Do I Need a Visa for the Camino de Santiago?
Most non-European pilgrims do not need a visa to walk the Camino de Santiago. Citizens of 59 visa-exempt countries (including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Brazil and Japan) can enter Spain for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. From late 2026, these travellers will need an ETIAS travel authorisation (€20, valid 3 years). Travellers from countries that require a Schengen visa will continue to apply through the standard process.
The Camino de Santiago, also known as the Way of St James, is a network of pilgrimage routes leading to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in northwestern Spain. Every year, thousands of non-European pilgrims travel from across the globe to walk part of the Camino and many ask the same question before booking their trip: do I need a visa?
The short answer for most pilgrims is no — but the European Union is rolling out two new border systems that all non-European travellers should understand before they pack their boots. This guide explains who needs a Schengen visa, who needs the new ETIAS authorisation and what the EES (Entry/Exit System) means for your arrival in Spain.
Table of contents
- Do I Need a Visa for the Camino de Santiago?
- What is ETIAS and when does it start?
- Which countries require ETIAS?
- Who needs ETIAS to walk the Camino?
- Who does NOT need ETIAS?
- How to apply for ETIAS (when it launches)
- What you need before applying
- EES: the new system that’s already active
- EES vs ETIAS at a glance
- Practical checklist for non-European pilgrims
- Planning your Camino with confidence
- FAQ
Visa or ETIAS: which one applies to you?
Your nationality decides which entry route you take. There are three possible scenarios:
- Visa-exempt countries (59 in total): Citizens of these countries can currently enter Spain without a visa for stays up to 90 days. From late 2026 they will need an ETIAS travel authorisation. This includes pilgrims from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates, among others. You can check the full official list of 59 visa-exempt countries on the EU’s official EEAS portal.
- Countries that require a Schengen visa: If your country is not on the visa-exempt list, you will need to apply for a Schengen short-stay (Type C) visa through the Spanish consulate in your country. ETIAS does not replace this requirement.
- EU and Schengen citizens: No visa or ETIAS required. You can walk the Camino with just your national ID card or passport.
What is ETIAS and when does it start?
ETIAS stands for the European Travel Information and Authorisation System. It is not a visa — it is an electronic travel authorisation, similar to the US ESTA, the Canadian eTA or the UK ETA.
Important: ETIAS is not yet operational. The European Union has officially confirmed that ETIAS will launch in the last quarter of 2026 (Q4 2026), with a transitional period during which travellers without ETIAS will still be allowed entry if they meet all other conditions. Full enforcement is expected in 2027. Any website asking you to apply or pay for ETIAS today is fraudulent. Always check the official EU ETIAS portal for updates.
Key facts about ETIAS
- Cost: €20 per application. Free for travellers under 18, over 70, and family members of EU citizens.
- Validity: 3 years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. Multiple entries allowed.
- Length of stay: Up to 90 days within any 180-day period across the 30 ETIAS countries combined.
- Processing time: Most applications approved within minutes. Up to 4 days if additional checks are needed, up to 30 days if an interview is required.
- How to apply: Online through the official ETIAS website or the official ETIAS mobile app, once the system is live.
- Linked to your passport: If you renew your passport, you must apply for a new ETIAS.
Which countries require ETIAS?
ETIAS will be required to enter 30 European countries: the 29 Schengen Area countries plus Cyprus.
Schengen Area countries that require ETIAS: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
Pilgrims flying via Dublin: take note. Ireland is part of the EU but is NOT in the Schengen Area, and ETIAS will not apply at Irish borders. If you fly from Dublin or transit through Ireland on your way to Spain, you will only need ETIAS when you cross into Spain (or any other Schengen country). The same applies to the UK, which has its own ETA system separate from ETIAS.
Who needs ETIAS to walk the Camino?
If you are a citizen of one of the 59 visa-exempt countries and you plan to walk the Camino in Spain, Portugal, France or Italy (Via Francigena) from late 2026 onwards, you will need ETIAS.
Pilgrims from the following countries will need ETIAS once the system is operational:
- Americas: United States, Canada, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela
- Asia-Pacific: Australia, Brunei, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, Macao, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates
- Europe (non-EU): Albania, Andorra*, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Moldova, Monaco*, Montenegro, North Macedonia, San Marino*, Serbia, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Vatican City*
- Caribbean and Pacific: Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Micronesia, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Seychelles, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Vanuatu
Citizens of European microstates (Andorra, Monaco, San Marino and Vatican City) do not need ETIAS in practice when entering through their neighbouring Schengen state, but the rules vary by entry point.
Who does NOT need ETIAS?
- Citizens of EU and Schengen Area countries
- Travellers holding a valid Schengen visa
- Travellers with a residence permit or residence card from an EU/Schengen country
- Family members of EU citizens with a valid residence card
- Dual citizens entering with their EU passport
How to apply for ETIAS (when it launches)
When ETIAS becomes operational, the application process will be quick and entirely online. Here is what pilgrims should expect:
- Visit the official ETIAS website or download the official ETIAS mobile app. Avoid third-party websites that charge extra fees.
- Complete the online form with your personal details, passport information and travel plans (including your first country of entry — likely Spain, Portugal or France for most Camino pilgrims).
- Answer the background questions about health, criminal record, previous immigration history and security.
- Pay the €20 fee with a credit or debit card.
- Wait for approval. Most decisions arrive within minutes by email.
