Spain – COVID-19: Extension of Travel Restrictions
ES – Extension of Travel Restrictions
New or revised travel/immigration policies announced by Spain’s government include extension through 31 March 2021 of the temporary restrictions placed on non-essential travel from third countries to the European Union (EU) and Schengen associated countries for public health reasons due to the COVID-19 health crisis; flight limitations and restrictions on travel from the U.K., South Africa, and Brazil until 16 March; and the resumption of border control between Portugal and Spain (until 16 March).
This GMS Flash Alert provides an update on Spain’s travel restrictions and quarantine.
Spanish authorities extended through 31 March 2021, the temporary restrictions placed on non-essential travel from third countries to the European Union (EU) and Schengen associated countries for public health reasons due to the COVID-19 health crisis.1
Additionally, there are flight limitations and restrictions on travel from the U.K., South Africa, and Brazil until 16 March, with quarantining for international travellers coming from several countries; and the resumption of border control between Portugal and Spain (until 16 March).
WHY THIS MATTERS
The travel restrictions will affect employers and their globally-mobile employees – especially business travellers – doing business in Spain in terms of disruption, inconvenience, new procedures and requirements, and changes to travel plans.
Individuals travelling to Spain and employers sending employees into and out of Spain should stay abreast of the latest travel restrictions and should consider consulting with their travel agents and/or immigration counsel when planning their travel.
New Extension of Travel Restrictions
The restrictions on non-essential trips will be in effect until 31 March 2021 at 24:00 (many continue to expect that another extension will happen). The notification of an extension is typically officially published in the Boletín Oficial del Estado two days before the end of the previous one, as this one was published 26 February in the morning.
Besides the travel restrictions on non-essential travellers and the health measures still in place,2 there are other measures for international travellers from the following countries:
- From United Kingdom, Brazil, and South Africa there are flight limitations until 18:00 (peninsular time) of 16 March 2021(possible extension as well). 3
- Portugal and Spain decided to extend land border controls until 01:00 (peninsular time) of 16 March 2021 (possible extension as well). 4
- Currently there is a quarantine of 10 days for all international travellers arriving at any airport located in the Kingdom of Spain, with or without intermediate stop-overs, from Brazil and South Africa.
- From Monday, 8 March there will be a 10-day quarantine for international travellers arriving at any airport located in the Kingdom of Spain, with or without intermediate stop-overs, coming from the following countries5:
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This quarantine will be in force for an initial period of 14 calendar days, which may be extended if the circumstances that underlie it continue.
KPMG NOTE
Any questions or concerns should be directed to your qualified professional adviser or a member of the GMS/People Services team with the KPMG International member firm in Spain (see the Contact Us section).
FOOTNOTES
1 For the Spanish Order (Orden INT/161/2021, de 24 de febrero) please visit: https://www.boe.es/eli/es/o/2021/02/24/int161.
2 For related coverage of the Health Measure, see our earlier report in GMS Flash Alert 2020-459 (16 November 2020).
3 For the Spanish Order (Orden PCM/164/2021, de 24 de febrero,), please visit: https://www.boe.es/eli/es/o/2021/02/24/pcm164.
4 For the Spanish Order (Orden INT/162/2021, de 25 de febrero) please visit: https://www.boe.es/eli/es/o/2021/02/25/int162.
5 For the Spanish Order (Orden SND/181/2021, de 2 de marzo) please visit: https://www.boe.es/eli/es/o/2021/03/02/snd181.
* Please note that KPMG LLP (U.S.) does not provide any immigration services. However, KPMG Law LLP in Canada can assist clients with U.S. immigration matters.
The information contained in this newsletter was submitted by the KPMG International member firm in Spain.
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