Canadian citizens travelling on a Canadian passport DO NOT need to get a Schengen visa
if the purpose of their visit to Spain is tourism, business or studies and their stay is less than 90 days for any 180 consecutive days, including any time spent in any other Schengen country during that period.
For a list of third countries whose nationals must be in possession of a visa when crossing the Schengen external borders as well as for those nationals who are exempt from that requirement, please click
here.
In addition, the validity of the travel document shall last until at least 90 days after the intended date of departure from the territory of the EU/Schengen States.
They should have a hotel reservation or an invitation from a resident of Spain issued at a Spanish Police Station, as well as a return ticket back to Canada.
Be advised that at Customs they may be required to show that they have
enough funds (
check amounts)
to support themselves during their stay by means of cash, certified cheques or credit cards with current bank account/credit card account statements.
It is highly recommended they get travel medical insurance with coverage in Spain.
The Entry/Exit System (EES) is Europe’s new border automated IT management system for registering non-EU nationals travelling for a short stay, each time they cross the external borders of 29 European countries.
Starting from 12 October 2025, the 29 European countries using the EES will progressively roll out the system at their external borders over a period of six months.
This means that data collection will be gradually introduced at border crossing points with full implementation by 10 April 2026.
The system applies to you if you are a non-EU national who either:
- need a short-stay visa to travel to the European countries using the EES
- do not need a visa to travel for a short stay in the European countries using the EES
Your entries and exits, or entry refusals will be electronically registered in the EES.