Spain is a hugely popular Schengen destination — and it has one big difference most Indians miss: Spain’s applications go through BLS International, not VFS. A Spain tourist visa is a short-stay (Type C) Schengen visa for up to 90 days. This is your complete India-specific guide: the BLS process, jurisdiction, fees, Spain’s relatively high funds requirement, the carta de invitación for family stays, and 28 answered questions. At FastVisa123 (fastvisa123.com) we file Spanish Schengen applications for Indians for a flat fee.
Spain tourist visa at a glance
Type: Schengen short-stay (Type C), up to 90 days. Apply via: BLS International (not VFS). Fee: €90 adult + BLS service fee. Funds: Spain enforces a high day-rate (around €120/day with a minimum per trip). Special: family stays need a carta de invitación from a Spanish police station. FastVisa123 builds the whole file.
⚠️ Spain uses BLS, not VFS
This is the most common mix-up. For a Spanish visa you book and submit at a BLS International centre, not VFS. Make sure you are on the official BLS Spain India site when booking your appointment.
Spanish consulate jurisdiction
Spain has two missions for visas: the Embassy in New Delhi and the Consulate General in Mumbai, with BLS centres feeding each. Apply based on where you have resided for the past 6 months.
| Apply to | If you live in |
|---|---|
| New Delhi (Embassy) | North India — Delhi-NCR, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Bihar and other northern/eastern states |
| Mumbai (Consulate General) | South & West India — Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and nearby |
Confirm your exact jurisdiction on the BLS Spain site; multi-country travellers should also read our which-country guide.
Spain visa fees (2026)
| Applicant | Visa fee |
|---|---|
| Adult (18+) | €90 (about ₹9,000) |
| Child 6–12 | €45 |
| Child under 6 | Free |
| BLS service fee | Separate — non-refundable |
The visa fee and BLS service fees are non-refundable on refusal.
Funds: Spain expects more per day
Spain enforces one of the higher daily financial thresholds in the Schengen Area — around €120 per day of stay, with a published minimum per trip. Show a steady balance over 3–6 months (not a sudden deposit) comfortably above that, backed by ITR/Form 16. See how to present it in our proof-of-funds and bank-balance guides.
Documents Spain expects
- Passport (within 10 years, valid 3+ months beyond return, 2 blank pages);
- Application form + two 35×45 mm photos;
- €30,000 travel insurance (insurance guide);
- Bank statements (3–6 months) showing the higher day-rate + ITR;
- Cover letter, itinerary, round-trip flight reservation and accommodation;
- Employment proof — NOC/leave letter;
- Carta de invitación if staying with family/friends (below).
Carta de invitación (family/friend stays)
If you will stay with a host in Spain, they obtain a carta de invitación — an official invitation letter — from their local Comisaría de Policía (police station). It contains the host’s and your details and the accommodation address, is valid for a set period, and must be submitted in original. For visits to relatives, tick ‘visiting family/friends’, not Tourism. More in our sponsorship guide.
Processing & after the decision
Spain generally decides within about 15 working days; book your BLS slot early (3–4 weeks ahead, more in summer). Funds and accommodation decide most files, and Spain’s higher day-rate makes a strong balance especially important. A formal interview is uncommon (interview reality). If refused, reapply or appeal; biometrics may be reused within ~5 years.
Spain visa: do vs don’t
✅ Do
Apply via BLS (not VFS). Apply to Delhi or Mumbai based on 6-month residence. Show funds comfortably above €120/day. Use a carta de invitación for family stays. Book early.
❌ Don’t
Don’t go to VFS for a Spanish visa. Don’t under-fund — Spain’s day-rate is high. Don’t tick Tourism for a family visit. Don’t buy non-refundable tickets before approval.
Get your Spain tourist visa filed right
FastVisa123 books your BLS appointment, builds Spain’s higher-funds document set, and files the whole application — flat ₹10,000. Indian travellers, start at fastvisa123.com.
Approval green flags vs refusal red flags
🟢 Green flags (officers love these)
A steady 3–6 month bank balance backed by ITR; a clear, dated day-by-day itinerary; a confirmed return ticket and matching hotels; strong ties to India (job, family, property); an approved leave letter or NOC; and one consistent story across every document.
