EX-29 Form Spain: Short-Stay Extension, 90/180 Rule and Requirements

EX-29 is Spain’s official form for requesting an extension of certain short stays in Spain. It can be used by qualifying visa-free visitors, holders of a short-stay Schengen visa, and foreign minors whose authorized humanitarian stay in Spain for medical treatment must be extended.

An EX-29 extension is exceptional. It is not a general way to turn a 90-day tourist visit into long-term residence in Spain.

The most important distinction is between:

• visa-free visitors under Article 49 — Spain can exceptionally authorize up to three additional months beyond the initial short stay;
• Schengen visa holders under Article 32 — extension is governed by EU visa rules and Spain’s current regulation, with different grounds and limits;
• foreign minors receiving humanitarian medical treatment under Article 162.2 — the stay can be extended for the time necessary to complete qualifying medical treatment.

For the general tourist and Schengen rules, see our Spain Tourist Visa guide.

To compare EX-29 with the other Spanish immigration forms, see our Spain Immigration Forms: EX-00 to EX-32 guide.

What Is Form EX-29?

The official name is:

Solicitud de prórroga de estancia de corta duración

In English:

Application for Extension of Short Stay

The current EX-29 is issued under:

• Spain’s Organic Law 4/2000;
• Royal Decree 1155/2024;
• applicable Schengen and EU visa rules.

EX-29 should not be confused with an application for:

• Spanish residence;
• a Digital Nomad Visa;
• Non-Lucrative residence;
• a student authorization lasting more than 90 days;
• family residence;
• a work permit.

It is designed for an existing short-stay situation that needs to be extended under a legally recognized exceptional basis.

EX-29 at a Glance

Question	Answer
Form	EX-29
Main purpose	Extension of certain short stays in Spain
Visa-free visitors	Yes, under Article 49
Schengen visa holders	Yes, under Article 32
Foreign minors in qualifying medical programmes	Yes, under Article 162.2
Is it Spanish residence?	No
Does it normally authorize work?	No
Visa-free extension maximum	Up to 3 additional months
Visa-holder extension	Different EU/Schengen rules apply
Application should be made before current stay expires	Yes
Main authority for ordinary short-stay extensions	Policía Nacional
Visa-free applicant must identify personally	Yes
Approval automatic	No
Visa-free administrative silence	Negative
Current form	EX-29

Which EX-29 Category Should You Select?

Section 4 of the current EX-29 asks the applicant to select the type of extension requested.

The form currently contains:

• Titular de autorización de estancia ordinaria sin visado — Article 49
• Titular de visado de estancia de corta duración — Article 32
• Menor desplazado para tratamiento médico — Article 162.2
• Otros — Other

The form also asks you to explain:

Motivos que justifican la solicitud y tiempo de prórroga

or:

Reasons justifying the application and the requested extension period

Selecting the correct category matters because each route has different legal rules.

EX-29 for Visa-Free Visitors

Article 49 applies to a foreign national who is lawfully in Spain on a short stay without a visa because their nationality or travel status does not require a Schengen short-stay visa.

This can commonly include eligible travellers from countries such as:

• Canada;
• United States;
• United Kingdom;
• Australia;
• Japan;
• South Korea;
• Israel;

subject to the traveller’s nationality, passport and individual circumstances.

The ordinary rule remains:

maximum 90 days in any rolling 180-day period across the Schengen Area.

EX-29 creates a narrow exception where Spain authorizes an additional stay because legally sufficient exceptional circumstances exist.

Can a Visa-Free Tourist Stay in Spain Longer Than 90 Days?

Potentially, yes.

Under Article 49, a visa-free visitor can request an extension with a maximum limit of:

three additional months beyond the initial stay.

This does not mean a visitor has an automatic right to spend 180 days in Spain.

Approval depends on exceptional circumstances and supporting evidence.

The correct concept is:

Normal visa-free stay → up to 90 days

Exceptional EX-29 extension → potentially up to 3 additional months in Spain

The second period requires authorization.

A Visa-Free EX-29 Extension Is Spain-Specific

This is particularly important under the current Schengen and Entry/Exit System framework.

If Spain grants an exceptional extension beyond the normal 90/180-day allowance, that extension authorizes the person to remain in Spain.

It does not create a fresh Schengen-wide allowance.

For example, if Spain grants an extension after your normal 90 Schengen days have been used, you should not assume that you can spend the additional period travelling through:

• France;
• Portugal;
• Italy;
• Germany;
• Netherlands;
• other Schengen countries.

