gov uk travel to spain requirements

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• Passports, travel and living abroad
• Travel abroad
• Foreign travel advice

Entry requirements

This advice reflects the UK government’s understanding of current rules for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK, for the most common types of travel.

The authorities in Spain set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact Spain’s embassy or consulates in the UK .

If you are planning to travel to Spain through France, check the latest FCDO travel advice for France before you start your journey.

If you are planning to travel to Spain through Gibraltar, check the latest FCDO travel advice for Gibraltar before you start your journey.

COVID-19 rules

There are no COVID-19 testing or vaccination requirements for travellers entering Spain.

Passport validity requirements

If you are planning to travel to an EU country (except Ireland), or Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino or Vatican City, you must follow the Schengen area passport requirements .

Your passport must be:

• issued less than 10 years before the date you enter the country (check the ‘date of issue’)
• valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave (check the ‘expiry date’)

Check your passport meets these requirements before you travel. If your passport was issued before 1 October 2018, extra months may have been added to its expiry date.

Contact Spain’s embassy or consulates in the UK if you think that your passport does not meet both these requirements. Renew your passport if you need to .

Visa requirements

You can travel to countries in the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. This applies if you travel as a tourist, to visit family or friends, to attend business meetings, cultural or sports events, or for short-term studies or training.

If travelling to Spain and other Schengen countries without a visa, make sure your whole visit is within the 90-day limit. Visits to Schengen countries within the previous 180 days before you travel count towards your 90 days.

To stay longer, to work or study, for business travel or for other reasons, you need to meet the Spanish government’s entry requirements. Check with Spain’s embassy or consulates in the UK before you travel about what type of visa or work permit you may need.

If travelling to Spain for work , read the guidance on visas and permits.

If you cannot return to the UK before the expiry of your visa, permit or visa-free limit, contact the Spanish government’s national information service (In Spanish, English speaking operators are available). You can dial 060 from a Spanish phoneline.

If you are visiting Spain and need to extend your visa-free stay for exceptional reasons, such as a medical emergency, you must apply to the immigration authorities (‘Extranjería’) (in Spanish).

If you stay in Spain with a residence permit or long-stay visa, this does not count towards your 90-day visa-free limit.

Passport stamping

Check your passport is stamped as you enter or exit the Schengen area through Spain as a visitor.

Border guards check you’re complying with the 90-day visa-free limit for short stays in the Schengen area. If you do not have relevant entry or exit stamps in your passport, they will assume you have overstayed.

You can show evidence of when and where you entered or exited the Schengen area, and ask the border guards to add this date and location in your passport. Examples of acceptable evidence includes boarding passes and tickets.

Use the desks staffed by border officers. If you are aged 18 or over, and airport staff instruct you to, you may be able to use e-gates where they are in operation.

If you use an e-gate, make sure you get your passport stamped by a border officer.

Additional documents required by tourists

If you enter the Schengen area as a tourist, you may need to provide additional documents at the border. As well as a valid return or onward ticket, when travelling to Spain you could be asked to show:

• you have enough money for your stay
• a hotel booking confirmation
• proof of address if visiting your own property (such as second home)
• an invitation or proof of address if staying with a third party, friends or family. A carta de invitation completed by your hosts is one of the options available.

You can visit the Spanish Ministry of Interior website for more information (only available in Spanish).

Residents of Spain

If you are resident in Spain your passport should not be stamped when entering or leaving Spain.

Actively show your proof of residence, such as the foreigner’s identity card (‘la tarjeta de identidad de extranjero’ or ‘TIE’), when presenting your passport at Spanish border control. For further information, read about living in Spain .

Travel between Spain and Gibraltar

Spanish border checks can cause delays when crossing between Spain and Gibraltar. If you are travelling to Spain through Gibraltar, check the travel advice for entry requirements for Gibraltar .

There is no charge to enter or leave Gibraltar. You should not hand over money to anybody claiming there is a charge.

Unaccompanied minors

Spanish law considers anyone under 18 to be a minor. If an unaccompanied minor comes to the attention of the Spanish authorities (particularly in connection with criminal incidents or when in hospital) they will be considered vulnerable and may be taken to a minors centre until a parent or guardian is found.

Vaccination requirements (other than COVID-19)

At least 8 weeks before your trip, check the vaccinations and certificates you need on TravelHealthPro .

