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Entry requirements to visit Spain: travelling to EU countries with an expired passport

It is possible to enter Spain even if your passport has expired, but only in the following circumstances

After a change in advice to passport control officers by the European Commission to allow UK nationals and others from outside the EU to use a passport that is more than 10 years old to enter European countries, some travellers will be left wondering about what travel documents are accepted for entry to Spain and what other documentation it is recommended to carry when going to Spain.

While those who have extended their passports which were about to expire so that they last for longer than 10 years will now be able to enter EU countries, an issue some will be facing is whether they can travel to Spain if their passport has already expired.

Is it possible to enter Spain on an expired passport? Can you use an ID card or residency document to get past border control?

Rules for travel to Spain if your passport has expired

EU nationals

For citizens of an EU country and those in the Schengen area who are either residing in Spain or just visiting (which, due to Brexit, no longer includes UK citizens, of course), a valid passport or an ID card is required for entry into Spanish territory.

This means that EU citizens, as well as citizens of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland, may enter Spain using their national identity card if their passport has expired, as long as it is valid.

Furthermore, the Spanish government allows anyone from Belgium, France, Austria, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, the Netherlands and Portugal to enter with a valid ID card if their passport expired up to five years ago, while people from Germany and Hungary can enter Spain with their ID card if their passport expired up to one year ago.

Non-EU nationals resident in Spain

For those who are not EU or Spanish citizens, but have residency status in Spain, it is not possible to enter Spain with an expired passport or to use a residency card (TIE) instead.

A TIE or other Spanish residency card is not valid for travel, as it is only valid as proof that you have the right to live in Spain. If your passport is not in date, then you cannot use your residency card instead.

Non-EU travellers not resident in Spain

For anyone who is not a citizen of an EU country coming to Spain as a tourist, i.e. someone who is not a Spanish resident, an expired passport is also not eligible for travel to Spain.

If you do not have a valid passport because it was stolen or lost, for example, you will need an emergency travel document issued by your country’s embassy or consulate abroad.

The travel document you use must be valid until three months after the planned date of departure from the Schengen territory.

Certain nationalities may also require a visa to enter Spain. Before travelling, it’s best to check with your local Spanish consulate to enquire whether you’ll need a visa or not.

Spanish citizens

The rules are slightly different for Spaniards. If you are a Spanish citizen, whether by birth or because you have acquired Spanish nationality, you can enter Spain even if your passport has expired, just using your DNI identity card.

The Spanish government website states that: “A Spanish citizen may enter Spain with an expired passport or ID card as long as the border control authorities have checked the authenticity of the document and that the identity and nationality of the person match the data appearing on the document they are carrying.”

What other travel documents should you take to Spain?

To be sure to avoid any further problems, such as the risk of getting fined or prevented from entering Spain, travellers are recommended to make sure that they have proof of the following:

European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC)
Travel insurance
A return ticket or proof of onward travel when travelling by plane, bus, train, or ferry
Proof of sufficient financial means to support yourself for the complete duration of your stay in Spain
Proof of accommodation where you will be staying for your entire time in Spain, such as a hotel booking confirmation or a letter of invitation from a host

>>> Click here to see more Spain travel news <<<

Image: Elena Varas García

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