Letter of invitation in Spain: everything you need to know

If you have been living an expat life away from your loved ones for a few years and haven’t had the chance to visit them back home, arranging the application for a letter of invitation is one of the processes you will have to deal with if you want family members or friends who are not citizens of the European Union to come and see you for a few weeks in Spain. Grab a pen and note down the procedures you will need to complete.

The process was simplified a couple of years ago, removing some of the classic Spanish red tape, but there are still a stream of questions and doubts concerning this procedure, the most common of which you can find below:

Who needs a letter of invitation to enter Spain?

The letter of invitation in Spain may be needed by citizens of countries that you do and do not require a visa to enter the country and by people who are travelling for a period of up to 90 days, except for nationals of European Union countries, who can travel freely within the Spanish territory with no need for any additional documents.

How do you obtain a letter of invitation if you do not have family or friends in Spain?

The document in and of itself is not a requirement for entry into Spain; however, what you are required to provide is proof of having somewhere to stay – the letter of invitation is optional provided you have someone in the country whose house you can stay during your trip. If you do not have a trusted person in Spain who is happy for you to stay with them and who can apply for this document, you can make a hotel reservation that will also have the same validity as the letter of invitation if this is required by the consulate for the visa or requested at the Spanish border controls.

Where do I obtain it?

The letter of invitation in Spain can be requested and processed at the police station in the sponsor’s place of residence.

How much does it cost?

The administration fee and issuance of the letter cost approximately €80 for the first person invited and €6 extra for each additional person invited.

How long is it issued for?

The letter is issued for the dates that are provided in the application and for a maximum of 90 days, which is why it is important to be organized and calculate correctly the dates and the length of time you plan to travel.

How long does it take to process?

The time from submission of the application to receiving a reply depends on which city processes the application. It also depends on the time of the year it is processed, naturally taking longer in summer months. In short, it varies depending on the workload at the time you make your request, but it does not usually take longer than 20 working days.

Who can apply for a letter of invitation to travel to Spain?

This letter can be applied for by a Spanish person or by a foreigner who is legal resident in the country and who meets the requirements.

Do you need to have the original of the letter or is a printed copy sufficient?

When the letter of invitation is obtained, the sponsor should send it by post (preferable certified to be on the safe side) to the person he or she is inviting, as only the original document is valid. No copies will be accepted.

Once you have the letter, where should it be submitted?

If you are a national of a country that requires a visa, the letter must be attached to the visa application as part of the requirements. It is also vital to have this document on the day you travel, as it may be needed at border controls when entering Spain. Citizens who do not need a visa just need to have the letter in case they are asked for it when entering the Schengen area.

Does the letter of invitation guarantee entry to Spain?

No. The letter of invitation is simply one of the requirements for certain cases.

As well as the letter of invitation, do I need to prove financial solvency?

Yes. Whether for your visa application or to enter the Schengen area, you must be able to demonstrate that you have sufficient resources to cover the costs of your trip.

What are the requirements for obtaining a letter of invitation?

The requirement of obtaining a letter of invitation include the following: you must provide details of the person invited, including a copy of their relevant ID (depending on their country of origin), a copy of the sponsor’s identity document, an application form and documentation proving that the property is available. In addition, in the application, the sponsor must declare that he or she has read and understood article 318 bis. Of the Spanish Criminal Code; and that Organic Law 4/2000, of 11 January, on the rights and freedoms of foreigners in Spain and their social integration, considers it a very serious infringement to “induce, promote, favour or facilitate for profit, individually or as part of an organization, the illegal immigration of persons in transit or bound for Spanish territory or their stay in Spanish territory, provided that this does not constitute an offence. He or she must also acknowledge that both his or her personal details, and the personal details of the invitee will be incorporate into police files for processing purposes.

Living away from home can be tough without the daily support of loved ones nearby, which makes a special visit from family or friends all the more special, even despite the bureaucratic process of applying for the letter of invitation in Spain. Check out the list of airports for getting to and from Spain here. Oh, and make sure you’re up to speed on all the info included above and comply with the legal requirements of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Have a great visit!