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Spain is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world and well known for its laid-back lifestyle, vibrant culture, awe-inspiring architecture and Mediterranean beaches.

With tourism contributing up to 11% of Spain's GDP, the country is looking to revitalize the sector after being decimated by the pandemic. 

Spain is now welcoming visitors under new health protocols to help curb the spread of the virus and keep visitors safe. 

Here is everything you need to know about the COVID-19 entry requirements before traveling to Spain. 

Cafe welcoming back tourists

Countries Permitted To Visit Spain For Tourism

  • Countries in the European Union
  • Countries in the Schengen area
  • These select third-party countries: Australia, China, Japan, New Zealand, Rwanda, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, and Uruguay

Essential Travel To Spain (Not Tourism) 

Travelers from countries NOT permitted for tourism may enter Spain if they fall into the following categories:

  • Students who study in one of the EU/Schengen member states and possess the appropriate visa and medical insurance who are traveling within the course of their academic studies or 15 days prior.
  • Highly qualified workers including participants in high-level sporting events that take place in Spain.
  • People traveling for duly accredited family reasons.
  • People traveling for humanitarian reasons 
  • Health professionals coming to Spain for work
  • Goods and transport personnel
  • Diplomats, consular, international officials, military personnel, civil protection and members of humanitarian organizations 
*Note: If you fall into one of the above categories, you must check with the Spanish consulate in your country before traveling. PCR tests will be required. 

COVID-19 Testing Entry Requirements

PCR tests are now required as of November 23, 2020 from EU/EEA nations that have high rates of the virus. Currently that includes:

Austria
Belgium
Bulgaria
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark (except Faroe Islands and Greenland)
Estonia
France
Germany
Greece (except the regions of Kitri, Ionia Nisia, Dytiki Ellada and Sterea Ellada)
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Italy
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
The Netherlands
Norway (except the regions of Rogaland, Møre og Romsdal, Nordland, Viken, Innlandet, Vestfold og Telemark, Agder, Vestland, Trøndelag and Troms og Finnmark)
Poland
Portugal (except the Azores)
Romania
Slovakia
Slovenia
Sweden

All arrivals from those countries must bring with them proof of a negative PCR test, taken no longer than 72 hours prior to arrival in Spain. 

More information on what details are needed on the PCR test results can be found HERE. An updated list of countries that require a PCR test for entry can be found HERE. 

Aerial view of madrid spain (1)

Canary Islands

All travelers to the Canary Islands must bring a 72-hour negative PCR test for entry.

Health Form

The following must be completed prior to traveling to Spain:

  • ALL travelers must fill out the form 48 hours prior to travel on the Spain Travel Health website or downloadable app
  • Once you have filled out the form you will be provided with a QR code to print and present to border officials upon arrival

Quarantine Entry Requirements 

Quarantines are not required for travelers arriving in Spain from approved countries.

COVID-19 Travel Insurance Entry Requirements 

Travel Insurance is not mandatory for entry but all incoming travelers should have medical insurance that covers COVID-19 for the duration of their trip to Spain. 

COVID-19 Health Requirements While in Spain

All visitors must follow COVID-19 health requirements while in Spain:

  • In most regions of Spain, everyone six years or older must wear a face mask covering their mouth and nose in indoor and outdoor public areas. People may remove their masks to eat, drink and practice sports.
  • Large gatherings of people in public spaces are also limited in many regions of Spain
traveler wearing face mask in madrid spain

COVID-19 Vaccine Entry Requirements 

A COVID-19 vaccine is not yet available to the public. Spain has not released any information regarding if a proof of vaccination record (POVR) will be required for entry in the future.

Visa Entry Requirements For Spain During COVID-19

If all of the above COVID-19 Entry Requirements are met, travelers will still need to follow Spain's regular visa requirements. 

Many travelers are able to visit Spain for a period of up to 90 days without a visa under the Schengen Agreement.

Unsure if you need a visa to visit Spain? See the list of countries that require a visa.

