Entry Requirements for Tenerife
As part of Spain, Tenerife is within the EU and the Schengen area. The entry requirements differ, depending on whether you are travelling to Tenerife from another Schengen member state, an EU country that is not part of the Schengen area, or a third country.
Tenerife Entry Requirements for Citizens of Non-EU / Non-Schengen countries
Since the end of the Brexit transition period on 31/12/2020, this includes the UK.
Passport
You will need a passport to be able to travel to Tenerife. It is important to check the age and expiry date to ensure that it is valid for travel. Your passport has to meet two criteria:
- Valid for 3 months or more after the day you leave Tenerife. Please check the expiry date of your passport.
AND - Less than 10 years old when you travel to Tenerife. This is calculated from the date of issue.
Please note:
If your passport was renewed early, some additional months may have been added to its expiry date. Your passport may therefore still be valid for 3 months on the day of your return from Tenerife, but may already be more than 10 years old from the date of issue. Please check in good time before you travel that your passport fulfils both criteria.
The above information is based on the advice from the European Union website. Some airlines are currently requesting passport validity of 6 months or more at the time of travel, so please double-check your airline’s requirements.
Visa
Tourists on short trips
The visa requirements for Tenerife will vary, depending on your nationality. Citizens of many countries do not currently require a visa if they visit Tenerife as a tourist for short trips. These countries include
- The United Kingdom
- The United States
- Canada
- Australia
- New Zealand
- amongst many others
Please see the European Union website for a full list of countries whose nationals are exempt from the visa requirement.
If you are travelling to Tenerife from one of the above-mentioned countries, the following rules apply:
- You can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
- However, if you are also visiting other EU countries, you will need to check that you do not spend more than 90 days in total across all the countries you visit, in any given 180-day period.
Business travel and longer stays
Different rules apply for business travel and longer stays. If you do require a visa, you will need to apply for this at the Spanish embassy in your country of residence prior to travelling to Tenerife.
Additional requirements
If you are visiting Tenerife as a tourist from a non-EU / non-Schengen country, you may also be asked to provide proof of the following:
- a return ticket
- the address of your accommodation in Tenerife
- sufficient funds to support yourself during your stay in Tenerife (currently, this equals € 100 per day)
New procedures announced
Please note, that these procedures are not yet operational.
There are changes ahead for nationals from non-Schengen /non-EU countries when visiting Spain (and/or other European countries). These were intended to be launched in 2023 but have already been postponed several times.
ETIAS – Travel Authorisation
Nationals from non-EU/non-Schengen countries will soon be required to apply for travel authorisation ahead of their journey to Tenerife. This new scheme is called ETIAS, which stands for European Travel Information and Authorization System. A valid ETIAS authorisation will enable the person to visit Spain (and/or other European countries) as a tourist for short stays (please see above).
Once operational, an ETIAS travel authorisation can be obtained via the official website for a fee of € 7 and will be valid for 3 years. When applying for ETIAS travel authorisation, you will need to provide some personal information, e.g. your name, address, passport details and current occupation. You will also be asked questions about criminal convictions, past travel to conflict zones, and you will need to outline your travel plans during your stay in Europe. According to the latest information, ETIAS is now due to become operational in mid-2025.
EES – Entry/Exit System
EES (short for Entry/Exit system) is an IT system that will be used at passport control for passengers from non-EU, non-Schengen countries. The EES will automate border control procedures and replace passport stamping. This will speed up the process and increase the accuracy of the checks that are being carried out. The EES was due to be launched on the 10th of November 2024 but has been postponed once more. A new start date is not yet known.
Tenerife Entry Requirements for Citizens of Non-Schengen EU countries
Passport
A valid passport or national identity card is required for entry.
Visa
Due to the freedom of movement agreement within the EU, a visa is not required.
This currently applies to the following countries
Bulgaria*, Cyprus, Ireland, Romania*
*Please note
At the end of March 2024, Romania and Bulgaria joined Europe’s Schengen border-free zone for air travel. Therefore, travellers arriving at Tenerife Airport from Bulgaria and Romania will no longer need to go through passport control.
Tenerife Entry Requirements for Citizens of Schengen EU countries
Passport / ID Card
EU citizens who are travelling within the Schengen area are not usually required to show a passport or national identity card for travel. However, you will still need to bring one of these documents with you, as foreigners who are on Spanish territory are obligated to carry valid proof of identity with them.
Visa
Due to the freedom of movement agreement within the EU, no visa is required.
This currently applies to the following countries
Germany, Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Czech Republic, Sweden, Switzerland
Lost Passport
If you have lost your passport whilst in Tenerife you will need to call your embassy or consulate.
Further information
For more information, please also see the European Union website and the website of the Spanish Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation.