Australia eVisitor for Spanish Citizens: Everything You Need to Know

More and more Spanish travellers are discovering Australia: its beaches will feel familiar to anyone from the Mediterranean coast, but the scale of the landscapes, the wildlife and the cities is unlike anything in Europe. Before you book, you need to arrange your travel authorisation. For Spanish passport holders, that is the Australia eVisitor (Subclass 651).

Do Spanish citizens need a visa for Australia?

Yes. Spanish citizens need a valid authorisation before travelling to Australia, even for a short holiday. As an EU passport holder, you are eligible for the eVisitor, an electronic authorisation linked to your passport. No sticker or stamp is needed: your authorisation is verified automatically at check-in and at the border.

Your Spanish identity card (DNI) is not valid for travel to Australia: you need a valid passport. Once you have it, you can apply for your eVisitor online from Spain.

What the eVisitor allows

The eVisitor covers tourism and business visits: holidays, visiting friends and family, and business activities such as meetings, trade fairs and conferences. It allows multiple entries within its validity period, with stays of up to three months each time, so you can combine Australia with New Zealand or South-East Asia and come back.

The eVisitor does not allow paid work. If you want to work during your stay, see the Work and Holiday visa section below, which has specific conditions for Spanish citizens.

How to apply from Spain

The application is completed online, in English, and you must be outside Australia when you apply. With our assisted service:

Complete the online form with your personal and passport details exactly as they appear in your passport.
Answer a few questions about your background and your trip.
Our team reviews your application before submission, which helps if English is not your first language.
You receive a confirmation by email once your eVisitor is granted.

Most applications are processed within a few business days. Apply at least two weeks before you travel and before booking non-refundable flights. When you are ready, start your eVisitor application.

Tips on names and passports for Spanish travellers

Spanish passports show two surnames (primer and segundo apellido). Enter both, exactly as they appear in your passport, so your authorisation matches your travel document.
Letters such as ñ and accented vowels are simplified in the machine-readable zone of your passport; follow that spelling.
Your passport should remain valid for your whole stay; six months beyond arrival is a comfortable margin.
Children need their own passport and their own application.

Planning your trip from Spain

Getting there. From Madrid, Barcelona, Málaga or other Spanish airports, flights to Australia usually connect through a hub in the Middle East or Asia, such as Doha, Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Singapore. Total travel time to the east coast is typically 21 to 25 hours.

Time difference. Sydney and Melbourne are 8 to 10 hours ahead of mainland Spain, depending on daylight saving in both countries, and one hour more ahead of the Canary Islands. Perth is 6 to 7 hours ahead of the mainland.

Seasons. The seasons are reversed: while Spain is in winter, Australia is enjoying summer. Spring and autumn are ideal for city breaks and road trips in the south, while the dry season suits the tropical north. See our guide to the best time to visit Australia.

Driving. Australians drive on the left. Because a Spanish driving licence is not written in English, most Australian states ask visitors to carry an International Driving Permit or an official English translation with their licence.

Daily life. The voltage is 230V, as in Spain, but you need a type I plug adapter. Be ready for earlier timetables: Australians tend to eat dinner much earlier than in Spain, and many restaurants in smaller towns close early.

Work and Holiday option for Spanish citizens

Spanish citizens are not covered by the Working Holiday visa (Subclass 417) but by the Work and Holiday visa (Subclass 462), which has stricter conditions. Applicants must be aged 18 to 30, hold a university degree or have completed at least two years of university study, and demonstrate functional English. The number of places for Spanish applicants is limited each year, so it pays to prepare early. The visa allows you to travel and work for up to a year. Our Working Holiday guide explains how both streams work. For a holiday or business trip, the eVisitor is much simpler.

Frequently asked questions from Spanish travellers

Can I travel to Australia with my DNI? No. You need a valid passport.

How long can I stay? Up to three months per visit, with multiple visits allowed while your eVisitor is valid.

Do I enter both surnames? Yes, exactly as they appear in your passport.

Can Spanish citizens get a Working Holiday visa? Spanish citizens use the Work and Holiday visa (Subclass 462), which requires university studies and functional English, with limited places each year.

Can I work on an eVisitor? No. Paid work requires a different visa.

Guides for other nationalities

Travelling with friends or family who hold a different passport? Our country guides explain what applies to them:

Start your application

For more background, read our complete eVisitor guide and our travel precautions guide. Then begin your Australia eVisitor application online — ¡buen viaje!