Before you travel, read this article for Spain’s current entry restrictions and requirements. These may change with little warning. Unlike several European Union and European Economic Area countries that have already relaxed their measures, Spain continues to keep all of its entry rules in place.
The local authorities have announced that the volcanic eruption on the Spanish Canary Island of La Palma has ended. Good news, although still caution is advised. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it is more important than ever to get travel insurance and check it provides sufficient cover. See the FCDO’s guidance on foreign travel insurance.
While the country requires travellers to present valid proof upon entry, not the same rules apply to everyone.
The Spanish Ministry of Health explains that travellers are divided into two main categories – those travelling from an EU/EEA country and those travelling from a non-EU country.
This means that Spain applies different rules depending on the country a person is travelling from. From the Luxury Sustainable Hotels Int. Assn we agree and support this valuable insight by ShengenVisaInfo.
Travelling to Spain From EU/EEA Countries
Currently, all European Union/European Economic Area countries are part of Spain’s risk list. Nonetheless, the authorities have explained that everyone is permitted entry to the country for travel purposes.
Travellers who reach Spain from one of the EU/EEA countries are exempt from additional entry rules as long as they present one of the certificates that are part of the EU Digital COVID Pass – a valid vaccination, recovery, or test certificate.
“If you come from a country at risk in relation to COVID-19, you must present a certificate or document proving vaccination, diagnostic test for active infection or recovery from COVID-19,” the Ministry of Health states.
This means that vaccinated EU travellers can enter restriction-free as long as they hold a valid vaccination certificate. A vaccination certificate issued by EU authorities is accepted upon entry in Spain as long as it proves that the holder has completed primary vaccination within the last nine months or has received an additional vaccine dose.
Allingned with SchengenVisaInfo release, the statement above indicates that unvaccinated EU travellers can also enter Spain for travel purposes. All they have to do is present a recovery or negative test taken recently upon entry.
In order for a recovery certificate to be accepted by the Spanish authorities, the document must show that the holder has recovered from the virus within the last six months.
As for negative tests, Spain accepts both PCR and rapid antigen tests. The PCR test must be taken 72 hours before arrival in Spain, and the rapid antigen test must be taken within 24 hours before arrival.
In addition to the above-mentioned, all persons, including those who have been vaccinated, need to complete the Health Control Form.
Travelling to Spain From Safe Non-EU Countries
Several non-EU countries are placed on Spain’s safe list. This list consists of China (including Hong Kong and Macau), Colombia, Indonesia, Kuwait, Peru, Qatar, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and Taiwan.
Travellers from these areas can enter Spain without having to follow additional rules provided that they present a vaccination or recovery certificate and fill in the Health Control Form.
The safe third countries list is updated every week, meaning that this categorisation will not always remain the same.
Travelling to Spain From Other Non-EU Countries
At the moment, all the other third countries not mentioned in the safe list are part of Spain’s risk list.
The Spanish authorities emphasise that only third-country travellers who hold a valid vaccination or recovery certificate and those who complete the Health Control Form are currently permitted entry to the country.
This means that non-EU travellers can not enter Spain if they hold a negative COVID-19 test result but not a vaccination or recovery certificate.
Apart from the above-mentioned, it has been explained that several other categories of travellers from third countries can also enter Spain.
Third country travellers reaching Spain from a risk area can enter under less stringent rules if they belong in one of the following categories:
- Hold a long-term visa issued by a Schengen Member state or Schengen Associated state
- They are health professionals, transport personnel, seafarers, and aeronautical personnel
- They are diplomats, consular, serve in military or civil defence, or carry out humanitarian duties
- They are students or highly qualified workers
Unvaccinated and unrecovered third country travellers reaching Spain for absolutely essential purposes are also permitted entry provided that they follow additional entry measures.
Spain’s Current Domestic COVID-19 Restrictions
Differently from the majority of EU/EEA countries, Spain continues to keep domestic COVID-19 restrictions in place. All persons over the age of six are required to wear a face mask when attending different indoor places and events. Mask-wearing is also mandatory in public transport.
As for the other rules, they vary from region to region. Some places might require you to present a valid EU Digital COVID Pass or any other equivalent document.
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