Customs rules

There are strict rules about what goods can be taken into and out of Spain. You can find details on the National Tax Agency leaflet (in Spanish and English). Declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

Taking food and drink into Spain

You cannot take meat, milk or products containing them into EU countries. There are some exceptions for medical reasons, for example certain amounts of powdered infant milk, infant food, or pet food required for medical reasons. Check the rules about taking food and drink into the EU on the European Commission website.

Taking money and goods into Spain

Check the National Airport Association website for guidance on taking money and goods into and out of Spain.

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• Consular services

Conditions for entry into Spain

​Please read our FAQs  here​

Nationals of third States who travel to Spain for stays of up to 90 days (during any period of 180 days) for tourism, business, family visits, medical treatment, study, non-work internships or volunteer activities with a duration not exceeding 3 months, or for other non-gainful activities, must meet the entry conditions established in the Schengen Borders Code.

Entry requirements​​ 

• Enter via an authorised border-crossing point.
• Present proof of identity and a valid travel document.
• Present the corresponding visa if required, according to nationality.
• Provide evidence of meeting the conditions for the proposed stay and of possessing sufficient financial resources.
• Not be subject to a ban on entering Spain.  

Documents to present at the border​​  

1. Valid passport or travel document : The document must be valid until three months after the planned date of departure from the Schengen territory, and must have been issued during the ten years immediately before the date of entry. 

2. Visa : For certain nationalities, a valid visa is required. This visa will not be necessary if the interested party has a valid residence permit or a valid long-term visa issued by a Schengen State. 

3. Documents accrediting the purpose and conditions of the planned stay : At the request of the competent authorities, the reasons and conditions of the planned stay must be accredited by documentary proof or other means. To this end, the presentation, among others, of the following documents may be required: 

• Return or tourist circuit ticket, in all cases. 
• For professional trips, the invitation from a company or authority to participate in a meeting, or documents that prove the existence of a relationship associated with professional activity, or access cards to a trade fair or congress. 
• For tourist or private visits, the confirmed reservation of an organized trip, or proof of accommodation, or letter of invitation from a private individual (such a letter only proves the availability of accommodation and does not release the traveller from the obligation to meet the other requirements for entry). The proof of accommodation may indicate whether it includes all or part of the traveller's living expenses. 
• For study trips, training programmes, non-work internships or volunteer work with a duration of less than three months, enrolment documentation or proof of admission to an educational establishment or internship contract or proof of admission to a volunteer programme.  
• For travel for other reasons, an invitation, reservation, programme or certificate of participation in related activities, entrance card/ticket, or receipt. 

Accreditation of financial means​​​  

At the request of the competent authorities, the traveller must present proof of having sufficient financial means for the proposed stay or of the ability to legally obtain such means. 

In 2020, the minimum amount required is 90 euros per person per day. In any case, and regardless of the length of stay, the traveller must have at least 810 euros or its equivalent in foreign currency. 

Economic means may be accredited by presenting cash, traveller's cheques, a credit card accompanied by a bank account statement, an up-to-date bank book, or any other resource that accredits the amount available, such as a credit statement regarding the card or bank account. Bank letters or online bank statements will not be accepted.

Entry authorization​​​  

Authorization to enter Spain may be granted to nationals of third States who have the necessary documentation, including, where appropriate, a visa, and sufficient financial means, and who are not subject to an entry ban and do not pose a danger to public order, the internal or external security of the State, or public health.

Denial of entry​ 

The competent authorities will deny entry to nationals of third States who do not meet the entry requirements or who are subject to an entry ban. Entry may also be denied if, in the previous 180 days, the traveller has exhausted the 90-day period for authorized stay in the Schengen area. 

The denial of entry will be notified by means of a reasoned decision, together with information on the procedure for appealing against this decision, in accordance with Spanish regulations. However, filing an appeal does not suspend the effects of the denial of entry.

Citizens of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland, and their family members​​ 

Citizens of the Member States of the European Union, and citizens of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland, may enter Spain with their national identity card or with a valid passport. Minors who travel with an identity document and are not accompanied by a parent will need the authorization of one of their parents. 

Family members who are not nationals of a Member State of the European Union or of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, or Switzerland may enter with a valid passport. Depending on their nationality, they may need an entry visa, unless they have a valid residence card as the relative of a European Union citizen.

