School trips to Spain are back on! All visitors are now welcome

23 May 2022, 09:00 by Kate Moore

Are school trips to Spain allowed in 2022?

All teachers from the UK, and children travelling with them, can now take a school trip to Spain regardless of their vaccination status.

This is our understanding of the requirements for school groups travelling to and from Spain on 23 May 2022. The rules to enter Spain and to return home are subject to change and may be further relaxed by the time your trip departs.

Spanish entry requirements

Fully vaccinated adults and children can enter Spain, using the NHS COVID-19 Pass, without the need to test or complete a passenger locator form. To be considered fully vaccinated, a booster shot is required for adults who received their last dose more than 270 days before travel.

Any travellers who have recovered from a COVID-19 infection in the last 6 months can also visit Spain, using the NHS COVID-19 Pass as a record of their recovery. This group does not need to complete a passenger locator form.

All unvaccinated visitors aged 12 and over, who cannot demonstrate that they are fully vaccinated or recently recovered from COVID, are able to enter Spain by showing a negative PCR test carried out in the 72 hours prior to departure to Spain or a negative antigen test carried out in the 24 hours prior to departure to Spain. They must also complete a pre-travel Health Control form with their test details.

Children aged under 12 years are not subject to any travel restrictions.

Visit the Foreign Office website for the most up to date advice on the vaccination and testing requirements for school trips to Spain.

Current rules for school groups returning from Spain

All UK COVID travel restrictions have been removed, making it much easier for groups returning home from a school trip abroad. This means that, regardless of vaccination status, travellers are not required to complete a Passenger Locator form or take a test to return home from abroad.

Groups planning an overseas trip will still need to be aware of other countries' entry rules.

Can I travel to Spain if I'm unvaccinated?

Yes, all unvaccinated visitors are able to enter Spain by showing a negative PCR test carried out in the 72 hours prior to departure to Spain or a negative antigen test carried out in the 24 hours prior to departure to Spain. They must also complete a pre-travel Health Control form with their test details. These changes came into effect on Saturday 21 May 2022.

More information from the COVID-19 Travel Hub

• School Travel Insurance with COVID-19 cover
• Voyager School Travel Peace of Mind Promise 
• Guide to Restarting School Trips 
• COVID-19 Travel FAQs 
• Vaccination requirements for school trips abroad
• The rules for groups returning to the UK from abroad