
As of 2023, Spain requires all non-residents over the age of 12 to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 to enter the country. This means that travellers must have received their final dose at least 14 days before arrival in Spain and no more than 270 days before their arrival. However, there are some exemptions for certain groups, such as those with valid medical reasons or those who have not been able to receive the vaccination. Additionally, travellers from specific countries may be subject to different entry requirements, and there may be regional variations within Spain. For example, travellers from the UK are exempt from needing a booster jab, while travellers from other countries may need one.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Vaccination Requirements | Must be fully vaccinated with both doses of a two-dose vaccine or one dose of a single-dose vaccine authorized by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) or the World Health Organization (WHO). |
| Accepted Vaccines | Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, Janssen, Serum Institute of India, Sinopharm, Sinovac |
| Booster Requirements | Required if the last dose was administered more than 270 days before arrival in Spain |
| Exemptions | Children under 12, travellers with valid medical reasons, or those who have not been able to receive the vaccination |
| Testing Requirements for Unvaccinated Travellers | Negative COVID-19 test result (PCR or antigen test) for essential travel only. Additional testing may be required upon arrival. |
| Regional Variations | Tenerife in the Canary Islands has stricter measures, including limits on group sizes, early closing times for bars, and vaccine passes for some indoor venues. |
| Documentation | Health Control Form, proof of vaccination, and/or negative test results |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn

Exemptions for unvaccinated travellers
As of 2023, Spain requires all non-resident travellers entering the country to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19. However, there are some exemptions for unvaccinated travellers. These exemptions are in place to ensure that individuals with valid reasons for not being vaccinated can still enter the country.
Unvaccinated travellers from the UK may enter Spain for essential travel reasons. They must provide a negative COVID-19 test result, either through a PCR or antigen test taken within a specified timeframe. Diagnostic tests are only accepted if the reason for travel falls into one of the categories listed as 'essential' on the entry requirements. This includes EU citizens, accompanying family members of an EU citizen, or a resident of Spain.
Unvaccinated travellers who can prove they have recovered from COVID-19 in the previous six months can also enter Spain. They must present a UK proof of COVID-19 recovery record or a recovery certificate issued by a relevant health authority or medical service. At least 11 days must have passed since the first positive COVID-19 test.
Children under the age of 12 do not need to show proof of vaccination or recovery from COVID-19 upon entry to Spain. Travellers aged 12 to 18 who are unvaccinated are required to provide a negative COVID-19 nucleic acid test (NAAT) performed within 72 hours before arrival in Spain. Alternatively, they can enter with a full vaccination or recovery certificate.
It is important to note that the entry requirements to Spain may vary depending on the traveller's country of origin and the specific region being entered. For example, travellers from the UK are exempt from needing a booster jab to enter Spain, whereas travellers from other countries may need one. Therefore, travellers should always check the latest travel guidelines for their specific destination within Spain.
Vaccine Mandates: What Businesses Need to Know
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Vaccination requirements for children
As of the latest update in 2023, Spain requires all non-residents entering the country via air to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19. However, there are exemptions for certain groups, such as those with valid medical reasons or those who have not been able to receive the vaccination. Children under the age of 12 do not need to show proof of vaccination on entry to Spain. Those aged 12 to 18 who are not fully vaccinated must provide a negative COVID-19 nucleic acid test (NAAT) performed within 72 hours of arrival.
Unvaccinated travellers from the UK can enter Spain by providing a negative COVID-19 test result, either through a PCR or antigen test. However, diagnostic tests are only accepted for travellers from the UK if the reason for travel is considered 'essential'. Overland travellers from France (excluding children under 12) may need to show proof of vaccination or a negative test result within 48 hours of entering Spain.
In addition to COVID-19 vaccinations, the CDC and WHO recommend several other vaccinations for travellers to Spain, including hepatitis A, hepatitis B, influenza, MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella), chickenpox, and shingles. It is also important to take precautions against bug bites, as they can spread diseases such as polio.
When travelling to Spain, it is important to have the necessary documentation, including proof of vaccination and negative test results. Documents can be in English, Spanish, French, or German and can be in paper or electronic format. Additionally, parents or guardians of minors should carry notarized written permission for the minor to travel to or from Spain alone or with someone else.
Vaccines: Safe or Heavy Metal Hazard?
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Regional variations in vaccine requirements
While Spain does have country-wide regulations regarding vaccination, there are some regional variations in vaccine requirements to be aware of. The vaccination requirement may vary depending on your country of origin and the specific region or travel corridor you are entering. For instance, travellers from the UK are exempt from needing a booster jab to enter Spain, while travellers from other countries may need one. Additionally, some regions within Spain may have their own specific entry requirements, so it is advisable to check the regulations for your destination area.
