China Visa for Spanish and EU Citizens: The 2026 Guide

There's never been a better moment for Europeans to visit China. A landmark shift in travel policy — one that removes a decades-old bureaucratic hurdle — means that most EU passport holders can now book a flight to Beijing, Shanghai, or Chengdu without setting foot in a consulate. If you've been putting off that trip to the Great Wall or the rice terraces of Yunnan, 2026 is the year to finally make it happen.

This guide cuts through the confusion and gives you everything you need to know: who qualifies for visa-free entry, what documents you'll need at the border, what happens if you need a traditional visa, and the practical things no one tells you before your first trip to mainland China.

The Big News: Visa-Free Entry for Most of Europe

As of November 2025, China extended its unilateral 30-day visa-free entry programme to all 27 EU member states — with two exceptions — plus the UK, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Canada. In March 2026, China confirmed the policy runs until 31 December 2026, with strong signals that it will be made permanent.

According to VisaHQ, the extension was confirmed by China's National Immigration Administration and covers 50 countries in total.

What the 30-Day Visa-Free Allows

Under this programme, ordinary passport holders from eligible countries can enter mainland China for:

Tourism — sightseeing, guided tours, independent travel
Business — meetings, trade fairs, inspections (not employment)
Visiting family or friends
Transit — passing through en route to another destination

You get 30 days per visit. There's no cap on how many times you can visit per year, but border officers may question you if you're entering every month.

Which EU Countries Qualify?

All EU member states except Czechia and Lithuania are included. So if your passport is Spanish, French, German, Italian, Dutch, Belgian, Portuguese, Greek, Austrian, Polish, or from most other EU nations — you're covered.

Spain's inclusion was confirmed from January 1, 2026, with a dedicated announcement from VisaHQ noting that Spanish ordinary passport holders can enter for up to 30 days. For those holding diplomatic passports, the same 30-day rule applies.

What You Need at the Border (Visa-Free Travellers)

Landing in Beijing Capital, Shanghai Pudong, or any major Chinese gateway? Here's exactly what you'll be asked for:

1. A Valid Passport

Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your planned departure date from China. Don't cut it close — Chinese border officials are strict about this.

2. A Digital Arrival Card

Since November 2025, China has replaced paper arrival cards with a digital form that all foreign visitors must complete. You can fill it out via the official app or on the screens at the port of arrival. Have your accommodation address and onward travel details ready. More information is available through Koryo Tours' guide to the China Digital Arrival Card.

3. Proof of Onward Travel

Border officers will typically want to see that you're leaving China within 30 days — a return flight ticket or an onward booking to another country will suffice. Have this ready on your phone.

4. Hotel Reservation or Host Address

You'll need to provide an address for your first night. If you're staying at a hotel, they'll register you automatically. If you're staying with friends or family, your host must register you at the local Public Security Bureau (PSB) within 24 hours of your arrival — in practice, most hotels handle this entirely.

5. No Vaccination Proof or Health Documentation Required

As confirmed by China's entry requirements for 2026, there are no health declarations, no vaccination requirements, and no quarantine on arrival. The COVID-era restrictions are firmly in the past.

If You Still Need a Visa: Czech and Lithuanian Citizens

If you hold a Czech or Lithuanian passport, you'll need to apply for a tourist visa before travelling. The process is straightforward but requires planning ahead.

The Standard Tourist Visa (L Visa)

Apply at the Chinese Visa Application Service Centre (CVASC) or Chinese embassy in your country. Documents typically required:

Completed application form — generated at visaforchina.cn
Valid passport with at least 6 months validity and two blank pages
Passport-size photo — white background, taken within the last six months
Round-trip flight bookings (confirmations, not necessarily tickets purchased)
Hotel reservations or a letter of invitation from a Chinese host
Bank statements from the last 3 months showing sufficient funds
Travel insurance covering the duration of your stay

Processing time is 7–10 working days for standard service; express options are typically available for a fee. As noted in the official San Francisco Consulate requirements page, requirements can vary slightly by consulate, so always confirm with the specific mission in your country.

Applying From Spain (For Those Who Need It)

If you're a Czech or Lithuanian national based in Spain, your application goes through:

Chinese Embassy in Madrid — primary consulate for visa applications
Chinese Consulate General in Barcelona — Av. Tibidabo 34, Barcelona (office hours 9:30–13:30 and 16:00–18:00)
CVASC Barcelona — Carrer de la Diputació, 119, piso 2, open Monday–Friday 9:00–15:00

Book your appointment in advance at the official scheduling system. Walk-ins are not accepted.

The 240-Hour Transit Option (Worth Knowing)

If China isn't your final destination — or if you want to add a stopover without committing to a full trip — the 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit policy is one of the best-kept secrets in Asian travel.

