Top Nationalities Applying for Spanish Visas (2025 Update)
Expat Tips
Published: 30 October 2023 00:34 CET
Updated: 24 April 2025 00:34 CET
As of 2025, Spain continues to be one of the most sought-after destinations for both short-term Schengen visas and long-term residency applications. While recent years have seen dramatic shifts in global mobility patterns—driven by COVID-19, Brexit, and geopolitical events—certain nationalities continue to dominate Spain’s visa landscape.
Based on the latest data from Schengen News and updated 2024 consular reports, here’s a breakdown of the nationalities most active in applying for visas to Spain.
2017–2022: Russian Nationals Lead Overall Applications
Between 2017 and 2022, Russian citizens submitted over 1.8 million visa applications to Spain—more than double that of the second-highest group, Moroccans, who submitted approximately 972,000. Russian applications peaked in 2019 with 568,681 filings, before plunging to just 58,817 in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic—a dramatic 70.6% drop.
Top 10 Visa Applicant Nationalities (2017–2022)
- Russia
- Morocco
- China
- Algeria
- India
- Ecuador
- Saudi Arabia
- Turkiye
- United Kingdom
- Dominican Republic
Half of these nationalities hail from Asia, reflecting strong interest from Russian, Chinese, Indian, Saudi, and Turkish applicants.
Post-Pandemic Shifts (2022–2024)
Visa demand rebounded unevenly across nationalities. Chinese applications dropped dramatically—from 291,637 in 2019 to just 8,201 in 2022, a 97.1% decrease. Meanwhile, UK applications increased substantially post-Brexit: from 29,466 in 2019 to 61,005 in 2022, and rising further in 2023 as Brits adjusted to new legal entry requirements.
South American Growth Continues
Applicants from Ecuador, Colombia, and the Dominican Republic remain consistent, with steady increases seen in 2023–2024. Spain’s cultural ties and visa reciprocity agreements with Latin American countries contribute to ongoing growth in this segment.
Key Trends as of 2025
- Russians still lead historical stats but face tougher scrutiny due to the war in Ukraine and related EU sanctions.
- UK nationals are now one of the fastest-growing groups for non-EU visa filings.
- Chinese applicants show early signs of recovery after sharp pandemic-era declines.
- Latin American nations remain consistent sources of student and family reunification visas.
Why It Matters
Understanding which nationalities lead visa applications to Spain helps frame demand for work permits, student visas, family reunification, and residency pathways. It’s also helpful for legal professionals, relocation experts, and anyone evaluating visa trends for Spain in 2025.
Source: Schengen News – Visa Statistics for Spain
