Latest COVID-19 Entry Restrictions for Travelers to Spain

Spain has reinstated entry restrictions for travelers coming from the United States. This change follows the European Union’s decision to exclude the US from its list of epidemiologically safe countries.

Since June, Spain maintained a relatively relaxed policy, allowing US travelers to visit without COVID-19 restrictions. However, effective immediately, travelers from the US are now required to be fully vaccinated to enter Spain for leisure or tourism purposes.

Spain accepts vaccines approved by the European Medicines Agency, as well as those listed by the World Health Organization for emergency use. Approved vaccines include Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, Sinopharm, Sinovac, and Covishield. It is essential for travelers to have completed their vaccination course before flying to Spain. This means that they must be two weeks post the second dose or two weeks after receiving the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

Additionally, all international travelers must register their details through the Spain Travel Health portal. Upon completion, a QR code will be generated, which must be presented upon arrival either on a mobile device or printed. The registration form can be accessed via the Spain Travel Health portal or downloaded as the ‘SpTH’ app from Google Play or the App Store.

Children under the age of 12 who are traveling with vaccinated adults will be allowed to enter Spain without any additional requirements. However, those aged 12 to 18 must present proof of vaccination.

Unvaccinated travelers from the US may present a negative PCR test (taken within 72 hours before arriving) or an antigen test (taken within 48 hours before arriving) if they are traveling for essential reasons, or belong to specific groups such as:

• Residents of the EU, Schengen Area, Andorra, Monaco, The Vatican (Holy See), or San Marino returning to their country of residence.
• Long-stay visa holders from the EU/Schengen Area traveling to that country.
• Health professionals, including health researchers and elderly care workers.
• Transport personnel, seafarers, and aeronautical professionals.
• Diplomatic and consular personnel.
• Staff of international organizations and members of humanitarian organizations.
• Students attending universities in the EU, Iceland, Switzerland, Lichtenstein, or Norway, with the corresponding permit or visa and medical insurance.
• Highly skilled workers in essential roles that cannot be postponed or conducted remotely.
• Individuals traveling for significant family reasons.
• Persons requiring humanitarian entry or facing force majeure situations.

The adjustments made by Spain regarding entry rules for American travelers coincide with the European Union’s recommendation that its 27 member states reapply restrictions on nonessential travel for all US citizens, in light of rising case numbers. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates that the US is currently averaging approximately 153,246 new COVID-19 cases daily.

In recent days, several EU countries have also implemented additional travel restrictions for American travelers. For example, The Netherlands mandates a 10-day quarantine for US travelers, regardless of vaccination status. Furthermore, travelers heading to Italy must provide a negative PCR or antigen test result taken within 72 hours prior to entry, even if they possess proof of vaccination such as a COVID-19 green pass or equivalent certification.