Spain – Extension of Travel Restrictions with Exceptions for Vaccinated Travellers

Jump to: Restrictions on Non-Essential Travel | Other Current Measures

Spanish authorities extended through 30 June 2021, the temporary restrictions placed on non-essential travel from third countries to the European Union (EU) and Schengen associated countries, including the United Kingdom, for public health reasons due to the COVID-19 health crisis.¹ There is an exception for vaccinated travellers.

Additionally, there are flight limitations and restrictions on travel from South Africa and Brazil until 22 June,² and until 12 June, a quarantine period for international travellers coming from India.³

The travel restrictions will affect employers, their globally mobile employees, and business travellers doing business in Spain in terms of disruption, inconvenience, changes to travel plans, as well as compliance with requirements.

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.

The restrictions on non-essential trips remain in effect through 30 June 2021 (many expect that another extension will happen). (For prior coverage, see GMS Flash Alert 2021-117, 20 April 2021.) However, there are two important updates:

• A 4 June order includes an exception for international travellers that have been fully vaccinated to enter Spain while the non-essential flight restrictions remain in force.⁴

A separate Resolution of 4 June 2021, of the General Directorate of Public Health,⁵ establishes requirements for vaccination certificates.

• Vaccination certificates issued by the competent authorities of the country of origin will be accepted as valid from 14 days after the date of administration of the last dose of the complete vaccination regimen.
• The accepted vaccines will be those authorised by the European Medicines Agency or those that have completed the emergency use process of the World Health Organisation.
• The vaccination certificate must include the following information:

1.      Name and surname of the owner.

2.      Date of vaccination, indicating the date of the last dose administered.

3.      Type of vaccine administered.

4.      Number of doses administered / complete regimen.

5.      Issuing country.

6.      Identification of the issuing body of the vaccination certificate.

The list of third countries and special administrative regions whose residents are not affected by the temporary restriction on non-essential travel to the EU through external borders, includes the United Kingdom and Japan.⁶ The current list is:

Health measures remain in force and international travellers have to submit the required declarations through the SpTH (Spain Travel Health) app. The updated list of documents that meet the health requirements includes:

• Certificate of being fully vaccinated.
• Negative COVID-19 test certificate issued in the previous 48 hours, including PCR and antigens.
• Certificate of having recovered from COVID-19.

Besides the travel restrictions on non-essential travellers and the health measures still in place, there are other measures for international travellers from the following countries:

• Flights from Brazil and South Africa are subject to limitations until 22 June 2021.
• Until 12 June, there is a 10-day quarantine for all international travellers arriving at any airport located in the Kingdom of Spain, with or without intermediate stop-overs, coming from India.

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).

1  For the Spanish Order please visit: Orden INT/519/2021, de 27 de mayo.

2  For the Spanish Order please visit: Orden PCM/545/2021, de 2 de junio.

3  For the Spanish Order please visit: Orden SND/511/2021, de 27 de mayo.

4  For the Spanish Order  please visit: Orden INT/552/2021, de 4 de junio.

5  See Resolución de 4 de junio de 2021, de la Dirección General de Salud Pública, relativa a los controles sanitarios a realizar en los puntos de entrada de España, from the General Directorate of Public Health (in Spanish). 

6  For the Spanish Order please visit: Orden INT/484/2021, de 19 de mayo.

*  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.