COVID-19 Precautionary Measures in Canary Islands (16 July Update)

Can a resident enter the country?

• Yes

• Citizens and residents can enter the Canary Islands.

Can a foreigner enter the country?

• Yes

• Travellers can enter the Canary Islands provided they travel from the European Union, from a country in the Schengen area, or from a third country with which Spain has reciprocal agreements regarding the acceptance of travellers. These are the UK, Australia, China, South Korea, New Zealand, Rwanda, Thailand, Singapore, Japan, and Israel. Since 7 June, passengers can travel for tourism from other countries that have been mentioned here if they have a vaccination certificate.

Is transit allowed through the country?

• Yes

• Transit is allowed.

Is a test required on arrival?

• No

• Heath checks on arrival include taking temperatures and a visual check for symptoms.

Test certificate required?

• Yes

• Travellers arriving from another autonomous community within Spain are required to present a certificate for a negative COVID-19 test performed 72 hours prior to arrival. The tests that are allowed are PCR (RT-PCR for COVID-19), Transcription Mediated Amplification (TMA), and Antigen tests that detect COVID-19 antigens with an accuracy of 97 percent and a sensitivity of over 80 percent as defined in their supporting documentation.

• Spain has divided countries into low, medium, and high-risk categories. However, all travellers are required to present the COVID-19 test certificate on arrival. Travellers can check the risk status of their home country here.

• All travellers arriving in the Canary Islands must show their tourist accommodation reservation document on arrival and must present their test certificate at check-in at the tourist accommodation. The conditions and exemptions for access to official tourist accommodation can be found here. Those who have proof of full vaccination or proof of recovery from a COVID-19 infection are exempt from the test certificate requirement.

• Travellers arriving from a high-risk area outside Spain are required to present a certificate for negative COVID-19 antigen tests performed no more than 48 hours before arrival in Spain and NAAT tests (PCR, TMA, LAMP) performed no more than 72 hours before arrival in Spain. Travellers from the UK must have a negative NAAT test certificate.

• This requirement does not apply if traveller has:

• (a) a vaccination certificate that proves that the holder has received a vaccine against COVID-19. Travellers must be fully vaccinated and have received their last dose at least 14 days before arrival in Spain. Any vaccine will be accepted that has been authorized for commercial use by the EU(European Medicines Agency - EMA), and the WHO.

• (b) A certificate stating that the holder has recovered from COVID-19, issued at least 11 days after the first positive NAAT (PCR, TMA) test. The certificate is valid for 180 days.

• (c) Children under the age of 12.

Is quarantine required on arrival?

• No with exceptions

• Travellers from another autonomous community within Spain who do not stay in official tourist accommodation and arrive without the PCR test certificate may be subject to quarantine for 14 days.

• Based on the above restrictions, travellers will be required to spend between zero to 14 days in quarantine.

Insurance required?

• No

• Proof of insurance coverage for COVID-19 expenses is not required to enter the country. However, for travellers without medical insurance, the Canary Islands will provide an AXA policy free of charge to cover any expenses relating to COVID-19.

Vaccination required?

• No with exceptions

• A vaccination for COVID-19 is not required for entry into the country. However, proof of vaccination, in some cases, may allow travellers some exemptions from the test certificate requirements.

• To be considered “fully vaccinated”, travellers must have received all required doses of a vaccine and at least 14 days must have passed since they received the last dose of the vaccine. Any vaccine will be accepted that has been authorized for commercial use by the EU(European Medicines Agency - EMA), and the WHO.

Entry form required?

• Yes

• All travellers are required to complete and sign the Spanish Health Form before travel to the Canary Islands.

Mobile app required**

• Travellers must download the RadarCOVID contagion alert app to their mobile phone, available for both iPhone and Android here. Travellers will be notified of their risk of exposure to COVID-19 depending on their location.

Airline restrictions

• Minimal

• Commercial and flights between islands are operating.

Border restrictions

• Moderate

• Borders are open.

Curfew restrictions

• Minimal

• There is no curfew in effect.

Social restrictions?

• Minimal

• Maintaining 2-meter physical distancing is compulsory.

Internal travel restrictions

• Minimal

• Movement between the islands is fully reinstated at this time.

Non-essential shops open?

• Yes

• Most non-essential businesses in the Canary Islands are open.

Accommodations open?

• Yes

• Hotels are open. The conditions for accessing regulated tourist accommodation can be found here. Travellers with proof of having the COVID-19 vaccination or proof of recovery from infection with COVID-19 are no longer required to provide a test certificate in order to check into a hotel or any other tourist accommodation in the Canary Islands.

Restaurants open?

• Yes

• Restaurants are open.

Bars and cafes open?

• Yes

• Bars and cafes are open.

Beaches and tourism sites open?

• Yes

• Beaches are allowed to open,

Museums and heritage sites open?

• Yes

• Museums are open.

Personal care services open?

• Yes

• Personal care services are allowed to re-open with reduced capacity and social distancing measures.

Places of worship open?

• Yes

• Places of worship are open

Masks required in public?

• Yes

• Face masks are currently mandatory in public places. Face masks must be worn at all times when travelling on buses, in taxis, and in private for-hire vehicles.

Others

• More details on internal restrictions and guidelines can be found here.

The COVID-19 epidemic is constantly changing worldwide. Travel and border restrictions may change with little or no notice. Airlines may have their own requirements for testing, masking, and distancing. It is recommended that travellers carry a supply of face masks since the requirement can vary by location. It is recommended that travellers practice social distancing and maintain a 6-foot distance from other individuals and avoid crowded areas. Check with your airline, booking agent, or country's embassy for information on your specific travel plans.