It works like this: if you're flying from Country A through China to Country C, you can exit the airport, explore Chinese cities, and continue your journey — all without a visa — for up to 10 days. According to China Briefing's comprehensive visa-free guide, the 24 designated entry ports include Beijing Capital Airport, Shanghai Pudong, Guangzhou Baiyun, Chengdu Tianfu, and Kunming Changshui.

Key rules: your route must genuinely be A → China → C (not a return to the same country). You must arrive and depart through designated ports.

This is a fantastic way to add a week in Shanghai or Chengdu to a broader Asia itinerary — say, en route to Japan or Vietnam.

Customs: What You Can and Can't Bring

Chinese customs at major airports is efficient but thorough. Know the limits:

Cash: Declare anything over CNY 20,000 (roughly €2,600)
Alcohol: More than 1,500ml above 12% ABV must be declared
Tobacco: More than 400 cigarettes must be declared
Electronics and valuables: Items worth over CNY 5,000 (about €650) can be declared on exit to avoid import duty concerns
No fresh produce, meat, or animal products from outside China

Practical: Surviving China as a European Visitor

Getting the entry right is only half the battle. China operates on a completely different digital infrastructure from Europe, and unprepared travellers get caught out every day. Here's what to sort before you fly.

Payments: Go Digital or Struggle

China is overwhelmingly cashless — according to YellowBirdTour's payment guide for 2026, around 90% of daily transactions now use QR code payments. Street food stalls, subway machines, small restaurants — most now prefer WeChat Pay or Alipay over cash.

The good news: both apps now accept international credit cards linked to foreign bank accounts. Set up Alipay before you leave (it's marginally more foreigner-friendly to configure). Note that transactions under CNY 200 are fee-free; a 3% surcharge applies above that. Keep a small amount of RMB cash for rural areas and older markets.

Internet: Install a VPN Before You Leave

Google, Instagram, WhatsApp, and most Western platforms are blocked in mainland China. Install two VPN apps on your phone before departure — you won't be able to download them once you're in the country. An international eSIM is also worth considering: it lets your data run through your home network, which often bypasses blocks naturally.

WeChat (for messaging locals and scanning QR codes) and Maps.me or Apple Maps (which still works with offline maps) are essential.

Mobile Data

Your Spanish SIM card will roam in China, but speeds and reliability vary by carrier. A local SIM from China Mobile or an international eSIM from providers like Airalo or Holafly gives you faster, more reliable connectivity throughout your trip.

How Long Should You Stay?

The 30-day visa-free window is generous — and well-matched to the kind of trip China deserves.

A first-time trip to China typically combines the Golden Triangle of Beijing, Xi'an, and Shanghai — the imperial capital, the Silk Road terminus, and the modern mega-city — over 10–14 days. If you're looking for a structured way to experience this classic route, China's Golden Triangle is a great place to start. That leaves plenty of your 30 days to extend into Chengdu (giant pandas, Sichuan cuisine), Guilin (karst mountains), or Yunnan (ancient towns, ethnic diversity, and some of the world's most spectacular highland scenery). If Yunnan's remote landscapes are calling, the 10-day Hunan itinerary covering Zhangjiajie, Furong Town, and Fenghuang offers a vivid sense of what China's interior has to offer beyond the well-trodden east coast.

For those who want expert guidance navigating all of this, Viatsy's Chasing Clouds in China tour covers Yunnan's highlights with local experts who know the region deeply — from Lijiang's cobbled old town to the remote valleys near the Tibetan plateau.

Quick Reference: China Entry 2026

| | Spanish Citizens | Most EU Citizens | Czech / Lithuanian | |---|---|---|---| | Visa required? | No | No | Yes (L visa) | | Max stay | 30 days | 30 days | 30–60 days (per visa) | | Apply at | — | — | Chinese embassy / CVASC | | Processing time | — | — | 7–10 working days | | Digital arrival card | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Health docs needed | No | No | No |

The Bottom Line

For Spanish and most European travellers, the paperwork barrier to China has essentially disappeared. A valid passport, a digital arrival card, and a return ticket are all you need to land in one of the world's most extraordinary countries. What was once a complex consulate appointment and weeks of waiting is now a non-issue.

The real work is the trip planning — which cities to combine, which seasons to avoid, which experiences are worth the extra effort. That's where working with people who know China deeply makes the difference. Whether you're after the iconic cities of the east or the wilder edges of Yunnan and Sichuan, the door is open. It just takes someone to push it. If you're weighing up China against other destinations in the region, our guide to Yunnan Province — China's most extraordinary region is worth a read before you decide.

Planning your first trip to China? Viatsy's travel specialists are based in Barcelona and design tailor-made itineraries across mainland China, Hong Kong, and the wider region. Get in touch to start building your trip.