COVID-19 Precautionary Measures in Spain (19 July Update)

Can a resident enter the country?

• Yes

• Citizens and residents are allowed to enter.

Can a foreigner enter the country?

• No, with exceptions

• Non-essential travel is prohibited until 31 July 2021.

• Citizens of third countries are not allowed to enter unless they belong to one of the categories listed in this website.

• Authorities have banned the entry of travellers from Brazil and South Africa until 20 July (except for citizens and residents of Spain and Andorra).

• Effective 7 June 2021, vaccinated travellers from outside the EU and Schengen area are allowed to enter Spain subject to providing proof of having received all the required doses of vaccination at least 14 days before entering the country. Vaccinated travellers are now exempt from the ban on non-essential travel.

• All passengers arriving in Spain directly from the US who show the QR code obtained from SpTH aerial website may enter the country. Vaccination cards, PCR tests, etc. are no longer necessary.

• Travellers from Germany and Italy are allowed to enter Spain without the need to present proof of vaccination, proof of recovery, or a negative COVID-19 test.

• All travellers arriving from COVID-19 safe countries that have a reciprocal agreement with Spain but are not EU member states are also allowed to enter the country. More information can be found here.

Is transit allowed through the country?

• Yes

• Passengers in international transit are exempt from health checks on arrival, however, all passengers (including children under 12 years old) are required to complete and sign an online Health Control Form no more than 48 hours prior to travel declaring any known history of exposure to COVID-19 and giving contact details.

Is a test required on arrival?

• Yes

• All passengers arriving in Spain by air or sea, must undergo a health check at the first point of entry that will include a temperature check, a documentary check, and a visual check on their condition.

Test certificate accepted?

• Yes

• Test certificates from outside Spain are accepted.

• The test certificate must be original, written in Spanish, English, French, or German and may be submitted in paper or electronic format. If the traveller cannot get a certificate in these languages, a translation into Spanish by an official source will be accepted. The document must contain 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, and a negative test result. The personal identification number (passport/ID number) used to obtain the QR code must be the same as the identification number that appears on the negative PCR/TMA certificate.

Test certificate required?

• Yes

• Vaccinated travellers arriving from a country with a risk of COVID-19 must have one of the following to enter Spain: A COVID-19 vaccination certificate, or a negative COVID-19 test certificate, or a certificate indicating recovery from a COVID-19 infection.

• Vaccination Certificate: Valid from 14 days after the complete vaccination schedule, up to 1 year after the date of vaccination. The accepted vaccines will be those authorized by the European Medicines Agency or those that have completed the emergency use process of the World Health Organization.

• Negative COVID-19 certificate: Certificates of a diagnostic test for COVID-19 infection with a negative molecular nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT) result issued within 72 hours or an antigen detection test within 48 hours prior to arrival in Spain will be accepted as valid. The accepted tests are: RT-PCR, RT-LAMP, TMA, HAD, NEAR, CRISPR, SDA) and antigen detection tests (Rapid antigen test).

• Certificate of Recovery: documents a test performed no more than 180 days after the date of the first positive NAAT test result and no earlier than the 11th day following the date of that positive test result.

• Travellers arriving by air or sea from “risk-countries” must declare on the mandatory “Health Control Form” that they have had a COVID-19 negative test result within 48 hours prior to arrival and can present evidence certifying their results. Passengers from countries or areas not included in the list of countries at risk will not be required to certify the health requirements.

• Spain accepts the EUDCC. Holders of the EUDCC are allowed to enter the country. The EUDCC provides proof of vaccination, proof of a negative COVID-19 test, or proof of recovery from a COVID-19 infection.

• Children under 12 years of age are exempt from presenting the certificates, however, they must have the QR code obtained after completing the Health Control Form.

• The list of high-risk countries/areas, as well as the criteria used to define them, is reviewed every fifteen days and is published on the official website.

Is quarantine required?

• No, with exceptions

• Visitors from India must remain in quarantine for 10 days after their arrival in Spain or throughout their stay if it is less than the 10-day quarantine period. The traveller may be allowed to exit quarantine earlier if the traveller undergoes a COVID-19 test on the seventh day and receives a negative result.

