Latest News: Spanish government to permit entry of travelers from the U.K. and Japan without COVID-19 test beginning 24 May; will allow entry of vaccinated people from non-EU countries from 7 June (BBC, 21.05.2021). U.K. tourists and other non-EU nationals will be allowed to enter Spain for non-essential reasons such as holidays from around 20 May (The Local- Es, 13.05.2021). Spanish government extends restrictions on non-essential journeys from countries outside EU and Schengen Area to 31 May (SVI, 05.05.2021). Spanish government extends ban on arrivals from Brazil and South Africa until 25 May (TheLocal, 04.05.2021).
International Restrictions:
*From within the EU:
Spain applies the commonly agreed EU "traffic lights" approach to travel restrictions.
Is a coronavirus test required?
All travellers arriving from high-risk areas by air or sea transport are subject to the requirement for a pre-departure negative COVID-19 test.
As of 30 March, the same requirement is imposed on travellers crossing the land border between France and Spain. Only those working in transportation and cross-border workers will be exempt, along with those who live in the border zone (as long as they remain within a 30-kilometre radius of their home).
The test must be taken within 72 hours prior to arrival.
Accepted test: PCR, TMA or other molecular techniques.
Children under 6 years old are exempted.
This certificate or supporting documentation must be the original, and it must be written in Spanish, English, German or French.
If it is not possible to obtain it in these languages, the certificate or supporting documentation must be accompanied by a translation into Spanish, carried out by an official body.
It can be presented in paper or electronic format.
The document must contain, at least, the following information:
- traveller's name, passport or ID number
- test date
- identification and contact details of the centre that performs the analysis
- the used technique
- a negative result
The personal identification number (passport/ID number) used to get the QR code must be the same as the identification number that appears on the negative COVID-19 certificate.
Is a quarantine required?
A quarantine is not required.
Specific Rules for Canary Islands
All travellers to the Canary Islands are subject to the requirement for a pre-departure negative COVID-19 test.
The test must be taken within 72 hours prior to arrival. Accepted tests are PCR and rapid antigen. If you are travelling from a high-risk country or area, a negative PCR test presented upon arrival in Spain will be valid.
Also, passengers arriving by air or sea transport may undergo a temperature check, which must be below 37.5 degrees Celsius. Cruising companies can take passengers' temperature before arriving at a Spanish port.
Mandatory Travel Documentation
Travel by Air: A form must be completed and signed electronically before your arrival in Spain. You can access the form and sign it via the Spain Travel Health website or apps for Android or iOs devices. After you sign it, you will receive a QR code which must be presented upon arrival in Spain (it is only valid in digital formats. However, for justifiable reasons it may be presented in the paper format before embarking). Remember that you must fill in a separate form for each trip and each person. All travellers should complete the form, including children of any age.
Travel by Sea: the form will be provided during the trip or upon arrival at the port of destination in Spain.
Travel by Land: At the moment there is no obligation to present this form when travelling to Spain by land (car or train).
Find out more:
Spain travel health portal
Spanish Ministry of Health
Information from the largest airport operator in Spain
Spain.info
Documents you need to travel in Europe
Health cover for temporary stays *Transit:
As a general rule, passengers in transit in the EU+ area are exempted from temporary travel restrictions.
EU citizens entering the EU from a third country, as well as their family members, irrespective of their nationality, are exempted from the travel restrictions regardless of whether or not they are returning to their country of nationality or residence.
Passengers travelling from a non-EU country to another non-EU country may transit through the international transit area of airports located in the Schengen area. Rules regarding airport transit visa requirements continue to apply.
Additionally, for Spain, the following rules apply:
Passengers transiting the country with symptoms compatible with COVID-19 will be submitted to health controls.
*From Third Countries:Entry without additional restrictions is allowed only to travellers from the following countries: Australia, China, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Rwanda, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand and United Kingdom.
Is a coronavirus test required?
All travellers arriving from high-risk areas by air or sea transport are subject to the requirement for a pre-departure negative COVID-19 test.
The test must be taken within 72 hours prior to arrival.
Accepted test: PCR, TMA, LAMP or other molecular techniques.
Children under 6 years old are exempted.
The certificate or supporting documentation must be the original, and it must be written in Spanish, English, German or French.
If it is not possible to obtain it in these languages, the certificate or supporting documentation must be accompanied by a translation into Spanish, carried out by an official body.
It can be presented in paper or electronic format.
The document must contain, at least, the following information:
- traveller's name, passport or ID number
- test date
- identification and contact details of the centre that performs the analysis
- the used technique
- a negative result
The personal identification number (passport/ID number) used to get the QR code must be the same as the identification number that appears on the negative COVID-19 certificate.
Is a quarantine required?
Persons coming from the following countries:
- Brazil
- South Africa
- Botswana
- Comoros
- Ghana
- Kenya
- Mozambique
- Tanzania
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
- Peru
- Colombia
must complete a 10-day quarantine after their arrival in Spain, or for the duration of their stay if it is shorter than 10 days. This period may end earlier if on day 7 the person is tested for COVID-19 with a negative result.
Specific Rules for Canary Islands
All travellers to the Canary Islands are subject to the requirement for a pre-departure negative COVID-19 test.
The test must be taken within 72 hours prior to arrival. Accepted tests are PCR and rapid antigen. If you are travelling from a high-risk country or area, a negative PCR test presented upon arrival in Spain will be valid.
