Botschaft Indiens in Madrid

Spanish passport holders can apply for Indian e-Visa for tourism, business, medical treatment, medical attendant, and conference purposes. E-Visa facility has been available for Spanish nationals since November 3, 2015, requiring application four days in advance to obtain Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before traveling to India. The visa is not granted on arrival at the airport. E-Visa applications are submitted online at indianvisaonline.gov.in with 24/7 support center available at +91-11-2430666 or indiatvoa@gov.in. Applicants must carry the passport mentioned on the ETA when traveling. For regular visas (work, study, long-term business, research, journalism, employment, or other purposes not covered by e-Visa), Spanish residents must apply through BLS International, authorized service provider for consular, passport, and visa (CPV) services since January 1, 2025. BLS operates from three locations: Madrid (Ground Floor, Calle de Cardenal Marcelo Spínola 8, 28016), Barcelona (Second Floor, 103 Paseo de Gracia), and Tenerife (Ground Floor, Calle Aguere 9, 38003 Santa Cruz de Tenerife). Appointments must be scheduled through blsinternational.com/india/spain/. BLS helpline: +34-930306449, email: infoindia-spain@blshelpline.com. For visa queries and clarifications, contact visa.madrid@mea.gov.in or ssvisa.madrid@mea.gov.in (for journalist visas). Required documents typically include passport with minimum 6 months validity, photographs, travel itinerary, proof of financial means, and purpose-specific documents. Processing times vary by visa category. Spanish travelers should apply well in advance of planned travel dates.

India and Spain maintain robust and rapidly growing trade relations with Spain being India's 6th largest trade partner in the European Union. Bilateral trade in goods reached USD 9.32 billion in 2024, growing by over 12% from the previous year. Indian exports to Spain grew 9.4% to USD 6.93 billion, while imports from Spain grew 24% to USD 2.39 billion. India's top exports to Spain include chemical products, mineral fuels and mineral oils and distillation products, electrical machinery and equipment, iron and steel, apparel and clothing accessories (both woven and knitted/crocheted), nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery and mechanical appliances, marine products (India is major seafood supplier to Spanish market), articles of leather (saddlery and harness), and pharmaceutical products (India supplies significant generic medicines to Spain). India's major imports from Spain include nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery and mechanical appliances and parts, chemical products, tanning and dyeing extracts, mineral fuels and mineral oils and distillation products, bituminous substances and mineral waxes, plastics and articles thereof, and electrical machinery and equipment and parts. The India-Spain Joint Commission on Economic Cooperation (JCEC), established under the 1972 Trade and Economic Cooperation Agreement, has met twelve times with the 12th round held in New Delhi in April 2023 and the next session planned for 2025 in Spain. The India-Spain CEOs Forum was constituted in February 2015 under the JCEC framework, with formal meetings held in Madrid during Prime Minister Modi's visit in May 2017 and in Mumbai during President Pedro Sánchez's visit in October 2024. Both countries established a 'Fast Track Mechanism' during President Sánchez's 2024 visit to facilitate mutual investments. The embassy's economic and commercial section (sscom.madrid@mea.gov.in) actively supports trade promotion and business facilitation.

The embassy actively facilitates India-Spain business relations through its economic and commercial section (sscom.madrid@mea.gov.in). Spanish companies exploring Indian markets can contact the commercial section for market intelligence, regulatory guidance, sector-specific information, business contacts, and facilitation support. The embassy coordinates with Spanish chambers of commerce, CEOE (Spanish Confederation of Business Organizations), ICEX (Spain's Institute for Foreign Trade), and Spanish business associations to support bilateral commercial opportunities. Services include business matchmaking, information on investment procedures, facilitation of trade delegations and business missions, support for participation in trade fairs and exhibitions, commercial connections, and networking events. The India-Spain Business Summit held during President Sánchez's visit in October 2024, organized by CII and DPIIT with ICEX, exemplifies institutional support for business engagement. India actively participates with high-level delegations and India pavilions in major Spanish trade fairs including FITUR (tourism - Madrid is major European tourism hub), Mobile World Congress (telecom - Barcelona hosts world's largest mobile industry event), Smart City Expo World Congress (smart cities - Barcelona), Intergift (decoration and gifts), Seafood Expo Global, FIMA Agricola (agricultural machinery), Hispack (packaging), Alimentaria (food, beverage, and gastronomy - Barcelona), Cevisama (ceramic tiles - Valencia), Barcelona Textile Expo, BIEMH (machine tools - Bilbao), Fruit Attraction (fresh fruits and vegetables - Madrid), Vitafoods Europe (nutraceuticals), and ARCO (contemporary art - Madrid). Key sectors of bilateral business cooperation include renewable energy (solar and wind), infrastructure and construction, automotive and components, metallurgical industries, ceramics and tiles, IT and software services, pharmaceuticals and healthcare, chemicals, food processing and agriculture, tourism and hospitality, and logistics. Innovation and technology collaboration is robust through the Global Innovation & Technology Alliance (GITA) and Spain's Centre for Development of Industrial Technology (CDTI), which established the India-Spain Program of Cooperation on Industrial Research and Development providing financial support for joint R&D projects between Indian and Spanish industries and academic institutions.

The Embassy of India is located at Avenida Pio XII 30-32, 28016 Madrid, near the crossing of Avenida Pio XII and Calle de los Caidos de la Division Azul in Madrid's Chamartín district. The location is accessible via Madrid Metro Line 9 to Pio XII station (exit Manuel Montilla) or by bus routes 16, 29, 150, 70, and 107. Madrid has an excellent public transportation system operated by Metro de Madrid and EMT (municipal buses). Street parking in the area may be limited; public transportation is recommended. Visitors must present valid government-issued photo identification (passport) and pass security screening to enter embassy premises. Only persons with confirmed appointments or official business will be admitted. The embassy observes both Indian and Spanish public holidays (see holiday list on embassy website). Major Indian celebrations including Republic Day (January 26), Independence Day (August 15), Gandhi Jayanti (October 2), and Diwali feature flag-hoisting ceremonies, cultural programs, and receptions attended by the Indian community, Spanish officials, diplomats, business leaders, and friends of India. International Day of Yoga (June 21) is celebrated with mass yoga demonstrations and events across Spain. For Spanish travelers to India, comprehensive travel information is available on the embassy website including e-Visa applications (indianvisaonline.gov.in), regular visa requirements through BLS, health recommendations (consult Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs travel advice for India, consider vaccinations, malaria prophylaxis for certain regions), safety information, and tourist destinations. For Spanish citizens and residents of Indian origin, OCI status offers visa-free entry to India, permission for long-term stay, and parity with non-resident Indians in economic and educational matters (excluding political rights and agricultural land ownership). OCI eligibility, application procedures, and benefits available through embassy and BLS. India's diverse attractions including historical monuments, spiritual centers, Himalayan regions, beaches, wildlife sanctuaries, cultural festivals, yoga and wellness retreats, Ayurvedic treatments, and cuisine attract Spanish travelers interested in culture, spirituality, nature, and adventure. The embassy can provide information on traveling to India, business opportunities, cultural programs, and bilateral cooperation opportunities.