Relevant legislation 

Guide to Spain’s travel rules: what are the entry requirements for foreign tourists?

Here is an overview of the current restrictions on visitors coming from the european union, the united kingdom and the rest of the world.

The summer season has arrived and Spain is hoping for an influx of foreign visitors to revitalize its struggling tourism and hospitality sectors. While an uptick in domestic travel is helping, businesses know that the numbers will only add up when the international visitors show up.

Due to coronavirus measures in place, the options for travel to Spain will depend on the reasons for the trip (whether it’s for an essential purpose or for leisure), on the country of origin (part of the European Union or not) and on the visitor’s vaccination status.

But the differences in international mobility will most particularly depend on the visitor’s place of origin. Travel within the EU will be aided by the Digital Covid Certificate , which has been approved for use from July 1 and which Spain is already issuing.

Provided below are the answers to a few common questions about travel to Spain in the coming months.

Are there any restrictions on travel within the EU?

Movement within the EU is allowed, and the access requirements are the same across the territory. To ensure this, Brussels has developed a system known as the Digital Covid Certificate or Digital Green Pass (or more popularly as the vaccine passport), which lets bearers easily prove that they meet the conditions for entering another member state: either being fully vaccinated (the last dose must have been administered at least 14 days before travel), or having recovered from Covid-19, or being in possession of a negative diagnostic test (either PCR or antigen) taken 48 hours before arrival. This certificate is issued by national authorities in the national language and in English, and can be used in all member states.

Depending on the epidemiological situation, travelers from some parts of Europe will not be required to show evidence of vaccination, testing or recovery. These are the areas marked green in the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control’s traffic light system.

Are there non-EU countries whose residents may travel restriction-free?

There is a list of countries and special regions whose residents are not affected by the temporary restriction on non-essential travel to the EU due to their good control of the pandemic. They are Albania, Australia, South Korea, United States, Israel, Japan, Lebanon, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Rwanda, Serbia, Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan, China and the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macao (subject to the principle of reciprocity). Visitors from these parts of the world will not be asked for proof of testing, vaccination or recovery. The United Kingdom was on this list as well, but this is changing on Friday due to a spike in infections in recent weeks.

What are the requirements for UK residents?

Starting on Friday, Spain will demand a negative diagnostic test (” NAAT type, e.g TMA, PCR, LAMP & NEAR ,” not antigen tests ) or proof of full vaccination from UK travelers, due to concerns over the delta variant of the coronavirus . These test results must have been issued within 48 hours of arrival into Spain. (Full information is available here at the gov.uk website.)

Is leisure travel to Spain from other non-EU countries allowed?

Visitors from other non-EU countries coming to Spain for leisure purposes must show proof of vaccination with one of the vaccines authorized by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) or the World Health Organization (WHO), with the second dose administered at least 14 days before travel. Non-vaccinated travelers will not be allowed into Spain for tourism, even if they have a negative diagnostic test or have recovered from Covid-19, or if they received a vaccine that has not been approved by the EMA or WHO.

What about children who are not being vaccinated yet?

Children under 12 traveling with an adult who has been immunized with an EMA or WHO-approved vaccine may freely enter Spain.

Are there any exceptions?

Yes. The Spanish government may leave out countries where new coronavirus variants pose a health risk. This is already happening with India, whose residents may not come to Spain on tourism even if they have been fully vaccinated. In practice, leisure trips from Brazil and South Africa are also off-limits since only flights carrying Spanish or Andorran nationals (or passengers in transit) are allowed into the country.

Are any additional documents necessary?

Yes. Regardless of the country of origin, travelers coming in by air or sea, including those in transit and children under 12, must fill out a health form available on www.spth.gob.es or via the mobile app Spain Travel Health. This will generate a QR code that must be shown before departure and at arrival.

English version by Susana Urra .

More information

Despite eased rules, outdoor masking endures in Spain

Spain will require travelers from UK to show diagnostic test or be fully vaccinated

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What do I need to travel to Spain? Latest documents and entry requirements explained for your holiday

Everything you need to know to make sure your trip goes smoothly, article bookmarked.

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The Alhambra, a Moorish palace in Granada

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Whether discovering the capital in Madrid or relaxing on a sun lounger in the Balearics, Spain has long been a favourite holiday destination for Brits.

