Vietnam Visa for Spanish Citizens: Requirements, Cost & How to Apply

Planning a trip from Madrid, Barcelona, or Valencia to the beaches of Da Nang and the lantern-lit streets of Hoi An? The good news is that sorting a Vietnam visa for Spanish citizens has never been simpler, most of it happens online, long before you reach the airport.

We guide travelers through Vietnam's entry rules every single day, and Spanish passport holders tend to arrive with the same worries: whether they need a visa at all, how long they can stay, what it costs, and how to dodge the little errors that cause delays. Let's clear all of that up, step by step.

Do Spanish citizens need a visa for Vietnam?

Spain has, in recent years, been among the European countries whose citizens benefit from a short visa exemption for tourism in Vietnam. The exact terms, how many days are exempt and which travelers qualify, are reviewed periodically by Vietnamese authorities, so this is the kind of detail you should always confirm current rules on before booking flights.

When an exemption applies, it generally covers only a short, single-entry visit. If you want to stay longer, plan to hop out to Cambodia or Thailand and return, or simply prefer having an approved visa in hand, the e-visa is the smoother option. That's why the e-visa has quietly become the go-to for most Spanish visitors heading to Vietnam.

Your Vietnam visa options as a Spanish traveler

There are three practical routes into Vietnam, and the best one depends on your itinerary:

• E-visa (online) — The favorite by a mile. You apply electronically before you travel, and it currently allows stays of up to 90 days as either single or multiple entry.
• Visa on arrival (VOA) — Based on a pre-approval letter, used mainly by those flying into Vietnam's big international airports, with a stamping fee paid in cash on landing.
• Embassy visa — The classic sticker visa from the Vietnamese Embassy in Madrid. More paperwork and slower, but sometimes needed for work or long-stay purposes.

For tourism and family visits, the e-visa is almost always the path of least resistance. If you're torn between options, a short consultation with our team can settle it quickly.

Documents and requirements

The e-visa asks for refreshingly little. Spanish applicants usually need:

• A passport valid for at least six months after your arrival date, with two or more blank pages.
• A clean scan of the passport bio-data page (your photo page).
• A recent passport-style photo, plain background, no glasses, neutral expression.
• Your planned arrival and departure dates plus your port of entry, such as Tan Son Nhat in Ho Chi Minh City or Noi Bai in Hanoi.
• An address in Vietnam — your first hotel works fine.

The single biggest cause of rejection is a poor photo: cropped, blurry, or with a busy background. Spend an extra minute getting it right and you'll spare yourself a back-and-forth.

What it costs and how long it takes

Vietnam sets a fixed government fee for the e-visa, and that amount can change over time, so confirm current rules and pricing before you pay. A trustworthy service adds a handling fee for reviewing your documents, submitting everything correctly, and resolving any hiccups, which is genuinely useful when you're navigating an official portal in a second language.

On timing, standard processing is commonly estimated at around three business days, but treat that strictly as an estimate, not a promise. Busy seasons and incomplete forms can stretch it. We tell Spanish travelers to apply a week or two ahead of departure. If time is tight, our expedited service is built for last-minute trips.

How to apply, step by step

From start to approved, here's the route:

• Step 1: Choose your visa type, single or multiple entry, and your length of stay.
• Step 2: Gather your passport scan, photo, and travel dates.
• Step 3: Fill in the application carefully, making sure your name and passport number match your passport exactly.
• Step 4: Pay the fee and submit.
• Step 5: Receive your approved e-visa by email, then print it and save a copy on your phone.

Always carry a printed copy. We've seen Spanish travelers rely on a phone screen alone, only to face airport Wi-Fi that won't cooperate. A paper backup is the cheapest insurance you'll ever buy.

Tips for a smooth arrival in Vietnam

To make your first hours easy: complete the Digital Arrival Card if your entry point requires it, keep small dollar or dong notes for any on-the-spot fees, and have your hotel address ready to show. At immigration, hand over your passport with your printed e-visa and you'll typically be waved through quickly.

If you're touring the region, remember each return to Vietnam uses an entry, so a multiple-entry e-visa is worth the modest extra cost for a loop through Southeast Asia.

Want your Vietnam visa handled without the headache? Begin your application with us and we'll take care of the details while you plan the fun parts.

📌Start here: The complete Vietnam e-visa guide

Frequently asked questions

Do Spanish citizens need a visa for Vietnam?

Spain has, in recent years, been among the European countries whose citizens benefit from a short visa exemption for tourism in Vietnam. The exact terms, how many days are exempt and which travelers qualify, are reviewed periodically by Vietnamese authorities, so this is the kind of detail you should always confirm...

General information to help you plan, not legal advice; visa and travel rules change. Contact us for your specific situation.