Spain: Authorities lift COVID-19 quarantine requirement for travelers from several countries including Brazil and South Africa starting Aug. 24 /update 60

Event

Authorities in Spain have lifted the 10-day COVID-19-related quarantine requirement for travelers arriving from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, South Africa, and Namibia. As of Aug. 24, no quarantine requirements are in place for travelers from any specific country.

Permitted travelers arriving from countries designated as high-risk must present a certificate of vaccination, a certificate of having recovered from COVID-19 within the previous 11-180 days, a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken in the 72 hours before arrival, or a negative antigen test taken in the 48 hours before arrival. EU citizens traveling from EU countries may also present an EU Digital COVID Certificate to expedite processing. Travel providers may prohibit passengers who attempt to travel without this documentation from boarding. To view the list of high-risk countries, click here.

Nonessential travel to Spain is only permitted for travelers from EU/EEA-associated states, Albania, Armenia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Canada, China, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kosovo, Lebanon, Moldova, Montenegro, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Ukraine, and the US. Nonessential travel is also permitted from all countries for individuals who possess a certificate of vaccination confirming they have completed a full course of a COVID-19 vaccine authorized by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) or World Health Organization (WHO) no less than 14 days before entry. Travelers from the UK may also use a negative COVID-19 PCR test no more than 48 hours old to enter Spain for nonessential purposes, in addition to the vaccine certificate.

Travelers from designated "safe countries," including Albania, Armenia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Canada, China, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kosovo, Lebanon, Moldova, Montenegro, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Ukraine, and the US, may enter Spain without these requirements. All arrivals must complete a Health Control Form before entry; for more information regarding the form and the associated program, click here.

Domestic Restrictions
Many regional authorities in Spain maintain tightened COVID-19 countermeasures as of Aug. 24 in response to elevated infection rates. Regional authorities are responsible for setting localized restrictions, though they must petition local courts for authority to impose curfews and travel controls. Authorities in Andalusia, Catalonia, Navarre, and the Valencian Community continue to enforce 01:00-06:00 curfews in high-risk municipalities, during which time individuals must remain in their accommodations unless attending to essential tasks. Several regions have also introduced or tightened caps on attendance at permitted gatherings and require nightlife venues to close at a certain hour.

Nationwide, most businesses and services are permitted to operate but must adhere to social distancing or capacity requirements. Facemasks remain mandatory in enclosed public spaces across most of Spain, though in many areas masks are no longer necessary outdoors where social distancing guidelines can be followed.

Authorities could reimpose, extend, further ease, or otherwise amend any restrictions with little-to-no notice depending on disease activity over the coming weeks.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements. Consider delaying traveling if experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, as they may prompt increased scrutiny and delays. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance. Maintain contact with your diplomatic representation. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions. Reconsider and reconfirm nonemergency health appointments.

Resources

European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC)
Ministry of Health
EU COVID Digital Certificate Information