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Spain reopens borders to Brits and drops quarantine requirement
Spain has reopened its borders to British travellers, and will not impose a quarantine requirement on those arriving from the UK.
Prime minister Pedro Sanchez confirmed the decision at the weekend, which was first outlined by foreign minister Arancha Gonzalaz Laya.
The country’s three-month state of emergency has now been lifted, with Tui already confirming it will resume ex-UK holiday operations to Spain from 11 July.
Holiday travel to Spain remains subject to the Foreign Office easing its travel advice, which currently advises against all non-essential travel worldwide.
Spain’s decision not to impose a quarantine requirement on arrivals, and Tui’s confidence to restart holidays, suggests Spain will likely be among a first wave of so-called "air bridge" agreements, which would allow Brits returning to the UK to forgo the UK’s 14-day quarantine on arrival policy.
The policy, introduced on 8 June, is due for its first three-weekly review on 29 June, when it is expected the policy will be softened in favour of air bridges with countries with lower rates of coronavirus infection.
Ryanair restarting its flights to Spain 10 days early at the weekend, having initially planned to restore its curtailed summer schedule on 1 July.
Spain is the UK’s foremost holiday destination, usually welcoming in excess of two million British visitors a year. Tourism, meanwhile, accounts for around 12% of Spain’s GDP, making a resumption this summer vital to Spain’s economic recovery.
Arrivals will have to submit to temperature checks, state if they have had the virus, and provide contact details.
Social distancing of at least 1.5 metres is still mandatory in Spain; masks must be worn in shops and on public transport, and visitors are urged to practice good hand hygiene.
Gonzalaz Laya said Spain’s decision not to impose quarantine on arrivals was "out of respect" for Brits with second homes in the country.
The FCO has updated its travel advice for Spain, confirming there being no quarantine requirement and three health checks upon arrival; these include providing contact details and Covid history, and undergoing both temperature checks and additional health assessments.
