Last reviewed: May 2026
TL;DR- BLS International is the official partner of the Spanish Embassy and consulates in the UK for Schengen and national visa applications.
- UK passport holders can visit Spain visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
- Long-stay visas including Non-Lucrative, Digital Nomad, Student, Work and Family Reunion go through BLS International.
- UK centres operate in London and Edinburgh, with consular jurisdiction determining which centre serves your postcode.
- BLS International does not decide visas. The Spanish Embassy or Consulate decides.
Address and Contact Details
BLS International runs the Spanish visa application centres in the UK on behalf of the Embassy of Spain in London and the Consulate General of Spain in Edinburgh. The London centre is the primary site, with Edinburgh covering Scotland and Northern Ireland.
To find the current address for your nearest BLS Spain centre, open spain.blsinternational.com/unitedkingdom. The portal lists the exact address, postcode, opening hours and contact details for each city.
Verify the current BLS Spain centre address before travelling. The Spanish Embassy in London also publishes guidance at exteriores.gob.es/embajadas/londres.
Countries and Visa Types Handled
BLS International Spain processes the full range of Spanish visas for UK residents, including:
- Schengen short-stay visa (Type C) for tourism, business or visits up to 90 days, for nationalities not visa-exempt.
- Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV) for individuals with sufficient passive income to support themselves in Spain without working.
- Digital Nomad Visa for remote workers earning income from employment or clients outside Spain.
- Spain Golden Visa (where still applicable under current rules).
- Spain Entrepreneur visa.
- Work visa.
- Highly Qualified Professional visa.
- Student visa.
- Family reunion visa for spouses, registered partners and minor children.
- Researcher visa.
UK passport holders do not need a visa for short stays in Spain of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Long stays, work, study and family reunion require a visa via BLS International.
How to Book an Appointment
- Open spain.blsinternational.com/unitedkingdom and create an account.
- Select your visa category and complete the application form.
- Pay the consular visa fee online (where the system requires payment in advance) and the BLS service fee.
- Choose the appropriate centre based on your UK consular jurisdiction (London for England and Wales, Edinburgh for Scotland and Northern Ireland).
- Book a date and time slot.
- Print the BLS appointment letter and bring all original documents to the centre.
What to Bring to Your Appointment
- Printed BLS appointment letter with barcode.
- Signed visa application form.
- Current passport with at least one year validity beyond the intended visa start date (for long-stay) and at least two blank pages.
- Old passports if requested.
- Passport-style photographs to Schengen specification (35mm x 45mm, biometric).
- Proof of UK residency.
- Schengen travel insurance with at least 30,000 euros medical cover for short-stay visas.
- For Non-Lucrative Visa, evidence of stable passive income meeting the IPREM-based threshold and private health insurance with no co-pays valid in Spain.
- For Digital Nomad Visa, employment contract or freelance contracts showing remote work outside Spain and minimum monthly income.
- Criminal record certificate (apostilled and translated), medical certificate, marriage and birth certificates as required.
Processing Times and Fees
Schengen visa fee is 90 euros for adults and 45 euros for children 6 to 11. Spanish national long-stay visa fees vary by category. BLS service fees in the UK are charged in addition to consular fees.
Processing time for a Schengen visa is normally 15 calendar days. Long-stay Non-Lucrative, Digital Nomad and Student visas can take 4 to 8 weeks, depending on the consulate's workload and any additional checks. Some long-stay categories require a personal interview at the consulate after document submission.
Featured Immigration Adviser - Paid Placement
This placement is reserved for a regulated immigration adviser specialising in BLS International Spain visa applications. OISC-registered firms only. Enquire about this slot.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Non-Lucrative Visa?
The Non-Lucrative Visa is a long-stay visa for individuals with sufficient passive income to support themselves in Spain without working. It is commonly used by retirees and people with investment income.
What is the Digital Nomad Visa?
The Digital Nomad Visa allows remote workers to live in Spain while working for employers or clients based outside Spain. Income thresholds and qualification requirements apply.
Do I need NIE for the visa application?
Some categories require a NIE (Numero de Identidad de Extranjero) at later stages, but the initial visa application typically does not require it. It can be applied for at the Spanish consulate or in Spain after arrival.
Which centre should I use, London or Edinburgh?
Use the centre that covers your UK consular jurisdiction. Edinburgh covers Scotland and Northern Ireland. London covers most of England and Wales.
Can my family come with me on a Non-Lucrative or Digital Nomad Visa?
Yes. Spouses, registered partners and dependent children can be included or apply for family reunion at the same time as the main applicant.
How We Verified This
We cross-referenced spain.blsinternational.com/unitedkingdom, the Spanish Embassy in London website, the Spanish Consulate in Edinburgh, and gov.uk foreign travel advice for Spain. Visa categories and income thresholds change with Spanish immigration reforms, so we have linked to the official portals for current information.
