GAGGING for a getaway to sunny Spain? Travel for Brits to the Mediterranean country is back, but there are some restrictions.
Here’s all you need to know about your trip to this popular holiday destination.
1
What are Spain’s travel requirements for UK visitors?
Spain is welcoming British tourists to the country as it is now open to the UK.
However, there are some rules in place depending on if you are vaccinated or not, or how long it’s been since you recovered from a Covid infection.
You must also ensure that your passport meets the country’s entry requirements.
In May 2022, the Spanish authorities announced that the current Covid restrictions would be extended for another month until mid June.
How long to I need on my passport to visit Spain?
To travel to EU countries (except Ireland), or Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino or Vatican City, you have to follow the Schengen area passport requirements.
You can find out more about this rules here.
To visit Spain – which is in the European Union – your passport needs to be:
- Issued less than 10 years before the date you enter the country (check the ‘date of issue’)
- Valid for at least three months after the day you plan to leave (check the ‘expiry date’)
If your passport was issued before 1 October 2018, additional months may have been added to its expiry date.
If you think that your passport doesn’t meet these requirements, contact the Spanish embassy to check.
In April 2022, a woman was kicked off her flight to Tenerife due to the confusing passport rules.
In August 2021, another woman lost a £2,600 holiday due to a similar passport mistake.
Do I need to be vaccinated to visit Spain?
In April 2022, the Spanish tourist board were forced to U-turn after claiming tourists who hadn’t been vaccinated could enter the country with just a negative Covid test.
Despite the confusion, Spain is still not allowing Brits into the country unless at least 14 days have passed since they’ve being fully vaccinated with both jabs of a two-dose vaccine, or a single dose vaccine.
The only exemption to this is if you have a Proof of Recovery showing you have recovered from the virus more than 11 days ago and less than six months ago.
Provided you’ve been vaccinated, you only have to fill in the Spanish Health Form to enter.
However, bear in mind that your second dose must have been within 270 days of arriving in Spain.
If it wasn’t, then you have to have a booster, otherwise you won’t be allowed in.
Young people between 12 and 17 are also exempt from being vaccinated, but must have a negative PCR test.
Children below this age don’t need anything to visit.
