Spain to Require Airport Transit Visas for Russian Travelers Starting July 12, 2025
MADRID – Spain will implement a new visa regulation for Russian travelers transiting through its airports beginning July 12, 2025. Under the new rule, citizens of the Russian Federation holding ordinary passports will be required to obtain an airport transit visa (TAP) if they plan to pass through the international zones of any Spanish airport.
The Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the measure, noting that the requirement applies specifically to those who do not already hold a valid Schengen visa or other qualifying documentation. Russian nationals who possess residence permits from EU/EEA countries or hold diplomatic passports will be exempt from the new rule.
Transit Rules and Documentation
Once in effect, only Russian citizens with an approved TAP visa will be permitted to board connecting flights via Spain. Those without the visa will be denied entry into Spanish airport transit zones.
Applicants for the TAP visa must:
- Complete the official visa application form in full
- Submit a recent passport-sized photograph
- Provide passport pages showing biometric data
- Present documentation proving onward travel from Spain
- Submit proof of legal residence
- Pay the applicable consular fee
Additionally, transit through Spain must not exceed 24 hours, in line with existing Schengen regulations.
Visa applications are typically reviewed within 15 calendar days, though the processing time may extend up to 45 days if additional documentation is required.
Broader Trend in the EU
Spain is not alone in tightening travel rules for Russian nationals. Czechia has also enacted similar airport transit visa requirements, while several other EU member states have significantly curtailed or suspended Schengen visa issuance for Russians in recent months.
This move marks another step in the evolving travel landscape for Russian citizens within the European Union, with increased documentation and security protocols becoming more common.
Source: Schengen.News
