Travelling to China with a Spanish passport: visa waiver and visas

According to China's embassy and consulates in Spain, holders of an ordinary Spanish passport can enter China without a visa for business, tourism, visiting family or friends, exchanges and transit, for stays of up to 30 days; the measure applies until 31 December 2026. The 30 calendar days are counted from the day after entry. Minors have the same conditions as adults. You need an ordinary passport valid for the trip; the waiver does not apply to travel documents or temporary or emergency documents. It does not cover work, study or news reporting: for these, or to stay more than 30 days, you must apply in advance for the corresponding visa at Chinese consulates; anyone who entered without a visa and needs to stay longer for good reason applies for a stay permit to the Chinese police exit and entry authority. It is advisable to carry documents proving the purpose of the trip (invitation, tickets, hotel bookings). In Spain, visas are applied for through the Chinese Visa Application Service Center in Madrid (www.visaforchina.cn).

Official sources

• Preguntas frecuentes sobre la exención unilateral de visado (Consulado General de China en Barcelona, 21-5-2026)ESOfficial guidance · Checked on 2026-10-26
• Aviso sobre la prórroga de la exención unilateral de visado (Embajada de China en España)ESOfficial guidance · Checked on 2026-10-26
• Medidas para facilitar los viajes de extranjeros a China (Consulado General de China en Barcelona)ESOfficial guidance · Checked on 2026-10-26