Schengen C — short-stay (90 days / 180-day period)
⚠ Visa Required — You must apply before travel
52.7%Rejection Rate
3/5Difficulty
12–21dProcessing
NGN 183,000Total (~$129)
Quick Facts
RequirementVisa Required
Visa Fee
NGN 183,000
(~$129)
Processing Time12–21 working days
Appointment Wait~3 weeks
Stay DurationUp to 90 days
Spain Schengen visa has a lower rejection rate for Nigerians (~13%) than Germany or France, making it a good option for tourism. Popular destination for football, tourism and business.
Key Warnings
Even with lower rejection rates, Spain still requires full documentation — do not skip any required documents.
Strong ties to Nigeria proof still required.
Insider Tips
Spain has one of the shorter VFS wait times in Lagos (~3 weeks) making it easier to plan trips.
Canary Islands are popular winter sun destinations accessible with a Spanish Schengen visa.
Step-by-Step Guide
Check that Spain is the country you should apply to
A Schengen visa is issued by one country but admits you to all 27. Apply to whichever you will spend the most nights in; if the nights are even, apply to your first point of entry. Applying to Spain while clearly intending to spend your trip elsewhere is a common refusal ground.
Book your appointment at VFS Global Spain - Nigeria
VFS Global Spain - Nigeria handles these applications for Nigeria. Book online at https://www.vfsglobal.com/spain/nigeria. Slots typically run about 3 weeks out, so book before you buy tickets. Opening hours: Mon–Fri 08:00–15:00.
Complete the Schengen application form and gather documents
You need a passport valid 3+ months beyond your return with 2 blank pages, a biometric photo, a flight itinerary (a reservation is enough — do not buy a ticket yet), accommodation for every night, 3 months of bank statements, and an employment letter, plus travel insurance covering at least €30,000. Bank statements showing a large deposit made shortly before applying are one of the most common refusal reasons — consistent income over three months matters more than the balance.
Attend the appointment, give biometrics and pay
Bring originals and photocopies. Fingerprints and a photo are taken at the centre (valid 59 months — later Schengen applications can reuse them). You pay the consular fee of ₦136,000 plus the centre's service fee of ₦41,000 — ₦177,000 in total.
Track the application and collect your passport
Processing normally takes 10–21 days, longer over the June–August peak. Track online with the reference from your receipt. The Spain embassy (Spanish Embassy, 7 Agades Street, Wuse 2, Abuja) handles appeals and enquiries the centre cannot.
Required Documents
Valid passportMust be valid for at least 6 months beyond your return date
Passport copy (all pages with stamps)
Completed Schengen visa application formMust be signed. Available at VFS Global or download from the embassy website.
Biometric passport photo (35×45mm)White background, taken within the last 6 months
Travel insurance certificateMinimum €30,000 coverage, valid for all Schengen countries. AXA, Allianz, or Europ Assistance recommended.
Flight itineraryA fare quote or itinerary reservation is acceptable — not a confirmed paid ticket
Accommodation confirmation for all nights
Bank statement (last 3 months)Minimum ₦1.5M (~€1,500) average balance. Regular salary credits required — recent lump-sum deposits are a common rejection trigger.
Employment letter on company letterheadMust confirm position, salary, and approved leave dates. Self-employed: submit CAC certificate instead.
Proof of income3 months of payslips or 2 years of audited business accounts for self-employed applicants
Recommended (Optional)
Invitation letter from Spanish hostRequired if staying with a host instead of hotel. Must be notarised by a Spanish authority.
Property ownership documentsStrongly recommended. A Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) or Land Certificate proves ties to Nigeria and significantly reduces rejection risk.
CAC business registration certificateHighly recommended for self-employed applicants and business owners.
Tax clearance certificate (last 3 years)Issued by FIRS. Adds credibility, especially for high-income or self-employed applicants.
Why Applications Get Rejected
Spain rejected 52.7% of applications. Avoid these mistakes:
Insufficient ties to Nigeria
Spanish consulates scrutinise Nigerian applicants' intent to return. Property and employment documents are key counters.
Fix: Include C of O or CAC registration and a detailed employment letter.
Weak financial documentation
Inconsistent bank statements or lump-sum deposits raise concern.
Fix: 3 months of consistent salary credits and payslips.
52.7% rejection rate — European Commission (DG HOME) visa statistics for consulates, 2025 — 9,489 applications lodged in Nigeria at Spanish consulates
Latest Updates
2026-05
2025 EU statistics: refusal rate fell to 52.7%
The European Commission released 2025 consulate-level visa statistics on 28 May 2026. Refusals of Spanish Schengen applications lodged in Nigeria fell from 59.2% in 2024 to 52.7% in 2025, across 9,489 applications.
2024-06
Schengen visa fee rose from EUR 80 to EUR 90
The EU raised the standard Schengen C visa fee from EUR 80 to EUR 90 on 11 June 2024 (children aged 6–12: EUR 40 to EUR 45) under the Visa Code's three-yearly review. It remains EUR 90 in 2026. VFS service fees are charged separately and vary by centre.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Spain easier for Nigerians than Germany for a Schengen visa?
Yes. Spain has approximately 13% rejection rate for Nigerian applicants compared to Germany's 22%. Spain is one of the easier major Schengen destinations. Portugal (10%) is even easier.
Can I visit the Canary Islands with a Spanish Schengen visa?
Yes. The Canary Islands (Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, etc.) are part of Spain and the EU, so they are covered by a standard Spanish Schengen visa.
How much does a Spain visa cost in Naira?
€80 Schengen fee (~₦136,000) plus VFS service fee (~₦41,000) = approximately ₦177,000 total.
How do Nigerians book a Spain visa appointment?
Applications are handled by VFS Global Spain - Nigeria in Lagos. Appointments are booked online at https://www.vfsglobal.com/spain/nigeria — walk-ins are not accepted. Slots run roughly 3 weeks ahead, so secure the appointment before booking flights. Biometrics are taken at the appointment itself.
What does a Spain visa actually cost from Nigeria?
₦177,000 in total — the consular fee plus the application centre's service fee. Most sources quote only the consular fee, which is why the amount at the counter comes as a surprise. Budget separately for travel insurance and for getting to the centre.