Unlike numerous other European Union and European Economic Area countries that have already eased their entry restrictions, Spain has not done so.
While the government requires visitors to produce acceptable proof of identity upon admission, not everyone is subject to the same requirements.
According to the Spanish Ministry of Health, travellers are separated into two groups: those travelling from an EU/EEA country and those travelling from a non-EU country.
Visiting Spain from an EU/EEA country
Spain's risk list currently includes all European Union/European Economic Area countries. Nonetheless, the authorities have stated that anyone can enter the country for the purpose of travel.
Travelers arriving in Spain from an EU/EEA country are exempt from additional entry requirements provided they exhibit one of the EU Digital COVID Pass certificates - a valid vaccination, recuperation, or test certificate.
"You must produce a certificate or paper proving immunisation, diagnostic test for active illness, or recovery from COVID-19 if you come from a country at risk for COVID-19," the Ministry of Health states.
As long as they have a valid vaccination certificate, immunised EU travellers can enter without limitation. A vaccination certificate issued by EU authorities is acceptable in Spain if it shows that the holder has completed primary immunisation or received an extra vaccine dose during the last nine months.
Furthermore, the phrase above implies that unvaccinated EU travellers are permitted to travel to Spain. They have to show a recent recovery or negative test when they enter.
A recovery certificate must prove that the holder has recovered from the virus within the last six months for the Spanish authorities to accept it.
Spain considers both PCR and fast antigen tests as negative tests. The PCR test must be completed 72 hours before arrival in Spain, whereas the short antigen test must be completed within 24 hours.
Visiting Spain from a Safe Non-EU Country
Spain has placed several non-EU nations on its safe list. China (including Hong Kong and Macau), Colombia, Indonesia, Kuwait, Peru, Qatar, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Taiwan are on this list.
Travellers from these areas are exempt from additional requirements if they provide vaccination or recovery certificate.
The list of safe third nations is updated every week; thus, this classification may change in the future.
Traveling to Spain from Outside the European Union
All other third nations that are not on the safe list are currently on Spain's danger list.
Only third-country visitors with a valid vaccination or recovery certificate are presently permitted admission into Spain, according to Spanish authorities.
This means that non-EU visitors who have a negative COVID-19 test but no vaccination or recovery certificate are unable to enter Spain.
Apart from those mentioned earlier, it has been stated that numerous other kinds of third-country visitors are also permitted to enter Spain.
Third-country visitors arriving in Spain from a high-risk area can enter with fewer restrictions if they fall into one of the following categories:
- Possess a long-term visa issued by a member of the European Union or a Schengen Associated State.
- Health professionals, transportation workers, mariners, and aeronautical personnel are among them.
- They work as ambassadors, consuls, military or civil defence personnel, or humanitarians.
- They are either students or professionals with advanced degrees.
According to the Spanish Ministry of Health, third-country visitors can enter Spain if they are completely vaccinated or have recovered from the virus or fall into one of the categories listed above.
Unvaccinated and unrecovered third-country visitors visiting Spain for extremely necessary reasons are allowed to enter if they undergo additional admission procedures.
COVID-19 Restrictions in Spain Currently
In contrast to most EU/EEA nations, Spain has maintained domestic COVID-19 limits. When attending certain indoor venues and activities, all persons over the age of six must wear a face mask. Masks are also required in public transportation.
The rest of the rules differ from one location to the next. Some establishments may need you to show a valid EU Digital COVID Pass or other acceptable proof.
