MAD Madrid · rules of the Schengen area
Can I leave Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport on my layover?
Choose your passport and enter your layover. You get the official entry rule for the Schengen area and a time budget that counts the queue, the trip into Madrid and the way back.
Choose your passport to see whether you can leave Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport.
United States passport
Yes, no visa needed
- Leave the airport
- Visa-exempt; biometric registration in the EES at the first Schengen entry. ETIAS not yet required (not in operation).
- Stay airside
- No document needed to stay airside Not on the common ATV list (Annex IV / Annex 7A) or on any national ATV list.
Official sources (6), checked 2026-11-01
-
Overview of ID and visa provisions according to nationality (Annex CH-1, List 1), version of 3 April 2026 (State Secretariat for Migration SEM (Switzerland)):
Visa required for stays of up to 90 days
-
Visa policy (European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs):
Nationals of certain countries must have a visa - called an airport transit visa - even to simply transit through the international (non-Schengen) part of an EU airport.
-
Main differences between the EES and ETIAS: What travellers need to know (28 April 2026) (European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs):
The EES is fully operational across all Schengen countries since 10 April 2026.
-
Smart Borders (ETIAS start announcement) (European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs):
The European Union will inform about the specific date for the start of ETIAS several months prior to its launch.
-
Annex 7A - Common list of third countries whose nationals are required to hold an airport transit visa (Visa Code Annex IV) (European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs):
AFGHANISTAN BANGLADESH DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO ERITREA ETHIOPIA GHANA IRAN IRAQ NIGERIA PAKISTAN SOMALIA SRI LANKA
-
List of third countries whose nationals are required to be in possession of an airport transit visa ... one/some Member States (PDF created 30 June 2026) (European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs):
List of third countries whose nationals are required to be in possession of an airport transit visa when passing through the international transit area of airports situated on the territory of one/some Member States
Canada passport
Yes, no visa needed
- Leave the airport
- Visa-exempt; EES registration at entry. ETIAS not yet required.
- Stay airside
- No document needed to stay airside Not on the common or any national ATV list.
Official sources (6), checked 2026-11-01
-
Overview of ID and visa provisions according to nationality (Annex CH-1, List 1), version of 3 April 2026 (State Secretariat for Migration SEM (Switzerland)):
Visa required for stays of up to 90 days
-
Visa policy (European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs):
Nationals of certain countries must have a visa - called an airport transit visa - even to simply transit through the international (non-Schengen) part of an EU airport.
-
Main differences between the EES and ETIAS: What travellers need to know (28 April 2026) (European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs):
The EES is fully operational across all Schengen countries since 10 April 2026.
-
Smart Borders (ETIAS start announcement) (European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs):
The European Union will inform about the specific date for the start of ETIAS several months prior to its launch.
-
Annex 7A - Common list of third countries whose nationals are required to hold an airport transit visa (Visa Code Annex IV) (European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs):
AFGHANISTAN BANGLADESH DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO ERITREA ETHIOPIA GHANA IRAN IRAQ NIGERIA PAKISTAN SOMALIA SRI LANKA
-
List of third countries whose nationals are required to be in possession of an airport transit visa ... one/some Member States (PDF created 30 June 2026) (European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs):
List of third countries whose nationals are required to be in possession of an airport transit visa when passing through the international transit area of airports situated on the territory of one/some Member States
United Kingdom passport
Yes, no visa needed
- Leave the airport
- Visa-exempt third-country nationals since Brexit; EES registration at entry. ETIAS not yet required.
- Stay airside
- No document needed to stay airside Not on the common or any national ATV list.
Official sources (6), checked 2026-11-01
-
Overview of ID and visa provisions according to nationality (Annex CH-1, List 1), version of 3 April 2026 (State Secretariat for Migration SEM (Switzerland)):
Visa required for stays of up to 90 days
-
Visa policy (European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs):
Nationals of certain countries must have a visa - called an airport transit visa - even to simply transit through the international (non-Schengen) part of an EU airport.
-
Main differences between the EES and ETIAS: What travellers need to know (28 April 2026) (European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs):
The EES is fully operational across all Schengen countries since 10 April 2026.
