As it is coming into summer, many more of us are heading away on holiday.
It can be hard to keep up with current travel rules - so here is everything you need to know when travelling from Northern Ireland to Spain.
These are current rules for people travelling on a full ‘British Citizen’ passport from the UK, for the most common types of travel.
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The documentation you must present on entry to Spain from the UK is determined by your reason for travel.
If you are traveling to Spain for tourism you must show valid proof of one of the following:
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being fully vaccinated (with both doses of a two-dose vaccine or one dose of a one-dose vaccine) at least 14 days prior to arrival in Spain (date(s) of vaccination must be specified).
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having recovered from COVID-19 in the last 6 months. You can also use a medical certificate or recovery record to prove your COVID-19 status on entry to Spain.
Your NHS appointment card from vaccination centres is not designed to be used as proof of vaccination and should not be used to demonstrate your vaccine status.
Travellers from the UK who can either show proof of being fully vaccinated, or of having recovered from prior COVID-19 infection in the last 6 months, or who are aged under 12 years old, do not need to complete Spain’s Travel Health Control form which can be found HERE.
This must be completed no more than 48 hours before travel to Spain. See Spain’s Ministry of Health travel pages for more detail.
EU citizens
EU citizens and accompanying family members of an EU citizen (including those travelling for tourism purposes), residents of Spain, or those covered by one of the other exemptions may present alternative documentation to the vaccine certificate.
Everyone (excluding children under the age of 12 years old) arriving into Spain who have visited a ‘risk country’ in the previous 14 days must meet the requirements on the Spanish Ministry of Health Travel and COVID-19 page.
The Spanish government reviews their ‘risk countries’ list every 7 days.
Rules for younger people
There are some different entry requirements for children under 12 years old and those aged 12 to 17 inclusive.
Children under the age of 12 years old do not need to:
- complete an online Health Control Form before travel
- show proof of being fully vaccinated on entry to Spain
- take diagnostic tests prior to arrival
- show proof of having recovered from prior COVID-19 infection in the last 6 months
- meet the requirements outlined in the Spanish Ministry of Health ‘Travel and COVID-19’ page, even if they have visited a ‘risk country’ in the previous 14 days
Travellers from the UK aged 12 to 17 inclusive can enter Spain by presenting documentation certifying that they have undertaken a COVID-19 nucleic acid amplification test - NAAT (PCR or similar) within 72 hours prior to arrival in Spain. Antigen tests are not accepted.
Alternatively, travellers aged 12 to 17 can still enter Spain with a full vaccination certificate or a recovery certificate. They must complete the Health Control form.
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If you've had Covid in the past year
If you’re travelling to Spain for tourism purposes, are not fully vaccinated but have recovered from prior COVID-19 infection in the last 6 months, you can use the UK proof of COVID-19 recovery record or a recovery certificate issued by a relevant health authority or medical service to certify your COVID-19 status.
At least 11 days must have passed since your first positive COVID-19 nucleic acid amplification test - NAAT (PCR or similar) or rapid antigen test. The recovery record or certificate will be valid for 180 days from the date of the positive test and must include the following information:
- your full name
- the date you first tested positive for COVID-19
- the type of test administered (e.g. COVID-19 nucleic acid amplification test - NAAT (PCR or similar) or rapid antigen test)
- the name of the country issuing the recovery record or certificate
- documentary proof of the diagnostic test from which the Recovery Certificate is derived
Arrival in Spain
You may also be subject to additional checks at the point of entry including a temperature check, visual health assessment, or testing on arrival. Passengers may also be contacted and required to undertake a COVID-19 nucleic acid amplification test - NAAT (PCR or similar) at any point up to 48 hours after their arrival in Spain.
Coming back to Northern Ireland
Travellers coming to NI do not need to:
- complete a passenger locator form
- show proof of vaccination status
- take any pre-departure or post arrival tests
This applies to all travellers, whether you’re fully vaccinated or not.
There are no sector exemptions.
However, if you develop COVID-19 symptoms on arrival into Northern Ireland, you are strongly recommended to minimise further spread by following domestic guidance to self-isolate or as directed by your cruise liner/ ship.
Whilst all international travel requirements to enter Northern Ireland have been removed, this may not be the case for many international destinations.
You should check and follow the latest COVID-19 travel advice for your chosen destination(s). Further advice is available HERE.
For more information on visiting Spain, CLICK HERE. For more information on coming back to Northern Ireland, CLICK HERE.
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