Before the pandemic, over 18 million Britons visited Spain each year. In 2017, the number of UK tourists flocking to the Iberian country hit a 10-year high of 18.81 million.

Spain was hit particularly hard by the pandemic, with the seventh-highest number of confirmed cases on the Continent.

Since Covid, the number of British holidaymakers has steadily climbed, from 4.3 million in 2021 to 15.1 million last year. With arrivals in 2023 likely to climb closer to – if not above – pre-Covid levels, potential visitors to Spain should be aware of any entry restrictions that the Spanish government has in place.

We’ve rounded up all the necessary information for anyone travelling to the country, so that you can make sure your next trip goes as smoothly as possible.

Recommended

• Independent Traveller guide to best hotels and short breaks
• Best UK hotels 2022
• Best hotels in Paris for 2023

Can you travel to Spain unvaccinated?

Despite stringent rules in 2021 and throughout much of last year, Spain has lifted all Covid-related travel restrictions, according to the UK government website. This means you can enter the country even if you haven’t received a single dose of the vaccine. Spain does not require a negative PCR test result or proof of recovery.

The rules are the same for those transiting through Spain and entering through a land border.

Read more on Spain travel :

• The ultimate Spain travel guide: Everything you need to know
• Why Spain makes for the perfect flight-free destination
• Spain’s best holiday destinations to visit in 2023

Do you need a booster to travel to Spain?

While boosters were originally needed towards the end of the pandemic, the lifting of restrictions means that you do not require proof of a vaccine or a booster when entering Spain. There are also no specific requirements for children and young people.

What documents do I need to travel to Spain?

While Covid restrictions may have been removed, Brexit-related issues means there are several other important things to know before your trip abroad.

As alwasy, you need a passport to visit Spain, but the validity rules have changed post-Brexit. Your passport must have been issued less than 10 years before the date on which you are entering Spain, so check the ‘date of issue’ before travel.

In addition, your passport must be valid for at least three months after the day you plan to leave the EU. Check the expiry date before travel.

You can stay in Spain – and any other country within the Schengen Zone – without a visa for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. To stay longer, for example for work or study reasons, you need to meet the Spanish government’s entry requirements. Check with the Spanish Consulate in London .

When entering and exiting the Schengen Zone through Spain, make sure that your passport is stamped by border guards, as these stamps are used to keep track of the time you’ve spent in the country. Relevant evidence for proving when you entered and exited the country includes boarding passes or flight tickets.

Additional documents you may need for travel to Spain

Sometimes, visitors to Spain will need to provide other documents at the border. Most commonly, guards may ask you for your reasons for entering the country and how long you plan on staying (and if relevant, what your plans are for an onward journey). You may need to show a valid onward ticket or a return ticket.

You may also be asked to prove that you have enough money for your stay. The required amount is roughly €108 per person per day with a minimum of €900 in total. Anyone asked can use cash, cheques, traveller’s cheques or bank account statements as proof of funds.

The Spanish border force might also ask to see proof of the accommodation for your stay. This could be a confirmation of your hotel booking, or proof of address if visiting a property that belongs to you or a friend or relative.

Read more of our reviews of the  best Spanish hotels

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Spain's official tourism website

• UPDATED ENTRY REQUIREMENTS TO SPAIN FOR UK RESIDENTS
• Entry requirements to include negative COVID-19 test or complete vaccination programme
• Updated 14 July 2021, the diagnostic test illustrating a negative result for the presence of an active COVID-19 infection (NAAT type, e.g TMA, PCR, LAMP & NEAR) must be completed within 72 hours prior to arrival in Spain.

14 July 2021:  From 00.00 on 14 July 2021, the diagnostic test illustrating a negative result for the presence of an active COVID-19 infection (NAAT type, e.g TMA, PCR, LAMP & NEAR) must be completed within 72 hours prior to arrival in Spain.  

This has been updated from the previous entry requirement stating that the diagnostic certificate must illustrate a negative COVID-19 test result (NAAT type, e.g TMA, PCR, LAMP & NEAR)  and have been  issued within 48 hours prior to arrival in Spain. Antigen tests are still not accepted.

30 June 2021: From 00.00h on 2 July 2021, Spain will require arrivals from the United Kingdom to provide evidence of a negative COVID-19 test or proof of the complete vaccination programme.