The extension concerns Spanish territory.

Under the current Schengen rules applying to these extensions, the traveller should also plan to leave through an external Spanish border rather than relying on travel through another Schengen state after the ordinary Schengen allowance has been exhausted.

This point has become especially important since the EU Entry/Exit System became fully operational in 2026.

EX-29 and the Entry/Exit System

The EU Entry/Exit System, or EES, electronically records many short-stay entries and exits by non-EU travellers.

For visa-free extensions granted under the applicable Schengen framework, information about the extension can be added to the traveller’s EES entry/exit record.

This means visitors should not assume that:

• an extension is invisible to other border authorities;
• leaving through another Schengen country will automatically solve the travel issue;
• passport stamps are the only record used to calculate short stays.

The safest approach is to treat an exceptional Spanish extension as precisely what it is:

permission to remain longer in Spain under the terms granted by Spain.

What Counts as an Exceptional Reason?

Spain does not provide an automatic tourist-extension list where one reason guarantees approval.

Article 49 requires the reasons relied upon by a visa-exempt applicant to be exceptional.

Examples of circumstances that may potentially support an application can involve:

• serious medical circumstances;
• inability to travel for documented health reasons;
• serious unexpected family circumstances;
• force-majeure events;
• transport disruption of an exceptional nature;
• humanitarian situations;
• another exceptional circumstance making departure as originally planned impracticable.

The applicant needs to demonstrate what actually happened.

A vague desire to stay longer in Spain is not enough.

Reasons That Are Normally Weak for EX-29

Examples that would generally be poor grounds include:

• wanting a longer holiday;
• enjoying Spain and deciding to stay;
• waiting for cheaper airline tickets;
• wanting to spend more time with friends;
• wanting to look for property;
• wanting additional time to decide whether to relocate;
• working remotely and preferring not to leave;
• trying to avoid the 90/180-day rule;
• waiting for another 90-day tourist allowance to become available.

EX-29 should not be planned in advance as a routine six-month tourism strategy.

Documents for a Visa-Free EX-29 Extension

Article 49 establishes a specific document framework.

The application generally includes:

• completed EX-29;
• complete ordinary passport or travel document;
• evidence supporting the exceptional circumstances;
• proof of sufficient financial resources for the requested additional period;
• qualifying travel medical insurance;
• evidence guaranteeing departure from Spain before the extension ends;
• applicable fee documentation.

The police can request additional evidence where needed to evaluate the circumstances.

Passport Requirement

The applicant must provide a complete ordinary passport or travel document.

Its validity must extend beyond the period of extension being requested.

The document is recorded in the file and returned to the applicant.

Do not request an extension until a date beyond your passport’s validity.

Evidence of Exceptional Circumstances

This is often the most important part of the application.

Evidence should correspond directly to the reason you state on EX-29.

Medical Reason

Potential evidence can include:

• medical report;
• hospital report;
• treatment schedule;
• medical certificate explaining inability to travel;
• evidence of a recent accident or illness.

Family Emergency

Potential evidence can include:

• hospital records;
• death documentation;
• evidence of the family relationship;
• other official evidence showing the unexpected emergency.

Force Majeure or Travel Disruption

Potential evidence can include:

• airline cancellation;
• official airport closure;
• serious natural disaster;
• government travel restrictions;
• other documented events outside the applicant’s control.

The stronger the connection between the evidence and the requested additional time, the stronger the application is likely to be.

How Much Money Do You Need for a Visa-Free Extension?

Article 49 requires adequate financial resources for the requested extension.

Spain links the calculation to the financial requirements applicable to entry into the country.

For 2026, Spain’s current reference is based on the €1,221 monthly Spanish minimum wage.

The normal calculation is:

10% of the monthly SMI per person per day

which in 2026 equals:

€122.10 per person per day

There is also a general minimum reference of:

90% of the monthly SMI per person

which in 2026 equals:

€1,098.90 per person

The amount actually relevant to an extension depends on the number of additional days requested and the number of people financially dependent on the applicant.

Because these figures are linked to Spain’s minimum wage, they can change from year to year.

How Can Financial Resources Be Proven?

Potential evidence can include:

• recent bank statements;
• credit-card availability;
• accessible savings;
• other reliable evidence showing funds available during the extension.

The authorities need to be satisfied that the visitor can support themselves during the entire additional period without relying improperly on public funds.

