

Peak Seasons: Longer waits are likely during busy periods, such as late spring and summer, or around the holidays at the end of the year.

Renew or Replacing Spanish Passport

The process for renewing or replacing a Spanish passport is similar to applying for a new passport, requiring an in-person appointment and specific documentation. A Spanish passport should be renewed if it has less than 12 months’ validity remaining or if the holder has run out of pages.

To renew or replace a passport, you must make an appointment at the consulate online. Applicants can use the “Pre-appointment ID and passport” service, which is available through the National Police Electronic Headquarters.

The application for renewal must be submitted at:

• A local police station that services applications in Spain.
• The nearest Spanish Embassy or Consulate if the citizen is living abroad.

At the appointment, the applicant must provide the following documents:

• DNI card (Documento Nacional de Identidad).
• Current passport (even if it is expired).
• Passport photos: Typically three passport photos are required. If the DNI was renewed within the last two years, a new photograph is not required for the passport renewal.
• Payment fee.

The validity of the renewed passport depends on the age of the holder at the time of issuance:

• 10 years for citizens aged 30 and above.
• 5 years for individuals under 30.
• 2 years for children under five years old.

Replacing a Lost or Stolen Passport

If the original passport is lost or stolen, immediate action must be taken to apply for a replacement. It is critical to contact the authorities immediately and file a police report or statement of loss.

Once you have filed a police report, the Spanish embassy will typically issue a duplicate passport that will be valid for the same period as the original. However, any subsequent replacement passports issued after being lost or stolen again may only be valid for six months. The process for obtaining a replacement still requires scheduling an in-person appointment and paying the €30 fee.

If a Spanish citizen is abroad when their passport is lost or stolen, they must contact the nearest Spanish consulate general to obtain a provisional passport for travel. Consulates can also provide emergency travel documents for immediate, proven needs (e.g., medical emergency or urgent work travel).

A common administrative mistake to avoid when renewing or replacing a passport is using the size of a visa photo (35×45 mm) instead of the specific size required for a Spanish passport (32×26 mm or 36×22 mm). Furthermore, if applying from overseas, it is crucial to remember that you cannot renew online; an in-person appointment is required.

Are you abroad and have had your Spanish passport lost or stolen? Our team can help you. Speak to an immigration advisor today by calling +234 2013306361, or get in touch online.

Benefits of Obtaining Spanish Passport

The Spanish passport is widely regarded as one of the most desirable and powerful passports in the world, currently ranking in the 3rd place globally. Obtaining Spanish citizenship unlocks significant rights, privileges, and opportunities for individuals and their families, particularly concerning travel, work, and residence across Europe.

Citizenship Rights and Privileges

As every Spanish citizen is also a citizen of the European Union (EU), Spanish nationals are granted comprehensive rights under the EU Treaty:

• Freedom of Movement and Residence: Spanish citizens have the right to live, work, and study in any country within the EU, the European Economic Area (EEA), and Switzerland, without needing further permits or visas. This right extends to the entire Spanish territory itself.
• Healthcare Access: Spanish nationals benefit from the right to receive free healthcare (or benefit-based healthcare) within the EU.
• Protection Abroad: The Spanish passport ensures the holder travels with the full protection and guarantee of the European Union.

Impact on Travel and Global Mobility

The Spanish passport offers an extremely high global mobility. Owning a Spanish passport provides visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to a substantial number of destinations. This access currently includes 189 countries or 191 destinations (visa-free, visa on arrival, or eTA), making almost instant worldwide travel possible.

Passport holders have visa-free access or visas on arrival to major global economies such as Japan, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States.

Because Spain is part of the Schengen Zone, travel throughout Europe is widely unrestricted. Spanish citizens may even use their DNI (Documento Nacional de Identidad) instead of a passport to travel within Europe, the EEA, and Switzerland.

Incentives and Dual Nationality

The strong global mobility and the ability to live, work, and study across the EU make Spanish citizenship highly sought after. Spanish citizenship can be acquired through various means, including birth, descent, marriage, residency, or naturalisation. For example, continuous residence for 10 years is generally required for naturalisation, but this period is reduced to 2 years for people from Ibero-American countries and Portugal, or 1 year for those married to a Spanish citizen.

Individuals may hold dual nationality if they are citizens of certain countries, primarily Latin American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, Portugal, and France. Individuals of Sephardic Jewish descent are also eligible. However, citizens from other nations, including Nigeria, must typically renounce their original nationality and passport.

The Spanish passport is therefore a pivotal document that validates the extensive social, economic, and travel benefits derived from Spanish and EU citizenship.

How IAS Can Help

Obtaining a Spanish passport is crucial for Spanish citizens looking to travel abroad, whether for personal reasons, group events, or official duties. For foreign nationals who have recently become Spanish citizens, securing a Spanish passport is a significant milestone that enhances their sense of belonging.

The passport application process is typically straightforward, but arranging group travel with the Collective passport can be particularly complex. Additionally, individuals with a criminal record may face challenges in submitting their passport applications. Spanish nationals who are currently not in the country might also find it difficult to navigate the passport application process from abroad.

That’s where IAS comes in. Our team of expert immigration lawyers is here to assist and guide you through the passport application process and advise you on the next steps. To speak with a legal professional today, call us at +234 2013306361 or contact us online.