Traveling to Spain during Covid-19: what you need to know before you go
Editor’s note – Coronavirus cases are constantly evolving around the world. Health officials warn that staying home is the best way to stem transmission until you are fully vaccinated. Below is information on what to know if you are still planning to travel, last updated February 3.
The basics
What is offered
Spain, which is one of Europe’s biggest hits for good reason, attracts millions of tourists with its warm climate, laid-back vibe and great food and wine. Plus, of course, there are some of Europe’s best resorts, mountains and cultural cities such as Madrid, Seville and Barcelona.
who can go
Fully vaccinated travelers from anywhere in the world can enter Spain for holidays without proof of a negative Covid test, including travelers from countries that Spain has classified as “at risk” destinations, but at the excluding travelers from countries that Spain has classified as “high risk”.
All non-EU and non-Schengen countries are considered “at risk” countries, except for an exempt list which currently includes Chile, Indonesia, New Zealand, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Travelers from these countries can enter Spain without proof of vaccination or a recent negative Covid test.
On January 24, Spain removed Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe from its list of “high risk” countries.
Young people between the ages of 12 and 18 who have received a single dose of a vaccine and who are traveling from EU or Schengen countries marked as “at risk” can enter Spain with a PCR or antigen test.
Young people between the ages of 12 and 18 traveling from a country outside the EU and the Schengen zone can only travel to Spain for vacation if they are fully vaccinated. Children under 12 do not need to present any health certificate, regardless of their country of origin.
What are the restrictions?
As mentioned above, fully immunized travelers from anywhere in the world can enter Spain for holidays without proof of a negative Covid test, including travelers from Spanish countries classified as “at risk” destinations, but excluding travelers from Spanish countries classified as “high risk”. ”
Travelers from countries classified as “high risk” by Spain must present a negative test, regardless of their vaccination status. There are currently no countries on Spain’s high-risk list.
From February 1, Spain will not accept proof of vaccination if the last vaccination dose was more than 270 days ago.
If you are an unvaccinated traveler from a country that is not part of the EU or the Schengen zone – and one of the exempted non-EU and non-Schengen countries listed above – you cannot visit Spain only if your trip is considered essential.
Unvaccinated travelers arriving from at-risk countries must show proof of a negative test result – either a PCR test taken within 72 hours of arrival or an antigen test taken within 24 hours of arrival.
Health assessments take place on arrival in Spain, with a temperature check and visual examination as standard.
What is the Covid situation?
Spain has recorded over 10.1 million Covid infections and over 93,800 deaths as of February 3, 2022. There are currently concerns about the Omicron variant in Spain, although cases now appear to be decreasing.
As of February 3, more than 96.1 million doses of vaccine had been administered in Spain and more than 81.3% of the population had been fully vaccinated.
What can visitors expect?
Travel between regions of Spain is allowed.
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Joe Minihane, Julia Buckley and Francesca Street contributed to this report