Travel Medical Insurance

A visa-free EX-29 applicant must provide travel medical insurance with coverage equivalent to that required for a Schengen short-stay visa.

The insurance must remain valid for at least the entire additional period requested.

Under the Schengen visa framework, the standard minimum coverage is:

€30,000

and the insurance should cover relevant risks such as:

• emergency medical treatment;
• emergency hospitalization;
• medical repatriation;
• repatriation in the event of death.

Do not allow your original travel insurance to expire while requesting an extension.

Proof That You Will Leave Spain

Article 49 also requires guarantees that the applicant will leave before the approved extension expires.

A straightforward form of evidence is a:

purchased return or onward ticket with a fixed departure date

before the requested extension ends.

If travelling onward to another country, you may also need to establish that you will legally be admitted there.

The authorities need evidence that EX-29 is genuinely a temporary extension rather than an attempt to remain indefinitely.

Where Is a Visa-Free EX-29 Submitted?

The applicant must identify personally before the:

Jefatura Superior or Comisaría de Policía

in the locality where they are staying when submitting the application.

In practice, short-stay extension procedures are managed by the competent Policía Nacional immigration/documentation units.

Not every ordinary police station handles immigration extensions.

Check that the office you intend to attend processes prórroga de estancia de corta duración.

Can Someone Submit EX-29 for You?

For an adult Article 49 applicant, the regulation expressly requires the applicant to identify personally before the relevant police authority at the time of submission.

The current EX-29 contains representative sections because representation can be relevant in certain situations, particularly where a legal representative acts for a minor.

Professional assistance can still help with:

• preparing EX-29;
• organizing evidence;
• calculating the extension period;
• identifying the correct fee;
• preparing the police appointment.

But do not assume that an adult visa-free visitor can avoid the personal-identification requirement simply by giving someone a power of attorney.

When Should EX-29 Be Filed?

Do not wait until you are already clearly overstaying.

For Article 49, you must be in Spain in the qualifying visa-free short-stay situation when requesting the extension.

The practical approach is to apply before your authorized stay expires and as soon as the exceptional reason and necessary evidence are available.

Applying at the last moment creates unnecessary risk if:

• no police appointment is available;
• documents are missing;
• insurance needs to be extended;
• additional medical evidence is required.

Does Filing EX-29 Automatically Extend Your Stay?

Do not assume that simply handing in EX-29 gives you an automatic additional 90 days.

EX-29 is an application for authorization.

The requested extension must be granted.

Keep:

• submission evidence;
• police instructions;
• appointment evidence;
• any official receipt;
• all later notifications.

If your ordinary permitted stay is close to expiring, obtain clear guidance from the competent police unit about your documented position while the application is being processed.

How Long Does the Visa-Free EX-29 Decision Take?

Article 49 refers to Spain’s general immigration decision period.

The general maximum period is:

3 months

from the day after the application enters the competent authority’s register, unless another applicable rule provides differently.

If the Article 49 application is not resolved within the statutory period, it is generally subject to:

negative administrative silence.

This means the applicant should not treat a lack of response as approval.

Who Approves a Visa-Free Extension?

The extension can be granted by the competent authority within the:

Comisaría General de Extranjería y Fronteras of the Dirección General de la Policía

after the required police report.

The authorities verify both the documentary requirements and the applicant’s immigration situation.

When Can a Visa-Free Extension Be Refused?

Approval requires, among other things, that:

• the required documents satisfy Article 49;
• the exceptional reason is adequately demonstrated;
• the applicant is not subject to an applicable entry prohibition;
• the applicant is not subject to expulsion or return circumstances preventing approval.

The fact that a person entered Spain legally does not guarantee a later extension.

How Is an Approved Extension Documented?

An approved extension can be recorded:

• in the passport;
• in the travel document;
• in a separate document where the person entered using another permitted form of documentation.

Where qualifying family members are included in the relevant document and are also in Spain, the extension can cover them according to the applicable rules.

What Happens If EX-29 Is Refused?

A refusal must be reasoned and formally notified.

If the original authorized stay has not yet expired, the applicant must leave before that original period ends.

If the original stay has already expired by the time the refusal is issued, the decision will set a departure period.

That period cannot exceed:

72 hours

under Article 49.

Ignoring a refusal can create overstay and immigration consequences.

When Does an Approved Visa-Free Extension End?

The extension ends when:

• the approved extension period expires; or
• the holder becomes subject to an applicable entry-prohibition ground under the current rules.

