Spain has just announced that it will start requiring citizens of Israel to have an ETIAS visa in order to enter the country. This new rule comes into effect on October 1, 2018.
ETIAS stands for Expired or Terminated Visit Visa and is usually required by visitors who have recently visited a country and are no longer eligible to stay in that country. countries that require ETIAS visas include the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Philippines and South Korea.
Currently, Israeli citizens do not need a visa to travel to Spain as long as they hold a valid passport and are not carrying any illegal items with them. However, this new rule may change that.
What This Means for You: If you are a citizen of Israel and plan on traveling to Spain anytime soon, make sure to check updated information about your visa requirements online or at your nearest Spanish consulate. Additionally, be sure to pack your passport and any documents you may need in order to stay in Spain.
Applying For Spain ETIAS From Israel
Requirements for traveling to Spain with your Israeli passport:
- Passport validity for at least six months from the date of your planned travel to Spain.
- Single entry/exit visa is not required for citizens of Israel.
- Carry your passport and your Israeli visa with you when traveling to Spain.
- Proof of onward ticket (confirmed reservations, plane tickets) to the final destination in Spain.
- Make a copy of your passport photo page and keep it safe. You will need this document when you arrive in Spain.
- If you are transiting through another country en route to Spain, be sure to have valid travel documentation (visa, boarding pass) for the final destination country as well.
- Any luggage you are bringing with you needs to be packed and ready for inspection by immigration officials when you arrive in Spain. You will not be allowed to bring any extra luggage on the plane with you or through customs once you arrive in Spain.
Reasons You Should Get An Spain ETIAS
- Spain is home to many world-renowned tourist destinations, such as Granada, Barcelona, and Madrid.
- Spanish nationals are generally friendly and welcoming towards foreigners, making it a great place to live and work.
- Spanish infrastructure is world-class, with high-quality public transportation, hospitals and clinics, and laboratories.
- Spanish businesses are often highly innovative and employ a large number of skilled professionals.
- Spanish education is among the best in the world, with top universities such as Universidad de Salamanca and Universidad Carlos III providing world-class education for their students.
Things To Consider Before Coming To Spain
If you are a citizen of Israel, you may have to apply for a visa before traveling to Spain.
The required visa depends on your nationality:
- Citizens of countries that do not require a visa for tourist visits to Spain do not need one for short stays up to 90 days.
- Citizens of other countries should check the visa requirements with the Spanish embassy or consulate in their home country.
Israeli citizens must also carry documents such as a valid passport, an e-Visa (if applicable) and an onward/return ticket. Documents must be original and have not been altered in any way. Israeli citizens who are students, workers or journalists will need additional documents.
Israeli nationals may stay in Spain without a visa for 90 days in each six-month period; however, they are required to register with the police within three days of arrival and remain in Spanish territory at all times.
Spain ETIAS For Citizens Of Israel – FAQ
Spain has introduced an electronic travel authorisation (ETIAS) for citizens of Israel. This new system will allow Israeli passport holders to travel to Spain without the need for a visa.
The ETIAS system is based on the e-Visa system used by many other countries. When you apply for your ETIAS, you must provide information about your travels, including dates of travel and the destination country. You will also need to submit a photo and valid identification documents.
Once you have submitted your application, the Spanish authorities will electronically check it against the databases of both countries. If everything is in order, you will receive an authorisation letter confirming that you are able to travel to Spain without a visa.
This new system is effective from 1 January 2019. Israeli passport holders can now visit Spain without having to worry about any visa requirements.
Conclusion
Spain has announced that it will begin accepting Etias applications from Israeli citizens in early 2019. This move comes just a few months after Spain became the ninth country to join the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS).
ETIAS is a biometric passport system that allows visa-free travel for citizens of countries that are part of the Schengen Agreement. Israel is one of the 139 countries who have been approved to use ETIAS.
Israeli citizens will now be able to travel to Spain without a visa, provided that they have an ETIAS card and are carrying valid travel documents. Israelis will also be able to stay in Spain for up to three months without a visa if they are travelling on an authorized tourist card.
Spaniards will still need a visa if they want to visit Israel. However, this is becoming less common as more and more countries are joining ETIAS. In addition, Israeli citizens can now apply for a multiple-entry Spanish visa online.