FAQs on Spain's Travel Restrictions

Spain opened its borders with all European Union member states on June 21, 2020, the end of the state of emergency, and no longer requires that visitors quarantine.

The European Union has also lifted its internal border controls within the Schengen area and has issued a recommendation for authorizing entry for third country nationals (citizens of non-EU countries), which each country will apply according to the reciprocity principle.

On July 4, 2020 Spain began to allow entry to citizens of 15 countries, however at the end of July the list was reassessed. Travel restrictions for third country nationals wishing to enter Spain have been modified, allowing entry for citizens from a reduced number of countries. From midnight on July 31, 2020 until midnight on August 31, 2020, Spain will allow entry to citizens of the following 12 countries: Australia, Canada, China, Georgia, Japan, Morocco, New Zealand, Rwanda, South Korea, Thailand, Tunisia and Uruguay. For citizens of China and Morocco, entry is contingent upon a reciprocal agreement from those countries.

Who Is Eligible for Entry into Spain?

There are a number of questions surrounding Spain's travel restrictions. We spoke with Anna Klevtsova of Klev&Vera International Law Firm to get some answers. Check out our video interview with her above to get answers to questions such as:

• What if my Spanish residency card expired during the state of emergency, and I am still outside the country? Am I able to return to Spain with an expired TIE?
• What if I have business in Spain, does this make me eligible for entry into Spain?
• I have a family member in the hospital in Spain, can I travel to Spain to help take care of them?
• If I am registered on the padrón, but have Spanish residency, am I eligible to enter Spain?
• I am a student and I had planned to start classes in Spain in the fall, am I eligible to travel to Spain?
• What documents do I need to provide when I travel to Spain?

Travel Requirements

All travelers must fill out  a public health form, which can be found online at spth.gob.es, or by using the free app SPAIN TRAVEL HEALTH (SpTH). After completing the form, passengers will obtain a QR code which they must present on arrival in Spain.

For travelers coming from countries with travel restrictions, the following categories of people should be exempted from those restrictions:

• EU citizens and their family members.
• Long-term EU residents and their family members.
• Travelers with an essential function or need, as listed in the recommendations.

According to  the EC Communication released on March 16, 2020, travel restrictions should not apply to travelers with an essential function or need, including:

• Healthcare professionals, health researchers and elderly care professionals.
• Frontier workers.
• Transport personnel engaged in haulage of goods and other transport staff to the extent necessary.
• Diplomats, staff of international organizations, military personnel and humanitarian aid workers in the exercise of their functions.
• Passengers in transit.
• Passengers traveling for imperative family reasons.
• Persons in need of international protection or for other humanitarian reasons.

If you have questions that you would like answered or are looking for professional advice about how Spain's travel restrictions affect you, your family or your business, you can contact Klev&Vera at (+34) 93 17 60 190.

Anna Klevtsova is managing partner of Klev&Vera with over 18 years of experience in public service and international cooperation projects. Anna leads the corporate and immigration practice, specializing in company formations, investment transactions and immigration strategies. Anna is fluent in English, Russian, Spanish and also speaks French and Catalan.

See more video interviews on expat topics on our YouTube channel.