Spain Lifts Entry Restrictions on Unvaccinated Tourists from the UK
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Unvaccinated tourists from non-EU countries including the UK can enter Spain with a negative COVID-19 test. Until now, visitors from “third countries” were not permitted to travel to Spain for tourism purposes unless they were fully vaccinated or had recovered from COVID-19 in the last six months.
This brings restrictions for all tourists into line with those that already apply to EU nationals and people travelling from associated Schengen area countries.
Details about the new Spanish entry requirements are outlined on the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office’s GOV.UK travel advice website.
They specify that travellers from the UK for tourism must show valid proof of one of the following:
Being fully vaccinated – with both doses of a two-dose vaccine or one dose of a one-dose vaccine – at least 14 days prior to arrival in Spain.
Negative COVID-19 test – either a PCR taken within 72 hours prior to departure, or an antigen test taken within 24 hours of departure.
Recovery from prior COVID-19 infection in the last six months – with a relevant medical certificate or recovery record.
Children under 12 years of age are exempt from presenting any kind of certificate, and all travellers from the UK who can show proof of being fully vaccinated or of having recovered from COVID-19 in the last six months do not need to complete Spain’s Travel Health Control form. More details are available on the Spanish Ministry of Health travel pages.
More Flexible Health Requirements
Announcing the government’s decision, which came into effect last Saturday, minister for industry, commerce and tourism Reyes Maroto said, “The new phase of the pandemic allows us to make health requirements for entry to Spain more flexible, equating non-EU travellers with those from the EU and associated Schengen countries.
“This excellent news, long-awaited by the tourism sector, will make it easier for tourists from outside Europe to visit us this high season and guarantees safe mobility. Spain is emerging as one of the world’s most desired destinations, as shown by demand indicators that month-on-month are approaching pre-pandemic levels, and this measure will accelerate the sector’s recovery by facilitating the entry of international travellers.”
UK Passport Dates
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office has also advised travellers planning to visit an EU country (except Ireland) – or Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino or the Vatican – to make sure they double-check their passport and travel documents.
According to Schengen area passport requirements, a UK passport must be:
Issued less than 10 years before the date you enter the country (“date of issue”)
Valid for at least three months after the day you plan to leave (“expiry date”)
“If your passport was issued before 1 October 2018, extra months may have been added to its expiry date.”
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