7th December 2023
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New Covid measures for travelling between UK and Spain

Latest: Coronavirus in Spain figures (16 Dec)

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Travelling to Spain from the UK

From Wednesday 1 December, all travellers arriving to Spain from the UK will need to show proof of being fully vaccinated against Covid-19. However, this new rule does not apply to: 

  • Children under the age of 12.
  • Spanish or EU citizens and their family members.
  • Residents in Spain and other travellers for essential reasons.

The new rule therefore essentially applies to travellers to Spain for ‘tourism or any other non-essential reasons’. The Spanish Embassy in London has issued a summary of the changes (see below) that states only ‘British and other third-country citizens, coming from a risk area/country (including the UK)’, travelling for ‘tourism or any other non-essential reasons’ must show a full vaccination certificate.

Other travellers have the option to show a negative test result, proof of recovery from Covid, or a certificate of full vaccination (see table below). All passengers (including children under 12 years old) travelling by air or sea must still complete and sign an online Health Control Form.

The new measures were published in Spain’s Official Gazette (BOE) on Saturday, and will last until at least 31 December.

Spain will accept the UK’s Covid-19 vaccination record. If you are travelling with a printed PDF proof of vaccination status, it must date from 1 November to ensure that the certificate can be scanned successfully. 

Certificates of recovery – a medical document certifying that you have recovered from Covid-19 in the last six months prior to travel – is not currently accepted for arrivals from the UK.

The Health Ministry also published an order on Monday obliging travellers from Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe to show a negative Covid test before flying to Spain and also quarantine for 10 days on arrival (or seven days if another negative PCR test is provided) – even if they’ve been fully vaccinated.

Travelling to England from Spain (or elsewhere)

From 4am on Tuesday 7 December, anyone aged 12 or over travelling to England will need to show a negative PCR or Lateral Flow pre-departure test. The test must be taken within the two days before travelling. This applies to those who are fully vaccinated or not.

After arriving in England, a Covid PCR test is also required – and to be booked before travel. You can take the test any time after you arrive and before the end of day 2 at the latest. The day you arrive is day 0. You must quarantine in your home or the place you are staying while you await your test result. If your test result is negative, you can end your quarantine. If your test result is positive, you must self-isolate for 10 full days. Click here for details on travelling to Wales, Scotland and Northern IrelandThe UK has also made face masks compulsory in shops and public transport.

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