4th September 2026
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All remaining Covid measures for travel to UK dropped

Latest: Coronavirus in Spain weekly figures (25 March)

From Friday 18 March, all the remaining Covid measures for travelling to the UK have been dropped.

Since 4am on Friday, no-one entering the UK from Spain or any other country will need to take any Covid tests or even complete a passenger locator form.

The changes apply to all travellers, both vaccinated and unvaccinated, meaning that those in Spain who are not fully vaccinated will not have to take pre-departure tests or a day two post-arrival test.

UK’s Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: ‘I said we wouldn’t keep travel measures in place for any longer than necessary, which we’re delivering on – providing more welcome news and greater freedom for travellers ahead of the Easter holidays. I look forward to continuing to work with the travel sector and partners around the world to keep international travel moving.’

The UK’s Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid said: ‘As we learn to live with Covid-19, we’re taking further steps to open up international travel once again ahead of the Easter holidays.’

Face mask travel measures in the UK are also changing. From Wednesday 16 March, London’s Heathrow airport has said that whilst mask wearing is still encouraged, it will no longer be compulsory. British Airways, Tui, Jet2 and Virgin Atlantic have also stated that they will be dropping face mask rules under certain circumstances -although they will still be required on planes flying into Wales or Scotland

Jason Mahoney, BA’s chief operating officer, said: ‘From Wednesday 16 March, customers will only be required to wear a face-covering on board our flights if the destination they’re travelling to requires it.’ This could mean they will still be required when returning to Spain, but perhaps not when travelling to the UK.

Travelling from the UK to Spain

There are still some restrictions in place for those travelling to Spain or those returning home. Spain currently only allows entry for fully vaccinated travellers from the UK or those who have a recovery certificate from Covid-19, dated within the last six months. If more than 270 days have passed since your last vaccine dose, then you must also show that you have had a booster jab. 

British holidaymakers can now travel to Spain with their children aged 12 to 17 even if they are not fully vaccinated against Covid-19. Residents of Spain, EU citizens and family members of EU citizens are exempt from these rules. All travellers to Spain, regardless of where they reside and vaccination or recovery status, must complete a health control form, which can be found here.

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