Spain’s Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, announced this measure yesterday in order to protect both residents and visitors, given the rising infection rates in the United Kingdom.

Those who have had the full vaccination programme will need to show a vaccination certificate issued by the competent authorities in the UK (either electronically or in print) at least 14 days from the last vaccination dose (e.g.NHS Covid pass). Accepted vaccines include: Pfizer-Biontech; Moderna; Astra-Zeneca; Jansen/Johnson&Johnson; Sinovac & Sinopharm.

The vaccination certificate must include the following information as a minimum:

• Name and surname of the holder
• Vaccination date, indicating the date of the last dose administered
• Type of vaccine administered
• Number of doses administered / full programme
• Issuing country
• Identification of the issuing body of the vaccination certificate

The diagnostic certificate must illustrate a negative COVID-19 test result (NAAT type, e.g TMA, PCR, LAMP & NEAR) issued within 48 hours of arrival into Spain. Antigen tests will not be accepted.

Children under 12 years old are exempt from the requirement to present a negative COVID test or vaccination certificate when travelling with an adult.

Prior to travelling to Spain, all passengers must also present a QR code which is obtained from filling in the Health Control Form (FCS in Spanish) available via  Spain Travel Health (SpTH).

This new legislation is for UK residents prior to their arrival to the whole of Spain, including the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands, but it´s also important to remember that whilst most of Spain remains on the UK’s amber list for international travel, the Balearic Islands have been added to the green list meaning that visitors arriving to the UK from the Balearic Islands from 04:00 on 30 June will not need to quarantine.

Despite this change in entry requirements, Spain has reinforced the value of its UK visitors and stressed that British guests remain welcome.  

For more information on the travel requirements in Spain, please visit https://travelsafe.spain.info/en/ .

For more information on the travel requirements in Spain, please visit  https://travelsafe.spain.info/en/

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Accessibility Links

Do I need to wear a mask in Spain? The rules explained

Spain has made face masks mandatory in hospitals and health centres following an increase of covid and flu cases.

S pain, with its glorious beaches and lively cities, has long been a holiday favourite for Brits — it’s the UK’s favourite overseas destination. The south and east coasts, plus the Canary Islands and Balearic Islands, are most popular — but that’s only part of the story in a country that’s more than twice the size of the UK, with 49 Unesco world heritage sites spread across every region.

There are no specific entry requirements for Brits — no visas are required for tourism, and Spain has no Covid-related restrictions. However, in January 2024, face masks were made mandatory in hospitals and health centres in Spain again, in response to an increase of cases of flu, Covid and other respiratory illnesses. If you’re travelling to Spain soon, here’s what you need to know.

Main photo: Puerta del Sol, Madrid (Getty Images)

Do I need to wear a face mask in Spain?

Face masks are now mandatory in hospitals and health centres in Spain, following a surge in cases of flu, Covid and other respiratory illnesses.

On Monday, January 8, Spain’s health minister, Mónica García, said: “We’ve talked and we’ve reflected deeply on the role of masks — especially in health centres and hospitals — when it comes to protecting both patients and health professionals. It’s an effective, commonsense measure and one that is backed by scientific evidence and that is well received by the public.”

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There is no requirement to wear masks in most other public spaces in Spain, including on public transport, but they are commonly worn. There may be regional variations depending on local infection rates.

If you test positive for Covid during your stay, you don’t need to self-isolate, but the government advises you should inform contacts, wear a mask and avoid crowded spaces and contact with high-risk people. If your symptoms worsen, there are regional hotlines to call.

What are Spain’s entry requirements?

There are no specific entry requirements for British visitors. The rules for Spain are the same as those for other EU countries, namely that your passport must be issued less than ten years before entry, and be valid for at least three months after you leave. Brits can spend a maximum of 90 days out of 180 days in Schengen countries when travelling for tourism.

Mask-wearing aside, there are no longer any Covid-related travel restrictions.

What are the Canary Islands’ entry restrictions?

The rules for entry to the Canary Islands (which include hotspots Gran Canaria , Lanzarote and Tenerife ) are the same as mainland Spain’s.

What are the rules for the Balearics?

The rules for the Balearics ( Ibiza , Mallorca and Menorca ) are the same for mainland Spain.

• What tests do I need to travel to France? Entry requirements explained • Can I travel to Portugal? What you need to know about the travel restrictions • Best beaches in Spain

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