Rules can change: confirm on the official site before you travel. imptbalearic.es is a hotel and travel site; it does not issue visas.
North Korean citizens require a Schengen short-stay visa to travel to Spain for tourism, including the Balearic Islands of Ibiza, Menorca and Formentera. The visa is applied for at the Spanish consulate or its authorised visa centre in the country where the applicant legally resides. This page explains what the requirement means in practice, how to apply, and what to expect when arriving on the islands.
What the visa requirement means
North Korea is listed in Annex I of Regulation (EU) 2018/1806, meaning its citizens must hold a Schengen short-stay visa for stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period in the Schengen area. This applies to all Schengen member states, including Spain. The visa covers tourism, visiting family or friends, and short business trips.
Without a valid visa, a North Korean citizen will not be allowed to board a flight or ferry to Spain. Border guards at the Schengen external border check that the visa is still valid and that the traveller meets the entry conditions. The visa does not guarantee entry; the final decision rests with the border officer.
Before you travel and at the border
Apply for the Schengen visa well ahead of the planned trip. The application must be submitted at the Spanish consulate or the visa centre it uses in the country where you legally reside. You will need to provide a completed application form, a valid passport, recent photographs, travel insurance, proof of accommodation and flight bookings, and evidence of sufficient funds for the stay.
At the Schengen border, present the passport with the valid visa sticker, return or onward tickets, and any documents requested by the border officer. The officer may ask about the purpose of the visit, accommodation, and means of support. All travellers must be able to show they intend to leave the Schengen area before the visa expires.
Arriving on the islands
Ibiza Airport (IBZ) and Menorca Airport (MAH) are the main points of entry for those islands. Formentera has no airport; visitors fly to Ibiza and take a ferry from the port of Ibiza to La Savina. Mallorca is a transit point only for connecting flights or ferries to the other islands.
When arriving by air at Ibiza or Menorca, the border officer checks the passport and visa. Travellers arriving by ferry from mainland Spain or Mallorca also pass through Schengen border controls at the port. Keep all travel documents handy during the journey.
Staying longer, working or studying
The Schengen short-stay visa does not permit work or study. Anyone wishing to stay longer than 90 days, work, or study in Spain must apply for a national visa (visado nacional) or a residence permit. These applications are handled by the Spanish consulate in the country of residence.
For information on long-stay visas, work permits, or student visas, check the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Spain or the consulate where you apply. Rules and requirements differ from the short-stay visa and may take longer to process.
How to apply
- Determine the Spanish consulate or visa centre responsible for your country of residence.
- Book an appointment at that consulate or centre to submit the visa application.
- Prepare all required documents: application form, passport, photos, travel insurance, flight and accommodation bookings, proof of funds.
- Attend the appointment in person to submit documents and provide biometric data (fingerprints and photograph).
- Wait for the visa decision; do not book non-refundable travel until the visa is issued.
- Collect the passport with the visa sticker or have it returned by post if the consulate offers that service.
- Travel to Spain within the validity dates shown on the visa sticker.
Documents
- Valid passport with at least two blank pages
- Completed and signed Schengen visa application form
- Recent passport-sized photographs meeting Schengen standards
- Travel health insurance covering the entire Schengen area
- Round-trip flight bookings or travel itinerary
- Proof of accommodation for the whole stay
ETIAS and EES: new EU entry systems are being introduced. Check travel-europe.europa.eu before you travel.
Questions
Do North Korean citizens need a visa for Spain?
Yes, North Korean citizens need a Schengen short-stay visa to enter Spain for tourism, including the Balearic Islands.
Where do North Korean citizens apply for a Spanish visa?
Apply at the Spanish consulate or its authorised visa centre in the country where you legally reside.
Can a North Korean citizen enter Formentera directly?
No, Formentera has no airport. Fly to Ibiza and take a ferry to La Savina.
What documents are needed for a Spanish visa from North Korea?
A valid passport, completed application form, photos, travel insurance, flight and accommodation bookings, and proof of sufficient funds.
How long can a North Korean citizen stay in Spain with a Schengen visa?
Up to 90 days in any 180-day period within the Schengen area.
Where will you stay?
Live prices for your dates open in the IMPT app. Every booking funds one tonne of verified CO₂ offset.
Island guides: Ibiza · Menorca · Formentera
Photo credits: Einhornzüchter, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.