Applying for a Spanish Schengen visa and worried about a refusal? You’re not alone. Most denials can be attributed to a handful of predictable issues, including purpose, funds, ties, documents, or travel history. This guide explains the most common refusal grounds, how they appear on your refusal letter, and provides exact instructions on how to address them before reapplying.

How are Schengen refusals decided?

Consulates assess whether you:

1. Have a clear purpose & plan (tourism, business, family visit).

2. Can afford the trip (and won’t work illegally).

3. Will return on time (credible ties to your home country).

4. Meet technical rules (passport validity, insurance, photo, biometrics).

5. Don’t trigger security or migration alerts (SIS/VIS/overstay history).

Your refusal letter usually lists one or more Article 32 grounds, such as “purpose not justified” or “insufficient means of subsistence.”

Top Spain Visa Rejection Reasons

1) Purpose of travel “not justified”

Why it happens: If you are providing a vague itinerary, a generic cover letter, or documents that don’t match the dates/route. If the family-visit files lack a proper host invitation or proof of relationship, they also land here.

Fix it:

Write a 1-page cover letter: purpose, dates, cities, day-by-day outline, who pays, prior travel.

• Tourism: round-trip flights (refundable if possible), all-night accommodation, internal transport.

• Family/friends: proper invitation/host documents (per your consulate’s rules) + proof of relationship.

• Business: Company letter, Spanish invitation letter, meeting agenda, and event tickets.

2) Insufficient means of subsistence

Why it happens: This occurs when you have a low or irregular bank balance, require last-minute cash injections, or lack proof of income. Spain expects credible funds to cover stay + buffer; exact daily amounts vary and change. Make sure you have more than the expected budget. 

Fix it:

• Show 3-6 months of bank statements with normal activity (salary deposits, routine spending).

• Provide income proof, such as payslips and an employer's letter, or business registration and tax returns if you are self-employed.

• If hosted, still show your own accessible funds; don’t rely solely on a host.

• Explain large recent deposits with documents (e.g., FD maturity, asset sale).

3) Doubts you’ll return

Why it happens: If you have an unstable job status, no leave letter, limited travel history, or previous overstays.

Fix it:

• Employed: HR letter with role, salary, approved leave dates, and return date.

• Self-employed: registration, recent invoices, tax filings, business bank statements.

• Students: enrollment letter, fee receipt, vacation calendar.

• Family ties: spouse/children proof when relevant.

• Keep the itinerary realistic (not months on end with minimal funds).
  
  

4) Travel medical insurance issues

Why it happens: If you haven’t purchased a policy, if it has wrong coverage, or dates that don’t cover the full trip.

Fix it:

• Schengen-compliant policy with minimum €30,000 medical & repatriation, covering all Schengen states for your entire stay (add 1–2 extra days).

• Upload the certificate and terms page showing limits.
  
  

5) Passport/ID non-compliance

Why it happens: If your passport was issued over 10 years ago, has a validity of less than 3 months beyond the Schengen exit, or has too few blank pages.

Fix it:

• Renew if needed: issued within the last 10 years, 3+ months validity beyond exit, 2 blank pages.

• Upload a clear scan of the bio page and old visas (if relevant).
  
  

6) Incomplete, inconsistent, or unverifiable documents

Why it happens: Missing pages, mismatched dates (flight vs. hotel vs. form), cropped photos, unreadable scans, or unverifiable bookings.

Fix it:

• Follow the mission or visa application centre checklist order.

• Cross-check names, dates, and PNRs across all files.

• Use ICAO-compliant photos with a plain white background and a recent date.

• Prefer refundable bookings from reputable platforms.
  
  

7) Prior immigration issues or SIS/VIS alerts

Why it happens: If you have a past overstay, removal order, or an alert in European databases.

Fix it:

• Be transparent, include documents that clarify any past issue (e.g., exit stamps, court outcomes).

• Consider professional counsel if there’s a serious alert or ban.

8) Biometrics/appointment problems

Why it happens: If you have missed appointments, fingerprints have not been captured properly, or signatures do not match.

Fix it:

• Arrive early, follow VAC instructions.

• If you have given Schengen fingerprints within the last 59 months, check if they can be reused (this varies by country).

• Sign consistently, as in your passport.

Special notes by profile

• Minors: birth certificate, parental consent (usually from both parents), parents’ ID copies, and a travel consent letter that matches the dates.

• Retirees: pension proof, fixed-income statements, property/asset documents.

• Self-employed/business owners: business license/registration, recent tax filings, business bank statements, client invoices/contracts.

What to do after a Spanish visa refusal? 

1) Read the refusal letter carefully

Identify the exact reasons. These are what you must fix.

2) Decide: appeal or reapply (or both)

• Appeals can take time; they work best when the consulate misapplies facts/law, and you already have complete evidence.

• Reapply when your facts have improved (stronger funds, better documents, clarified itinerary). A quick refile without changes usually repeats the result.

3) Rebuild your file

• New cover letter addressing each refusal reason point by point.

• Stronger proof of funds & ties.

• Corrected insurance, itinerary, and host/inviter documentation.

• If you changed dates, update every document.

4) Timing matters

If you’re close to your travel dates, consider switching to refundable bookings and allow a buffer for processing, which typically takes 15 calendar days after lodging. This processing time can be extended up to 30-45 days.

If you want a second pair of eyes before you reapply, Atlys can help you audit your file against common Spain refusal grounds, organise documents in consulate order, and book the earliest available appointment, so your next application is your best one.