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The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office currently advises British nationals against all but essential international travel – although the Canary Islands (not including mainland Spain and the Balearic Islands) and Gibraltar are among the countries and territories currently exempt from the advice.
However the FCDO cautions, “While the global coronavirus pandemic continues, no travel is risk-free, and your travel abroad may be disrupted.
“This advice is being kept under constant review. Travel disruption is still possible and national control measures may be brought in with little notice.”
Travel in Spain
You should follow the advice of the local authorities on how best to protect yourself and others, including any measures that they bring in to control the virus.
On 25 October, the Spanish government declared a nationwide State of Emergency which includes a national obligatory overnight curfew (specific curfew times vary, starting between 10pm and midnight and lasting until 6am). It also provides regional governments with legal powers to impose further mobility restrictions in their region if deemed necessary (e.g. entry and exit restrictions to and from specific areas). The Canary Islands are currently exempt from the curfew due to the latest epidemiological data. These measures are expected to be in place for an initial period of at least 15 days.
The situation is evolving and restrictive measures to control the virus may be introduced across the country at short notice. For details of local outbreaks and the specific measures in place in your destination, you should check the advice of local authorities in your destination prior to travel.
There are some exemptions to entering and exiting confined areas or travelling during the hours of curfew such as travel to your place of employment, attendance at medical appointments or transiting the area to return to your place of residence. Entry for tourism purposes is not currently permitted and should be avoided.
If you think you have reason to qualify as exempt and need to travel into or out of a confined area or during the hours of curfew, you should carry evidence of your reason for travel such as a certificate from your employer, proof of medical appointment, or proof of onward journey such as train or flight tickets. To find out more about specific exemptions you should refer to guidance from local authorities.
Many municipal and regional authorities have introduced other types of measures such as limiting the opening hours and capacity of bars and restaurants, and in some places these remain closed until further notice.
Social gatherings are limited to a maximum of 6 people.
The use of face coverings is mandatory for anyone over the age of 6 years old on all forms of public transport in Spain and in many other indoor and outdoor public spaces. Specific rules on the use of face masks may vary from one region to the next, you should refer to local authorities for advice. You should carry a face mask with you and be prepared to wear it throughout your stay.
The situation is evolving and restrictive measures to control the virus may be introduced across the country at short notice. The UK currently advises against travel to Spain however, should you choose to travel against this advice, you should consult the Spanish Ministry of Health map for further details of local outbreaks in Spain and check the advice of local authorities in your destination prior to travel.
Road travel
Land borders are open.
The French government has implemented additional entry requirements for those travelling to and transiting through France. If you are planning to drive from Spain through France, check the latest FCDO travel advice for France ahead of your journey.
On 25 October, the Spanish Government declared a nationwide State of Emergency which includes a national obligatory overnight curfew (specific curfew times vary, starting between 10pm and midnight and lasting until 6am). It also provides regional governments with legal powers to impose further mobility restrictions in their region if deemed necessary (e.g. entry and exit restrictions to and from specific areas).
Inter-regional travel may be restricted if your point of origin and destination fall within a confined area where entry and exit restrictions are in place. You should check the advice of local authorities in your destination prior to travel.
Transiting confined areas is permitted; however, you should be prepared to show evidence of your onward journey such as train or flight tickets to your final destination. Other exemptions include travel to your place of employment and attendance at medical appointments; however, entry for tourism purposes to confined areas is not currently permitted and should be avoided.
If you think you have reason to qualify as exempt and need to travel into or out of a confined area or during the hours of curfew, you should carry evidence of your reason for travel such as a certificate from your employer, proof of a medical appointment or evidence of your onward travel to your place of residence as stated above. To find out more about specific exemptions you should refer to guidance from local authorities.
If travelling with people who are not from the same household, all passengers must wear a face mask covering the nose and mouth. Penalties may be imposed if you do not comply.
Public spaces and services
Social distancing measures and other safety precautions should continue to be observed at all times.
Many municipal and regional authorities have introduced other types of measures such as limiting the opening hours and capacity of bars and restaurants, and in some places these remain closed until further notice. You should refer to local authorities for any additional measures where you are as this may vary from one region to the next.
Key common measures across Spain include:
- social gatherings are limited to a maximum of 6 people.
- social distancing of 1.5-metres.
- obligatory use of face masks in public spaces (see ‘Use of face masks’).
- abiding by any safety measures put in place by establishments such as hotels, bars, shops and restaurants to reduce the risk of COVID-19.
- track and trace – all shops, businesses and transport companies are obliged to keep customers’ contact information (where provided) for up to 4 weeks for tracking and tracing purposes.
- capacity restrictions in place at beaches or other public areas such as the delineation of plots and the use of booking systems. You should refer to local authorities for information on the measures in place.
- if visitors test positive or develop symptoms during their stay in Spain, they may be moved to specific designated accommodation to prevent further spread.
- wash your hands frequently and thoroughly and use hand sanitizer gel where soap and water is not available.
Use of face masks
The use of face coverings is mandatory for anyone over the age of 6 years old on all forms of public transport in Spain and in many other indoor and outdoor public spaces.
Most regions in Spain have now made the use of face masks obligatory in both indoor and outdoor public spaces, even when social distancing of 1.5 metres is observed. Penalties may be imposed if you do not comply.
You should carry a face mask with you and be prepared to wear it during your stay. Face masks must cover the nose and mouth.
There are some exceptions to the use of face masks such as when practising sport, eating or drinking, or at the beach, however rules may vary from one region to the next. You should refer to local authorities for specific information on face-covering requirements and any exceptions where you are.
Those with respiratory problems or those unable to wear a mask due to other health conditions or disabilities are exempt from this rule. More details are available from the Ministry for Health (in Spanish).
While not mandatory, the use of face masks on children between 3 and 5 years of age is recommended.
