Irish tourists hoping to travel to Spain in the coming days are being warned about a major change in rules which could mean they’re denied entry.
From February 1, the EU Covid Certificate is changing the validity of vaccinations. It means countries, including Spain, will only admit passengers with Covid vaccination certificates that show they’ve been fully vaccinated against the virus within the previous 270 days.
Therefore, anyone who received their last vaccine dose more than nine months ago will need to have gotten a third jab to enter the country.
The booster shot must also have been administered at least 14 days before travel.
This could affect many Irish citizens who have yet to get a third Covid vaccine.
The country's official travel website Travel Safe Spain reads: “From February 1, 2022, in order to travel to Spain with a vaccination certificate, the certificate must have been issued by the competent authorities of the country of origin at least 14 days after the date of administration of the last dose of the full course of vaccination, as long as the final dose of that course of vaccination was no more than 270 days ago.”
The EU Covid Certificate can also be issued to people who have recently recovered from Covid or people who can supply negative PCR or antigen tests.
The move is part of new European Union rules and affects Spain, as well as other member states.
The European Commission said the update to the EU Vaccination Certificate has been based on available scientific evidence as well as objective criteria.
“This validity period takes into account the guidance of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, according to which booster doses are recommended at the latest six months after the completion of the first vaccination cycle.
“The Certificate will remain valid for a grace period of an additional three months beyond those six months to ensure that national vaccination campaigns can adjust and citizens will have access to booster doses,” the Commission explains.
