The UK Government issued a travel update for Spain after the UK changed its own travel restrictions. Travellers arriving in the UK will need to take a PCR test on or before day two after arrival from a non-red country.
The UK Government update said: “The Spanish Government requires all arrivals to Spain from the UK (excluding children under the age of 12 years old) to present on entry proof of being fully vaccinated.”
Passengers will need to have been vaccinated at least 14 days prior to arrival in Spain.
Fully vaccinated means the traveller must have had two doses of a two dose vaccine or one dose of a one dose vaccine.
Spain will accept the UK’s COVID-19 vaccination record on arrival at the border but from December 1 will no longer accept unvaccinated passengers with a negative test.
The Spanish Government announcement said: “The appearance of new variants causing (coronavirus) obliges an increase in restrictions.
“This will affect British residents but not British people who are resident in Spain.”
The estimated 300,000 British expats who live in Spain and have Spanish residency will not be subject to the new Spanish rules.
From 4am on Tuesday morning, British travellers will need to take a PCR test on or before day two after arrival in the UK.
They must self isolate until they receive a negative COVID-19 result from their PCR test. Many Spanish regions are also considering introducing a health passport to enter certain venues.
The popular tourist area of the Costa Blanca is one of the regions considering the vaccine passport.
If the rule is passed, British tourists would need to show proof of vaccination or a negative test to enter some hospitality venues.
Some regions in Spain have already introduced the health passport to try to slow the spread of COVID-19.
British tourists in Spain must wear a facemask in indoor areas and outdoors where social distancing is not possible.
Benidorm has been vaccinating tourists as the resort tries to control rising cases of COVID-19.
British tourists are advised to check the UK Government website and the local restrictions in their destination before travel.
The UK has also added ten African countries to its travel red list, including South Africa, Malawi, Mozambique and Botswana.
Namibia, Zimbabwe, Angola, eSwatini, Zambia and Lesotho are also on the UK Government’s travel ban list.
The Omicron variant was first identified in South Africa but cases have been reported in the UK, Belgium and Germany.
It is not yet known how dangerous the variant could be or how quickly it could spread around the world.
