Bolivia entry requirements for Spain passport holders

Checked daily · Updated May 15, 2026·View sources
No visa required
90 days
Max stay
90 days
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked

Spanish passport holders can enter Bolivia without a visa for tourism or business stays up to 90 days. This visa-free policy is in effect for 2026, so you can skip embassy visits and just show up at the border with your passport.

Entry requirements

RequirementDetailsStatus
Valid passport
Must cover entire stay
Your passport needs to be valid for the full duration of your stay in Bolivia. Airlines at departure may ask for 6 months validity beyond your travel dates — check with your carrier before flying.Required
Return or onward ticket
Proof of departure
Immigration officers at El Alto and Viru Viru airports routinely ask for a printed or digital onward ticket showing you leave Bolivia within 90 days. Airlines also check this before boarding.Required
Proof of accommodation
Hotel booking or invitation letter
Have a hotel reservation or a letter from your host ready. Officers sometimes ask for your first night's address when you arrive.Recommended
Proof of funds
Bank statement or cash
Carry a recent bank statement or enough cash to show you can support yourself. There is no fixed minimum, but having $50–$100 per day in cash or card access helps.Recommended
Keep your entry card safe
The small card you receive on arrival is your 'tarjeta de ingreso'. You must return it when you leave Bolivia. If you lose it, you'll pay a small fine at immigration.

What happens at the border

1
Arrive at immigration counter
At any Bolivian airport or land border, go to the 'Extranjeros' (Foreigners) queue. Have your passport and onward ticket ready.
2
Hand over documents
Give the officer your passport. They may ask for your return ticket or hotel booking. Answer questions clearly.
3
Get stamped in
The officer stamps your passport with an entry date and a 90-day stay. Check the stamp before walking away.
4
Keep your entry card
You'll receive a small entry card (tarjeta de ingreso). Keep it with your passport — you'll need to hand it back when you leave.
Download Bolivia Entry Checklist
PDF · Spain Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 15, 2026
Download PDF

Overstay calculator

Enter your arrival date and we'll tell you exactly when you need to leave.

Staying longer & fees

Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:

Tourist visa (single entry)
Max stay90 days, extendable up to 90 additional days
Validity3 months from issue date
Cost~$30 USD (approx. 210 BOB)

Apply at Bolivian consulate before travel; requires passport, photos, and proof of funds.

Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay90 days per entry, extendable
Validity1 year from issue date
Cost~$60 USD (approx. 420 BOB)

Ideal for frequent travellers; same requirements as single entry.

Long-stay visa (temporary residence)
Max stay1 year, renewable
Validity1 year
Cost~$100 USD (approx. 700 BOB)

Requires proof of income, background check, and local sponsor; allows work and study.

retirement visa
Visa de Residencia Temporal para Jubilados
1 year, renewable annually
~$100 USD (approx. 700 BOB) per year
For retirees with a monthly pension of at least $1,000 USD. Requires proof of pension, background check, and local address. Allows permanent residence after 3 years.
work visa
Visa de Trabajo
1 year, renewable
~$150 USD (approx. 1,050 BOB) per year
For those with a job offer from a Bolivian employer. Requires contract, employer sponsorship, and background check. Allows family reunification.
student visa
Visa de Estudiante
Up to 1 year, renewable
~$50 USD (approx. 350 BOB) per year
For enrolled students at a recognized Bolivian institution. Requires acceptance letter, proof of funds, and health insurance. Allows part-time work with permission.
investor visa
Visa de Inversionista
1 year, renewable
~$200 USD (approx. 1,400 BOB) per year
For investors with a minimum investment of $25,000 USD in a Bolivian business. Requires business plan and proof of funds. Leads to permanent residence.
Other fees
ServiceCost
Overstay fine per dayOverstay fines are assessed at immigration upon departure; maximum cap may apply.~$2 USD per day (approx. 14 BOB)

Common reasons for entry denial

Insufficient funds30%
No return ticket25%
Suspicious travel pattern20%

Approval probability calculator

Answer 6 quick questions — we'll estimate how likely you are to be approved for entry based on typical immigration patterns.

Transiting through Bolivia

No transit visa needed

Spain passport holders do not need a transit visa to change planes in Bolivia, provided they remain airside and have a confirmed onward ticket.

Airside transitAllowed
Transit hubsEl Alto International Airport (LPB), La Paz · Viru Viru International Airport (VVI), Santa Cruz · Jorge Wilstermann International Airport (CBB), Cochabamba

Health & vaccines for Bolivia

Required for entry
Yellow FeverRequired if arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission, or if visiting endemic areas in Bolivia.
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis AEssentialTyphoidEssentialHepatitis BRecommendedRabiesConsiderYellow FeverEssentialRoutine vaccines (MMR, DTP, polio, influenza)Essential
Health risks
Altitude sicknessHigh risk

La Paz and high-altitude regions pose significant risk; acclimatize gradually and consider medication.

Dengue feverModerate risk

Mosquito-borne disease prevalent in lowland areas; use repellent and mosquito nets.

ChikungunyaModerate risk

Transmitted by mosquitoes in tropical regions; symptoms include fever and joint pain.

Malaria risk: moderate

Risk exists in lowland areas below 2,500m, especially in the Amazon basin. Prophylaxis recommended for travellers to those regions.

Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.

Immigration offices for extensions

La Paz
Dirección General de Migración
Calle Potosí esq. Ayacucho, La Paz
Mon–Fri 08:30–16:30

Main office for extensions and visa issues; bring passport, photos, and proof of funds.

Santa Cruz
Oficina Regional de Migración
Av. San Martín esq. Av. Beni, Santa Cruz
Mon–Fri 08:30–16:30

Busy office; arrive early to avoid long queues.

Practical information for ES travellers

Country basics
CapitalSucre
LanguageSpanish
Driving sideRight-hand traffic
US driving licenceUS visitors can drive with a valid US license for up to 90 days.
Money
CurrencyBolivian boliviano (BOB)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 6.92 BOB
updated May 15
Time zone
Local timeUTC-4
vs New York+1h
vs Los Angeles+4h
Electricity
Voltage230V / 50Hz
Plug types
A,CTypes A (two flat pins) and C (two round pins) are used.
✓ No adapter needed for US plugs
Water & health
Tap water
Not safe — use bottled
Tap water is not safe to drink; use bottled or boiled water.
Emergency numbers
Police110
Medical118
US EmbassyFind contact

Frequently asked questions

No, the visa-free stay is not extendable. You must leave before day 90 or apply for a different visa type before your stay expires. Overstaying can result in fines and a ban.
You'd need to apply for a visa at a Bolivian consulate before you travel. There's no way to extend the visa-free period once you're in the country.
Not required for Spanish passport holders entering from Spain. But if you've recently been in a yellow fever endemic country (like Brazil or Peru), you may need proof of vaccination. Check with your airline.
Yes, the same visa-free rules apply at land borders. You'll go through the same immigration process. Just make sure your passport has blank pages and is valid for 6+ months.
You'll be fined per day overstayed. The fine is typically around 20-30 BOB per day (about $3-4 USD). You pay at immigration when you leave. Serious overstays can lead to deportation and a re-entry ban.
No, there's no online pre-registration required. You'll fill out a paper entry card on the plane or at the border.

Official sources

Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 15, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.