Spanish visa fee for Russians rose by almost fifteen percent: what to know before you go

What changed in the visa cost?

From 29 September 2024 the consular fee for a short‑stay Schengen visa to Spain for adult Russians went up by roughly 1,500 RUB. In ruble terms that's almost a 20 % jump from the previous amount, bringing the fee to 8,840 RUB. The service charge of the BLS International visa centre stayed the same – 1,444 RUB. Altogether, filing the paperwork now costs about 10,300 RUB.

How and when to submit your documents?

The visa centre reminds you that you can hand in your papers no earlier than six months before the intended trip and no later than 15 working days before departure. In Saint Petersburg, a stricter rule has been in force since April: the application must be filed at least 30 days before you leave. The centre says the change reflects a surge in applications.

Processing times: reality vs expectations

Because the volume of applications has risen, the General Consulate of Spain in Moscow can take up to 45 days—or longer—from the moment a complete file arrives. Moreover, in some regions the waiting time for an appointment at the visa centre is already climbing. Tour operators say slots for submissions in Moscow for the first half of October will open in the next few days, but demand is already strong.

Why Spain remains popular?

Even with the visa‑policy tweaks, Spain stays in the top three destinations where Russians receive the most Schengen visas. According to 2025 statistics, together with Italy and France they issued more than 620,000 visas, which is almost three‑quarters of all Russian applications.

Restrictions on multiple‑entry visas

From November 2025 the European Commission banned the issuance of new multiple‑entry Schengen visas to Russians. The Russian Tour Operators Association (ATOR) reports that by March of the same year the number of multiple visas granted had dropped by 99 %. As a result, each entry into Spain now requires its own single‑entry visa, processed at the new rate.

Planning a New Year trip?

If you’re aiming to ring in the New Year in Spain, the advice is simple: start the paperwork as early as possible. Remember that the standard 45‑day processing window will be extended by the time needed to book an appointment at the visa centre. The sooner you file, the lower the chance of a delay that could wreck your plans.

Practical tips

• Check the timelines: make sure you submit your documents within the allowed window – from six months to 15 working days before departure (30 days in St Petersburg).
• Book early: in big cities an appointment can take several weeks, especially ahead of holidays.
• Complete the file: missing even a single document can stretch the process.
• Watch the exchange rate: the consular fee is set in euros and converted to rubles at the current rate, so the final amount may wiggle a bit.
• Mind the restrictions: if you need a multiple‑entry visa, it’s practically unavailable now – plan separate visas for each trip.

Summary

Higher visa fees for Spain and tighter filing windows are the new reality for Russian travelers. Still, the country remains one of the most sought‑after in the Schengen area, and getting your paperwork together on time will spare you unnecessary hassle. If you’ve already started dreaming of a Spanish holiday, begin the application now so everything is ready by your departure date.

Based on materials from: trn-news.ru.