Spain has reopened for EU and overseas tourists (including vaccinated Americans). Travelers from low-risk countries will no longer need to bring proof of a negative COVID-19 test, vaccine certificate or quarantine.
Read on to learn about the restrictions for high-risk countries.
Related:
– Italy to start reopening for tourism on June 2
– France open for tourism – Current restrictions
– Greece to start opening for tourism in May 2021
Disclaimer: Travel restrictions and governmental regulations can change rapidly and the information below might be outdated within a few hours. Therefore, double-check all information with your embassy or on official websites. Traveling Lifestyle does not take any responsibility for your decision to travel.
Spain Reopening – Latest Updates
October 15 – Nightlife returns to Spain as transmission rates fall to ‘low risk’
Tourists and locals in Catalonia, Madrid, the Valencia area, Asturias, and the Balearic Islands will be able to return to nightclubs starting Friday, Oct. 15.
Under the new regulations, there will be no capacity restrictions in Catalonia’s restaurants, cultural venues, outdoor sports facilities, universities, and fairs.
Restaurants will also be allowed to resume their pre-pandemic operating hours, and table spacing will no longer be necessary.
With less than 50 cases per 100,000 people over a 14-day period, the country was downgraded to low-risk.
Is Spain open to Americans?
Vaccinated Americans are allowed to visit Spain for tourism from June 8. Unvaccinated ones have been barred from entering.
Is it safe to travel to Spain right now?
Spain is experiencing another Covid-19 wave due to a spread of the Delta variant and therefore is a “red zone” for many countries.
Third-party “safe” countries (Sept. 27 to Oct. 3)
- Australia
- Canada
- Chile
- China
- China
- Hong Kong
- Jordan
- Kuwait
- Macao
- New Zealand
- Qatar
- Rwanda
- Saudi Arabia
- Singapore
- South Korea
- Taiwan
- Ukraine
- Uruguay
What are the entry restrictions to enter Spain?
- Fill out the travel form named Spain Travel Health (SpTH) and,
- Submit a COVID-19 test if the traveler is not on the low-risk list
- Proof of vaccination (mandatory in most cases)
What is the current COVID-19 situation in Spain?
As of October 15, Spain has reported 4,982,138 positive COVID cases and 86,917 have lost their lives to the virus.
Spain reopening tourism: Update archives
September 30 – Spain to lift capacity restrictions for sports events, nightclubs remain closed
The Inter-Territorial Council of the National Health System (CISNS) agreed to lift capacity restrictions for outdoor sporting events starting Friday. Additionally, indoor venues will be able to operate at 80% capacity.
The one topic Spain is still not open to discussing just yet is the full reopening of nightlife. As of today, only Madrid, Castilla-La Mancha, Andalusia, and the Canary Islands have reopened nightclubs but with multiple restrictions.
Experts say that the often poorly-ventilated enclosed spaces are the perfect breeding ground for the virus.
These rules will remain in force at least until Oct. 31.
September 12 – Spain impose stricter entry restrictions on visitors from France, Italy and Romania
A few days ago, Spain decided to totally bar unvaccinated visitors from the United States. Now, a number of restrictions have been also extended to travelers from France, Romania, and Italy. So far, only people coming from some “areas of concern” had restrictions
Now, visitors from all areas of these countries need to bring proof of vaccination or proof of recovery from COVID-19 as well as negative COVID-19 test results.
The restriction is expected to be extended this week.
Source: SchengenVisaInfo
August 30 – Spain adds 20 countries to its high-risk travel list
Spain has added 20 countries to its high-risk travel list including Germany, Finland, and Iceland, countries that had been praised for their outstanding results regarding pandemic management.
The move means that travelers from these countries will need to mandatorily present a vaccine certificate to be allowed entry.
The countries affected by the new measure are the following,
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Cyprus
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- Germany
- Greece
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Portugal
- Slovenia
- Sweden
Source: SchengenVisaInfo
August 13 – Spain to reopen for India while tightens COVID restrictions across the country
Spain is welcoming back fully vaccinated Indian visitors after months of a travel ban imposed due to the Delta variant. The Delhi visa application center is open again for business.