For example, Tenerife, in the Canary Islands, has been placed at the highest level in the Spanish Government's Coronavirus warning system. This means that, in addition to country-wide regulations, people in Tenerife cannot meet in groups larger than six, bars must close by midnight, and vaccine passes are used to gain entry to some indoor venues.
Regional restrictions may be in place that could affect travel within Spain. For instance, travellers entering Spain by road or rail from France (excluding children under 12) may need to show proof of full vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test result within 48 hours of entering Spain. However, haulage workers, frontier workers, and residents of border regions within a 30km radius are exempt from these requirements.
It is important to note that the specific vaccines accepted may vary by region, so it is essential to review the latest travel guidelines for your specific destination within Spain. The accepted vaccines typically include Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca, and Johnson & Johnson, which are authorised by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) or the World Health Organization (WHO).
Vaccines and the 9-Month Check-Up: What to Expect
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Accepted vaccines
As of 2023, Spain requires all non-residents entering the country to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19. However, there are some exemptions for certain groups, such as those with valid medical reasons or those who have not been able to receive the vaccination. Children under the age of 12 are exempted from showing proof of vaccination or recovery from Covid-19 within the last six months.
The accepted vaccines are those authorised by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) or the World Health Organization (WHO). These typically include:
- Pfizer-BioNTech
- Moderna
- AstraZeneca (Vaxzevria)
- Janssen
- Johnson & Johnson
- Serum Institute of India
- Sinopharm
- Sinovac
However, it is important to note that the specific vaccines accepted may vary by region within Spain, so it is essential to review the latest travel guidelines for your specific destination. For example, travellers from the UK are exempt from needing a booster jab to enter Spain, whereas travellers from other countries may need one. Additionally, some regions within Spain, such as Tenerife, may have their own specific entry requirements.
Unvaccinated Kids: Allowed in Public Schools?
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Testing requirements for vaccinated travellers
As of 2023, Spain has implemented specific regulations for travellers to enter the country, particularly in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. While the general rule is that travellers need to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to enter Spain, there are certain exemptions and alternative documentation requirements. It is important to note that the vaccination requirement may vary depending on your country of origin and the specific region you are entering in Spain. For example, travellers from the UK who are fully vaccinated are exempt from testing or quarantine requirements. Additionally, some regions within Spain may have their own specific entry requirements, so it is advisable to check the regulations for your destination area.
Unvaccinated travellers can enter Spain by providing a negative COVID-19 test result, either through a PCR or antigen test. This test must be taken within a specified timeframe, usually 72 hours before arrival in Spain. However, diagnostic tests are only accepted for travellers from the UK if the reason for travel is considered 'essential' according to the entry requirements. It is important to note that antigen tests are not accepted for travellers aged 12 to 18 who are not fully vaccinated. Instead, this age group must provide a negative COVID-19 nucleic acid test (NAAT) or a similar test, such as RT-PCR. Alternatively, travellers in this age bracket can enter with a full vaccination or recovery certificate.
Travellers aged 12 and above who are not fully vaccinated and have recovered from COVID-19 in the previous six months can enter Spain by providing a proof of COVID-19 recovery record or a recovery certificate issued by a relevant health authority or medical service. At least 11 days must have passed since the first positive COVID-19 test. Children under the age of 12 do not need to show proof of being fully vaccinated or provide a negative COVID-19 test result upon entry to Spain.
It is important to regularly check for updates on the current vaccine and testing requirements from official sources, as Spain's testing requirements are subject to change due to the evolving nature of the pandemic and global health guidelines.
Memory Cells: Dynamic Storage, Ever-Changing
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
It is not mandatory to be vaccinated to travel to Spain, but it may make the process easier. It is important to check the latest travel advice before travelling as rules can change.
If you are not vaccinated, it is recommended to have a negative COVID-19 test, such as a PCR or antigen test, before travelling to Spain. Different airlines may have their own policies regarding testing and mask-wearing, so it is important to check with your airline for specific guidelines.
Currently, there is no requirement to quarantine upon arrival in Spain. However, it is important to check the latest rules and be prepared to change your plans if you need to take a test during your stay.
For those registered within Spain's public health system, your regional health service will contact you to make a vaccination appointment when it is your turn. If you are not registered for public healthcare, you may need to register online or by phone, depending on the region.











