-
Smart Borders (ETIAS start announcement) (European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs):
The European Union will inform about the specific date for the start of ETIAS several months prior to its launch.
-
Annex 7A - Common list of third countries whose nationals are required to hold an airport transit visa (Visa Code Annex IV) (European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs):
AFGHANISTAN BANGLADESH DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO ERITREA ETHIOPIA GHANA IRAN IRAQ NIGERIA PAKISTAN SOMALIA SRI LANKA
-
List of third countries whose nationals are required to be in possession of an airport transit visa ... one/some Member States (PDF created 30 June 2026) (European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs):
List of third countries whose nationals are required to be in possession of an airport transit visa when passing through the international transit area of airports situated on the territory of one/some Member States
Australia passport
Yes, no visa needed
- Leave the airport
- Visa-exempt; EES registration at entry. ETIAS not yet required.
- Stay airside
- No document needed to stay airside Not on the common or any national ATV list.
Official sources (6), checked 2026-11-01
-
Overview of ID and visa provisions according to nationality (Annex CH-1, List 1), version of 3 April 2026 (State Secretariat for Migration SEM (Switzerland)):
Visa required for stays of up to 90 days
-
Visa policy (European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs):
Nationals of certain countries must have a visa - called an airport transit visa - even to simply transit through the international (non-Schengen) part of an EU airport.
-
Main differences between the EES and ETIAS: What travellers need to know (28 April 2026) (European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs):
The EES is fully operational across all Schengen countries since 10 April 2026.
-
Smart Borders (ETIAS start announcement) (European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs):
The European Union will inform about the specific date for the start of ETIAS several months prior to its launch.
-
Annex 7A - Common list of third countries whose nationals are required to hold an airport transit visa (Visa Code Annex IV) (European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs):
AFGHANISTAN BANGLADESH DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO ERITREA ETHIOPIA GHANA IRAN IRAQ NIGERIA PAKISTAN SOMALIA SRI LANKA
-
List of third countries whose nationals are required to be in possession of an airport transit visa ... one/some Member States (PDF created 30 June 2026) (European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs):
List of third countries whose nationals are required to be in possession of an airport transit visa when passing through the international transit area of airports situated on the territory of one/some Member States
New Zealand passport
Yes, no visa needed
- Leave the airport
- Visa-exempt; EES registration at entry. ETIAS not yet required. (NZ bilateral agreements with some states may allow longer stays; not researched.)
- Stay airside
- No document needed to stay airside Not on the common or any national ATV list.
Official sources (6), checked 2026-11-01
-
Overview of ID and visa provisions according to nationality (Annex CH-1, List 1), version of 3 April 2026 (State Secretariat for Migration SEM (Switzerland)):
Visa required for stays of up to 90 days
-
Visa policy (European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs):
Nationals of certain countries must have a visa - called an airport transit visa - even to simply transit through the international (non-Schengen) part of an EU airport.
-
Main differences between the EES and ETIAS: What travellers need to know (28 April 2026) (European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs):
The EES is fully operational across all Schengen countries since 10 April 2026.
-
Smart Borders (ETIAS start announcement) (European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs):
The European Union will inform about the specific date for the start of ETIAS several months prior to its launch.
-
Annex 7A - Common list of third countries whose nationals are required to hold an airport transit visa (Visa Code Annex IV) (European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs):
AFGHANISTAN BANGLADESH DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO ERITREA ETHIOPIA GHANA IRAN IRAQ NIGERIA PAKISTAN SOMALIA SRI LANKA
-
List of third countries whose nationals are required to be in possession of an airport transit visa ... one/some Member States (PDF created 30 June 2026) (European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs):
List of third countries whose nationals are required to be in possession of an airport transit visa when passing through the international transit area of airports situated on the territory of one/some Member States
EU / EEA / Switzerland passport
Yes, you are at home here
- Leave the airport
- With a EU / EEA / Switzerland passport you can enter the Schengen area freely.
Official sources (2), checked 2026-11-01
-
Visa policy (European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs):
Nationals of certain countries must have a visa - called an airport transit visa - even to simply transit through the international (non-Schengen) part of an EU airport.
-
Main differences between the EES and ETIAS: What travellers need to know (28 April 2026) (European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs):
The EES is fully operational across all Schengen countries since 10 April 2026.
