In a move aimed at jump-starting two-way travel, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that ordinary Spanish passport-holders may enter mainland China visa-free for stays of up to 15 days from 1 January 2026. The waiver—part of a one-year pilot that also covers several other EU states—abolishes the €60 tourist (L) visa and the more expensive business (M) visa for short trips.
For Spanish companies with supply-chain links in Guangdong, Shanghai and Tianjin, the change removes at least two weeks of lead time and around €250 in consular and courier fees per traveller. Airlines including Iberia and Air China are already evaluating additional frequencies for the spring timetable, anticipating a rebound toward pre-pandemic traffic levels.
![China to allow Spaniards 15-day visa-free entry from 1 January 2026]()
Tourism bodies expect leisure flows to rise as well: China was Spain’s second-largest long-haul outbound market before Covid but arrivals fell 70 % in 2020-23. Reciprocal easing for Chinese visitors is under discussion, and hotel groups in Madrid and Barcelona are preparing Mandarin-language packages before the pilot is reviewed next autumn.
HR and global-mobility teams should note that the waiver covers tourist and standard business agendas only. Technical work assignments, media projects and stays beyond 15 days will still require the appropriate Z, J or F visa categories, so existing immigration workflows remain essential for longer projects in 2026.
For Spanish companies with supply-chain links in Guangdong, Shanghai and Tianjin, the change removes at least two weeks of lead time and around €250 in consular and courier fees per traveller. Airlines including Iberia and Air China are already evaluating additional frequencies for the spring timetable, anticipating a rebound toward pre-pandemic traffic levels.
Tourism bodies expect leisure flows to rise as well: China was Spain’s second-largest long-haul outbound market before Covid but arrivals fell 70 % in 2020-23. Reciprocal easing for Chinese visitors is under discussion, and hotel groups in Madrid and Barcelona are preparing Mandarin-language packages before the pilot is reviewed next autumn.
HR and global-mobility teams should note that the waiver covers tourist and standard business agendas only. Technical work assignments, media projects and stays beyond 15 days will still require the appropriate Z, J or F visa categories, so existing immigration workflows remain essential for longer projects in 2026.
Source: VisaHQ Global Mobility News
