The Spanish authorities have extended the current travel requirements on travellers from countries from the European Union and Schengen Area as well travel restrictions on visitors from third countries, up until May 15.

The move means that travellers from the EU/EEA countries remain eligible to enter the Spanish territory, including its islands, completely restriction-free, as long as they hold one of the following documents:

• Proof of vaccination with one of the vaccines approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) or the World Health Organization (WHO), with the last vaccine having been administered in the last nine months
• Proof of a previous infection with COVID-19 (PCR or rapid antigen test performed by professionals), issued in the last six months.
• Negative Coronavirus test results (PCR or rapid antigen test performed within the 72 hours of 48 hours before travel to Spain, respectively)
• As per travellers from third countries, only those holding a certificate that proves they have been vaccinated against COVID-19 in the last 270 days with a vaccine approved by EMA or WHO, as well as those holding a certificate which shows that they have recovered from the virus, are eligible to enter the country. The validity of such certificates is the same as for travellers from the EU.
• Travellers under the age of 12, however, can enter even if they are not vaccinated, or recovered from COVID-19, as long as they present negative test results, RT-PCR or similar, performed 72 hours before departure.

Spain remains amongst the few European countries still keeping entry restrictions in place. Only this week, five European countries have removed entry restrictions which are Bulgaria, Greece, Lithuania, Malta, and Switzerland.

Under which exceptions can unvaccinated travellers enter Spain?

If you’re not vaccinated or recovered, the exceptions for travel to Spain from third countries that fall under the non-essential travel restrictions are:

• You are a resident in the EU or Schengen country.
• You have a visa for an extended stay in an EU or Schengen country.
• You work in transport, such as airline staff or are in a maritime profession.
• You work in diplomatic, consular, international organisations, military or civil protection or are a member of a humanitarian organisation.
• You have a student visa for a country in the EU or Schengen zone.
• You are a highly qualified worker or athlete whose work cannot be postponed or carried out remotely.
• You are travelling for duly accredited imperative family reasons.
• You are allowed entry due to force majeure or on humanitarian grounds.