Spain travel restrictions
Which documents to travel to Spain in 2021?
To enter Spain, it is no longer enough for Europeans to present identity papers and for travellers from the rest of the world a passport and a visa .
In fact, since the beginning of the global Covid-19 pandemic, the rules for travelling to Spain have evolved as a result of medical knowledge and various government decisions. We all hope that this new regulation is temporary, but it is essential that you take it into account when preparing for a stay in Barcelona, as in the rest of Spain.
Spain travel restrictions : the new rules
The classic documents for entering Spain
Identity card or passport for Europeans
- Travellers who are members of a Schengen country must present either a valid identity card (ID) or a valid passport at the border with Spain.
Passport and visa for non-Europeans
- Travellers who are not members of a Schengen country must present a valid passport and a visa at the border with Spain.
Traveller health control: QR Code, PCR test, Vaccine, Covid pass..
Since 23 November 2020, in addition to your identity cards or passports and visas, you must now present the following documents at the Spanish border post:
1- For all foreigners arriving in Spain:
A QR CODE of health control is obligatory for all foreigners arriving in Spain.
Before entering Spain, foreign travellers must fill in an online form to obtain a personal QR code which they will present at the border.
Where can I find the Spanish health control form?
The form can be filled in online on the official website or by downloading the dedicated application:
On the SpTH Spain Travel Health website: https://www.spth.gob.es/
By downloading the SpTH application to your mobile phone.
2- For all travellers arriving by plane or boat from a country at risk:
A PCR TEST or TMA Test is mandatory for all passengers coming from a country with a high risk of coronavirus:
Since November 23, 2020, all passengers arriving from a country with a high risk of SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus must present a certificate with:
- a NEGATIVE PCR result (COVID-19 RT-PCR or TMA), issued within 72 hours prior to their trip, in order to enter Spain by sea or air (the test is therefore not mandatory for arrivals via land borders).
- This test does not apply to travellers in transit (in airports for example).
- Children under six years of age are exempt from taking the test.
This certificate or supporting document must be the original, written in Spanish and/or English, French, Deutsch and can be presented in paper or electronic format.
The document (PCR test or TMA test) will contain at least the following information :
- name of the traveler
- passport or identity card number
- test date
- identification and contact details of the center that performed the analysis
- technique used and negative test result.
The personal identification number (passport/DNI) used to obtain the QR code must be the same as the one on the negative PCR certificate.
Upon arrival in Spain, you will still be subject to a health control at the airport and after evaluation by the health authority (including documentary control), you may be tested for COVID-19.
The list of countries at risk is updated daily on this page:
For information, as of November 23, 2020, the list of countries deemed to be at risk, based on the grey and red zones defined by the European Union, was as follows:
Germany
Austria
Belgium
Bulgaria
Cyprus
Croatia
Denmark (except Faroe Islands and Greenland).
Slovenia
Estonia
France
Greece (with the exception of the regions of Kitri, Ionia Nisia, Dytiki Ellada and Sterea Ellada).
Hungary
Ireland
Iceland
Italy
Latvia
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Norway (except the regions of Rogaland, Møre og Romsdal, Nordland, Viken,
Innlandet, Vestfold og Telemark, Agder, Vestland, Trøndelag and Troms og Finnmark).
The Netherlands
Poland
Portugal (with the exception of the Autonomous Region of the Azores)
Czech Republic
Romania
Sweden
Liechtenstein
Slovakia
Countries outside the EU are those with an incidence rate of more than 150 per 100,000 inhabitants over 14 days:
Albania
Andorra
Argentina
Armenia
Aruba
Bahrain
Belize
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Cape Verde
Colombia
Costa Rica
United Arab Emirates.
United States
Russia
Georgia
Gibraltar (United Kingdom)
Guam
Jordan
Kuwait
Lebanon
Libya
Northern Macedonia
Morocco
Moldova
Monaco
Montenegro
Palestine
Panama
French Polynesia (France)
Puerto Rico
United Kingdom
San Marino
San Martin
Serbia
Switzerland
Tunisia
Ukraine
A vaccine to travel to Spain in 2021?
A vaccination is planned in Spain from January 2021.
The head of the Spanish government, Pedro Sánchez, and the Minister of Health, Salvador Illa, presented in November 2020 the broad outlines of a vaccination plan which should hopefully start in January 2021.
