Spain lifts restrictions on ‘third country’ unvaccinated travellers

Madrid

Spain has lifted its entry ban on unvaccinated travellers from non-European Union (EU) countries, enabling international travellers from these countries to visit the country for non-essential purposes

The decision was announced by the Ministry of the Interior on 21 May in the Official State Gazette (BOE), with the change coming into effect the same day.

The change comes just one week after the extension of Spain’s border rules for another month, which would have originally prevented unvaccinated travellers from outside the EU or European Economic Area (EEA) from entering the country until 15 June.

Under the new rules, all EU/EEA and ‘third country’ travellers over the age of 12 will be able to submit a Covid vaccination certificate, proof of recovery, or negative Covid test result for entry. Children under the age of 12 remain exempt from all entry requirements.

It follows the easing of Covid border controls on Spain’s land borders with France on 19 May, and between its enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla, and Morocco, on 17 May.