An EX-29 extension is temporary.

It does not convert into residence merely because the person remains in Spain for several additional months.

Current Fee for a Visa-Free EX-29 Extension

Spain’s current fee schedule provides a fee consisting of:

€17.49 base amount

plus:

€1.09 for each additional day of extension

for a visa-free short-stay extension.

These government fees can be revised, so the current official amount should always be checked when the application is filed.

The short-stay extension fee is associated with the Policía Nacional foreigner-documentation fee system.

EX-29 for a Schengen Visa Holder

The second major EX-29 category applies to a person who already holds a:

short-stay Schengen visa

under Article 32 of Royal Decree 1155/2024.

This route is legally different from a visa-free Article 49 extension.

A visa holder should not use the visa-free rules simply because both procedures use EX-29.

When Can a Short-Stay Visa Be Extended?

EU visa law recognizes three principal grounds.

Force Majeure

The visa should be extended where documented force-majeure circumstances prevent the visa holder from leaving before:

• the visa expires; or
• the authorized stay expires.

This involves circumstances genuinely outside the traveller’s control.

Humanitarian Reasons

A visa can also be extended where humanitarian circumstances prevent departure.

Examples can potentially include serious medical situations or comparable humanitarian events.

Serious Personal Reasons

An extension can also be granted where the visa holder proves serious personal reasons justifying additional validity or an extended authorized stay.

This category is discretionary and requires convincing evidence.

Visa Extension: Mandatory vs Discretionary Grounds

EU rules make an important distinction.

Where the authority accepts:

• force majeure; or
• humanitarian reasons

preventing departure, the visa extension is provided under the corresponding mandatory rule.

Where the applicant relies on:

• serious personal reasons

the authority may grant the extension.

This means the quality and legal classification of the reason matter.

Can a Schengen Visa Holder Get Another 90 Days?

Do not confuse the visa-holder extension with the visa-free Article 49 extension.

Spain’s current Article 32 states that, for short-stay visa holders:

the total stay including the extension must not exceed 90 days in any 180-day period.

Therefore, EX-29 does not normally allow a Schengen visa holder who has already used all 90 days simply to obtain another 90 Schengen days.

An extension can instead become relevant where, for example:

• the visa itself is about to expire;
• the authorized duration shown on the visa is insufficient because of an accepted exceptional event;
• force majeure, humanitarian or serious personal circumstances justify adjustment while remaining within the applicable legal limits.

Always distinguish between:

visa validity

and:

number of authorized days of stay.

They are not the same thing.

Visa Validity vs Authorized Days

A Schengen visa contains several important elements.

For example, it can specify:

• date from which the visa is valid;
• date until which the visa is valid;
• number of entries;
• duration of authorized stay.

A person might therefore hold a visa that is valid over a longer calendar period but permits only a limited number of actual days in the Schengen Area.

EX-29 can affect visa validity or authorized duration where the legal extension requirements are satisfied.

Where Is a Schengen Visa Extension Processed?

The competent authority is the Policía Nacional unit in the province where the foreign national will remain.

The extension is granted through the competent Spanish police immigration structure.

Under EU law, the competent Member State is the country where the visa holder is physically present when requesting the extension.

How Is a Schengen Visa Extension Recorded?

A visa extension is normally reflected through the visa documentation system.

Information about the extended visa is also recorded in the relevant European visa systems.

With EES now operational, visa-extension information can also interact with the traveller’s electronic entry/exit record.

Do not rely only on the original visa sticker dates after an extension has been granted.

Carry the documentation proving the authorized extension.

Fees for Schengen Visa Extensions

EU rules distinguish between the legal reason for the extension.

A visa extension granted because of:

• force majeure; or
• humanitarian reasons

is provided free of charge under the EU Visa Code.

An extension based on:

• serious personal reasons

is subject to the applicable visa-extension fee.

Because Spanish administrative fee schedules and directly applicable EU visa rules must be applied to the precise type of case, follow the payment instruction given for the specific EX-29 visa-extension procedure rather than paying a generic amount without checking the legal ground.

EX-29 for a Minor Receiving Medical Treatment

The third specific EX-29 category is:

Menor desplazado para tratamiento médico — Article 162.2

This route applies to certain foreign minors who have travelled temporarily to Spain under an approved humanitarian programme for specialized medical treatment.

The original medical displacement is generally authorized for no more than:

90 calendar days.