- Travel with the same passport you used in your application — your ETIAS is linked electronically to that document.
What you need before applying
- A valid passport: Must remain valid for at least 3 months beyond your planned departure from the Schengen Area, with a machine-readable zone (and ideally an electronic chip).
- An email address you check regularly: Your approval and any updates will be sent there.
- A payment method: Credit or debit card to pay the €20 fee.
We recommend applying for ETIAS well in advance of your Camino — ideally as soon as you have booked your flights, and at least a few weeks before departure in case your application is flagged for additional review.
EES: the new system that’s already active
While ETIAS is still on the way, a separate but complementary system has already gone live: the Entry/Exit System (EES). If you are walking the Camino in 2026, this is the one that will affect you immediately.
EES is operational from 10 April 2026. The EES is now fully operational across all 29 Schengen Area countries. It replaces the old practice of stamping passports with a digital biometric record taken at the border on arrival. There is nothing to apply for in advance — the registration happens at the airport when you land.
How EES works for Camino pilgrims
- On your first arrival in the Schengen Area after April 2026, your fingerprints and a facial photo will be taken at the border.
- Your entry and exit dates will be recorded digitally instead of stamped in your passport.
- On future trips within the next 3 years, your biometrics are already on file and the process is faster.
- EES applies to all non-EU/non-Schengen travellers, regardless of whether you need a visa or not.
- EES is free.
If you fly into Madrid, Barcelona, Santiago de Compostela, Bilbao or any other Spanish airport from outside the Schengen Area, expect slightly longer queues at passport control during the rollout period as the system continues to scale up.
EES vs ETIAS at a glance
Both systems work together, but they are not the same:
| Feature | EES | ETIAS |
|---|---|---|
| Status | Active since April 2026 | Launches Q4 2026 |
| What it is | Biometric border registration | Pre-travel authorisation |
| When | At the border on arrival | Online before you travel |
| Cost | Free | €20 |
| Applies to | All non-EU travellers | 59 visa-exempt countries |
Practical checklist for non-European pilgrims
Before you set out on the Camino, make sure you have the following ready:
- Valid passport: With at least 3 months validity beyond your planned exit from the Schengen Area, and ideally 6 months for peace of mind.
- Travel insurance: Strongly recommended for all pilgrims, including coverage for medical care, trip cancellation and luggage.
- Proof of accommodation: Border officials may ask to see your bookings. Pilgrims travelling with CaminoWays can show their full itinerary, including all hotels and accommodations.
- Proof of return travel: A return or onward flight ticket.
- Proof of sufficient funds: Spain may ask for evidence you can support yourself during your stay.
- ETIAS authorisation (from late 2026): Apply through the official EU website only — never through third-party sites.
- Time at the border: Allow extra time for biometric registration on first entry under EES.
Planning your Camino with confidence
For the vast majority of pilgrims, no traditional visa is needed to walk the Camino de Santiago. Most international travellers will simply need to apply for ETIAS (from late 2026 onwards) and undergo the quick biometric registration of EES at the border.
The new systems are designed to make European borders more secure and more efficient — once you’ve registered the first time, future Caminos will be even easier. The key is to plan ahead, apply through official channels only, and make sure your passport is in order well before you travel.
Need help planning your Camino? At CaminoWays we organise everything from accommodation and luggage transfers to airport pickups and Camino guides — leaving you free to focus on your pilgrimage. Contact us for a personalised quote, or get an instant quote with our Camino Planner and let us help you plan your trip with confidence.
FAQ
No. US citizens do not need a visa for stays up to 90 days within any 180-day period in Spain. From late 2026, US citizens will need an ETIAS travel authorisation (€20, valid 3 years), but this is not a visa — it is a quick online pre-screening.
No. UK citizens can still travel to Spain visa-free for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. From late 2026, UK citizens will need ETIAS to enter Spain. Note that travellers going to the UK separately need the UK ETA, which is a different system.
No. Citizens of Canada, Australia and New Zealand are all on the visa-exempt list. From late 2026 they will need ETIAS, but no traditional visa is required for Camino pilgrimages of up to 90 days.
Yes. Brazilian, Mexican, Argentine, Chilean, Uruguayan and most other South American citizens can enter Spain visa-free for up to 90 days. ETIAS will apply from late 2026.
Up to 90 days within any 180-day period, across the entire Schengen Area combined. This is more than enough for any Camino route — even the full Camino Francés from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port (around 800 km) takes most pilgrims 30 to 35 days.
No. A Schengen visa is a full visa with a more involved application process, required for travellers from countries not on the visa-exempt list. ETIAS is a quick online travel authorisation for travellers who already enjoy visa-free access.
€20 per application. It is free for travellers under 18, travellers over 70, and family members of EU citizens. The authorisation is valid for 3 years or until your passport expires.
ETIAS is officially scheduled to launch in the last quarter of 2026 (Q4 2026), confirmed by the European Union on 23 April 2026. There will be a transitional period of approximately 6 months during which entry will not be refused solely for not having ETIAS, followed by a grace period before full enforcement in 2027.
No. If you hold a valid residence permit or residence card from any EU or Schengen country, you do not need ETIAS.
Yes. Both Italy and Portugal are in the Schengen Area, so the same ETIAS rules apply to all Camino routes that pass through them, including the Camino Portugués and the Via Francigena from Canterbury (UK), Switzerland or France down to Rome.