India passport
Not without a visa
- Leave the airport
- Annex I (visa-required) national: needs a Schengen short-stay (C) visa to leave the airport; a US/UK/CA visa does not replace it. EES registration at entry. Holders of a valid residence permit or long-stay visa of a Schengen state do not need a separate visa.
- Stay airside
- No document needed to stay airside Not on the common ATV list. National ATV lists include India only for Czechia and Romania (not our airports). Germany lifted its ATV requirement for Indian nationals on 3 June 2026, so FRA and MUC are now ATV-free. Stay in the international transit area (FRA and MUC have one).
Official sources (7), checked 2026-11-01
-
Overview of ID and visa provisions according to nationality (Annex CH-1, List 1), version of 3 April 2026 (State Secretariat for Migration SEM (Switzerland)):
Visa required for stays of up to 90 days
-
Visa policy (European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs):
Nationals of certain countries must have a visa - called an airport transit visa - even to simply transit through the international (non-Schengen) part of an EU airport.
-
Smart Borders (ETIAS status; page lists news up to 27 October 2026) (European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs):
ETIAS is currently not in operation and no applications for travel authorisations are collected at this point.
-
Annex 7A - Common list of third countries whose nationals are required to hold an airport transit visa (Visa Code Annex IV) (European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs):
AFGHANISTAN BANGLADESH DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO ERITREA ETHIOPIA GHANA IRAN IRAQ NIGERIA PAKISTAN SOMALIA SRI LANKA
-
List of third countries whose nationals are required to be in possession of an airport transit visa ... one/some Member States (PDF created 30 June 2026) (European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs):
List of third countries whose nationals are required to be in possession of an airport transit visa when passing through the international transit area of airports situated on the territory of one/some Member States
-
Travel Facilitation at German Airports for Indian Nationals Takes Effect (German Missions in India (Federal Foreign Office)):
Indian nationals will no longer require a transit visa when traveling to another country
-
I'm planning a trip by air and have to transit at a German airport. Do I need a visa? (Federal Foreign Office (Germany)):
Only five airports in Germany have an International Transit Area.
China (mainland) passport
Not without a visa
- Leave the airport
- Annex I national (PRC ordinary passport): Schengen C visa needed to leave the airport. Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR passports are visa-exempt (not covered here).
- Stay airside
- No document needed to stay airside Not on the common ATV list or on any national ATV list.
Official sources (4), checked 2026-11-01
-
Overview of ID and visa provisions according to nationality (Annex CH-1, List 1), version of 3 April 2026 (State Secretariat for Migration SEM (Switzerland)):
Visa required for stays of up to 90 days
-
Visa policy (European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs):
Nationals of certain countries must have a visa - called an airport transit visa - even to simply transit through the international (non-Schengen) part of an EU airport.
-
Annex 7A - Common list of third countries whose nationals are required to hold an airport transit visa (Visa Code Annex IV) (European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs):
AFGHANISTAN BANGLADESH DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO ERITREA ETHIOPIA GHANA IRAN IRAQ NIGERIA PAKISTAN SOMALIA SRI LANKA
-
List of third countries whose nationals are required to be in possession of an airport transit visa ... one/some Member States (PDF created 30 June 2026) (European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs):
List of third countries whose nationals are required to be in possession of an airport transit visa when passing through the international transit area of airports situated on the territory of one/some Member States
Brazil passport
Yes, no visa needed
- Leave the airport
- Visa-exempt; EES registration at entry. ETIAS not yet required.
- Stay airside
- No document needed to stay airside Not on the common or any national ATV list.
Official sources (6), checked 2026-11-01
-
Overview of ID and visa provisions according to nationality (Annex CH-1, List 1), version of 3 April 2026 (State Secretariat for Migration SEM (Switzerland)):
Visa required for stays of up to 90 days
-
Visa policy (European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs):
Nationals of certain countries must have a visa - called an airport transit visa - even to simply transit through the international (non-Schengen) part of an EU airport.
-
Main differences between the EES and ETIAS: What travellers need to know (28 April 2026) (European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs):
The EES is fully operational across all Schengen countries since 10 April 2026.
