Covid restrictions will ease in 2022, making travel more affordable than ever. But, what does this all mean for holidays in Spain? Are British tourists allowed to enter? For anyone who is planning a trip to Spain, this information will help you to understand the Covid requirements and entry rules.

Spain is the UK’s top international travel destination. Spain’s beautiful beaches and vibrant cities have made it a favourite holiday destination for many years. However, Coronavirus restrictions were recently imposed in the country. The country is more than twice as large as the UK and boasts 49 world heritage sites. In the short-term, if you are looking for warmth, go to Seville. This is the only region in Spain to experience temperatures above 20C.

For a city-break that is both art and food-oriented, you can visit the capitol Madrid. You could also consider the second city Barcelona. The inland cities of Spain don’t have Mediterranean beaches, but the likes Salamanca Segovia, Cuenca, and Caceres all make up the colourful threads of Spain’s rich history with their monuments.

But is it possible to travel to Spain right away? Here’s everything that you need about Spain’s entry requirements, pre-departure screening and regulations once there.

The Spanish Canary Island volcanic eruption of La Palma has now been announced and ended by local authorities, but emergency actions continue. If you live in an affected area, it is important to continue following the recommendations of local authorities. If you plan on travelling to the island, you should contact your tour operator/airline. Natural disasters.

Spain has continued to implement public health measures to decrease the transmission of COVID-19. The rules may vary across regions. In some cases, new rules might be implemented at short notice due to a COVID-19 variation. The Coronavirus section will provide information about Spain for those who are considering a trip to Spain.

It is essential to obtain travel insurance for the COVID-19 outbreak. Make sure it covers you. Check out the guidance provided by FCDO to help you find foreign travel insurance.

To learn more about COVID-19, visit the Coronavirus webpage.

There is a danger of terrorism. There may be greater security around Christmas and other significant events that attract large crowds. Keep an eye out for suspicious behaviour and seek advice from local authorities.

Spain is likely to see terrorist attacks. See Terrorism.

There are restrictions on the import of food and beverages into the EU. For more information, see Taking food to Spain

A number of large demonstrations and gatherings have taken place in Barcelona and in other parts of Catalonia in protest of political developments. Some demonstrations have escalated into violence and may cause disruptions in public transport, including at airports. See Politics.

The Living and Moving to Spain guide is a great resource. It also includes travel advice.

Spain has cities that operate low emission programs and have vehicle restrictions. Road travel.

Numerous people have died as a result of falling from balconies. Avoid unnecessary risks, especially when you are drinking or using drugs. Falls at height.

Be alert for street crime. Thieves usually target money and passports, so don’t keep them all in the same place. Keep a photocopy of your passport somewhere safe. See Crime.

Spain has temperatures that regularly exceed 40oC in summer. These extreme temperatures pose a greater risk for forest fires. See Fires in forests.

If you are travelling abroad and need urgent assistance from the UK government, contact the nearest British consulate or High Commission.

The Foreign Business Risk service is a resource for British companies operating in foreign countries that provides information and advice on how to manage business security-related, political and economic risks.

Advice for All Destinations

Your individual needs for travel health will differ if you travel outside of the UK.

• your destination
• How long will you stay?
• What you’ll actually be doing
• your general health

It is best to contact your travel health practitioner six to eight weeks before you plan on travelling. If you are planning a trip sooner, don’t hesitate to contact them.

Unfortunately, vaccinations cannot prevent many of these health problems. These include food safety and water safety. Care for sun exposure prevention and hand hygiene. Avoid insect bites. 

You can visit the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office for advice on travelling abroad, including current information on safety, entry requirements and warnings.

If you’re travelling with medication (including any over-the-counter medicines), you should verify for any restrictions. Contact the embassy in the country that you’re visiting.

Get travel insurance to make sure you are fully protected from any medical emergency, including repatriation.

Know how to get healthcare services at your destination

• FCDO’s website contains a complete list of international doctors and medical facilities.
• You can access a global directory of travel clinics maintained by the International Society of Travel Medicine via their webpage.

Please seek medical attention if your symptoms persist after you return home from a trip.

Can I go to Spain on holiday?

Yes, as long as you have been fully immunised within the last 271 days. On Monday, February 14, all travellers over 18 years old must be able to prove they have had at most two vaccines, and they must also have their second jab within 14 days. The current situation is that you don’t need proof of a Booster jab to travel to Spain. This applies only if your second vaccination is more than 270 days old. You do not require proof of vaccination to enter Spain if you are between 12 and 18. However, you must show proof that your PCR test was negative.

A fully vaccinated person can also make it easier to return from the UK. The Covid test will not be required for travellers who are fully vaccinated, although they should still complete the passenger locator form.

Although quarantine will not be required for unvaccinated tourists, a positive PCR test must still be done by Friday, February 11. If it’s positive, the person should follow self-isolation rules until Thursday, February 24, when both vaccinated or unvaccinated individuals in England and Scotland can be isolated with covid. Wales and Northern Ireland still haven’t announced whether they will be lifting this requirement.

Children are subject to different rules depending upon their age. You can find more information in the UK government guidance.

What are Spain’s entry requirements?

Each person travelling to Spain, including children, must submit an Online Health Control Form no later than 48 hours before departure. This will generate a QR Code that needs to be presented at Spanish borders.