Spain Covid-19 Entry Requirements:

  1. Check if your country is approved to visit Spain for non-essential travel (tourism).
  2. Check if your country requires a visa to visit Spain
  3. Check if your country is high risk and if you need a PCR test or not
  4. Approved countries will not need testing or have to quarantine 
  5. Follow all health protocols in Spain

Read More: 

COVID-19 Entry Requirements By Country: Travelers Guide

All Countries Reopening For Tourism

Countries in Europe That Have Reopened For Tourism

Travel Insurance That Covers Covid-19

For Breaking Travel Reopening News & Questions, Join Our: Facebook Community

Travel-off-Path-group

Sources: Spain Government/US Embassy/UK Government

Disclaimer: Current Spain travel rules are changing without notice and being updated constantly. We do our best to keep this article up to date with all the latest information, but the decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before traveling.  Travel Off Path does not endorse traveling against government advisories

Article originally published August 18, 2020 with updates
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76 Responses

  1. Randy Reply

    Hello Kashlee!
    Do you know if a French citizen can fly from Beirut to Barcelona on the 22nd and be allowed entry?

    • Kashlee Kucheran

      Hi Randy! Since EU citizens are always allowed in the EU, that tells me you should be fine, HOWEVER… You will need a 72 hour negative PCr test for sure since you are coming from an non-premitted nation.
      This is just my opinion, so if you want to double check it, ask Spanish border police or the consulate. Good luck!

  2. Craig Harrison Reply

    Hey Kashlee,
    (Sorry if this has already been asked)

    I just wanted to confirm whether travel (flights) to and from the Canary Islands and mainland Spain require a Negative PCR test for entry/re-entry?

    The note in the article ‘All travelers to the Canary Islands must bring a 72-hour negative PCR test for entry’ seems to indicate that it would, but I’ve seen in other websites that the Canary Islands are a part of Spain, so it isn’t required
    (this doesn’t seem to be addressed on any actual official Spanish government websites either).

    Also, I’m a UK resident, but I’ve been in mainland Spain for over a month now, do you think this would make a difference?

    Kind regards!

    Craig.

    • Kashlee Kucheran

      Hi Craig!
      From what I understand, even if you have been in mainland Spain for a while, you will still need a PCR test in order to fly to the Canary Islands. I do not believe you need another to return to mainland Spain, as the restriction only seems to run one way.
      Of course, mainland Spain now needs a PCR test from over 60+ countries, so if you happen to leave Spain and come back you might need one for mainland Spain, but not coming from the Canaries.

  3. John Reply

    Is there any official Spanish website to confirm this information. “From what I understand” doesn’t officially do this and in order to travel to the Canaries from mainland Spain this information is critical if people are going to avoid refused entry, fines etc.

    • Kashlee Kucheran

      John, While I do my best to respond to hundreds of comments a day, everyone should take the responsibility to do their own research. I am not responsible to get everyone every piece of ever-changing information for every country. If me sharing the information I know ‘doesn’t officially do’, I suggest you try Google 😉

      ps- the best way to avoid being denied entry for the Canaries is to take the test anyway

  4. John Reply

    Sorry.
    I didn’t mean to sound ungrateful.
    I appreciate your input.
    I have done my own research btw and an antigen test is sufficient and is required by your hotel or accommodation. This information was given to me by calling the Canary Islands tourist board.
    I hope this information is helpful to others.
    Kind regards

  5. Leon Reply

    Hi Kashlee

    Thank you for all your work , I have a question, I am Canadian and I called the Spanish consulate here in montreal to see if I can get into spain to see my girlfriend who lives in Barcelona , I basically got a no answer

    I’ve reached out to a Spanish immigration lawyer regarding the “unmarried unregistered “ couples reunion, I’m waiting to hear back. I’m not sure what they will be able to do given that the Spanish consulate told me no entry permitted from Canada

    Have you heard about this unmarried unregistered topic and does it have any validation?

    Thank you

  6. Bob Reply

    Please help, We live in France and wish to drive through Spain to Portugal. Will Spain accept a covid test certificate printed in French at their borders. ?

  7. Wissam Nasr Reply

    I love your website and efforts. What is confusing however is when you say “countries allowed to visit” as opposed to “citizens of countries” allowed to visit. For example I am an American in Malta and I have been here for 30 days. Am I thus allowed to visit Greece or Spain, which allows “countries from the EU”? Or is it that no matter what, I am not allowed in because I am not a citizen of an Eu Country? Please help, as I seek to travel to either country. Thanks!

    • Kashlee Kucheran

      It’s an unanswerable question I am afraid 😉
      That is why you cannot find clear information about it.
      Some EU nations base entry on “Residency + location”, some on just “location”, they all change constantly, and sometimes different levels of government will have different rules posted. The only way to know right now is to ask the border police of the EU country you wish to enter after being in a safe EU country for the past 14 days and ask permission, or to boldly try knowing you could be rejected.
      Some Americans in EU nations heading to another get through, and some get denied.

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