-
Smart Borders (ETIAS start announcement) (European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs):
The European Union will inform about the specific date for the start of ETIAS several months prior to its launch.
-
Annex 7A - Common list of third countries whose nationals are required to hold an airport transit visa (Visa Code Annex IV) (European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs):
AFGHANISTAN BANGLADESH DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO ERITREA ETHIOPIA GHANA IRAN IRAQ NIGERIA PAKISTAN SOMALIA SRI LANKA
-
List of third countries whose nationals are required to be in possession of an airport transit visa ... one/some Member States (PDF created 30 June 2026) (European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs):
List of third countries whose nationals are required to be in possession of an airport transit visa when passing through the international transit area of airports situated on the territory of one/some Member States
Mexico passport
Yes, no visa needed
- Leave the airport
- Visa-exempt; EES registration at entry. ETIAS not yet required.
- Stay airside
- No document needed to stay airside Not on the common or any national ATV list.
Official sources (6), checked 2026-11-01
-
Overview of ID and visa provisions according to nationality (Annex CH-1, List 1), version of 3 April 2026 (State Secretariat for Migration SEM (Switzerland)):
Visa required for stays of up to 90 days
-
Visa policy (European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs):
Nationals of certain countries must have a visa - called an airport transit visa - even to simply transit through the international (non-Schengen) part of an EU airport.
-
Main differences between the EES and ETIAS: What travellers need to know (28 April 2026) (European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs):
The EES is fully operational across all Schengen countries since 10 April 2026.
-
Smart Borders (ETIAS start announcement) (European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs):
The European Union will inform about the specific date for the start of ETIAS several months prior to its launch.
-
Annex 7A - Common list of third countries whose nationals are required to hold an airport transit visa (Visa Code Annex IV) (European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs):
AFGHANISTAN BANGLADESH DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO ERITREA ETHIOPIA GHANA IRAN IRAQ NIGERIA PAKISTAN SOMALIA SRI LANKA
-
List of third countries whose nationals are required to be in possession of an airport transit visa ... one/some Member States (PDF created 30 June 2026) (European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs):
List of third countries whose nationals are required to be in possession of an airport transit visa when passing through the international transit area of airports situated on the territory of one/some Member States
South Africa passport
Not without a visa
- Leave the airport
- Annex I national: Schengen C visa needed to leave the airport.
- Stay airside
- No document needed to stay airside Not on the common ATV list or on any national ATV list (the 'South Sudan' rows of national lists do not concern South Africa).
Official sources (5), checked 2026-11-01
-
Overview of ID and visa provisions according to nationality (Annex CH-1, List 1), version of 3 April 2026 (State Secretariat for Migration SEM (Switzerland)):
Visa required for stays of up to 90 days
-
Visa policy (European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs):
Nationals of certain countries must have a visa - called an airport transit visa - even to simply transit through the international (non-Schengen) part of an EU airport.
-
Annex 7A - Common list of third countries whose nationals are required to hold an airport transit visa (Visa Code Annex IV) (European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs):
AFGHANISTAN BANGLADESH DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO ERITREA ETHIOPIA GHANA IRAN IRAQ NIGERIA PAKISTAN SOMALIA SRI LANKA
-
List of third countries whose nationals are required to be in possession of an airport transit visa ... one/some Member States (PDF created 30 June 2026) (European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs):
List of third countries whose nationals are required to be in possession of an airport transit visa when passing through the international transit area of airports situated on the territory of one/some Member States
-
Do I need an airport transit visa? (Embassy of Switzerland in South Africa) (Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (EDA)):
you are allowed to transit through Switzerland and stay in the airport international transit area without any visa.
Philippines passport
Not without a visa
- Leave the airport
- Annex I national: Schengen C visa needed to leave the airport.
- Stay airside
- Airport transit visa needed, unless an exemption applies France only (CDG): France's national ATV list includes the Philippines (ordinary passports; seafarers with an ILO seafarer's identity document are exempt). Exempt from the ATV: holders of a valid Schengen visa, long-stay visa or residence permit; a valid visa issued by Cyprus, Ireland, Canada, Japan or the USA; a residence permit of Ireland, Andorra, Canada, Japan, San Marino, the USA or the UK. A UK visa does NOT exempt. At AMS, FRA, MUC, ZRH, HEL, LIS, MAD: free (no ATV).
