COVID-19 Precautionary Measures in Spain (29 September Update)

Entry By Foreigner

Yes with exceptions

• There is a restriction on non-essential travel to Spain for unvaccinated travellers from most third countries until October 31, 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.

• Until 31 October non-essential travel is allowed for the following travellers arriving from the following countries: Citizens and legal residents of the European Union, residents of EU countries (including Schengen states, Andorra, Monaco, the Vatican, and San Marino), Australia, Canada, China, Chile, Jordan, Kuwait, New Zealand, Qatar, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Ukraine, Uruguay, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan.

  • Residents of third countries listed above must travel directly from any of the aforementioned countries, or must have transited exclusively through other countries included in the list or carried out only international transits in airports located in countries that are not included in the list.

• Travellers arriving from other countries (outside the EU and Schengen countries or third countries and special administrative regions whose residents are not affected by the temporary restriction of non-essential trips to the EU) are allowed to enter Spain if they belong to one of the exempted categories listed here.

Entry By Resident

Yes

• Citizens and residents are allowed to enter.

Transit Allowed

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.

Test Certificate Required

Yes with exceptions

• Travellers coming directly from the United Kingdom can enter if they have a certificate of having been vaccinated with a vaccine authorized by the European Medicines Agency or the World Health Organization and with a complete schedule administered more than 14 days prior to arrival or having a COVID-19 negative NAAT (RT-PCR, RT-LAMP, TMA, HAD, NEAR, CRISPR, SDA) certificate issued within 72 hours prior to arrival in Spain.

  • NOTE: A certificate of recovery is NOT accepted in the case of passengers arriving from the United Kingdom.

• Travellers arriving from a country designated as a high-risk country or arriving from countries outside the EU or Schengen area must have one of the following documents to enter Spain: A COVID-19 vaccination certificate; 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 test (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. Certificate of Recovery is NOT accepted in the case of passengers arriving from the United Kingdom.

  • Travellers who are not from high risk countries or areas within the EU or Schengen area or who are arriving from safe countries (i.e. outside the EU or Schengen) are exempted from the certificate requirements. 

  • The list of safe countries or areas are: Australia, Canada, China, Chile, Jordan, Kuwait, New Zealand, Qatar, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Ukraine, Uruguay, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan.

  • 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 molecular nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT) result issued within 72 hours or an antigen detection test 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 and areas is reviewed every seven days and published on the Spanish official website. The list of high-risk countries and areas for 27 September through 3 October 2021 can be accessed here.

Test On Arrival

No with exceptions

• A test on arrival is not mandatory. However, all passengers arriving in Spain by air or sea must undergo a health control at the first point of entry that will include, at least, a temperature control, a documentary check, and a visual check on their condition.

Test Certificate Allowed

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.

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.

Quarantine On Arrival

No

• Travellers arriving from any country are not subject to quarantine upon arrival in Spain.

Vaccination Required

No

• A vaccination for COVID-19 is not mandatory to enter the country. However, 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 approved vaccines authorised by the EMA and WHO at least 14 days before entering the country. Vaccinated travellers are now exempt from the ban on non-essential travel.

• Fully vaccinated travellers are exempted from the negative pre-departure test certificate requirement.

Vaccine Details

Yes with exceptions

• Spain is accepting the vaccines approved by the EMA and WHO. Approved vaccines include Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty), Janssen, Moderna (Spikevax), Astra-Zeneca (Vaxzevria), Covishield, Sinovac, Sinopharm. 

• To be considered fully vaccinated travellers must present an EU Digital COVID Certificate or an equivalent certificate indicating that at least 14 days have passed since the final dose of the vaccine.

• List of approved vaccines

  1. Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty)

  2. Moderna (Spikevax)

  3. Janssen

  4. Astra-Zeneca (Vaxzevria)

  5. Covishield

  6. Sinovac

  7. Sinopharm

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.

• Travellers arriving by sea must complete a separate Health controlForm before arrival in Spain. After signing, the traveller will obtain a QR code which must be presented upon arrival in Spain. 

• All passengers (including children under 12 years old) travelling by air or sea must complete the Health Control Form (HCF) no more than 48 hours prior to travel.

Airline Entry

Moderate

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

Curfew

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 Distancing

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.

Transportation

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 falls within a confined area where entry and exit restrictions are in place. Travellers are advised to check the regional regulations prior to travel.

Is there a recommended app?

Yes

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

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

Are non-essential stores open?

Yes

• Shops are open with limited capacity.

Are accomodations open?

Yes

• Accommodations are open.

Are restaurants open?

Yes with exceptions

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

Are bars & cafes open?

Yes with exceptions

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

Are beaches & tourism spots open?

Yes

• Beaches are allowed to open with social distancing measures.

Are museums & heritage sites open?

Yes

• Museums and sites are open with public health guidelines.

Are 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.

Are places of worship open?

Yes

• Places of worship are open with limited capacity.

Are events & gatherings open?

Yes

• Cultural events are allowed.

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

Are masks in public required?

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 Considerations

Not Applicable

• 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.

Advice

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 other individuals and avoid crowded areas. Check with your airline, booking agent, or country’s embassy for information on your specific travel plans.