What are the essentials for a family planning a trip to Spain? Find out the Spain visa requirements, application processes, and helpful tips for UK families planning their Spanish adventure in 2025.
Get ready to plan a summer vacation in Barcelona or a winter getaway to the Canary Islands this year. With a proper understanding of the spain visa requirements and a comprehensive guide like ours, you are certain to have a smooth journey in 2025.
Here’s everything UK families need to know about traveling to Spain in 2025, from visa applications to eligibility requirements.
Spain visa requirements for a family trip from the UK in 2025
- If your family trip is not going to exceed 90 days, you do not need a traditional Spain visa as a UK citizen. The only important requirements are:
- A passport valid for at least three months
- Evidence of sufficient funds for your stay
- Accommodation arrangements
- Travel insurance with medical coverage
- UK families traveling to Spain must register with the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) before their trip. It costs approximately €7 per person but is free for travelers under 18 and over 70.
- For family trips exceeding 90 days, each family member will need to apply for a Spain tourist visa or another appropriate long-stay visa, depending on the purpose of your visit.
How to apply for a Spain Schengen visa for UK families
If your family trip requires you to get a full Schengen visa, here’s a step-by-step process to follow:
Step 1: Identify the Correct Visa Type
Before you even begin packing a summer bag for the family, you must have agreed on the right visa for your trip. Spain has different visa categories, from tourist visas to visit visas, business visas, medical treatment visas, and study visas.
You need to decide which one’s best for your family, but most people planning a trip like yours often choose the tourist visa.
Step 2: Complete the Application
Once step 1 is decided, each family member must fill out the Schengen visa application form and book an appointment at the Spanish Consulate or a visa application center. Start preparing the required documentation at this stage too.
Step 3: Submit Biometric Data
All family members aged 12 and above must provide digital fingerprints and a digital photograph. If you have toddlers or children under 12 however, they do not need to participate in the biometric registration.
Planning a family vacation to Spain: Visa guide for UK residents
- Apply for your Spain visa six months before your planned departure, especially if you are traveling during summer months or for the Christmas holiday. It takes longer to process a visa during peak seasons.
- Consider submitting applications together as a family to speed up the process. Also, prepare to have each family member appear in person at the application center if required.
- Plan a realistic budget for the family trip. You would need to pay visa application fees, travel insurance, and other service fees that may be required during the process
12 Documents Needed for a Family Trip Visa to Spain from the UK
- Completed application forms
- Valid passports
- Two recent passport-sized photographs of each family member
- Evidence of legal residence in the UK if you are not a UK citizen
- Travel insurance
- Flight reservations
- Evidence of hotel bookings for accommodation arrangements
- Bank statements from the last three months
- Evidence of sufficient funds for your trip
- Birth certificates
- Parental consent forms for children traveling with one parent or guardian
Spain visa tips for UK families traveling with children
If you are a UK family planning to travel this year, these tips would help make your family’s visa application smooth and successful:
- Ensure your booking reservations clearly list all family members
- Choose family-friendly visa options that are perfect for children
- Provide detailed address information for your entire stay
- Invest in a travel insurance package that covers all family members individually
- Keep digital copies of every document.
- Pack for the weather, depending on the season you decide to travel
- Research fun, budget-friendly places ahead of your travel
- Take a short course on Duolingo for basic interactions in Spanish.
- If a family member has food allergies, research popular restaurants with menus that are safe before you travel.
- Always begin the application process early!
Spain Tourist Visa FAQs for UK Families Planning a Holiday
Does my UK passport allow me to travel to Spain without a visa in 2025?
Yes, but you’ll need to register with ETIAS before you travel.
How much does a Spanish visa cost for a family of four?
For a family with two adults and two children under 12, you would need €14 for the ETIAS or approximately €240 (€80 per adult, €40 per child aged 6-12) for a full Schengen visa.
Can we apply for our visas as a family group?
Family visa applications can be submitted together, but each family member would still need individual documentation and separate applications.
What happens if our travel plans change after getting our visa?
If you are a UK citizen, that means you are traveling with the ETIAS authorization and that’s flexible enough to allow for a change in travel dates.
For Schengen visas however, you can only make minor changes within the validity period, else you would need a new application.
How do we prove sufficient funds for a family trip?
You need to be able to afford at least €100 per person daily. For a family of four on a two-week trip, this means showing proof of funds worth €5,600.
Conclusion
Planning a family trip to Spain from the UK in 2025 requires careful attention to visa and travel requirements.
The process might seem overwhelming at first but if you start your preparations early and ensure you have all the necessary documentation, your family can look forward to an amazing Spain adventure this year.
Remember that requirements can change, so always check the most current information from official sources before you begin your travel plans.
