Nationals of the following countries require a visa to transit through the international area of any airport located in the territory of the Schengen States in order to take a connecting flight to a country outside the Schengen area: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia and Sri Lanka.
In addition, nationals of the following countries require a visa to transit through the international area of any airport located in Spain in order to take a connecting flight to a country outside the Schengen area: Cameroon, Central African Republic, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, Djibouti, Egypt, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, India, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Nepal, Republic of Congo, Sierra Leone, Syria, Togo and Yemen. Holders of passports issued by the Palestinian Authority also require a visa.
Nationals of the States included on the foregoing lists do not require an airport transit visa if they have a Schengen visa, or another type of visa, or a residence card permitting their return, issued by a Member State of the European Union or of the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, or by Andorra, Canada, the United States of America, Japan, or San Marino, or by any of the overseas countries and territories of the Netherlands, or if they are a diplomatic passport holder, or a family member of a citizen of the EU or of the EEA, or a flight crew member of a State that is party to the International Civil Aviation Organization.
The airport transit visa enables transit through the international area of airports located in the Schengen area but does not permit entry into the territory of the Schengen States. When a connection entails a change in airport terminal that requires going through a border control, it will be necessary to apply for an ordinary Schengen visa.
The following documents should be submitted alongside any application for a Schengen airport transit visa. Please note that the Embassy may contact you later on and request additional information.
Basic documents
- Schengen visa application form
: Each applicant must complete and sign an official application form, filling in each of its sections. If the applicant is a minor, both parents must sign the application. - Photograph: One (1) recent full-face color photograph passport-size, taken in person against a light background, facing forward, without dark or reflective glasses, or any garments concealing the oval of the face taken by a commercial photographer or studio NO MORE THAN SIX (6) MONTHS BEFORE THE DATE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION. It should also meet the requirements pictured on this link . Photographs of minors must not show any part of the adult holding them.
- Valid, unexpired passport: Original and a photocopy of the page or pages of the passport that contain biometric data. The passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond the planned departure date from the Schengen territory. It must also contain at least two blank pages. Passports issued more than 10 years ago will not be accepted.
- Irish certificate of registration (GNIB card) valid for at least 3 months after the visa expiry date (original and copy).
- Copy of earlier Schengen visas on previous passports.
Trip
• Documentary evidence of the continuation of the journey onto the final destination following the planned transit. Applicants must provide proof that the journey they are taking involves an international layover in an airport in Spain
• Entry permits for the country of destination and any other layovers.
Minor applicants
• In case of minors (below 18 years), the application form must be signed by both parents.
• If just one parent will accompany the minor during his travel to Spain, a notary authorisation by the other parent. In case of sole custody, official document proving such.
• If the minor will travel unaccompanied by any of their parents, a no objection affidavit from both parents.
• Evidence of residence in Ireland: GP or school letter.