All Covid Travel Restrictions Finally Removed in Spain

After two years of covid rules and travel restrictions in Spain, Spanish authorities have decided the time is right to remove all remaining covid travel restrictions in the country. The remaining requirements for non-EU arrivals, including for travellers from countries such as the UK and the US, have been withdrawn from 1^st October 2022, and this will apply to any visitors and non-residents from outside of the EU/EAA area.  In practical terms, this means that regardless of your vaccination status, you won’t be required to demonstrate this or demonstrate a covid test result in order to enter Spain. Here’s everything you need to know about this announcement and how it might affect you:

What Was the Official Statement?

The updated news on travelling to Spain during the much-diminished coronavirus pandemic was announced in Spain’s BOE state bulletin. The official statement stated that because of “Spain’s and the world’s epidemiological situation and with the aim of favouring the normalisation of international mobility, the restrictions that have been in place for more than two years are no longer necessary.”

How Will This Impact Me?

If you’re travelling to Spain from a non-EU country  this is particularly good news if you are not fully vaccinated or are travelling with children who are not fully vaccinated. Even if you are able to demonstrate your vaccination status, you will find it much faster and easier to pass through border control in Spain without this additional step. Whether you’re looking for some winter sun, somewhere to take the kids for the upcoming school holidays, or you’re interested in investing in property in Spain, the country just became a lot easier to visit.

What About Travellers from the UK?

Travellers from the UK are always advised to refer to the Foreign Office website before travelling to any destination. Updated travel advise on this official UK government website now states that:

“The rules that previously applied to travellers coming to Spain no longer apply:

• you are no longer required to show proof of being fully vaccinated
• you are no longer required to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test
• you are no longer required to show proof of having recovered from COVID-19 in the last six months.
• you are no longer required to complete a health control form prior to travel.”

Why Have the Restrictions Been Removed?

Spain has been regarded as particularly strict during the pandemic, in terms of the travel restrictions it put in place, and kept in place for a significant amount of time. Public safety has been the primary concern.  Since the start of the Covid pandemic, visitors and holidaymakers travelling to Spain from outside of the EU have faced tougher restrictions than their EU counterparts, and for many non-EU travellers this has been considered off-putting. Spain is the last EU country to lift its strict entry restrictions for non-EU travellers (Luxembourg was the last country before Spain, and their restrictions were removed in late September). The Spanish government feels that the time is right to follow their European counterparts, and as well as no longer asking international travellers to complete the Health Control form, they will also no longer carries out visual or temperature checks on non-EU arrivals.

Is This the End of All Covid Restrictions in Spain?

The short answer to this question is no. Whilst this is great news for non-EU visitors hoping to travel to Spain, there are still some covid restrictions in place in the country. When visiting, for example, it is essential that you carry a face mask with you as it is still a requirement to wear one on public transport, in pharmacies, medical centres and care homes. One must also be worn inside planes, but not in airports, ports or stations. The airline you fly may have their own rules about when and whether masks should be worn.

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