While the government reopens to other nations, it is also planning to reintroduce new multiple COVID-19 restrictions.
Catalonia plans to reimpose curfews in 176 municipalities.
The Balearic Islands has banned all types of gatherings between 1:00 am and 6:00 am and will require visitors to present a Digital COVID pass to access hotels, restaurants, and bars starting August 14.
In contrast, businesses in Madrid will be operating under flexible rules and extended schedules.
Source in Spanish: El Mundo.es
July 29 – Spain might be moved to the UK amber-plus list next week
Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, Dominic Raab told reporters today that Spain could be moved out from their amber list this week.
If Spain manages to make it to the amber plus list, some restrictions will be eased but it still means that returning travelers will need to quarantine upon arrival in the U.K.
“I think you’re getting a little bit ahead of where the Government will be next week but of course, what we want to do is open up with the minimum inconvenience for people but we have just got to be totally vigilant for all these different permutations of the variant.”
Although he did not confirm any of the changes that will be made, he suggested that Spain could be moved to a new list.
“You’ll know next week at the latest. You have to judge it on the basis of the traffic light system we have got in place right now.”
Source: Express U.K
July 9 – Spain to reintroduce several restrictions from July 9 due to 5th wave of coronavirus
Curfews, limited business hours and capacity for bars and restaurants, and even face mask wearing is returning to multiple autonomous communities in Spain due to the 5th wave of coronavirus infections.
The country also reimposed the need to bring a negative COVID-19 test to be allowed entry regardless of travelers’ vaccination status.
In Canary Islands Bars and restaurants can open only until midnight and businesses can operate at 50% capacity.
For its part, Barcelona’s government closed nightclubs again on July 9.
So far, Madrid has kept the least number of restrictions possible but that is expected to change over the weeks to come.
The French government has openly asked its citizens not to travel to Spain due to the worrisome spike in COVID-19 cases.
“For those who have not yet booked their holidays, avoid Spain and Portugal in your plans,” said Clément Beaune, French Secretary of State for European Affairs.
June 26 – Spain to drop face mask and other COVID-19 restrictions from June 26
Starting June 26, there will be no legal compulsion to wear face masks once the Spanish government has lifted the rule.
The restriction was not completely ruled out. Face masks will still be required when social distancing is not possible in public spaces, and in all indoor public settings.
The government also eased multiple capacity and schedule restrictions. Effective June 21, Madrid, Marbella, Andalucía and Costa del Sol are allowed to open clubs and restaurants until 2:00 a.m. For its part, Galicia will reopen night activities from July 1.
Cantabria is the only Spanish community open without any restrictions.
(Source in Spanish: Cadena Ser)
June 9 – Spain has reopened for tourism without COVID-19 test or vaccine certificate from low-risk countries starting on June 7
Travelers from all countries can now enter Spain from June 7. Of course, different conditions apply depending on visitors’ point of departure.
Tourists from low-risk listed countries will be allowed entry without Covid-19 test, vaccine or any other certificate. Those visiting from outside the EU will need to get vaccinated at least 14 days prior to arrival (two doses are needed).
All visitors will still have to fill out the travel form named Spain Travel Health (SpTH)
At ports and airports, there will be two control points. Whoever comes from countries or zones not included on the list of risk zones will have access to a quick control with the QR code obtained from SpTH” reads the government’s latest statement.
(Source: EuroNews)
May 28 – American and other tourists will be welcome back to Spain without health controls from June 7, said PM.
Days after the EU reached an agreement on entry criteria for tourists who have received a full two-dose course of an approved vaccine and for those from low-risk countries, Spain has announced the country will be welcoming back American and other tourists without restrictions from June 7.
“They’re welcome —more than welcome— without restrictions or health controls,” said Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez at a press conference. (Source: Travel+Leisure).
Visitors may still need to use a travel app the country has been testing out since last month to upload their vaccine certificates. Spain expects to recover at least 30-40% of this pre-pandemic this summer. What still remains unknown is when and how the U.S. will reopen to Spanish or other European tourists.