Where treatment cannot be completed within that period, the stay can exceptionally be extended.

Who Requests the Medical Extension?

The promoter of the humanitarian programme requests the extension.

The extension must be requested:

before the authorized stay expires.

This is not an ordinary private tourist-extension application made simply because a child happens to receive medical care while visiting Spain.

The child must fall within the humanitarian medical-displacement framework.

How Long Can the Medical Extension Last?

The extension can be granted for:

the time necessary to complete the required medical treatment.

The period should be supported by medical evidence.

It is not automatically another 90 days.

The medical authority should explain why the child needs to continue receiving specialized healthcare in Spain.

Medical Evidence Required

The promoter must provide a report from the appropriate health authority showing:

• continued specialized treatment is necessary;
• the treatment needs to continue in Spain;
• continuation of the treatment is impossible in the child’s place of origin.

A clinical report must also support the request.

The extension should correspond to the actual medically necessary period.

Parental or Guardian Consent

The promoter must also provide the express agreement of the person exercising:

• parental authority; or
• legal guardianship

over the child.

The medical extension should not be treated as a mechanism for bypassing the rights of the child’s parent or guardian.

What Happens If Short-Stay Extensions Are No Longer Enough for the Child?

Spain provides an additional mechanism for serious cases.

If:

• the maximum short-stay period has been exhausted;
• remaining in Spain is indispensable;
• specialized medical treatment still needs to continue;

the promoter can potentially request an exceptional temporary residence authorization for the foreign minor for medical-treatment purposes.

That is a different immigration status.

It can be granted for the time strictly necessary for treatment, with a maximum period of:

one year

and can be renewed where the medical requirements continue.

For the wider foreign-minor framework, see our EX-25 Residence for Foreign Minors guide.

Current Fee for the Medical-Minor Extension

Spain’s current fee schedule lists:

€17.49

for the extension of temporary displacement of a foreign minor for medical treatment.

Government fees can change, so the amount should be confirmed when the application is filed.

What Does “Other” Mean on EX-29?

The current EX-29 also contains:

Otros — Other

This should not be interpreted as permission to invent a new short-stay extension category.

Use this box only where:

• the circumstances fall within an applicable legal procedure;
• the competent authority instructs that EX-29 is the appropriate form;
• the legal basis does not fit one of the three expressly listed options.

If your purpose is actually to:

• live in Spain;
• work;
• study long term;
• join family;
• become self-employed;

you probably need a different immigration procedure rather than simply checking “Other.”

EX-29 Does Not Give Residence

An approved short-stay extension does not make you a Spanish resident.

You remain under the legal status connected with the authorized short stay.

EX-29 does not automatically provide:

• a residence permit;
• a TIE;
• Spanish tax residence status;
• Social Security rights;
• long-term immigration status;
• permanent residence.

If you actually intend to relocate to Spain, you should identify a proper residence route rather than rely on repeated short-stay extensions.

Does EX-29 Allow You to Work?

Normally, no.

EX-29 is not an ordinary employment or self-employment authorization.

A visitor cannot assume that an extension allows them to:

• accept a Spanish job;
• register as autónomo;
• work locally simply because they are allowed to remain longer.

Someone planning to establish work-based residence should investigate the appropriate Spanish immigration authorization.

EX-29 vs the 90/180-Day Rule

The normal Schengen rule allows:

90 days in any rolling 180-day period

for ordinary short stays.

Every day matters.

Normally:

• the day of entry counts;
• the day of departure counts;
• days in different Schengen countries are added together.

Travelling from Spain to France does not restart the clock.

Travelling from Spain to Italy does not restart the clock.

Leaving for a few days and returning does not automatically create a new 90-day period.

Our Spain Tourist Visa guide explains the rolling 90/180 calculation in more detail.

The Difference Between Visa-Free and Visa Extensions

This is the most important EX-29 distinction.

Visa-Free Article 49	Short-Stay Visa Article 32
Visitor entered without needing a visa	Visitor holds a Schengen short-stay visa
Exceptional extension possible	EU visa-extension grounds apply
Up to 3 additional months can be authorized	Spain states total stay including extension must remain within 90/180
Extension beyond ordinary Schengen limit is Spain-specific	Visa validity/duration is modified under EU visa law
Requires resources, insurance and return guarantee	Force majeure, humanitarian or serious personal grounds
Personal police identification expressly required	Processed by competent Policía Nacional
Negative silence under Article 49	EU visa framework applies

Do not mix the two sets of rules.

