Holidaymakers and travellers heading for Spain are being urged to check the country's Covid rules before making a trip, after the popular destination extended its travel rules. They were due to be lifted on Sunday, May 15.
In a statement reported by Belfast Live, a border order was issued by the country's Minister for Home Affairs. It said the order extended "all current restrictions on Spain’s external land, sea, and air borders under the recommendations of the Council of the European Union due to the health crisis caused by COVID-19".
The means entry rules will remain in place for those travelling to Spain until 24:00 hours on Wednesday, June 15, 2022. The current rules for people travelling on a full British Citizen passport are below.
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It is no longer mandatory to wear a mask indoors or outdoors, with certain exceptions. However, you must wear a mask when travelling by plane, train or bus, as well as in all other public transport.
If you are traveling to Spain for tourism you 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 (date(s) of vaccination must be specified).
having recovered from Covid-19 in the last 6 months. You can also use a medical certificate or recovery record to prove your COVID-19 status on entry to Spain.
Your NHS appointment card from vaccination centres is not designed to be used as proof of vaccination and should not be used to demonstrate your vaccine status.
Travellers from the UK who can either show proof of being fully vaccinated, or of having recovered from prior Covid-19 infection in the last 6 months, or who are aged under 12 years old, do not need to complete Spain’s Travel Health Control form which can be found here. This must be completed no more than 48 hours before travel to Spain. See Spain’s Ministry of Health travel pages for more detail.
Rules for EU citizens
EU citizens and accompanying family members of an EU citizen (including those travelling for tourism purposes), residents of Spain, or those covered by one of the other exemptions may present alternative documentation to the vaccine certificate.
Everyone (excluding children under the age of 12 years old) arriving into Spain who have visited a ‘risk country’ in the previous 14 days must meet the requirements on the Spanish Ministry of Health Travel and Covid-19 page.
The Spanish government reviews its ‘risk countries’ list every 7 days.
Rules for younger people
There are some different entry requirements for children under 12 years old and those aged 12 to 17 inclusive.
Children under the age of 12 years old do not need to:
- complete an online Health Control Form before travel
- show proof of being fully vaccinated on entry to Spain
- take diagnostic tests prior to arrival
- show proof of having recovered from prior Covid-19 infection in the last 6 months
- meet the requirements outlined in the Spanish Ministry of Health ‘Travel and Covid-19’ page, even if they have visited a ‘risk country’ in the previous 14 days
Travellers from the UK aged 12 to 17 inclusive can enter Spain by presenting documentation certifying that they have undertaken a Covid-19 nucleic acid amplification test - NAAT (PCR or similar) within 72 hours prior to arrival in Spain. Antigen tests are not accepted.
Alternatively, travellers aged 12 to 17 can still enter Spain with a full vaccination certificate or a recovery certificate. They must complete the Health Control form.
