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Visa Information
Weather
General Info
Travel Tips
Festivals
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ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

South African citizens are required to obtain a Schengen visa in order to travel to Spain.

VISA INFORMATION

Basic Requirements

  • A valid South African passport (must be valid for at least 3 months after the planned departure from the Schengen area and contain at least two blank pages).
  • Completed and signed visa application form (one per applicant).
  • Two recent passport-sized colour photographs (white background, 35×45 mm).
  • Proof of travel medical insurance covering the entire Schengen area, with a minimum coverage of €30,000.
  • Proof of accommodation for the entire stay (hotel bookings, invitation letter, etc.).
  • Proof of sufficient financial means (e.g. bank statements from the last 3 months, sponsorship letter if applicable).
  • Confirmed round-trip flight reservation or travel itinerary.
  • Cover letter stating the purpose of travel and itinerary.
  • Proof of civil status (e.g. marriage certificate, birth certificate, etc.).
  • Copy of the passport page with personal data and photo.
  • Copy of an ID document to confirm residence within the consular district of your application.
  • Copies of previous Schengen visas (if applicable).

Tourist Visa

  • All items listed under Basic Requirements.
  • Detailed day-by-day travel itinerary.
  • Proof of accommodation for the entire trip (hotel reservations, Airbnb bookings, or a formal invitation from a host in the Schengen country).
  • Proof of sufficient funds: recommended amount is at least €60 per person per day of stay in the Schengen zone.

  • All items listed under Basic Requirements.
  • Invitation letter from the business partner/company in the Schengen country, detailing the purpose of the visit, length of stay, and who will bear the costs.
  • Cover letter from the South African employer, confirming employment, purpose of travel, and financial responsibility (if applicable).
  • Proof of business relationship (e.g. previous correspondence, contracts, invoices, etc.).
  • Confirmed hotel reservation and travel itinerary.

  • Typically, 15 calendar days from the date of the appointment.
  • In some cases, processing may take up to 30 or 60 days depending on individual circumstances or additional documentation requests.

  • Can vary depending on the type of Visa, and the Visa application centre.
  • Adults: €90 (Average Cost).
  • Additional service fees apply if using a visa application centre (e.g. VFS Global).
  • Fees are non-refundable, even if the visa is refused.

  • Usually valid for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
  • The exact duration and number of entries (single, double, or multiple) will be specified on the visa sticker.
  • It does not guarantee entry; final permission is granted by the border control authorities upon arrival.

Embassy

Spanish Embassy in Pretoria:

BLS Application Centre:

Pretoria:

  • Address: 1st Floor, Landmark Building, 13 Umgazi Street, Menlo Park, Pretoria, 0081
  • Phone: +27 10 500 2032
  • Email: pry@blshelpline.com

Cape Town:

  • Address: 10th Floor, The Tower Building, 2 Hertzog Boulevard, Foreshore,
  • Cape Town, 8000
  • Phone: +27 10 500 2032
  • Email: cpt@blshelpline.com

Durban:

  • Address: 1st Floor, Silver Oaks Building, 36 Silverton Road, Musgrave, Durban, 4001
  • Phone: +27 10 500 2032
  • Email: dur@blshelpline.com

WEATHER

Spain features a Mediterranean climate in most areas with hot, dry summers and mild winters. Inland regions have a continental climate with colder winters and hotter summers.

  • Spring (April to June): Spring is one of the best times to visit Spain, with mild temperatures ranging from 15°C to 25°C. Flowers bloom, cities are lively, and outdoor festivals are common. Rainfall is light, and it’s an excellent season for sightseeing without the intense summer heat.
  • Summer (July to August): Summers are hot and dry, especially in inland cities like Madrid, Seville, and Cordoba, where temperatures can exceed 35°C. Coastal areas such as Barcelona and Valencia are slightly cooler and more humid, making them popular for beach holidays.
  • Autumn (September to October): Autumn brings pleasant weather with temperatures between 18°C and 28°C, ideal for exploring both cities and the countryside. Rainfall gradually increases, especially in northern Spain, but most days remain sunny and comfortable.
  • Winter (November to March): Winters are mild and wet in the Mediterranean regions but colder in the central plateau (Meseta) and mountainous areas. Coastal cities like Malaga remain relatively warm, while northern regions like Bilbao see more rain. Snow is common in the Pyrenees, making it perfect for skiing.
  • Best Time to Travel: Spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October) offer the most pleasant weather for sightseeing and cultural activities. Summer is great for beach destinations, while winter suits those interested in skiing or fewer tourist crowds.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Country: Spain
Capital City: Madrid
International Airports: – Madrid-Barajas Airport
– Barcelona-El Prat Airport
– Palma de Mallorca Airport
– Malaga Airport
– Alicante-Elche Airport
– Gran Canaria Airport
– Tenerife Sur Airport
– Ibiza Airport
– Lanzarote Airport is also known as Arrecife Airport
– Valencia Airport
– Fuerteventura Airport
– Seville Airport
Area: 505,990 km²
Population: 47,473,373 (2024 est.)
Time Zone: GMT+1
Religion: 95% Roman Catholic
5% Islamic
Language: Spanish
Currency: Euro
Exchange Rate: Please consult your local bank as exchange rates fluctuate.
Credit Card Payment Availability: Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted.
American Express is less common and should match the name on your passport.
ATM Accessibility: Easily accessible
Dialling Code: +34

TRAVEL TIPS

Electricity: Standard voltage is 230 V with a frequency of 50 Hz.
Appliances that operate within 220–240 V can be used.
Water: Tap water is safe to drink
Business Hours: Mon – Fri: 08:30/09:00 – 13:30 & 16:30/17:00 – 20:00.
The siesta is still observed in many areas, though less so in larger cities.
Banking Hours: Mon – Fri: 08:30 – 14:00 / 14:30
Photography Restrictions: Photography is often prohibited in cathedrals and churches.
Respect privacy by asking permission before photographing strangers on the street.
Tipping: Rounding up to the nearest Euro is common.
An extra Euro or two is appreciated for excellent service.
In restaurants, a tip of 10% is typical.
Vaccination Requirements: No vaccinations required; always consult your medical practitioner or travel clinic.
Dress Code Restrictions: No specific dress code restrictions.
Peculiar Customs to Observe: – Physical contact during conversations is common, such as touching the shoulder or standing close.
– In some bars, it is acceptable to drop used napkins and toothpicks on the floor. Staff will clean up regularly.

FESTIVALS

  • Las Fallas De Valencia (Festival of Fire): Valencia, March
  • Feria De Abril (April Fair of Seville): Seville, April
  • Semana Santa (Holy Week): Seville, Malaga, Valladolid, León
  • Feria Del Caballo (Horse Fair): Jerez, May
  • Formula 1 Grand Prix: Barcelona, May/June
  • San Fermin (Pamplona Bull Run): Pamplona, July
  • Benicassim Festival: Valencia, July
  • La Tomatina (Tomato Fight Festival): Buñol, August
  • Feria De Málaga: Malaga, August
  • Festa Major De Gracia: Barcelona, August

MAP

“I have seen dawn and sunset on moors and windy hills coming in solemn beauty like slow old tunes of Spain.”

– John Edward Masefield