Also, passengers arriving by air or sea transport may undergo a temperature check, which must be below 37.5 degrees Celsius. Cruising companies can take passengers' temperature before arriving at a Spanish port.
Mandatory Travel Documentation
Travel by Air: A form must be completed and signed electronically before your arrival in Spain. You can access the form and sign it via the Spain Travel Health website or apps for Android or iOs devices. After you sign it, you will receive a QR code which must be presented upon arrival in Spain (it is only valid in digital formats. However, for justifiable reasons it may be presented in the paper format before embarking). Remember that you must fill in a separate form for each trip and each person. All travellers should complete the form, including children of any age.
Travel by Sea: the form will be provided during the trip or upon arrival at the port of destination in Spain.
Travel by Land: At the moment there is no obligation to present this form when travelling to Spain by land (car or train).
Find out more:
Spain travel health portal
Spain's official tourism website offers information on how to protect your health and safety during your trip.
Information from the largest airport operator in Spain
*Travel in Spain: You should follow the advice of the local authorities on how best to protect yourself and others, including any measures that they bring in to control the virus. From 12:01am on 9 May 2021, the second nationwide State of Emergency declared by the Spanish government on 25 October 2020 will end, however some restrictions and curfews will remain in force and may vary between regions. The obligatory use of face masks in public spaces, social distancing and hygiene and air ventilation rules must continue to be observed at all times.
Regional governments retain legal powers to ease or tighten restrictions within their region if deemed necessary to control the spread of the virus (e.g. partial lockdowns; limiting the capacity and opening hours of retail, hospitality establishments and public events). Local and regional restrictions may be introduced at short notice. You should consult the Spanish Ministry of Health map for details of local outbreaks and the specific measures in place in your destination. You should also check the advice of local authorities in your destination prior to travel.
The use of face coverings continues to be mandatory for anyone over the age of 6 years old on all forms of public transport in Spain and in many other indoor and outdoor public spaces. Specific rules on the use of face masks may vary by region.
*Road travel: Land borders are open. The Spanish government has implemented testing requirements for those travelling overland from France into Spain by road or rail.
The French government has implemented additional entry requirements for those travelling to and transiting through France.
Border controls at the Portugal land border with Spain have been lifted.
Inter-regional travel may be restricted if your point of origin and destination fall within a confined area where entry and exit restrictions are in place. You should check the advice of local authorities in your destination prior to travel.
Transiting confined areas is permitted; however, you should be prepared to show evidence of your onward journey such as train or flight tickets to your final destination.
If you need to travel during the hours of curfew, you should carry evidence of your reason for travel such as a certificate from your employer, proof of medical appointment, or proof of onward journey such as train or flight tickets. To find out more about specific exemptions you should refer to guidance from local authorities.
If travelling with people who are not from the same household, all passengers must wear a face mask covering the nose and mouth. Penalties may be imposed if you do not comply.
*Public spaces and services: Social distancing measures and other safety precautions should continue to be observed at all times. From 12:01am on 9 May 2021, the nationwide State of Emergency declared by the Spanish government on 25 October 2020 will end, however some restrictions and curfews will remain in force and may vary between regions. Many municipal and regional authorities have introduced other types of measures such as limiting the opening hours and capacity of bars and restaurants, and in some places these remain closed until further notice. You should refer to local authorities for any additional measures where you are as this may vary from one region to the next. See the Ministry of Health’s map of regional measures (Spanish language only).
From 12:01am on 9 May 2021, you must continue to observe the following rules regardless of your whereabouts in Spain:
• social distancing of 1.5 metres
• obligatory use of face masks in public spaces
• abide by any safety measures put in place by establishments such as hotels, bars, shops and restaurants to reduce the risk of COVID-19
• wash your hands frequently and thoroughly and use hand sanitizer gel where soap and water is not available
Spanish regional authorities may also impose the following additional restrictive measures:
• an overnight curfew (specific curfew times vary between regions)
• social gatherings may be limited (e.g. to a maximum of 6 people outdoors and a maximum of 4 people inside restaurants and bars)
• people from different households may not be permitted to meet indoors in private homes (unless they have caring responsibilities for a dependent)
• capacity restrictions at beaches or other public areas such as the delineation of plots and the use of booking systems. You should refer to local authorities for information on the measures in place
• if visitors test positive or develop symptoms during their stay in Spain, they may be moved to specific designated accommodation to prevent further spread
These measures may vary between regions. You should refer to local and regional authorities for advice.
*Use of face masks: The use of face coverings continues to be mandatory for anyone over the age of 6 years old on all forms of public transport in Spain and in many other indoor and outdoor public spaces, even when social distancing of 1.5 metres is observed.
Specific rules on the use of face masks may vary between regions. You should refer to local authorities for advice. Penalties may be imposed if you do not comply.
You should carry a face mask with you at all times and be prepared to wear it during your stay. Face masks must cover the nose and mouth.
There are some exceptions to the use of face masks such as when practising sport, eating or drinking, or at the beach, however rules may vary between regions. You should refer to local authorities for specific information on face-covering requirements and any exceptions where you are.
Those with respiratory problems or those unable to wear a mask due to other health conditions or disabilities are exempt from this rule. More details are available from the Ministry for Health (in Spanish).
While not mandatory, the use of face masks on children between 3 and 5 years of age is recommended.