Spain has updated rules on booster vaccines for tourists from the UK aged 12 to 18.
To enter Spain without having to pay for and take a Covid-19 test, or show a proof of recovery, British nationals must be "fully vaccinated". But the definition of what fully vaccinated means differs between adults and teenagers.
The rules are more relaxed for holidaymakers aged 12 to 17 and should mean most teenagers will not require a booster to be considered fully vaccinated by Spanish border authorities. But they will need to have had at least two jabs, or one-shot if they received a single-jab vaccine.
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Essentially, adults will need a booster if the last dose of their initial Covid-19 vaccination was more than 270 days ago. Those aged 12 to 17 don't need a booster if the final jab of their initial Covid-19 vaccination course was more than 270. Children aged under 12 are exempt.
Do I need a booster vaccine to travel to Spain?
If you want to visit Spain without paying for Covid-19 test, or proving you have recovered from coronavirus in the previous six months, then you will likely require a booster jab to visit Spain if you are over 18.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) travel page for Spain was updated this month to clear up the rules.
It says: "If you are aged 18 or over and have not received a booster, but have received two doses of a two-dose vaccine or one dose of a single-dose vaccine approved for use by Spain, then at least 14 days and no more than 270 days must have passed since your last dose, to qualify as fully vaccinated."
It adds: "If you have received a booster, you are considered fully vaccinated for entry into Spain. There is currently no expiry date for booster jabs."
The rules are different for travellers aged 12 to 18.
Do 12-18 year-olds need a booster to travel to Spain?
As with adults, 12 to 18-year-olds must be "fully vaccinated" to enter Spain without having to show a negative Covid-19 test or proof they have recovered from the virus in the previous six months. But 12-year-olds and teens will not require a booster, as long as they have had their initial Covid-19 vaccination jab or jabs.
The FCO says : "If you are aged 12 to 17 and have not received the booster, but have received two doses of a two-dose vaccine or one dose of a single-dose vaccine approved for use by Spain, then at least 14 days must have passed since your last dose, to qualify as fully vaccinated. You continue to qualify as fully vaccinated more than 270 days after your last dose and do not need to show proof of having received a booster to travel."
Do under 12s need to be vaccinated to go to Spain?
No. The vaccination, testing, or recovery requirements to enter Spain do not apply to children aged 11 and under.
The FCO says: "Children under the age of 12 years old do not need to show proof of being fully vaccinated on entry to Spain."
Can I go to Spain if I am unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated?
Yes, holidays to Spain are possible for UK tourists who are either not fully vaccinated, completely unvaccinated, or who had their booster jab more than 270 days ago.
If you do not qualify as "fully vaccinated" as an adult or 12-18 year old, you can enter Spain if you can supply a "a negative Covid-19 test: either a PCR taken within 72 hours prior to departure, or an antigen (lateral flow) test taken within 24 hours prior to departure" or you can prove you have recovered from Covid-19 in the last six months. Your NHS Pass will show that.
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