The Spanish Tourist Office has announced a U-turn on entry requirements for unvaccinated travelers to Spain
Last Wednesday (6 April) it was announced that travelers who are not fully vaccinated against Covid will be allowed to enter the country in time for Easter.
The Spanish Tourist Board said Spain would reopen with immediate effect provided unvaccinated travelers could prove a negative coronavirus test.
However, the agency quickly withdrew the announcement and apologized that the changes were a misreading of a government bulletin, dealing a serious blow to holidaymakers hoping to fly in the sun.
What are the entry requirements for Spain?
When you are fully vaccinated
All travelers visiting Spain for tourism purposes must have one of the following documents to enter the country:
- Proof of full vaccination (both doses of a two-dose vaccine or one dose of a single-dose vaccine) at least 14 days before arrival in Spain
- Evidence that you have recovered from Covid in the last six months. Travelers can use a medical certificate or convalescence record upon entering Spain to prove their coronavirus status
If you are fully vaccinated and arriving from the UK, you can enter Spain without a test or quarantine, regardless of the reason for travel.
It must have been at least 14 days since you were fully vaccinated before arrival and your last dose must have been given within 270 days of your trip to Spain.
If you have completed your vaccination more than 270 days before your trip to Spain, you must be able to provide proof of a booster vaccination.
14 days do not have to have elapsed between receiving your booster vaccination and entering Spain. Booster shots can be given at any time prior to travel and there is currently no expiration date for booster shots.
Children under the age of 12 are not required to show they are fully vaccinated or have recovered from Covid in the past six months when entering Spain.
Travelers aged 12 to 17 inclusive can enter Spain by presenting proof of a negative Covid Nucleic Acid Amplification Test – NAAT (PCR or similar) – taken within 72 hours of arrival. Antigen tests are not accepted. Alternatively, travelers in this age group can enter with a full certificate of vaccination or recovery.
Spain has one too Travel health check form which must be completed no later than 48 hours before departure unless you have a digital Covid certificate.
Travelers may also be subject to additional checks upon arrival, including a temperature check, visual health assessment or testing, and may be contacted and asked to perform a Covid Nucleic Acid Amplification Test – NAAT (PCR or similar) at any time up to 48 hours after Arrival in Spain.
If you are not fully vaccinated
Under current Spanish government regulations, travelers who are not fully vaccinated against Covid are still allowed to leave Spain for tourism reasons.
The Tourist Board has confirmed that a negative Covid test taken before travel will not be accepted to allow people who are not fully bitten to enter the country.
Diagnostic tests will only be accepted for travelers from the UK if the reason for travel falls within one of the categories listed as ‘essential’ in the entry requirements Spanish Ministry of Health “Travel and COVID-19‘ Side. This includes EU citizens, an accompanying family member of an EU citizen, a resident of Spain or if you meet any of them exceptions.
Holidaymakers can only enter Spain from the UK with valid vaccination certificates or a medical certificate certifying recovery from Covid in the last six months prior to travel.
You can find the entry requirements on theFederal Foreign Office website before you travel to make sure you know what to expect.