Official sources (6), checked 2026-11-01
-
Overview of ID and visa provisions according to nationality (Annex CH-1, List 1), version of 3 April 2026 (State Secretariat for Migration SEM (Switzerland)):
Visa required for stays of up to 90 days
-
Visa policy (European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs):
Nationals of certain countries must have a visa - called an airport transit visa - even to simply transit through the international (non-Schengen) part of an EU airport.
-
List of third countries whose nationals are required to be in possession of an airport transit visa ... one/some Member States (PDF created 30 June 2026) (European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs):
List of third countries whose nationals are required to be in possession of an airport transit visa when passing through the international transit area of airports situated on the territory of one/some Member States
-
Handbook for the processing of visa applications, C(2024) 4319, point 3.3.1 (European Commission):
(b) holders of a valid visa issued by – Cyprus or Ireland; – Canada, Japan or the United States of America
-
Handbook for the processing of visa applications, C(2024) 4319, point 3.3.1 (UK visa example) (European Commission):
holders of valid visas issued by the United Kingdom are not exempt from the airport transit visa requirement.
-
Handbook for the processing of visa applications, C(2024) 4319, point 3.3.1 (c) (European Commission):
issued by Andorra, Canada, Japan, San Marino, the United States of America or the United Kingdom guaranteeing the holder’s unconditional readmission
Japan passport
Yes, no visa needed
- Leave the airport
- Visa-exempt; EES registration at entry. ETIAS not yet required.
- Stay airside
- No document needed to stay airside Not on the common or any national ATV list.
Official sources (6), checked 2026-11-01
-
Overview of ID and visa provisions according to nationality (Annex CH-1, List 1), version of 3 April 2026 (State Secretariat for Migration SEM (Switzerland)):
Visa required for stays of up to 90 days
-
Visa policy (European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs):
Nationals of certain countries must have a visa - called an airport transit visa - even to simply transit through the international (non-Schengen) part of an EU airport.
-
Main differences between the EES and ETIAS: What travellers need to know (28 April 2026) (European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs):
The EES is fully operational across all Schengen countries since 10 April 2026.
-
Smart Borders (ETIAS start announcement) (European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs):
The European Union will inform about the specific date for the start of ETIAS several months prior to its launch.
-
Annex 7A - Common list of third countries whose nationals are required to hold an airport transit visa (Visa Code Annex IV) (European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs):
AFGHANISTAN BANGLADESH DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO ERITREA ETHIOPIA GHANA IRAN IRAQ NIGERIA PAKISTAN SOMALIA SRI LANKA
-
List of third countries whose nationals are required to be in possession of an airport transit visa ... one/some Member States (PDF created 30 June 2026) (European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs):
List of third countries whose nationals are required to be in possession of an airport transit visa when passing through the international transit area of airports situated on the territory of one/some Member States
South Korea passport
Yes, no visa needed
- Leave the airport
- Visa-exempt; EES registration at entry. ETIAS not yet required.
- Stay airside
- No document needed to stay airside Not on the common or any national ATV list.
Official sources (6), checked 2026-11-01
-
Overview of ID and visa provisions according to nationality (Annex CH-1, List 1), version of 3 April 2026 (State Secretariat for Migration SEM (Switzerland)):
Visa required for stays of up to 90 days
-
Visa policy (European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs):
Nationals of certain countries must have a visa - called an airport transit visa - even to simply transit through the international (non-Schengen) part of an EU airport.
-
Main differences between the EES and ETIAS: What travellers need to know (28 April 2026) (European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs):
The EES is fully operational across all Schengen countries since 10 April 2026.
-
Smart Borders (ETIAS start announcement) (European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs):
The European Union will inform about the specific date for the start of ETIAS several months prior to its launch.