🔴 Red flags (officers refuse for these)
A sudden lump-sum deposit days before applying; a vague “Europe tour” with no real plan; dates that disagree across form, tickets and hotels; weak or no ties to India; ticking Tourism for a family visit; and applying at the wrong consulate.
Spain tourist visa: 27 common questions answered
1. Where do I apply for a Spain tourist visa in India?
FastVisa123: Through BLS International — not VFS. Book and submit at a BLS Spain visa centre; the Spanish Embassy in Delhi or Consulate in Mumbai makes the decision.
2. Does Spain use VFS or BLS?
FastVisa123: Spain uses BLS International in India, not VFS. This is the most common mistake — make sure you are on the official BLS Spain site to book.
3. Which Spanish mission covers my city or state?
FastVisa123: The Embassy in New Delhi covers north India, and the Consulate in Mumbai covers south and west India. Apply based on where you have lived for the past 6 months.
4. How much money do I need for a Spain visa?
FastVisa123: Spain enforces a high day-rate — around €120 per day of stay with a published minimum per trip. Show a steady balance comfortably above that, backed by ITR.
5. Why does Spain ask for more funds than other countries?
FastVisa123: Spain sets one of the higher daily subsistence thresholds in the Schengen Area, so your balance needs to clearly exceed roughly €120 per day plus prepaid flights and hotels.
6. What is the Spain tourist visa fee?
FastVisa123: €90 for adults (about ₹9,000), €45 for children 6–12, free under 6, plus a separate BLS service fee.
7. Is the BLS service fee separate and refundable?
FastVisa123: Yes, it is charged on top of the visa fee and is non-refundable, as is the visa fee, regardless of the outcome.
8. What is a carta de invitación?
FastVisa123: It is Spain’s official invitation letter, obtained by your host from their local police station (Comisaría de Policía), containing both parties’ details and the accommodation address. It must be submitted in original for family/friend stays.
9. Can a relative or friend in Spain invite me?
FastVisa123: Yes. They obtain a carta de invitación from their police station, and you apply as visiting family/friends rather than as a tourist.
10. How many months of bank statements does Spain want?
FastVisa123: Typically 3 to 6 months, bank-issued, showing a stable balance and consistent activity — not a sudden last-minute deposit.
11. Do I need ITR or Form 16 for a Spain visa?
FastVisa123: Yes, it is strongly recommended — the last 2 to 3 years of ITR or Form 16 to show your income genuinely supports the higher balance Spain expects.
12. Should I tick Tourism or visiting family on the form?
FastVisa123: Tick the true purpose — visiting family/friends if you are staying with relatives, not Tourism. Mismatching is a common refusal reason.
13. What accommodation proof does Spain accept?
FastVisa123: Hotel or Airbnb bookings covering your whole stay, or a host’s carta de invitación, matching your itinerary dates.
14. Do I need a confirmed flight ticket or a reservation?
FastVisa123: A confirmed round-trip reservation is enough for the application. Buy the paid ticket only after approval to avoid losing money if refused.
15. What travel insurance does Spain require?
FastVisa123: Travel medical insurance with at least €30,000 cover, valid across the Schengen Area for your entire trip, including emergency medical and repatriation.
16. What are the photo requirements for a Spain visa?
FastVisa123: Two recent 35×45 mm photos on a white background, neutral expression, no glasses, taken within 6 months. See our photo guide on fastvisa123.com.
17. Do my documents need a Spanish translation?
FastVisa123: English is often accepted, but some documents may need a certified Spanish translation depending on the consulate. We confirm this for your case at fastvisa123.com.
18. Do I apply to Spain if I am visiting other Schengen countries?
FastVisa123: Only if Spain is your main destination — the country of most nights or main purpose. Otherwise apply to that country. See our which-country guide on fastvisa123.com.
19. How early should I book my BLS appointment?
FastVisa123: Aim for 3 to 4 weeks ahead, and earlier in summer when slots fill quickly. You can apply up to 6 months before travel and no later than about 2 weeks before.
20. What are common reasons Spain refuses a visa?
FastVisa123: Insufficient funds (Spain’s day-rate is high), unclear purpose, poor ties to India, missing documents, or applying at the wrong jurisdiction.
