As COVID-19 infection rates increase in Europe and throughout the world, the United States has been continuing to add countries to its list of “Level 4: Do Not Travel” countries. Amongst the latest to join, which occurred on Monday, were the Iberian countries of Spain and Portugal. Also being added then were Cyprus within Europe and Cuba, Central African Republic and Kyrgyz Republic elsewhere.
The move is expected to have a negative impact on the tourism industry within Portugal and Spain. Although the travel advisories do not disallow any Americans from traveling there, they are expected to decrease the U.S.-to-Iberia tourism numbers as many Americans will likely then choose not to do so.
The only other European country to be added to this list in July was the United Kingdom (July 19).
Americans looking to enter Spain may do so without restrictions as long as they are flying from the U.S.; a transit through a third country is allowed. Conversely, if they will be entering Spain from elsewhere, they should research the entry requirements that would apply to that travel situation. Regardless, they should complete the steps necessary to access a QR code from the Spain Travel Health (SpTH) programme and then download it.
Meanwhile, Americans wanting to spend some time in Portugal will need to take a PCR test within 72 hours of boarding a flight to the country or an antigen test within 48 hours of doing so and have a negative test result to show officials. This requirement is being applied to vaccinated visitors as well.
In addition, everybody traveling to the United States must have a recently taken negative test result to show officials at the airports in order to gain entry to the airplane and the country with exceptions made for those who can show proof that they had contracted COVID-19 at least 90 days prior to travel and have since recovered. Being fully vaccinated does not exclude travelers from this requirement.
Those looking to return the favor – e.g. Spaniards and Portuguese citizens visiting the U.S. for nonessential reasons – remain unable to do so as the U.S. recently reconfirmed its non-intention of removing restrictions keeping European Union and U.K. citizens from visiting for nonessential reasons for the foreseeable future.