Spain
Summary
COVID-19 entry restrictions for Spain
Before you travel, check the ‘Entry requirements’ section for Spain’s current entry restrictions and requirements. These may change with little warning. Monitor this advice for the latest updates and stay in contact with your travel provider.
If you are planning to travel to Spain through France, check the latest FCDO travel advice for France ahead of your journey as the situation may change at short notice.
Travelling from and returning to the UK
Check what you must do to travel abroad and return to England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.
If you plan to pass through another country to return to the UK, check the travel advice for the country you’re transiting.
If you are planning to drive to or from Spain through France, check the latest FCDO travel advice for France ahead of your journey as the situation may change at short notice.
There is currently a heightened risk of forest fires due to exceptionally high temperatures in Spain. Take care when visiting or driving through woodland areas. Access to some areas such as natural parks and nature reserves may be limited or closed as a result. You should follow the instructions of local authorities and call 112 if you need emergency assistance. If you need urgent consular assistance you should call +34 91 714 6300. See Forest fires
Possible strike action may cause some disruption to flights to and from Spain. You should consult your airline for updates prior to travel.
ItIf you’re planning travel to Spain, find out what you need to know about coronavirus there in the Coronavirus section.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, it is more important than ever to get travel insurance and check it provides sufficient cover. See the FCDO’s guidance on foreign travel insurance.
There are rules about taking food and drink into the EU. See Taking food and drink into Spain for further information.
Terrorists are likely to try to carry out attacks in Spain. See Terrorism
There have been large gatherings of people and demonstrations in some parts of Barcelona and other areas of the Catalonia region in relation to political developments there. Some demonstrations have become violent and may cause disruption to public transport, including access to airports. See Political situation
There have been several deaths as a result of falls from balconies. Don’t take any unnecessary risks, especially when under the influence of drink or drugs. See Falls from height
If you are attending a festival or large concert in Spain, please see Festivals and concerts Festivals and concerts
Be alert to the existence of street crime. Thieves tend to target money and passports so don’t keep them all in one place. Keep a copy of your passport somewhere safe. See Crime
For information on driving during your stay in Spain see Road travel
If you’re living in or moving to Spain, read the Living in Spain guide in addition to this travel advice.
If you’re abroad and you need emergency help from the UK government, contact the nearest British embassy, consulate or high commission.
The Overseas Business Risk service offers information and advice for British companies operating overseas on how to manage political, economic, and business security-related risks.
Update history
2024-11-28 16:03
Removal of information about severe weather and flooding (‘Warnings and insurance’ page)
2024-11-13 16:30
Updated information on severe weather and flooding in Spain (‘Warnings and insurance’ page)
2024-11-05 17:22
Update on location of severe flooding in Spain (‘Warnings and insurance’ page)
2024-10-30 10:54
Information about flooding (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2024-09-05 13:25
Information on the new EU Entry/Exit System (EES), planned to be introduced from November 2024 (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2024-05-29 12:12
Amended information on car child safety requirements (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-05-17 10:35
Information that if your passport is lost or stolen, you cannot use a police report to leave Spain (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-05-02 11:18
This travel advice was reviewed for style and accuracy.
2024-01-10 09:46
Information on the mandatory use of face masks in healthcare settings (‘Health’ page)
2023-10-19 13:53
Information on transport strikes (‘Safety and security’ page).
2023-10-02 15:46
Information on low emission zone’s in Spain and on reporting a crime in Spain (‘Safety and security’ page).
2023-09-30 16:08
Updated information on transport strikes commencing Monday 2 October.
2023-08-09 16:01
Updated information on attacks and sexual assaults in Spain (‘Safety and security’ page).
2023-07-26 15:44
Updated information on providing personal ID when renting a vehicle, water safety, altitude sickness, and what to do in the event of a forest fire (‘Safety and security’ page).
2023-07-17 13:12
Information on the extreme temperatures currently affecting many parts of Spain (‘Safety and security’ page).
2023-07-10 15:27
Addition of English-speaking police line (‘Getting help’ page).
2023-07-07 15:29
Updated information on how to report a crime in Spain (‘Getting help ’ page).
2023-07-05 14:21
The Spanish government has declared an end to the health crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and has lifted all compulsory requirements to wear face coverings (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2023-06-28 16:38
This travel advice has been rewritten to make it easier to read and understand.
2023-06-22 10:23
Information about the global terrorism risks to British nationals abroad on all FCDO travel advice pages.
2023-06-09 10:50
Removal of information on Storm Oscar weather warnings in the Canary Islands (‘Summary’ page).
2023-06-05 18:45
Updated information on Storm Oscar weather warnings in the Canary Islands (‘Summary’ page).
2023-05-19 14:46
Information on consulting your airline or tour operator if your onward travel is affected by strike action (‘Summary’ page).
2023-02-08 14:47
Updated information on use of face masks in Spain following the lifting of the requirement to use face masks on public transport (‘Coronavirus’ page).
2023-01-26 13:16
Update on terrorist-related incident in Algeciras on 25 January (‘Terrorism’ page).
2023-01-03 14:35
Information on COVID-19 vaccination and testing requirements for passengers arriving from China (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2022-10-28 13:24
Updated information on demonstrations and processions (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
2022-10-24 14:02
Updated information on opening times of English-speaking police line (‘Safety and Security’ page).
2022-10-21 00:00
From 21 October 2022, all COVID-19 travel restrictions for travellers to Spain have been lifted. (‘Entry requirements’ page)
2022-09-21 16:53
New information about the lifting of the requirement to complete the health control form prior to travel to Spain (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2022-08-12 14:05
New information on attending festivals or concerts in Spain (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
2022-08-01 16:09
Updated information on the possibility of strike action disrupting flights to and from Spain (‘Summary’ page)
2022-07-18 16:17
Information on heightened risk of forest fires (‘Summary’ page)
2022-07-14 11:16
Updated information on what to do if you test positive for COVID-19 during your stay in Spain (‘Coronavirus’ page). Addition of information on the use of e-gates on arrival in Spain (‘Entry requirements’ page)
2022-07-04 16:48
Information on planned strike action by airlines in July (‘Summary’ page).
2022-06-17 15:40
Updated information on vaccine validity requirements for 12 to 17 year olds. (‘Entry requirements’ page)
2022-05-26 11:47
Updated information on transiting Spain (‘Entry requirements’ page)
2022-05-23 13:05
Updated following changes to entry rules for unvaccinated travellers (‘Entry requirements’ page)
2022-05-12 15:10
Clarification about current passport validity (‘Entry requirements’ page)
2022-05-06 16:21
Updated information on restrictions on the sale of alcohol in Balearic Islands and irregular commercial parties (‘Local laws and customs’ page)
2022-04-20 16:46
Updated information on the use of face masks in Spain (‘Coronavirus’ page)
2022-04-08 13:03
Updated information on the requirement to complete a Health Control Form for entry to Spain (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2022-04-01 15:27
Updated information on COVID-19 public health measures in Spain (‘Coronavirus’ page).
2022-03-10 16:40
Updated information on completing a Health Control Form for entry to Spain (‘Entry requirements’ page)
2022-02-28 17:07
Travellers can now enter Spain by presenting documentation that certifies they have recovered from COVID-19 infection in the last 6 months. (‘Entry requirements’ page)