Spain Visa RequirementsFor Ireland passport holders
Irish citizens travel to Spain without any visa requirement under EU freedom of movement. Spain is Ireland's most popular holiday destination by a significant margin, with millions of Irish tourists visiting each year.
Great news! Ireland passport holders can enter Spain without a visa for tourism or business purposes. You can stay up to 90 days.
No visa is needed. Present your Irish passport. EU citizens have the right to reside and work in Spain without restriction. For stays beyond three months, Irish citizens should register on the Registro Central de Extranjeros (Central Register of Foreigners) and obtain a NIE (Número de Identidad de Extranjero), which is required for work, property purchase, and most financial transactions.
Spain is part of the Schengen Area. Your stay counts toward the 90-day limit within any 180-day period for the entire Schengen zone. Learn more about Schengen rules →
Entry Requirements
Passport Validity
3 months beyond departure from Schengen
Blank Pages
2 blank pages required
Multiple Entry
Single entry only
Work Permitted
No - requires work visa
Current Travel Situation
Ireland to Spain: What You Need to Know
Spain is Ireland's number one foreign holiday destination, receiving more Irish visitors than any other country. The connections between Ireland and Spain are deep: Ryanair's growth was in large part built on the Dublin-Spain route, and Irish tourism to Spain's Balearic Islands, Canary Islands, Costa del Sol, Barcelona, and Madrid is enormous. As EU citizens, Irish passport holders have full freedom of movement and a significant number of Irish citizens are resident in Spain, particularly in Malaga province and the Costa Blanca.
How to Get There
Spain's geographic position makes it ideal for travel to Morocco (ferry from Tarifa, Algeciras, or Malaga to Tangier in 35 minutes to 90 minutes) and Portugal (Seville is 3 hours from Faro, Madrid is 10 hours by train from Lisbon). The Pyrenees offer easy access to Andorra and France.
Money & Banking
Spain uses the Euro (EUR). Cards are widely accepted throughout the country. Contactless payments are universal. ATMs are available everywhere. Some smaller bars and restaurants in rural areas may prefer cash.
Practical Tips
Spain's Renfe high-speed AVE trains are excellent for intercity travel. Madrid and Barcelona are connected in under 3 hours. The Canary Islands (accessible year-round) are technically EU territory and Irish citizens fly there without any formality. ETIAS (EU Travel Information and Authorisation System) will apply to non-EU visitors but not to Irish citizens as EU nationals. Tap water in Spain is generally safe to drink.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Irish citizens need a visa for Spain?
No. Irish citizens are EU nationals and have full freedom of movement in Spain.
Do Irish citizens need a visa to visit Spain?
No. Irish citizens can visit Spain visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Spain is part of the Schengen Area.
Does Spain use the Euro?
Yes. Spain uses the Euro (EUR).
How does the Schengen 90-day rule work for Irish citizens visiting Spain?
Irish citizens are subject to the Schengen 90/180-day rule as visitors to the zone. Days spent in any Schengen country count toward the same 90-day total. Spain, France, Germany, and 24 other countries share the allowance.
Are the Canary Islands part of Spain and accessible without extra requirements?
Yes. The Canary Islands (Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura) are Spanish territory and part of the EU. Irish citizens travel there without any extra requirements.
Can Irish citizens live and work in Spain?
Yes. As EU citizens, Irish nationals have full freedom of movement rights in Spain, including the right to live, work, and access public services. This is a separate right from the tourist 90-day allowance.
What is the NIE number?
The NIE (Numero de Identidad de Extranjero) is a tax identification number required for working, buying property, opening a bank account, and most financial transactions in Spain. Irish citizens resident in Spain should apply for a NIE at the local Foreigners Office.
Do days in the UK count toward the Schengen limit for Irish citizens?
No. The UK is not in Schengen. Days in the UK (and in Ireland itself) do not count toward the Schengen 90-day limit.
Are there many direct flights from Ireland to Spain?
Yes. Spain has more direct routes from Ireland than any other country. Ryanair, Aer Lingus, and Vueling fly from Dublin, Cork, and Shannon to Madrid, Barcelona, Malaga, Alicante, Seville, Palma, Tenerife, Lanzarote, and more.
Are there direct flights from Ireland to Spain?
Yes. Dublin (DUB) and Cork (ORK) have extensive direct connections to Spanish airports including Madrid (MAD), Barcelona (BCN), Malaga (AGP), Alicante (ALC), Tenerife (TFS), and Lanzarote (ACE). Ryanair and Aer Lingus are the main carriers.
How many Irish citizens live in Spain?
An estimated 14,000 to 20,000 Irish citizens are registered as resident in Spain, with the actual number living there long-term likely higher. The Costa del Sol and Costa Blanca have established Irish communities.
What currency does Spain use?
Spain uses the euro (EUR), the same as Ireland. No currency exchange is needed.
Is tap water safe to drink in Spain?
Tap water is safe to drink in most of Spain, though taste varies by region. Bottled water is widely available and preferred by many visitors.
Are the Canary Islands visa-free for Irish citizens?
Yes. The Canary Islands (Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, etc.) are part of Spain and the Schengen Area. The same visa-free access applies.
Is ETIAS going to affect Irish citizens traveling to Spain?
No. ETIAS (EU Travel Information and Authorisation System) applies only to non-EU visitors. Irish citizens as EU nationals are completely exempt.