Spain: Most border crossings with Portugal closed May 10-13

Event

Portugal and Spain have increased border control measures from Wednesday, May 10, through Saturday, May 13, during Pope Francis’s visit to Fátima, Portugal. According to media reports, only the following border crossing points in Spain will remain open during the Pope’s visit: Tui (Galicia), Verín (Ourense), Quintanilla (Zamora), Fuentes de Oñoro (Salamanca), Coria (Extremadura), Valencia de Alcántara (Cáceres), Badajoz, Rosal de la Frontera (Huelva), and the bridge over the River Guadiana. Passport control will also be temporarily reinstated at all crossing points. Expect increased security measures and additional wait times at the border crossing with Portugal in the coming days.

Context

All visitors to the country will be required to produce their passports or other identification documents when crossing into the country during this period surrounding the Papal visit. Border guards will be positioned along Portugal's international borders to prevent any person or group displaying suspicious behavior from entering the country, and to manage the inflow of people and vehicles.

Pope Francis is visiting the city of Fátima from Friday, May 12, to May 13, where three shepherd children reported seeing the Virgin Mary in 1917. An estimated 30,000 pilgrims are expected to gather in the city during the Pope’s visit.

Advice

Travelers are advised to carry proper identification papers with them (e.g. passport or ID issued by an EU member state), to anticipate longer wait times at border crossings, and to contact the nearest Portuguese consulate for further details.