-
Annex 7A - Common list of third countries whose nationals are required to hold an airport transit visa (Visa Code Annex IV) (European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs):
AFGHANISTAN BANGLADESH DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO ERITREA ETHIOPIA GHANA IRAN IRAQ NIGERIA PAKISTAN SOMALIA SRI LANKA
-
List of third countries whose nationals are required to be in possession of an airport transit visa ... one/some Member States (PDF created 30 June 2026) (European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs):
List of third countries whose nationals are required to be in possession of an airport transit visa when passing through the international transit area of airports situated on the territory of one/some Member States
MAD Your layover
Before you go
Going into Madrid
-
Leave your bags in Madrid
Radical Storage
Book a luggage locker near the station or your sight, so you can walk the city light.
-
Short tours in Madrid
Klook
Skip-the-line tickets and short guided tours that fit a few hours.
-
Fixed-price transfer from MAD
Kiwitaxi
A driver waiting at arrivals, useful when trains are not running or you travel in a group.
-
Mobile data for the layover
Saily
An eSIM you install before you fly, for maps and your airline app in town.
Staying at MAD
-
Lounge passes at MAD
Klook
Pay-per-visit lounge access where your card or ticket does not get you in.
-
Missed your connection?
AirHelp
Check whether a delay or a missed connection entitles you to compensation.
These are affiliate links: if you book, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. They never change what the planner tells you.
Who can leave MAD without a visa?
A connection from a non-Schengen country to another non-Schengen country stays in the international (non-Schengen) transit area with no border check; only nationals on the common airport transit visa (ATV) list or on the airport country's national ATV list need an ATV there (France adds the Philippines; none of our other nationalities is on a list for these eight airports). If the journey chains a Schengen flight with a non-Schengen one, the passenger enters (or exits) Schengen at the airport where the external flight lands (or departs), so the normal entry rules apply. Leaving the airport means entering Schengen: visa-free nationals (Annex II of Regulation 2018/1806) get 90 days in any 180-day period and are registered in the Entry/Exit System (EES, fully operational since 10 April 2026); ETIAS is not yet in operation. Self-transfer with bag recheck also requires entry.
| Passport | Leave the airport |
|---|---|
| United States | Yes, no visa needed · 90 days in any 180-day period |
| Canada | Yes, no visa needed · 90 days in any 180-day period |
| United Kingdom | Yes, no visa needed · 90 days in any 180-day period |
| Australia | Yes, no visa needed · 90 days in any 180-day period |
| New Zealand | Yes, no visa needed · 90 days in any 180-day period |
| EU / EEA / Switzerland | Yes, you are at home here |
| India | Not without a visa · 90 days in any 180-day period (as allowed by the visa) |
| China (mainland) | Not without a visa · 90 days in any 180-day period (as allowed by the visa) |
| Brazil | Yes, no visa needed · 90 days in any 180-day period |
| Mexico | Yes, no visa needed · 90 days in any 180-day period |
| South Africa | Not without a visa · 90 days in any 180-day period (as allowed by the visa) |
| Philippines | Not without a visa · 90 days in any 180-day period (as allowed by the visa) |
| Japan | Yes, no visa needed · 90 days in any 180-day period |
| South Korea | Yes, no visa needed · 90 days in any 180-day period |
9 of the 14 passports we cover can leave the airport without applying for a visa first (some need an online authorisation). Other passports: check the official sources linked in the planner.
Transit rules in the Schengen area
Airside transit in the international transit area (non-Schengen to non-Schengen)
Who: Everyone except nationals on the common ATV list (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, DR Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, Sri Lanka) and on the national ATV list of the transit country, unless exempt under Visa Code Art. 3(5).
- Both flights are to/from outside the Schengen area and the passenger stays in the international transit area (no border check).
- In Germany only Frankfurt, Munich, Hamburg (04:30-23:30), Düsseldorf (06:00-21:00, prearranged) and Berlin-Brandenburg have an international transit area.
- A connection that includes a Schengen-internal flight means entry (arriving) or exit (departing) at the airport of the external flight.
- Self-transfer with baggage recheck or a change of airport requires entering Schengen.
Source: European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs, European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs, European Commission, European Commission, European Commission, Federal Foreign Office (Germany), Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (EDA)
Entry/Exit System (EES)
Who: All non-EU nationals entering for a short stay (visa-exempt and visa holders).
- Progressive start 12 October 2025; fully operational in all Schengen countries since 10 April 2026.