EX-29 vs a Long-Stay Visa

EX-29 is for short stays.

A person who intends from the beginning to remain in Spain for:

• six months;
• one year;
• several years;

should normally investigate an appropriate long-stay authorization.

Depending on the circumstances, options may include:

• Digital Nomad residence;
• Non-Lucrative residence;
• employee residence and work;
• self-employment;
• family residence;
• study authorization;
• other qualifying residence routes.

Trying to build long-term residence through exceptional tourist extensions is not a substitute for immigration planning.

EX-29 vs EX-13 Autorización de Regreso

These forms solve completely different problems.

EX-29

Extends certain short stays.

EX-13

Can authorize qualifying foreign residents or long-stay holders to leave Spain and return while their normal documentation is temporarily unavailable.

A tourist does not use EX-13 simply because they want additional days in Spain.

For the return-authorization procedure, see our EX-13 Autorización de Regreso guide.

EX-29 vs EX-25

EX-25 covers several immigration procedures involving foreign minors, including:

• residence of children;
• unaccompanied minors;
• humanitarian displacement;
• exceptional residence for continued medical treatment.

EX-29 can be used at the short-stay extension stage for a qualifying child receiving medical treatment.

If the case moves from temporary medical stay into exceptional temporary residence, EX-25 becomes relevant.

EX-29 and Long-Term Study

Do not use EX-29 to extend a tourist visit merely because you found a university or language programme after arriving.

Spain has a separate long-duration study framework.

The correct procedure depends on:

• type of studies;
• duration;
• where the application is legally permitted to be submitted;
• time remaining on lawful status.

EX-29 is not a substitute for the student authorization.

What Information Does EX-29 Ask For?

The current form is relatively short.

It contains four main sections.

Applicant Details

EX-29 asks for information including:

• passport;
• NIE if assigned;
• surnames;
• first name;
• sex;
• date of birth;
• place and country of birth;
• nationality;
• marital status;
• parents’ names;
• Spanish address;
• telephone;
• email;
• legal representative where applicable.

Use information consistent with your passport and entry documentation.

Representative Details

The form contains a section for a representative involved in presentation where legally applicable.

It can include:

• name or company name;
• DNI, NIE or passport;
• address;
• contact information;
• legal basis for representation.

Notification Address

EX-29 contains a section for official administrative communications.

Electronic notifications through DEHú can be selected where the applicant has the necessary:

• valid electronic certificate; or
• Cl@ve access.

For general information about Spanish electronic administration, see our Digital Certificate in Spain guide.

Extension Requested

Finally, Section 4 asks which EX-29 procedure applies and requires the applicant to explain:

• the reason for the extension;
• the amount of additional time requested.

This explanation should be specific.

Avoid writing only:

“Personal reasons.”

Explain:

• what happened;
• when it happened;
• why it was unexpected;
• why departure is currently impossible or exceptionally difficult;
• why the requested number of additional days is necessary;
• when you will leave.

How to Write the Reason for an EX-29 Extension

A strong explanation should connect the facts with the evidence.

For example, the structure can be:

Unexpected event → Evidence → Effect on ability to leave → Exact additional period needed → Confirmed departure plan

A medical case might therefore explain:

Medical event occurred on a specific date → Doctor states travel is medically unsafe until a specific date → Insurance remains valid → Applicant has sufficient funds → Flight booked after expected medical clearance

This is much stronger than:

“I am sick and need more time.”

EX-29 Visa-Free Checklist

Before requesting an Article 49 extension, confirm that:

• you entered Spain legally without requiring a short-stay visa;
• your ordinary short-stay period has been calculated correctly;
• your current stay has not been allowed to expire unnecessarily;
• exceptional circumstances genuinely exist;
• EX-29 is completed;
• your passport will remain valid beyond the requested extension;
• evidence of the exceptional circumstances is ready;
• sufficient financial resources are documented;
• travel medical insurance covers the entire requested period;
• insurance has adequate Schengen-style coverage;
• a confirmed return or onward ticket is available;
• admission to an onward country is guaranteed where applicable;
• the correct police authority has been identified;
• personal appearance requirements are understood;
• the current government fee has been prepared;
• you understand that approval is not automatic;
• you understand that a Spanish exceptional extension is not a new Schengen-wide 90-day allowance.

