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🇪🇸Spain
🇲🇷MauritaniaES-MR

Spain to Mauritania visa requirements

Spanish ordinary passport holders need a Mauritania eVisa. Since 5 January 2025 visa-on-arrival has been replaced by a mandatory eVisa that must be obtained online before boarding; Spain is not on Mauritania's short visa-exempt list. As of 2026, a Spain (ES) ordinary passport holder traveling to Mauritania (MR) for tourism requires an eVisa. Mauritania launched its electronic visa system in January 2025; effective 5 January 2025, all visa-required nationals must apply for and hold an eVisa before boarding their flight, and Mauritanian embassies have stopped issuing visas (since around June 2025), directing applicants to the official online portal. The visa-free list is short and regional (Algeria, Burkina Faso, Chad, Cote d'Ivoire, Gambia, Libya, Mali, Niger, Senegal, Tunisia) and does not include Spain or any EU state for ordinary passports. The standard tourist eVisa is single-entry for a 30-day stay, with longer-duration options (90/360/720 days) also offered. A distinctive feature of the Mauritanian system is that, although the application is submitted and approved online, the visa fee is paid in cash on arrival at the port of entry in exact EUR or USD (about EUR 55 / USD 60 for a 30-day visa); no change is given. Online processing typically takes about 7-14 business days, so travelers should apply well ahead of departure and only through the official government portal (anrpts.gov.mr) to avoid third-party surcharges. Mauritania is not in the Schengen area, so the Schengen 90/180 rule and ETIAS do not apply to this route.
VISA REQUIREDTOURISMSINGLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-05-30
For guidance only — visa rules change with little notice. Always confirm directly with the destination's embassy or foreign ministry before booking non-refundable travel. Information here applies to ordinary (non-diplomatic) passports unless noted.
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/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-30
Visa type
eVisa (electronic visa, single entry)
Maximum stay
Up to 30 days (90/360/720-day options available)
per entry
Entries
Single entry
from issue date
Visa fee
Approx. EUR 55 / USD 60 (30-day), paid in cash on arrival
consular fee only
Processing time
About 7-14 business days
standard track
Validity
Use within the period stated on the eVisa; 30-day stay from entry
from issue date
/02 — The process

How to apply

/01
Confirm you need an eVisa
Spain is not on Mauritania's visa-exempt list, so an eVisa is mandatory before travel. Visa-on-arrival was discontinued on 5 January 2025.
· Required for all Spanish ordinary passports
/02
Prepare your documents
Have a passport valid for at least 6 months with a blank page, a digital passport photo, your travel and accommodation details, and a payment-ready credit card if any online charge applies.
· Passport 6+ months· Digital photo
/03
Apply on the official portal
Complete the application at the Mauritanian government portal (anrpts.gov.mr). Avoid third-party sites that add service fees.
· anrpts.gov.mr· Official only
/04
Submit and wait for approval
Provide personal data and upload required documents, submit the form, and allow roughly 7-14 business days for processing.
· 7-14 business days
/05
Receive and print the eVisa
Once approved you receive an electronic confirmation. Print a copy and keep a digital version to show the airline before boarding and at immigration.
· Carry printout
/06
Pay the fee on arrival
At Nouakchott (or other port of entry) pay the visa fee in exact EUR or USD cash; no change is given. Complete biometric capture at the border.
· Cash EUR/USD· Exact amount
/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

12 items
Personalized checklist
Spain -> Mauritania · eVisa (electronic visa, single entry)
0 / 12 complete
Deadline reminderAdd a date before export
RequiredPassport valid 6+ months beyond entry with a blank page
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
required
RequiredApproved Mauritania eVisa (printed and digital copy)
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
required
RequiredRecent digital passport-style photo for the application
Use the official size, background, and recency rules for this route
required
RequiredExact visa fee in EUR or USD cash for payment on arrival
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
required
RequiredConfirmed accommodation / hotel booking details
Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates
required
RecommendedReturn or onward flight ticket
Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates
recommended
RecommendedProof of sufficient funds for the stay
Bank, income, or asset proof with clear name, date, and balances
recommended
RecommendedYellow fever vaccination certificate (if arriving from an endemic area)
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
recommended
RecommendedTravel/medical insurance covering Mauritania
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
recommended
RequiredOfficial application form or online application
Official form; submit online or print and sign as instructed
Use the current form from the official or designated application channel.
RequiredFlight and hotel itinerary
Confirmed or agency-arranged itinerary when the route guide requires it
Use dates that fit the allowed stay and visa validity.
RecommendedTravel medical insurance
Policy certificate showing traveler name, destination, and coverage dates
Some destinations or agencies require it even when the core visa rule only recommends it.
Application link included: Visa policy of Mauritania - Wikipedia
Open link
/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate
Line itemAmountSource
Tourist eVisa (30-day, single entry)EUR 55 / USD 60Paid in exact cash on arrival; no change given
Longer-duration eVisa (90 days)Higher tier90/360/720-day options cost more; confirm on official portal
Third-party agency service feeVariableOnly if using an agency; avoidable by applying on anrpts.gov.mr
Total estimateEUR 55EUR 70incl. all
/05 — The wait

Processing time

Visa agency / tour operator
Varies
Some operators assist with the eVisa for an extra service fee; useful if bundled with a tour but not required.
/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency
/01
eVisa is mandatory before boarding
Since 5 January 2025 airlines require a valid eVisa before allowing boarding to Mauritania; there is no on-arrival visa channel.
High
/02
Spain is not visa-exempt
Only a short list of mostly neighboring African states is visa-free; EU ordinary passports including Spain are not.
High
/03
Fee paid in cash on arrival
Travelers are caught out by needing exact EUR/USD cash at the border since no change is given.
Medium
/04
Processing time underestimated
7-14 business-day processing means last-minute applications risk missing the flight.
Medium
/05
Unofficial portal surcharges
Travelers use look-alike sites and overpay; only anrpts.gov.mr is official.
Low
/07 — On arrival

After you land

/01
Immigration
Keep your passport, visa or exemption proof, return ticket, and accommodation details ready for border inspection.
/02
Customs
Review the destination's customs rules before travel and declare restricted goods or large cash amounts when required.
/03
Connectivity
Check whether airport SIMs, eSIMs, or roaming are the best option for your route before arrival.
/08 — The history

Policy changelog

since 2024
2026-05-30 · major
Spain to Mauritania route verified
Confirmed eVisa requirement for Spanish ordinary passports following Mauritania's January 2025 eVisa launch and discontinuation of visa-on-arrival; verified against Wikipedia visa policy, Sherpa, official ANRPTS portal, and Nouakchott airport guidance.
/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Can Spanish citizens get a visa on arrival in Mauritania?
No. Visa-on-arrival was discontinued on 5 January 2025. You must obtain an eVisa online before boarding your flight.
Where do I apply for the Mauritania eVisa?+
How much does the eVisa cost and when do I pay?+
How long can I stay in Mauritania on a tourist eVisa?+
How early should I apply?+
Does the Schengen 90/180 rule or ETIAS apply?+
/11 — Passport tools

Tools for the Spain passport

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