Entry Requirements into Spain from UK
Entry Requirements into Spain from UK - Updated 21st October 2022.
This page reflects the UK government’s understanding of current rules for people travelling on a full ‘British Citizen’ passport from the UK, for the most common types of travel.
The authorities in Spain set and enforce entry rules. If you’re unsure how Spain’s entry requirements apply to you, contact its UK embassy, high commission or consulate.
British travellers who are resident in Spain should be prepared to show Spanish border authorities' proof of residency on arrival.
All travellers
All travellers should familiarise themselves with the entry rules for Spain before travel.
From 21st October 2022, all COVID-19 travel restrictions for travellers to Spain have been lifted. The rules that previously applied to travellers coming to Spain no longer apply:
- you are no longer required to show proof of being fully vaccinated
- you are no longer required to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test
- you are no longer required to show proof of having recovered from COVID-19 in the last 6 months.
- you are no longer required to complete a health control form prior to travel.
Spain’s land borders are open. For further details see If you’re transiting through Spain.
All travellers should follow the advice of the local authorities on how best to protect themselves and others, including any measures that they bring in to control the virus. See the Coronavirus section for further information.
Plan ahead in case you present symptoms or test positive for COVID-19 during your stay in Spain, see Be prepared for your plans to change and Developing symptoms of COVID-19 or testing positive for COVID-19 in Spain.
Entry Requirements into Spain from UK
If you’re fully vaccinated
Entry requirements for Spain are the same for all travellers, regardless of COVID-19 vaccination status.
If you’re not fully vaccinated
Entry requirements for Spain are the same for all travellers, regardless of COVID-19 vaccination status.
Children and young people
There are no specific requirements for children and young people.
If you’re transiting through Spain - (This section also covers travelling overland to Spain.)
Transiting is when you pass through one country on the way to your final destination.
Transiting through Spain is permitted for all travellers from the UK in line with the entry requirements set out above.
You should consult travel advice for any countries you are traveling through at the links below:
Entry Requirements into Spain from UK
Check your passport and travel documents before you travel
Passport validity
If you are planning to travel to an EU country (except Ireland), or Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino or Vatican City, you must follow the Schengen area passport requirements.
Your passport must be:
- issued less than 10 years before the date you enter the country (check the ‘date of issue’)
- valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave (check the ‘expiry date’)
You must check your passport meets these requirements before you travel. If your passport was issued before 1 October 2018, extra months may have been added to its expiry date.
Contact the embassy of the country you are visiting if you think that your passport does not meet both these requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.
Visas
Use this page to check you do not over stay your 90 days
You can travel to countries in the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. This applies if you travel as a tourist, to visit family or friends, to attend business meetings, cultural or sports events, or for short-term studies or training.
If you are travelling to Spain and other Schengen countries without a visa, make sure your whole visit is within the 90-day limit. Visits to Schengen countries within the previous 180 days before you travel count towards your 90 days.
To stay longer, to work or study, for business travel or for other reasons, you will need to meet the Spanish government’s entry requirements. You should check with the Spanish consulate in the UK prior to travel regarding what type of visa and/or work permit you may need.
If you are travelling to Spain for work, read the guidance on visas and permits.
If you are unable to return to the UK before the expiry of your visa/permit or visa-free limit, you should contact your local authority for immigration advice. You can also call 060 from a Spanish phone line.
If you are visiting Spain and need to extend your visa-free stay for exceptional reasons, such as a medical emergency, you must apply to the immigration authorities (Extranjería) to do so.
If you stay in Spain with a residence permit or long-stay visa, this does not count towards your 90-day visa-free limit.
Entry Requirements into Spain from UK
Passport stamping
Check your passport is stamped if you enter or exit the Schengen area through Spain as a visitor.
Border guards will use passport stamps to check you’re complying with the 90-day visa-free limit for short stays in the Schengen area. If relevant entry or exit stamps are not in your passport, border guards will presume that you have overstayed your visa-free limit.
You can show evidence of when and where you entered or exited the Schengen area and ask the border guards to add this date and location in your passport. Examples of acceptable evidence include boarding passes and tickets.
Residents of Spain
If you are resident in Spain, your passport should not be stamped.
You should proactively show your proof of residence - such as the ‘TIE’ (la tarjeta de identidad de extranjero) - as well as your valid passport at Spanish border control.
E-gates
You should use the desks staffed by border officers. If you are aged 18 and over, and airport staff instruct you to do this, you may be able to use e-gates, if these are operating.
If you use an e-gate, make sure you get your passport stamped by a border officer.
Additional documents required by tourists
UK nationals entering the Schengen zone as tourists may need to provide additional documents at the border. As well as a valid return or onward ticket, it is possible that travellers to Spain may also be asked to:
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show you have enough money for your stay. More information is available from the Spanish Ministry of Interior (in Spanish).
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show proof of accommodation for your stay, for example, a hotel booking confirmation, proof of address if visiting your own property (e.g., second home), or an invitation from your host or proof of their address if staying with a third party, friends or family. The Spanish government has clarified that the “carta de invitation” is one of the options available to prove that you have accommodation if staying with friends or family. More information is available from the Spanish Ministry of Interior.
Travel between Spain and Gibraltar
Spanish border checks can cause delays when crossing between Spain and Gibraltar. If you are travelling to Spain via Gibraltar, check the latest entry requirements and FCDO travel advice for Gibraltar.
There is no charge to enter or leave Gibraltar. You should not hand over money if you’re approached by anyone claiming that there is a charge.
UK Emergency Travel Documents
UK ETDs are accepted for entry, airside transit and exit from Spain. Lost or Stolen passport, What to do.
Returning to the UK
Bringing meat and dairy products into the EU
You cannot take the following with you into the EU: Meat or products containing meat. Milk or dairy products
There are some exceptions, for example certain amounts of powdered infant milk, infant food, or pet food required for medical reasons.
Check the rules about taking meat and milk products into the EU on the European Commission website.
Bringing fruits, vegetables, plants and plant products into the EU
You cannot take the following into the EU unless you pay to have them inspected before you leave and get a ‘phytosanitary certificate’: Fresh fruit (apart from bananas, coconuts, dates, pineapples and durians). Vegetables. Plants. Plant products
Check the rules about taking fruit, vegetables and other plants or plant products into the EU on the European Commission website.
The information above is official information provided by UK Gov.