- Registration (face image, fingerprints) at the external border replaces passport stamping; not triggered by airside transit.
Source: European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs, European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs, European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs
ETIAS (not yet in force)
Who: Visa-exempt nationals (US, CA, GB, AU, NZ, BR, MX, JP, KR) once it starts.
- Not in operation as of 2026-11-01; no applications collected.
- Scheduled for the last quarter of 2026; the EU will announce the exact date several months before launch.
- Fee announced as EUR 20; valid 3 years or until the passport expires.
Source: European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs, European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs, European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs
Getting from MAD into Madrid
We measure to Atocha / Paseo del Prado (Puerta del Sol is 1.5 km further). Times are the operators' own figures; ≈ marks a timetable-based estimate where no official door-to-door time is published.
| Option | Time | Fare | Runs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Renfe Cercanías C1 from Aeropuerto T4 to Atocha (C1 continues to Príncipe Pío; does not stop at Sol) source | 25 min | EUR 1.70 (zones 1-2) to EUR 2.60 (4 zones) single per Aena; zone for T4-Atocha not stated | – |
| EMT Line 203 Exprés Aeropuerto to Cibeles and Atocha (T1, T2, T4) source | 40 min | EUR 5.00 flat | every 15-20 min (06:00-23:30), every 35 min at night, 24h |
| Metro Line 8 from Aeropuerto T1-T2-T3 or T4 to Nuevos Ministerios (change for centre) source | – | EUR 1.50-2.00 zone A single + EUR 3 airport supplement | 06:05-02:00 (last train from terminus 01:33) |
| Taxi, official flat fare to anywhere inside the M-30 ring source | – | EUR 33 flat (24h, no supplements) | 24h |
Good to know: Cercanías and the Atocha bus only serve the centre's south/east edge: Sol is one Cercanías stop (Atocha-Sol, lines C3/C4) or ~20 min walk from Atocha. Cercanías rail station is only at T4; from T1/T2 take the free 24h inter-terminal bus (every 5 min 06:00-22:00, every 20 min at night) or Metro L8 / bus 203. T4 to T4S satellite (non-Schengen gates M, S) is an APM of about 5 min, every 4-12 min. Non-Schengen arrivals must clear Spanish passport control to leave.
If you stay in the airport
- Transit hotel
- Aerotel Madrid (landside, T4 floor -1, before security; immigration required) source
- Left luggage
- Left-luggage offices (safe-bag.com): T1 floor 0 in front of hall 2 (05:00-23:00), T2 floor 1 public zone (07:00-22:00), T4 floor 0 arrivals hall (05:00-23:00) source
- Free layover tour
- None that we know of.
Questions
Do I need a visa for a layover in Madrid?
If you stay airside, it depends on your passport: A connection from a non-Schengen country to another non-Schengen country stays in the international (non-Schengen) transit area with no border check; only nationals on the common airport transit visa (ATV) list or on the airport country's national ATV list need an ATV there (France adds the Philippines; none of our other nationalities is on a list for these eight airports). If the journey chains a Schengen flight with a non-Schengen one, the passenger enters (or exits) Schengen at the airport where the external flight lands (or departs), so the normal entry rules apply. Leaving the airport means entering Schengen: visa-free nationals (Annex II of Regulation 2018/1806) get 90 days in any 180-day period and are registered in the Entry/Exit System (EES, fully operational since 10 April 2026); ETIAS is not yet in operation. Self-transfer with bag recheck also requires entry. Choose your passport above for the exact rule and its official source.
How long does it take to get from MAD to Madrid?
The fastest public option, Renfe Cercanías C1 from Aeropuerto T4 to Atocha (C1 continues to Príncipe Pío; does not stop at Sol), takes about 25 minutes to Atocha / Paseo del Prado (Puerta del Sol is 1.5 km further) (official figure). The planner adds 20% for waiting and delays.
How long a layover do I need to leave Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport?
With our cautious defaults (45 minutes to get out, 120 minutes back before departure, the transfer both ways plus 20%), you need about 6 hours for 90 minutes in the city. Below that, stay in the airport.
Rules checked against official sources on 2026-11-01; airport facts from Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport. Found something out of date? Tell us.