Spain has finally changed its rules to allow entry to travellers from outside the European Union who have not been vaccinated against Covid-19, as long as they have a negative PCR or rapid test. Fully vaccinated passengers will still need to show proof of vaccination.
After many extensions to the Covid entry restrictions, the most recent of which was on May 15, the Spanish government has done an abrupt about-turn and decided to allow unvaccinated tourists from Britain, the USA and other non-EU countries to enter the country for vacations.
The news comes just as the summer approaches, and thousands of holidaymakers are expected to descend on Spain. Tourism is one of the biggest earners for the Spanish economy, and the country has suffered during the last two years of Covid.In 2019, 18 million visitors arrived at Spanish airports from the UK alone, and now Spain wants to see the same numbers hitting their beaches again this year.
Other countries removed their travel restrictions for unvaccinated passengers long ago. The UK removed all its remaining international Covid travel restrictions for entry on March 18, including passenger locator forms and the requirement to present a negative Covid test.
Countries such as Austria, Greece, Switzerland, Bulgaria, Croatia, Lithuania, Sweden, Serbia, Slovenia and Slovakia followed suit, and they no longer having any Covid travel restrictions for visitors.
On flights to Spain, however, it is still necessary to wear a facemask while on the plane because face coverings are still mandatory on all public transport in Spain.
What are the current travel restrictions in Spain?
From May 21, all visitors entering Spain via airports, sea ports or by car, regardless they are travelling from, must provide one of the following 3 certificates:
- Vaccination certificate meeting the governments requirements
- A negative test certificate (PCR or similar)
- Certificate of recovery at least 11 days after testing positive
Spain accepts the UK’s proof of Covid-19 vaccination record, either digitally, or as a printed download.
PCR tests must be carried out in the 72 hours prior to departure to Spain or an antigen test in the 24 hours prior to departure.
Proof of recovery certificates will be valid for 180 days from the date of the positive test.
Children under the age of 12 are exempt from submitting any type of certificate.
Source: Spain News Today, May 2022
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