• Based on the specific requirements above, incoming travellers will either be exempted from quarantine or required to stay in quarantine for a maximum of 10 days.

Recommended Border App

• Yes

• Travellers are required to download the Spain Travel Health (SPTH) App.

• The country is using the Radar COVID application for contact tracing.

Insurance required?

• No, with exceptions

• Proof of insurance coverage for COVID-19 expenses is not required to enter the country.

• Students who are permitted to return to Spain must have valid medical insurance.

Entry form required?

• Yes

• All passengers must show their Health Control Form (HCF), which must be completed and signed electronically before arrival in Spain regardless of nationality or residency status. The form can be accessed and signed via the Spain Travel Health website. After signing, the traveller will receive a QR code which must be presented upon arrival in Spain. It is only valid in digital formats. However, for justifiable reasons, the form may be presented in the paper format before embarking. A separate form must be completed for each trip and each person.

Is vaccination required?

• No

• A vaccination for COVID-19 is not required to enter the country.

• Spain is accepting the vaccines approved by the EU. Approved vaccines include Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty), Janssen, Moderna (Spikevax), Astra-Zeneca (Vaxzevria). More details can be found at this website.

• Effective 7 June 2021, vaccinated travellers from outside the EU and Schengen area are allowed to enter Spain subject to providing proof of having received all the required doses of vaccination at least 14 days before entering the country. Vaccinated travellers are now exempt from the ban on non-essential travel.

Airline restrictions

• Minimal

• Airports are open. Commercial international and domestic passenger flights are operating.

Border restrictions

• Minimal

• The land border between Spain and Portugal is open.

• Cruise ships are allowed to dock.

Curfew restrictions

• Minimal

• Restrictions and curfews may vary between regions. Measures specific to the provinces can be accessed here. Links to the health departments of autonomous communities can be found here.

Social restrictions

• Moderate

• Spain provides regional governments with legal powers to impose restrictions in their region if deemed necessary (e.g. entry and exit restrictions to and from specific areas).

• Various regions have imposed their own restrictions on the number of people allowed at gatherings. Measures specific to the provinces can be accessed here.

Internal travel restrictions

• Minimal

• Masks are required.

• Renfe, the national train operator, is operating domestic and international routes.

• All passengers on public transportation must wear a mask covering their mouth and nose and must adhere to social distancing measures.

• Inter-regional travel may be restricted if the travellers’ point of origin and destination fall within a confined area where entry and exit restrictions are in place. Travellers are advised to check the regional regulations prior to travel.

Non-essential shops open?

• Yes

• Shops are open with limited capacity and must close by 22:00 (local time).

Accommodations open?

• Yes

• Accommodations are open.

Restaurants open?

• Yes

• Restaurants are open with limited capacity. Regional governments may impose further restrictions in their area if deemed necessary.

Bars and cafes open?

• Yes

• Sitting capacity in a bar is limited. Regional governments may impose further restrictions in their area if deemed necessary.

Beaches and tourism sites open?

• Yes

• Beaches are open with social distancing measures.

Museums and heritage sites open?

• Yes

• Museums and sites are open with public health guidelines.

Personal care services open?

• Yes

• Personal care services are open. Regional governments may impose further restrictions in their area if deemed necessary.

• Access to certain services may require proof of a negative COVID-19 certificate, a vaccination certificate, or a certificate of recovery proving that the individual has recovered from COVID-19 within the last 180 days.

Places of worship open?

• Yes

• Places of worship are open with limited capacity.

Events allowed?

• Yes

• Cultural events are allowed.

• Regional governments may impose further restrictions in their area if deemed necessary.

Masks required in public?

• Yes

• Face masks are mandatory for anyone over the age of 6 years on all public transportation, in most enclosed spaces, and public spaces. The specific rules for face masks could vary from region to region.

Other Restrictions

• Theatres, cinemas, educational institutions, and art galleries are open.

• Dance halls, discos, and nightclubs may be open subject to adherence to restrictions.

• There is a nationwide ban on smoking in public areas when it is not possible to keep at least two meters away from others.

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, 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.