US Travelers Will Need Proof Of Vaccination To Enter Spain
In the wake of the European Union’s recent decision to remove the US from its white list of epidemiologically safe countries, Spain is updating its restrictions. Any US traveler must now provide proof of vaccination in order to visit Spain. Italy and the Netherlands have already taken similar steps, and now the Spanish government is following suit.
Spain updates its COVID-19 entry restrictions
Since June this year, Spain has had a relatively relaxed policy for US travelers, allowing them to visit the country with no COVID-19 restrictions. However, that all changed on September 6, when Spain announced that travelers from the US require to be fully vaccinated to enter the country for leisure or tourism purposes. The US Embassy in Madrid sent out the following tweet on that day:
https://twitter.com/USembassyMadrid/status/1434831064829251586?s=20
Spain accepts those vaccines approved by the European Medicines Agency, or those listed by the World Health Organization for emergency use. Approved vaccines include AstraZeneca, Covishield, Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, Moderna, Sinopharm and Sinovac. Travelers must have received the full dose of the chosen vaccine, i.e. two doses for all, except the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Two weeks must have passed since having the final jab before flying to Spain.
Besides vaccinations, all international travelers, regardless of where they are traveling from, must register their details on the Spain Travel Health portal. Once the details are entered, a QR code will be generated which must be shown on arrival in Spain via a mobile phone, or printed on paper.
What about children?
Unvaccinated children under the age of 12, traveling with vaccinated adults, are allowed to travel to Spain with no additional requirements. However, children aged from 12 to 18 will be required to present proof of vaccination.
Requirements for those visiting for essential reasons
Any unvaccinated person traveling from the US to Spain for essential reasons can present a negative PCR test, taken no more than 72 hours prior to arrival, or an antigen test, taken no more than 48 hours before arrival. The same applies for any of the following.
- Residents of EU, Schengen Area, Andorra, Monaco, The Vatican (Holy See) or San Marino en route to their country of residence.
- EU/Schengen Area long-stay visa holders travelling to Spain.
- Health professionals, including health researchers and elderly care professionals.
- Transport personnel, seafarers and aeronautical personnel.
- Diplomatic and consular personnel.
- Staff of international organizations, civil protection, military and members of humanitarian organizations.
- Students at universities in the EU, Iceland, Switzerland, Lichtenstein and Norway, who have the corresponding permit or visa and medical insurance.
- Highly qualified workers whose work is essential and cannot be postponed or carried out remotely.
- Persons travelling important family reasons.
- People in a situation of force majeure or who need to enter for humanitarian reasons.
Why did Spain update its border rules for Americans?
Spain’s decision to impose tougher border rules for US visitors follows the EU’s recommendation that its 27 member states reimpose restrictions on nonessential travel for US citizens. The recommendation came as Delta variant cases spike in the US. According to data provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the US is seeing an average of around 153,246 new cases per day over the last seven days.
While it is up to each EU nation to decide, other countries have already added additional travel restrictions on US visitors. The Netherlands now requires American passengers to quarantine for at least 10 days on arrival, regardless of their vaccination status.
Italy has also changed its rules and anyone traveling there from the US must produce a negative PCR or antigen test taken within 72 hours of arrival in Italy. This is required, even if they can give proof of vaccination in the way of a COVID-19 green pass or equivalent.
If planning a visit to Spain, check the latest information on the website of the US Embassy in Madrid here.
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