Spain is a favourite summer destination for UAE residents, and its consulate is one of the more predictable in the country. In 2025 the Spanish Embassy in Abu Dhabi received 30,265 applications from the UAE and refused just 14%, one of the lowest rates among the busy Schengen consulates here. Two things set Spain apart: it uses BLS International, not VFS, and it publishes an exact daily funds figure — €122.10 per person per day in 2026.
Checked on 20 October 2026 against BLS International (Spain, UAE), Spain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the European Commission’s 2025 visa statistics. Sources at the end.
On this page
- Spain at a glance
- Where you apply
- Step by step
- How much money to show
- Staying with family in Spain
- What the 2025 figures say
- Questions people ask
Spain at a glance
| Who decides | Consular section, Embassy of Spain in Abu Dhabi |
| Where you submit | BLS International — Dubai or Abu Dhabi centre |
| Visa fee | €90 adults, €45 children 6–11, free under 6 — paid in AED, cash only |
| BLS service fee | AED 68 plus VAT, cash only |
| Processing | At least 3 weeks after submission |
| Apply | Up to 180 days before travel; at least 3 weeks before |
| 2025 not-issued rate | 14% (UAE average 23.9%) |
| Multiple-entry share | 37% of issued visas |
Bring cash: BLS states that both the visa fee and its service charge are payable in cash only. Some older fee tables online still show the pre-June 2024 amount of €80; the current fee is €90, converted to AED at the Embassy’s rate.
Where you apply
Spain has two BLS centres in the UAE, in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Applications from both go to the Embassy of Spain in Abu Dhabi on the next working day, so the same office decides every UAE file. Book through the official BLS Spain UAE site only; no agent can secure a faster decision.
Apply to Spain only if Spain is your main destination: the most nights, or the main purpose. Barcelona and Madrid for six nights with two nights in Lisbon means Spain. See which Schengen country to apply to.
Step by step
- Confirm Spain is your main destination.
- Download the BLS checklist for your category: tourism, business, family visit, domestic worker or EU family member.
- Fill in and sign the Schengen application form. For children under 18, both parents sign.
- Book an appointment at the Dubai or Abu Dhabi centre.
- Attend in person if you are 12 or older, for fingerprints. A photo booth meeting the requirements is available at the centre.
- Pay both fees in cash.
- Wait at least 3 weeks, then collect your passport.
Documents
- Passport issued in the last 10 years, valid 3 months beyond your return, with at least two blank pages.
- UAE residence visa with enough validity after your trip, and Emirates ID.
- One colour photo under 6 months old (under 1 month old for children under 3).
- Copies of previous Schengen, US, UK, Canada or Japan visas, if you have them — they help.
- Employer letter or NOC, not older than one month.
- Bank statements stamped by the bank.
- Flight reservation and accommodation for the whole stay.
- Travel insurance valid in all Schengen states for the whole trip.
How much money to show
Spain sets its daily amount at 10% of the national minimum wage. For 2026 that is:
| Rule | 2026 amount |
|---|---|
| Per person, per day | €122.10 |
| Minimum per person, however short the trip | €1,098.90 (the amount for 9 days) |
Worked examples: a 5-day trip still needs the €1,098.90 minimum. A 14-day trip needs 14 × €122.10 = €1,709.40 (about AED 7,000) per person. A family of four on a 10-day trip: 4 × 10 × €122.10 = €4,884.
Spain’s figure is the highest daily amount of the big Schengen countries, and it rises each year with the minimum wage. Check that your balance covers it comfortably after flights and hotels. See bank balance for a Schengen visa.
Staying with family in Spain
If you stay with a relative or friend, your host can obtain a letter of invitation (carta de invitación) certified by the Spanish National Police at their local station. It proves accommodation. You still need to show you can cover your other costs.
What the 2025 figures say
| Embassy of Spain, Abu Dhabi (2025) | Figure |
|---|---|
| Applications | 30,265 |
| Visas issued | 24,814 |
| Not-issued rate | 14% |
| Multiple-entry share of issued visas | 37% |
Spain approved a larger share than Germany or the Netherlands, but gave multiple entry to only about a third of approved applicants, against 85% at Germany. Expect a visa that matches your trip dates unless you have a strong travel history. Compare every consulate in our Schengen statistics for the UAE.
If you are refused
The refusal letter lists the reasons and the deadline to challenge the decision with the Embassy. Most applicants do better by reapplying with a file that answers the stated reason. See our refusal and appeal guide.
Mistakes to avoid
- Arriving at BLS with only a card — fees are cash.
- Applying 10 days before travel. Spain needs at least 3 weeks.
- Showing less than €1,098.90 per person for a short trip.
- An employer letter older than one month.
Questions people ask
Where do I apply for a Spain visa in Dubai?
At the BLS International Spain visa centre in Dubai, by appointment. Abu Dhabi residents can use the BLS centre in Abu Dhabi.
How much bank balance do I need for a Spain visa?
At least €122.10 per person per day in 2026, with a minimum of €1,098.90 per person, on top of flights and accommodation.
How long does a Spain visa take from the UAE?
At least 3 weeks after submission at BLS. Apply 6 to 8 weeks ahead for summer trips.
Related guides
- Schengen visa from Dubai and the UAE
- Italy Schengen visa from the UAE
- France Schengen visa from the UAE
- Schengen visa checklist for UAE residents
Sources
- BLS International, Spain Visa UAE — tourist visa requirements and fees: uae.blsspainvisa.com
- Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs — Economic means required for entry, 2026: exteriores.gob.es
- European Commission — Visa statistics for consulates, 2025 (published 28 May 2026)
- EU Visa Code, Regulation (EC) No 810/2009
Written by Asad Waleed M, Dubai. Asad has lived in the UAE for nine years and researches visa rules from government sources. He is not an immigration lawyer or consultant, and Sifqa does not process applications. Read the editorial policy.
Last checked 20 October 2026. Rechecked every January, when Spain updates its funds figure. Found an error? Email ionicwaleed@gmail.com — it gets fixed and logged.