EX-29 Schengen Visa Checklist

Before requesting a visa extension, confirm that:

• you hold a valid short-stay Schengen visa;
• EX-29 is the correct form;
• the current visa validity and authorized days have been calculated separately;
• the application is being made before the relevant visa/stay period expires;
• you can prove force majeure, humanitarian reasons or serious personal reasons;
• your passport remains valid;
• supporting evidence clearly explains the situation;
• additional insurance is available where required;
• your departure plan is documented;
• you understand the 90/180-day limitation applicable under Spain’s Article 32;
• the correct Policía Nacional authority has been identified;
• the applicable fee treatment for your legal ground has been confirmed.

EX-29 Medical-Minor Checklist

For an Article 162.2 medical extension, confirm that:

• the child entered through the qualifying humanitarian medical programme;
• the authorized temporary stay has not yet expired;
• the promoter is requesting the extension;
• specialized treatment still needs to continue;
• the health authority has provided the necessary report;
• a clinical report supports the request;
• continued treatment cannot be completed in the place of origin;
• the parent or guardian has expressly consented;
• the additional period requested corresponds to the medical need;
• the correct EX-29 category is selected;
• the applicable fee is prepared;
• EX-25 exceptional residence has been considered if the maximum short-stay period will be exhausted.

Common EX-29 Mistakes

Assuming Everyone Can Extend a Tourist Stay

Extensions are exceptional.

Planning a Six-Month Holiday Around EX-29

Article 49 should not be treated as a guaranteed tourism strategy.

Confusing Visa-Free and Visa Extensions

They have materially different rules.

Thinking Visa Holders Automatically Receive Another 90 Days

They do not.

Thinking a Spanish Visa-Free Extension Is Valid Across the Entire Schengen Area

An extension beyond the ordinary allowance is Spain-specific.

Travelling to Another Schengen Country During a Spain-Only Extension

This can create serious immigration and border problems.

Planning to Exit Through Another Schengen State After the Normal 90 Days Are Used

Current rules governing a Spain-specific extension should be considered before choosing the departure route.

Applying After Overstaying Without Good Reason

Do not deliberately wait until lawful short-stay status has expired.

Providing Only a Personal Explanation

Document the exceptional event.

Asking for More Time Than the Evidence Supports

The requested extension should correspond to the actual exceptional circumstance.

Forgetting Financial Evidence

Article 49 specifically requires sufficient resources.

Forgetting Travel Insurance

Insurance must cover the requested extension.

Letting Insurance Expire Before Filing

Extend the policy first where necessary.

Providing an Open-Ended Departure Plan

A fixed return or onward ticket is useful evidence of intended departure.

Thinking Submission Equals Approval

EX-29 must be granted.

Treating Administrative Silence as Approval

Article 49 silence is negative.

Ignoring a Refusal

A refusal can require departure within a very short period.

Assuming EX-29 Gives Residence

It does not.

Assuming EX-29 Gives Work Rights

It normally does not.

Using EX-29 Instead of the Correct Residence Route

If your real intention is to live in Spain, identify the correct immigration authorization.

Frequently Asked Questions About EX-29

What is EX-29 in Spain?

EX-29 is the official application form for extending certain short stays in Spain.

Can I extend my 90-day stay in Spain?

Potentially, if you are visa-exempt and exceptional circumstances justify an Article 49 extension.

How much additional time can a visa-free visitor receive?

Up to three additional months can potentially be authorized.

Is another three months guaranteed?

No.

Can I request an extension simply because I want to stay in Spain longer?

Normally no. Exceptional circumstances must be demonstrated.

Can a Canadian use EX-29?

A Canadian visiting visa-free can potentially request an Article 49 extension if the legal requirements and exceptional circumstances exist.

Can an American use EX-29?

Potentially, under the same visa-free framework.

Can a British tourist use EX-29?

Potentially, because British visitors are normally visa-exempt for qualifying Schengen short stays after Brexit, subject to the applicant satisfying Article 49.

Does EX-29 reset the Schengen 90/180-day clock?

No.

If Spain gives me another 90 days, can I travel around Europe?

Do not assume so.

An exceptional Spanish extension beyond the normal Schengen allowance authorizes additional stay in Spain, not a new Schengen-wide tourist allowance.

Can I visit Portugal during my Spanish extension?

If your normal Schengen allowance has already been exhausted and Spain has granted a national exceptional extension, you should not treat that extension as permission to stay in Portugal.

Where should I leave from after a Spain-specific extension?

