Spain

Spain is a primary aviation hub in Europe, connecting the European Union with Latin America and North Africa. The sector is managed by AENA (Aeropuertos Españoles y Navegación Aérea), which operates the vast majority of the country's commercial airports, including Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport and Barcelona-El Prat Airport. Air traffic regulation and consumer protection are overseen by the Agencia Estatal de Seguridad Aérea (AESA), a body linked to the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility, which ensures compliance with safety standards and passenger rights.

• Passport: must be valid for at least 3 months after the planned departure from the Schengen Area and have been issued within the last 10 years.
• ETIAS: Not yet in operation (checked in October 2026). Visa-exempt travellers do not need to apply for any authorisation before travelling today: they enter with a valid passport for short stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. When ETIAS starts, the European Union will announce the date several months in advance on its official website. Be wary of websites that charge for it before then.
• Extra documents: immigration may ask for proof of the purpose of the trip, accommodation (booking or invitation letter), sufficient funds for the stay and a return ticket. Travel insurance with at least €30,000 of cover is mandatory for visa applicants; for visa-exempt travellers it is recommended.

Passenger rights in Spain are governed by Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council, which is fully applicable and enforced by AESA.

• Compensation: In the event of a cancellation, a delay of more than 3 hours upon arrival, or denied boarding (overbooking), passengers may be entitled to financial compensation ranging from €250 to €600, depending on the flight distance and the duration of the delay.
• Right to Care: Airlines are required to provide food, beverages, access to communication, and, if necessary, hotel accommodation and transportation between the airport and the hotel at no extra cost.
• Reimbursement: For cancelled flights, passengers may choose between a full ticket refund or re-routing to their final destination.
• Exemptions: Compensation is not payable in the event of "extraordinary circumstances" (e.g., severe weather conditions, air traffic control strikes, or political instability); however, the duty of care remains unchanged.

In Spain, European Union rules on prices and baggage apply:

• Transparency: the final price, with mandatory taxes and charges, must be shown from the start of booking; optional services, such as a checked bag, are only charged if the passenger chooses them.
• Hand baggage: under European case law, hand baggage of reasonable weight and size is an essential part of carriage. Spain's Ministry of Consumer Affairs fined airlines in 2024 for charging separately for it (the decision is being challenged in court); check what your fare includes.

To enter Spain with dogs, cats, or ferrets from non-EU countries (third countries), health requirements are strict:

• Microchip: The animal must be identified with a microchip.
• Vaccination: A valid rabies vaccination, administered after the microchip was implanted.
• Health Certificate: A document issued by an official veterinary authority in the country of origin, validating health information.
• Antibody Test: For some countries classified as high-risk, a rabies antibody titration test must be performed before travel.
• Entry: Entry must be made through designated "Traveler Entry Points," where the animal will undergo document and identity checks.

• Unaccompanied Minors: Airlines operating in Spain require a specific authorization form for minors traveling alone.
• Documentation: Minors who are Spanish nationals or residents traveling alone or accompanied by third parties (non-parents/guardians) outside of Spain’s borders must carry a formal authorization issued by the National Police or Civil Guard (Guardia Civil). Foreign nationals should verify their home country's regulations, though carrying a notarized authorization from both parents is highly recommended to avoid issues at immigration.

Spain is a benchmark for accessibility (regulations based on Regulation (EC) No 1107/2006).

• Airport Assistance: AENA’s "Sin Barreras" (Barrier-Free) service provides free assistance to persons with reduced mobility (PRM) or elderly passengers with mobility difficulties. The request must be made at least 48 hours in advance to the airline or via the AENA website.
• Equipment: The right to free transport of medical equipment or wheelchairs (manual or electric) is guaranteed at no additional cost, provided the airline is notified in advance.

• Agencia Estatal de Seguridad Aérea (AESA) - Passenger Rights: https://www.seguridadaerea.gob.es/es/ambitos/pasajeros
• AENA - Passenger Assistance (PRM): https://www.aena.es/pmr/inicio
• Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Entry of Pets): https://www.mapa.gob.es/es/ganaderia/temas/comercio-exterior-ganadero/desplazamiento-animales-compania/
• European Union ETIAS Portal: https://travel-europe.europa.eu/etias_en
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Spain (Consular): https://www.exteriores.gob.es/es/ServiciosAlCiudadano/Paginas/Servicios-consulares.aspx