Chile 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 Chile without a visa for tourism or business for up to 90 days. This policy remains unchanged in 2026.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Valid passport Must be valid for the duration of your stay | Your passport needs to be valid for the entire time you plan to stay in Chile. Airlines check this at check-in. If your passport expires within 90 days, you'll still be allowed entry as long as it covers your stay. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Proof of departure from Chile | Immigration officers routinely ask for a return or onward ticket at Santiago airport. Have a printed or digital copy of your outbound flight ready. A bus ticket to Argentina or Peru also counts. | Recommended |
| Proof of accommodation Hotel booking or host invitation | Officers may ask where you're staying, especially if you arrive without a clear itinerary. Have a hotel confirmation or a letter from your host with their address and phone number ready. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Show you can support yourself | Immigration can ask for proof of funds — roughly $1,000 USD for a 90-day stay. A bank statement, credit card, or cash works. Most tourists never get asked, but have something accessible. | Recommended |
Passport validity is strict
Chile requires 6 months validity from your entry date. If your passport expires sooner, you'll be denied boarding in Spain. Check now, not at the airport.
No visa, no fee, no form
Spanish passport holders get 90 days visa-free. No application, no fee, no arrival form. Just your passport and a return ticket.
What happens at the border
1
Arrival at Santiago (SCL) or other airport
You'll queue at immigration. Have your passport and return ticket ready. The officer will stamp your passport with a 90-day entry. No forms to fill out.
2
Baggage claim and customs
After immigration, collect your bags and walk through customs. There's a green channel for nothing to declare, red channel if you have goods over $500 USD.
3
Exit Chile
When you leave, immigration checks your passport again. No exit fee. Just hand over your passport and you're done.
Download Chile Entry Checklist
PDF · Spain Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 15, 2026
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 90 days
Validity3 months from issue
Cost~$30 USD (estimated)
Apply at Chilean consulate in Spain; allows extension for up to 90 additional days.
Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay90 days per entry, extendable
Validity1 year
Cost~$60 USD (estimated)
For frequent travellers; must apply at consulate.
Long-stay visa (temporary residence)
Max stay1 year, renewable
Validity1 year
Cost~$100 USD (estimated)
Requires proof of income or investment; for longer stays.
retirement visa
Temporary Residence Visa for Retirees (Pensionado)
1 year, renewable
~$100 USD (estimated)
For retirees with a monthly pension of at least $1,000 USD. Requires proof of income and health insurance.
digital nomad visa
Digital Nomad Visa (Visa de Residencia Temporal para Trabajadores Remotos)
1 year, renewable
~$150 USD (estimated)
For remote workers with income from abroad. Requires proof of employment and minimum income of $1,500 USD/month.
work visa
Work Visa (Visa de Trabajo)
1 year, renewable
~$100 USD (estimated)
For those with a job offer in Chile. Requires employer sponsorship and contract.
student visa
Student Visa (Visa de Estudiante)
1 year, renewable
~$50 USD (estimated)
For enrolled students in accredited Chilean institutions. Requires proof of enrollment and funds.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tourist visa (single entry)Not applicable for visa-free travel; listed for reference. | Free (not required for visa-free entry) |
| Tourist visa (multiple entry)Not applicable for visa-free travel; listed for reference. | Free (not required for visa-free entry) |
| Stay extension costVisa-free stay is not extendable; must leave and re-enter. | Free (not available for visa-free entry) |
| Overstay fine per dayOverstay fines are enforced; avoid overstaying. | ~$100 USD per day (estimated) |
| Overstay maximum capNo official cap published; fines accumulate daily. | Unknown |
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 Chile
No transit visa needed
Spain passport holders do not need a transit visa to change planes in Chile, as long as they stay airside and have a confirmed onward ticket.
Airside transitAllowed
Transit hubsArturo Merino Benítez International Airport (SCL) · Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (SCL)
Health & vaccines for Chile
Required for entry
Yellow FeverRequired if arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission.
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis ARecommendedTyphoidConsiderRoutine vaccines (MMR, DTP, polio, influenza)Essential
Health risks
Altitude sicknessModerate risk
Risk in high-altitude areas like the Andes; acclimatize gradually.
Mosquito-borne diseases (dengue, chikungunya)Low risk
Low risk in most areas; use repellent in rural regions.
Food and water safetyLow risk
Tap water is generally safe, but bottled water is recommended in remote areas.
Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.
Immigration offices for extensions
Santiago
Departamento de Extranjería y Migración
Agustinas 1235, Santiago
Mon–Fri 08:30–14:00
Main office for visa extensions and residency applications; arrive early.
Valparaíso
Oficina de Extranjería Valparaíso
Calle Prat 856, Valparaíso
Mon–Fri 08:30–14:00
Handles immigration matters for the region.
Practical information for ES travellers
Country basics
CapitalSantiago
LanguageSpanish
Driving sideRight-hand traffic
US driving licenceUS visitors can drive with a valid US license for up to 90 days.
Money
CurrencyChilean peso (CLP)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 887.47 CLP
Time zone
Local timeUTC-3
vs New York+1h
vs Los Angeles+4h
Electricity
Voltage220V / 50Hz
Plug types
C,LType C (European 2-pin) and Type L (Italian 3-pin) are common.
⚠ US adapter needed
Water & health
Tap water
Safe to drink
Tap water is generally safe to drink in urban areas.
Emergency numbers
Frequently asked questions
No. The 90-day visa-free period is not extendable. You must leave before it expires. Overstaying can result in fines and a ban.
You can't extend the visa-free stay. You'd need to apply for a different visa (e.g., a temporary residence visa) before you travel. That's a separate process through a Chilean consulate.
Yes. Any onward ticket out of Chile works — it doesn't have to be back to Spain. Just a flight to another country within your 90 days.
You must have 6 months validity from your entry date. If your passport expires during your stay, you'll need to renew it at the Spanish consulate in Santiago before you can leave. Avoid this by checking your passport now.
No. There's no arrival declaration required for Spanish passport holders. Just show up with your passport and ticket.
No. The 90-day visa-free entry is for tourism, business meetings, or short visits. You cannot work for a Chilean employer. For work, you need a work visa.
Denial is rare for Spanish passport holders with valid documents. If it happens, you'll be put on the next flight back. Common reasons: expired passport, no return ticket, or immigration suspects you'll overstay.
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.