Thailand Visa for Spanish Citizens
Spain passport holders · Updated 2026-07-05
No — Spanish citizens do not need a visa for short trips to Thailand. You currently get 60 days visa-free on arrival, extendable once by 30 days at a local immigration office (1,900 THB). A change approved by the Thai cabinet on 19 May 2026 will cut this to 30 days once it is published in the Royal Gazette — it has not taken effect yet. For stays beyond that, you need an actual visa — the options below.
Spanish travelers usually route to Bangkok via Istanbul, Doha, or Dubai, with August the busiest month as Spain empties for summer holidays. Thailand currently stamps Spanish passports in for 60 days without a visa. The government approved a reduction to 30 days on 19 May 2026, but the measure is not yet effective, since it requires Royal Gazette publication followed by a 15-day waiting period.
Entry rules for Spanish citizens at a glance
| Entry rule | Visa-free entry |
|---|---|
| Visa-free stay | 60 days |
| Extension | +30 days at immigration (1,900 THB) |
| Max without a visa | 90 days |
| Approved change | 30 days visa-free (pending Royal Gazette publication) |
| Passport validity | 6+ months on arrival |
| Arrival card | TDAC (Thailand Digital Arrival Card) — required for all arrivals since Feb 2026 |
| Last verified | 2026-07-05 |
Thailand visa options for Spanish citizens
| Visa | Best for | Stay | Key requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tourist Visa (SETV / METV) | Trips of 2-9 months | 60 days per entry (+30 ext.) | Funds: 20,000 THB (SETV) / 200,000 THB bank (METV) |
| Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) | Remote workers & digital nomads | 180 days per entry, 5-year visa | 500,000 THB funds + remote income proof |
| Retirement Visa | Age 50+ settling in Thailand | Up to 1 year, renewable | 800,000 THB bank or 65,000 THB/month income |
| Marriage Visa (Non-O) | Spouses of Thai nationals | 90 days → 1-year extensions | 400,000 THB bank or 40,000 THB/month income |
| Education Visa (ED) | Students & language learners | 90 days + extensions while enrolled | Enrollment at an approved Thai school |
| Non-Immigrant B (Work) | Employees of Thai companies | 90 days → 1-year extensions | Thai job offer + work permit |
| Long-Term Resident (LTR) | High earners, wealthy pensioners | 10 years, annual reporting only | USD 80,000/yr income (category-dependent) |
| Thailand Privilege (Elite) | Convenience seekers with budget | 1 year per entry, 5-20 year membership | 650,000-5,000,000 THB membership fee |
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Frequently asked questions
Do Spanish citizens need a visa to visit Thailand?
Not for short visits. Spanish citizens get 60 days visa-free on arrival (dropping to 30 days once the approved May 2026 change takes effect). A visa is only needed for longer stays or purposes like work, retirement or study.
How long can Spanish citizens stay in Thailand without leaving?
60 days visa-free plus one 30-day extension (1,900 THB) — 90 days total without a visa. Beyond that you need a visa such as the DTV (180 days per entry) or a long-stay visa.
Is Thailand really cutting the 60-day visa-free stay to 30 days?
Yes, the Thai cabinet approved the cut on 19 May 2026 as part of a wider immigration overhaul. The change takes effect 15 days after publication in the Royal Gazette, which has not happened yet. Until then, the current rules below still apply. We update this page as soon as the status changes.
What is the TDAC and do I need it?
The Thailand Digital Arrival Card replaced the paper TM6 form in February 2026. Every traveller must complete it online (tdac.immigration.go.th) within 3 days before arrival — it is free and takes a few minutes. Airlines increasingly check it at the gate.
Can Spanish citizens retire in Thailand, and what does it cost?
Yes, from age 50 via the Non-Immigrant O retirement visa. You need 800,000 THB seasoned in a Thai bank account or 65,000 THB in verifiable monthly income. Renewal is annual. Retirees who want fewer banking hoops sometimes choose the Elite program instead, which starts around 650,000 THB for the membership.
Will Thai immigration ask Spanish visitors for proof of funds?
Officers can ask arriving visa-exempt travelers to show around 10,000 THB per person or 20,000 THB per family in accessible funds. Checks are rare in practice, especially at Bangkok airports, but they do happen at land borders and with frequent visitors. A bank app balance or cash satisfies the requirement.
Visa guides
Rules for other nationalities
Last verified 2026-07-05. Immigration rules change — we update these pages as official announcements land, and our Thailand visa news tracks changes daily. This page is general information, not legal advice.