A three-stage vaccination campaign is planned between now and June 2021, with the aim of vaccinating all priority groups: residents of retirement homes and the professionals who accompany them, dependents and health workers.
A second mass vaccination campaign is planned from July onwards for less vulnerable people. The vaccination will be free and voluntary.
The Spanish government has not, for the moment, raised the idea of a Spanish border control of travellers vaccinated against Covid-19 or not and No Covid Pass as well.
For the time being, the issue remains unresolved.
Prepare your trip to Spain:
- Find all the information about arrivals and departures at Barcelona airport. Which terminal is currently working?
- In Barcelona Coronavirus find the news, from day to day, on the restrictions and sanitary measures in force, including what is open and what is closed in Barcelona and Catalonia.
- The hotels are open in Barcelona right now. For your safety a new sanitary protocol for a safer stay is now in place! Book your hotel in Barcelona
11 comments
@Thiago - Barcelona.com (15 Jan 2021 - 10:24)
Hello Thiago,
Entering Spain at this time requires a very specific reason such as:
Assistance to health and social centres, services and establishments.
Compliance with labor, professional, business, institutional or legal obligations.
Attendance at colleges, teachers and schools, including preschool.
Return to the place of main or family residence, for a justified need.
...
Find more info in our page Barcelona Coronavirus,
best,
Entering by car - Thiago (15 Jan 2021 - 10:18)
What are the requirements for entering Spain from France by car?
Thanks
@Sullivan - Barcelona.com (7 Jan 2021 - 09:56)
Hello Sullivan,
A few days before returning to Spain from Morocco, you will have to check on the official Spanish website if this country is considered to be at risk. (You can find the link to this site in this same page).
If this is the case you will need to present a negative pcr test of less than 72 hours at the Barcelona airport. If not, you will not need to take this test before your departure.
Have a good trip.
Back from Morocco this month - Sullivan (6 Jan 2021 - 11:56)
Hello,
I am coming back from Morocco in late January 2021.
I don't know if i will need a negative pcr test?
thks
entering Spain from uk - Steve (23 Dec 2020 - 08:48)
buenas dias,
I am seeking to clarify the situation regarding the restrictions placed on people entering Spain from the UK this week.
As I understand it, Spanish citizens or residents are allowed to enter the country. I will need to demonstrate to border controls that I am resident in Spain.
I have read that I will need the green paper which carries my NIE number. I have one but I don't have it with me as usually it isn't necessary.
As for the new TIE issued to UK citizens after Brexit, I am in the process of applying for it. I have been to Lleida twice to try and get one and each time there was a problem and I had to make another appointment.
My next appointment is for Jan 4th. I have a message on my phone which confirms this.
What I do have with me is my Spanish driving licence which has my NIE printed on it. Will that be enough to demonstrate I am resident in Spain?
One would have thought that the border control agents could easily verify I am indeed resident in Spain by entering my NIE number into their computers and seeing my name associated with that number, but I am afraid my NIE alone printed on my driving licence will be deemed invalid and I will be refused entry.
@Will - Barcelona.com (18 Dec 2020 - 12:28)
Hello Will,
Even if you have all the necessary documents to cross the border between France and Spain, you are not allowed to travel in Catalonia at the moment because of health restrictions.
Find all the information updated daily in this section: Barcelona Coronavirus.
Best,
El Prat airport from France by car? - will (17 Dec 2020 - 08:42)
hello,
I have to catch a plane in Barcelona before Christmas. I'm coming from France by car.
Will I be allowed to cross the border?
gracias
@Jilly - Barcelona.com (12 Dec 2020 - 11:36)
Hello Jilly,
If you are travelling today, Gibraltar is considered at risk, so you need a negative PCR test to enter Spain.
Please check link in Spain travel restrictions to check updated list of countries at risk.
best,
from Gibraltar? - Jilly (11 Dec 2020 - 09:44)
Coming from Gibraltar to Spain is OK without test?
@Ed - Barcelona.com (8 Dec 2020 - 08:34)
Hello Ed,
Do we will need a covid pass to travel to Spain like in UK?
As explained on this page, the Spanish government has not made any decision
regarding a possible requirement for a covid vaccine to travel to Spain.
For this reason, a covid pass is not discussed at this time.
Will we need a Covid Pass? - Ed (7 Dec 2020 - 17:16)
Will we need a Covid Pass like in UK?