Spain is updating its visa rules for 2026, granting visa-free access to citizens of eight African nations and nine Caribbean Community (CARICOM) territories, but the move has drawn criticism for its neglect of a majority of Africa.
The announcement by Spain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs gives visa-free entry to Spain for citizens of Botswana, Cape Verde, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mauritius, Namibia, Rwanda, and the Seychelles, with eligible passport holders permitted to stay for up to 90 days within any 180-day period, subject to standard requirements, at a cost of €90.
While the African Folder on Instagram said the move is intended “to make travel easier while strengthening tourism and cultural ties between Spain and the eight African nations,” critics have pointed out that most African countries are not included, and that major African populations, such as those in Algeria, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, and Tunisia will still require a Schengen visa to visit Spain.
Meanwhile, France has included South Africa as the only African country among 13 whose citizens can travel visa-free to several French overseas territories under an expanded entry policy. The rest of the list includes China, India, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, and the United Arab Emirates, while citizens of most African nations, including Ghana, Kenya, and Nigeria, will still require visas to visit the territories.
Germany still only allows two African countries (Mauritius and the Seychelles) visa-free entry in 2026.
By comparison, citizens of 27 African nations are permitted to enter Canada without a traditional visa.
Back to Spain, and the CARICOM countries gaining visa-free short-stay access are: Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, the Grenadines, St Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago, and St Vincent. Again, citizens of other CARICOM member states, including Belize, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, and Suriname, will continue to require visas before travelling to Spain.
Visa waivers and visa-free access are usually negotiated as under bilateral agreements between countries, yet major upcoming travel and tourism stakeholders such as Angola, which has granted visa-free access to Spanish citizens, do not yet benefit from the same in kind from Spanish counterparts.
Spain is managing a tourism boom, having received record numbers of visitors over the past years, accompanied by significant anti-tourism sentiment that has manifested itself in civil disobedience and demonstrations.
Visa requirements are often seen as a disincentive to travel, since would-be travellers must complete an application, provide supporting documents, and undergo approval processes before their right to entry is confirmed. Spain’s Schengen visa application requires a valid passport and recent photographs, insurance, proof of accommodation and flight bookings, and bank statements.
Spain has also launched a migrant regularisation programme that some estimates by the National Police say could result in around three million additional legal residents through family reunification, far exceeding the government’s original projections of around 500,000 applicants.
