Current rules on travel to Spain during the COVID-19 pandemic

If you are considering travel to Spain during COVID-19, you are likely wondering “What’s the COVID situation in Spain?” While Europe will soon open up to global vaccinated travelers, at the moment, restrictions remain in place for those looking to travel to Spain and the rest of the 26 countries in the Schengen area. Today’s blog will therefore examine the current requirements for travel to Spain in the context of COVID-19. Read on to find out what you need to do before travel to Spain in order to be allowed entry, and the various Spain traveling restrictions affecting entry post-arrival (such as COVID-19 testing and other requirements during travel to Spain). 

What’s the COVID situation in Spain?

• Initially one of the hardest-hit countries in Europe (with over 80 thousands COVID-19 related fatalities since the pandemic began) Spain today is experiencing only a fraction of the infections it recorded at the height of the pandemic, with fewer than 5,000 infections reported generally each day. 
• With almost 50% of the country having already received vaccinations, Spain is moving toward having over 70% of its population vaccinated by the beginning of the fall of this year.  
• Despite the reduced infection rate and success of its vaccination campaign, Spain continues to subject its domestic population to coronavirus-related restrictions, while simultaneously imposing entry restrictions on travelers arriving from outside of the Schengen area/EU. 
• Domestic related restrictions have lessened in severity from the beginning and high point of the pandemic, when Spain imposed regional travel bans and curfews while  enforcing the closure of non-essential shops and establishments. At the moment, current restrictions include a nation-wide mask mandate (meaning you have to wear a mask in public places), and bans on large gatherings. As global and national vaccination rates increase, it is likely that these restrictions will be reduced—especially for vaccinated residents and travelers. 

Travel to Spain during COVID-19

• At the moment, Spain imposes a number of pre and post arrival restrictions on travelers, while also continuing to ban the entry of most travelers from certain countries. Some of these restrictions depend on where the inbound traveler is arriving from (for example, travelers arriving from countries with high coronavirus infection rates will be subject to more restrictions). 
• Since the pandemic began, Spain has allowed the unrestricted entry of travelers from fellow Schengen countries, while restricting the entry of “third country” i.e. non-Schengen states. As infection rates have fallen, Spain has reduced restrictions affecting third country travelers, who previously were only allowed to enter the country for essential or urgent reasons. At the moment, people from third countries no longer need an urgent reason to enter Spain, however, they are still subject to various restrictions outlined below. 
• Spain continues to follow the general Schengen area recommendations in allowing the general entry of travelers from the following countries: Australia, China, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Rwanda, Singapore, South Korea, and Thailand. In addition to the countries on the Schengen-approved travel list, Spain also authorizes the entry of those arriving from the UK and Northern Ireland. In effect, travelers arriving from these destinations can avoid the entry restrictions outlined below. 
• Before travel to Spain from any non-EU country (or one of the exempted countries listed above) you are required to fill out something called a health control form, which you must digitally submit no later than 48 hours before flying. This form will include basic information, including your full name and passport number, flight number, and email. After the requisite authorities receive your form, they will send you a QR code via email, which will allow you to board your flight and leave the airport upon entering.  
• In addition, prior to entering the country, all travelers who are arriving from an at-risk country (i.e. non Schengen/non exempted list) will need to present either proof of being vaccinated against COVID-19, proof of having recovered from the disease, or a negative COVID-19 test. 
• In addition to the above requirements for travel to Spain, those arriving from India are required to quarantine for a minimum of 10 days. In the event that you test negative for COVID-19 on the 7^th day of your quarantine, you can cut your quarantine short. 
• After entering the country and during travel to Spain, foreigners must continue to follow the various domestic restrictions affecting residents. These mainly include occupancy restrictions for public establishments (including restaurants, shops, and bars), bans on large gatherings, and mask mandates. Keep in mind that different regions have different restrictions/guidelines related to COVID-19, so be sure to find out what specific requirements you will face after entering.  
• Finally, please note that the above pre-arrival and post-entry restrictions do not apply to minors (i.e. children age 11 and under) who do not need to present a health form or proof of vaccination etc. in order to be allowed entry (so long as they are accompanied by an adult). 

COVID-19 testing

• Spain, like other Schengen countries, recently reduced the entry restrictions for vaccinated travelers, who can present a certificate of vaccination in lieu of a COVID-19 test (see below for more information about how to enter this way). 
• Going forward, the EU vaccine passport regime (known as the EU Digital COVID Certificate) will be expanded to include non-EU, non-Schengen foreigners, who will be able to obtain a certificate, which they can use to gain entry to the Schengen area, including Spain. Once it’s universally available, travelers will be able to show the certificate to border control agents as proof of either having been vaccinated, having recovered from COVID, or having recently tested negative for the disease (a traveler seeking entry to the EU must fulfill one of those conditions in order to be allowed into the zone). At the moment, because the Digital Certificate is exclusively available to Europeans, travelers must present other certificates as proof of fulfilling the conditions for entry. 
• Spain traveling restrictions therefore include mandatory pre-flight COVID-19 testing for those who do not present evidence of having been vaccinated or having tested negative for COVID-19. 
• Any COVID-19 test that you present for entry purposes must have been taken no more than 48 hours prior to your entry to the country. Acceptable COVID-19 tests include: 
  • Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) 
  • PCR or other Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT)
• Those who are exempt from the testing requirement (i.e. those who have previously been vaccinated) must show proof of having received one of the vaccines approved by the EU, including Moderna, Cormirnaty, and Astrozeneca, among others. Please note that in order to allowed entry into Spain as a vaccinated person, you must have received the vaccine no fewer than 14 days before you seek entry into the country. 
• If you haven’t been vaccinated, but you have already recovered from the disease, you can submit a certificate attesting to your infection and recovery, so long as it has been at least 11 days since you tested positive. Please note that COVID-19 recovery certificates are valid for a maximum of 180 days, at which point you will no longer be considered immune to the disease, and must present either a vaccination certificate or a negative test result in order to enter.