Hi,

I would like to know what is the maximum amount of time you can stay
in Spain when entering with a US passport (which is considered to be a
turist visa)?

ALSO,

I was wondering if you get checked by immigration officers upon
landing if you arrive (let's say by train) from another EU country
(France, for example), and will my passport be stamped in Spain?

Thanks

Spain_traveler:

The Spanish consulate in several U.S. cities has detailed information
on tourist, student and work visas.  The Boston Spanish consulate site
confirms that 90 days is the maximum period of stay without a visa:
Spanish Consulate (Boston)
"Tourist and Business Visas" (undated)
http://www.spainconsul-ny.org/Boston/english/visatoub.htm

You can also seek out a student visa:
"Student visa" (undated)
http://www.spainconsul-ny.org/Boston/english/visastub.htm

And there are several classifications for visas to reside full-time in
Spain (retiring, investing, etc.):
"Visas to Reside in Spain"
http://www.spainconsul-ny.org/Boston/english/visaresB.html

As for passport stamps, as others have indicated (and personal
experience has shown), when crossing borders between the EEC
countries, passport controls and stamping has halted.  For those of us
who like to have a record of travels, you can always stop and request
an entry stamp at the border -- we've done it several times.

At Madrid Airport arriving from the U.S., you're highly likely to get
an entry stamp.

Google search strategy:
"Spanish consulate"

Bon voyage!

Omnivorous-GA

For coming from France or Portugal to Spain, there is no real border
for people because those country are part of the "schengen area".
The Schengen countries are Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France,
Germany, Iceland, Italy, Greece, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway,
Portugal, Spain and Sweden.
You get checked when you arrive in the Schengen Area from a country
which is outside the Schengen area (ie US or even UK). It does not
mean that you will not be checked at the border, but it will only
against illegal immigration or smuggling and I don't think you'll get
any Spain stamp on your passeport.
If you come from the US to Amsterdam (or Paris) and then have a
connecting flight to Madrid, you'll only be checked by immigration
officers in Amsterdam (or Paris).

For the max length of your staying in Spain, an agreement has been
signed between the US and the Schengen area. You can stay as a tourist
for max 90 days without any visa. To be sure you should check with the
spain embassy.

regards
Francois

I recently crossed the border between France and Spain at Hendaye
(south western corner of France) and wasn't even aware that I'd
crossed into Spain!  No real border at all.

I agree with 90 days.  This is the same as EU visitors to the US.