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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Travel
Julie Delahaye

What do I need to travel to Spain? Latest entry rules for UK travellers explained

Spain holidays are currently on the cards for Brits, as the holiday hotspot is one of the countries open to UK travellers for holidays, not to mention the Foreign Office allows for non-essential travel.

For those planning a trip in autumn/winter, there are still plenty of sunny options whether you're planning to explore cities from Madrid to Seville, hit some of those beautiful Spanish beaches, or want to make the most of the hot weather still to be found in the Canary Islands or Balearic Islands.

Of course, thanks to the pandemic there are still entry rules that Brits need to navigate both when heading out on holiday, and returning to the UK.

So, what are the rules for going to Spain?

Any UK travellers, whether heading to the mainland or the islands, will need to have the following:

  • An online declaration form filled out within 48 hours of travel
  • A negative PCR test taken within 72 hours before arrival, OR proof of vaccination completed at least 14 days before arrival.

Children under the age of 12 are exempt from testing. As for showing proof of full vaccination, Spain will accept the NHS Covid Pass but not your vaccination appointment card.

Mainland Spain, the Canaries and Balearics are open to UK holidaymakers (Getty Images)

If you are heading to the Canaries or Balearics from mainland Spain, you may need to show a negative Covid test.

In the Canaries, your accommodation may require you to show either a negative Covid test, proof of vaccination or recent recovery from Covid.

There is no quarantine in place for Brits heading to Spain.

Of course it's not just about the rules for heading out - there are also travel rules when you come back to the UK.

The UK travel rules changed earlier this month, with the amber list scrapped and destinations now on the red list or rest of the world list. Spain is currently on the rest of the world list, although the requirements change depending on your vaccination status.

If you're fully vaccinated, you'll need to take one PCR test, on day two of being back.

If you're unvaccinated or partially vaccinated, you'll need to take a pre-departure test, as well as PCR tests on days two and eight in the UK. You'll also need to self-isolate for 10 days, although you can pay for a fourth test where a negative result releases you early.

There have been an increasing amount of travel options for Brits in recent months as countries begin reopening borders - in some cases, for the first time since March 2020.

For example, the USA has announced that it's set to lift an 18-month-long travel ban for Brits in early November, although initially only those who are double jabbed will be able to visit the country. In fact, it joins a line-up of countries planning to reopen this year including Vietnam and the Netherlands.

  • Entry rules are up to date at the time of writing, but they can change quickly during the pandemic. Always check the Foreign Office's Spain travel advice before booking or going on a trip.

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