Current Schengen rules for these extensions make the departure route important. Where the additional stay is authorized by Spain beyond the ordinary Schengen allowance, plan to exit through an external Spanish border rather than travelling through another Schengen state.

Does EES know about the extension?

Extension data can be added to the relevant electronic entry/exit records under the current EES framework.

Do I need travel insurance?

For Article 49 visa-free extensions, yes.

How much insurance coverage is required?

The insurance must provide coverage equivalent to that required for a Schengen short-stay visa, for which the standard minimum is €30,000.

How much money do I need?

For 2026, the standard Spanish entry-resource reference is €122.10 per person per day, with a general minimum reference of €1,098.90 per person.

Do I need a return ticket?

You must provide a guarantee of return or onward admission. A fixed purchased ticket dated before the extension ends can serve as evidence.

What if my passport expires during the extension?

Your passport or travel document needs validity beyond the requested extension period.

Where do I apply?

Visa-free Article 49 applicants identify personally before the relevant Policía Nacional authority where they are staying.

Can EX-29 be filed online?

The Article 49 procedure includes a personal identification requirement before the competent police authority. Do not assume an electronic filing alone replaces this requirement.

How long does Article 49 take?

The general maximum decision period is three months.

What happens if there is no decision?

Article 49 provides for negative administrative silence.

Does filing EX-29 automatically let me remain for another 90 days?

No.

The extension must be authorized.

What happens if the application is refused?

You must leave before your original stay expires or, if it has already expired, within the period ordered by the refusal decision. That period cannot exceed 72 hours under Article 49.

Can a Schengen visa be extended?

Yes, in qualifying cases involving force majeure, humanitarian reasons or serious personal reasons.

Can a Schengen visa extension exceed the 90/180-day rule?

Spain’s current Article 32 states that the stay, including the extension, must not exceed 90 days in any 180-day period.

Is a humanitarian Schengen visa extension free?

EU visa rules provide that extensions based on force majeure or humanitarian reasons are free of charge.

Can serious personal reasons justify a visa extension?

Potentially yes, but the extension is discretionary.

Can a foreign child receiving treatment use EX-29?

Yes, where the child is in the qualifying humanitarian medical-treatment programme under Article 162.2.

How long can a child’s medical stay be extended?

For the period necessary to complete the specialized medical treatment, supported by the required medical evidence.

What if treatment needs to continue beyond the maximum short-stay period?

Exceptional temporary residence for medical-treatment purposes may become available through the foreign-minor residence framework.

Is EX-29 a residence permit?

No.

Does EX-29 give me a TIE?

No.

Can I work during an EX-29 extension?

EX-29 does not normally provide ordinary employee or self-employed work authorization.

Can I use EX-29 to remain in Spain while deciding which visa I want?

Do not rely on EX-29 for that purpose. An extension requires its own qualifying legal grounds.

Should You Use EX-29 or a Spanish Residence Route?

Start with your real intention.

Unexpected exceptional event means you temporarily cannot leave Spain

→ EX-29 may be appropriate.

You simply want a longer holiday

→ EX-29 is not a routine solution.

You want to move permanently to Spain

→ Identify a residence authorization.

You want to work in Spain

→ Identify the appropriate work or residence route.

You want to study for more than 90 days

→ Examine the long-duration study framework.

A foreign child needs continued specialized humanitarian medical treatment

→ EX-29 may extend the temporary stay, followed by EX-25 exceptional residence if necessary.

The correct immigration strategy should match the real purpose of your stay.

Need Help With a Short-Stay Extension in Spain?

The correct EX-29 route can be summarized as:

Visa-free visitor → Exceptional circumstances → EX-29 Article 49 → Police review → Spain-specific extension if approved

or:

Schengen visa holder → Force majeure / humanitarian / serious personal reason → EX-29 Article 32 → Visa extension if approved

or:

Foreign minor in humanitarian medical programme → Continued specialized treatment required → EX-29 Article 162.2 → Medical extension → EX-25 exceptional residence if longer treatment becomes indispensable

Before applying, read our Spain Tourist Visa guide to understand the ordinary 90/180-day rule.

For medical cases involving foreign minors, see our EX-25 Residence for Foreign Minors guide.

You can compare EX-29 with the rest of Spain’s immigration forms in our Spain Immigration Forms guide.

If your real intention is to establish residence rather than extend a temporary visit, see our Immigration Services in Spain.

For assistance identifying the correct procedure and preparing the supporting documents, contact Newcomer.es.