All travellers over 12 must be able to prove that they were fully vaccinated, with either one or both of the two-dose vaccines. This must be done at least 14 calendar days before their arrival. Negative results or proof of Covid recovery are not accepted.

Children between the ages of 12 and 17 are allowed to enter the country from 23:00 GMT on February 13, 2019. They must, instead, present a negative, positive PCR test, not more than 72hrs before they arrive.

No earlier than 270 days (about nine months) prior to travelling, you must have had your last vaccination dose. If it was later than that, you must show proof of having received the booster jab. There is no need to wait for 14 days before you can enter Spain.

Spain will accept, as all EU nations, the NHS Covid Pass, Scotland’s NHS Covid Status Pass, and Northern Ireland’s COVIDCert.NI app as proof. These documents can be presented as digital forms on a cell phone or printed as long as they are dated after November 1 2021.

Fully vaccinated children ages 12-15 can now use an NHS app to display their Covid status.

If you haven’t had your full vaccinations, you cannot enter Spain. If your travel qualifies, you must present either a negative or positive antigen/LFT test within 72 hours of the date or a medical document proving that you have recovered completely from Covid within six months.

The latest Foreign Office travel information is available for those travelling to Gibraltar.

Is it safe to travel to Spain now?

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office regards Spain as safe to travel to right now; however, they recommend that you get travel insurance before going on your trip. It’s best to verify local government advice prior to travelling as rules can quickly change without notice.

Where should you stay – Are your needs for quiet time after a lockdown? Or are you looking to escape to a busy city for a few days? Spain offers both. Begin in Barcelona for history and sights. Next, hop to Mallorca’s Balearic Island.

What do you do? We recommend hiring a vehicle to drive along the coastlines of Mallorca. At sunset, make a stop at Es Pontas, and this natural arch is located in the south-eastern region of the island.

Spain’s Covid Rules

Spain has a social distance requirement of 1.5m (5ft), regardless of where you are. A face mask must be worn by all persons aged six and above in the following areas (except for those who have a medical exemption).

• Any enclosed space that is available to the public (e.g. shops and restaurants, hotels and hospitals)
• Any indoor space where people come from different families mix
• Any outdoor space where it is not possible for social distancing to be observed (e.g. Clogged streets, demonstrations, etc.
• All transport stations, platforms and airports. All forms of public transport.

Some areas might be subject to additional restrictive measures like:

• There are no curfews at night
• There are limits on the number of social gatherings
• Indoor meeting restrictions for people from other households
• Limitations on capacity at beaches and public areas (eg reservation systems)

For more information, contact local and regional authorities.

The Foreign Office has specific Healthcare guidance for UK nationals when they visit Spain.

For more information about Spain’s travel, see the UK Foreign Office travel advice Spain.

Return to the UK

All passengers aged 12 and above who are travelling to the UK from abroad must complete the online passenger locator before departing. The form can be filled out by adults who are travelling with children aged under 18.

You do not need to be fully vaccinated if you arrive in the UK. The same rules are applicable to travellers under 18.

If you are 18 years or older and have not had your vaccines completed:

• A negative Covid-19 screening will be required. This must be done within two days of your arrival in the UK.
• To book the PCR test and to have it taken within 2 days of your arrival to the UK, you will need it. This must be booked with an independent provider before you travel.
• If your PCR result is positive, there’s no need to quarantine

Advice and support for travel

Foreign travel checklist

For help in planning your trip abroad, check out Foreign Travel Checklist. Stay safe.

Travel safety

FCDO advice can help you make the right decisions regarding foreign travel. Our primary concern is your safety, and however, we are not able to give specific advice for each trip. Before making your final decision about whether or not you will travel to the country or territory that you are concerned about, please read the travel advice. Only you can decide if it’s safe for your to travel.

We will indicate on the travel advice webpage for a country or territory the extent to which we consider the level of danger to British nationals unacceptable. More information on how the FCDO categorises and assesses risk in foreign trip advice

The international crisis page has additional tips and tricks to keep you safe when travelling abroad.

Cancellations, refunds

You can cancel or amend a booking for a holiday by contacting your travel agency. Your company will handle the cancellations and refunds. Travel companies have the right to decide whether to refund their customers. Many travel companies use our advice to help them make these decisions. We don’t advise them on when or if they can offer a refund.

Visit the Citizen’s Advice Bureau website. For more information regarding your rights, including how to cancel your holiday. For assistance in resolving flight booking problems, visit the website at the Civil Aviation Authority. For questions concerning travel insurance, contact your insurer. If you aren’t satisfied with their response, you can complain to the Financial Ombudsman Service.

Register your travel details

We don’t require anyone to register with the government before travelling. Foreign Travel Checklist and Crisis Overseas Page provide useful information to help plan your trip.

FCDO travel tips in previous versions

To find an earlier version of the FCDO Travel Advice, please visit the National Archives Website. Versions made before September 2020 will be archived by FCO as travel advice. For assistance, please send a request to Travel Advice.

Continued assistance

If you are British, and you have a question concerning travelling abroad that’s not covered in our foreign trip advice or elsewhere on GOV.UK, you can inquire. We are not able to provide advice specific to a trip.