21. Does Spain interview applicants or verify by phone?
FastVisa123: A formal interview is uncommon for tourists. The consulate may ask questions at submission or verify details by phone, so keep your documents consistent and contacts reachable.
22. How long does a Spain tourist visa take?
FastVisa123: Usually around 15 working days from your BLS appointment, longer in the summer peak. Apply several weeks ahead to be safe.
23. How many entries and how long is the Spain visa valid?
FastVisa123: It varies by case; first-timers often get a single or short multiple-entry visa, while travel history can earn longer validity. Days are capped at 90 in any 180.
24. What if my Spain visa is refused?
FastVisa123: If the reason is fixable — often funds — reapply with a stronger file; if it was a clear error, appeal within the deadline. See our reapply and appeal guides on fastvisa123.com.
25. Are my biometrics reused for a Spain visa?
FastVisa123: If you gave Schengen fingerprints within the last 59 months they can often be reused, letting you skip the biometric visit, though a fresh photo and documents are still required.
26. Can I apply for a Spain visa with a blank passport or if unemployed?
FastVisa123: Yes. A blank passport is not a barrier, and unemployed applicants can apply with strong savings, a sponsor and clear ties to India — especially important given Spain’s higher funds bar. Details on fastvisa123.com.
27. Can FastVisa123 handle my Spain tourist visa application?
FastVisa123: Yes. FastVisa123 books your BLS appointment, builds Spain’s higher-funds document set and itinerary, and files the whole application — for a flat ₹10,000. Start at fastvisa123.com.
28. Do Indians need ETIAS for Spain?
FastVisa123: No. ETIAS is a travel authorisation only for visa-exempt nationalities, and Indian passport holders are not eligible — you must apply for a Schengen visa for Spain. Ignore any ‘ETIAS for India’ website; it does not apply to you, and FastVisa123 files the actual visa you need.
29. Can I work or study in Spain on this tourist visa?
FastVisa123: No. A Type C tourist visa is strictly for tourism or visiting, and cannot be used to work or study, nor converted from inside the Schengen Area. Long-term work or study needs a different national visa applied for from India.
30. Can I extend my Spain tourist visa once I am there?
FastVisa123: Only in rare, unforeseeable cases such as serious illness or force majeure, applied for locally before it expires. Wanting more holiday time is not a valid reason, so plan your dates correctly before you fly.
31. Can I visit other Schengen countries on a Spain visa?
FastVisa123: Yes. A uniform Schengen visa issued by Spain lets you travel across all Schengen countries, as long as Spain remains your main destination and you stay within 90 days in any 180-day period.
32. Do my children need their own Spain visa?
FastVisa123: Yes. Each child needs a separate application and visa with their own photo, birth certificate, both parents’ consent and supporting documents. Children under 6 are usually free and ages 6–12 pay a reduced fee.
33. How do I track my Spain visa application?
FastVisa123: After you submit at VFS, you get a reference number to track the application online and by email, and a couriered passport is tracked via the courier (such as Blue Dart) using that number. FastVisa123 keeps you updated at every stage.
34. Is a VFS appointment mandatory for Spain, or can I walk in?
FastVisa123: An appointment is mandatory for almost all applicants, including minors, to give biometrics and submit documents, and each person needs their own. A few consulates run limited walk-in windows, but assume an appointment is required.
35. Can I apply for my whole family in one go?
FastVisa123: Each traveller needs a separate application, appointment and visa sticker for Spain, including every child; a parent signs for minors. You can attend together, but the files are assessed individually.
36. What if I apply too close to my travel date?
FastVisa123: Apply at least about 15 days before travel. Applications lodged with departure under 15 days away are usually returned unprocessed (fees may be refunded), so apply early — ideally 4–8 weeks ahead in peak season.
37. Can I enter Spain before my visa’s start date?
FastVisa123: No. You may enter only from the ‘valid from’ date on your sticker and must use the visa within its validity. Arriving early risks denied boarding or entry, so match your flights to the visa dates.
Heading to Switzerland? See Switzerland tourist visa (Type C) from India guide.
Heading to Portugal? See Portugal tourist visa (Type C) from India guide.
Refused by Spain? See what to do if your Spain visa is refused (reasons & recurso appeal).
Official source: Official Spain government visa information