UPDATE: Spain COVID travel restrictions lifted

21 Oct 2022, 09:00 by Kate Moore

Are school trips to Spain allowed in 2023?

UPDATE 21st October 2022:  COVID-19 travel restrictions in Spain have been lifted.

One of the last countries un Europe to maintain COVID restrictions, Spain has now dropped the requirement for UK citizens to be either vaccinated or tested to visit and travellers no longer need to complete a health control form.

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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 21 September 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

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

Fully vaccinated adults and children can enter Spain, using the NHS COVID-19 Pass. To be considered fully vaccinated, a booster shot is required for adults who received their last dose more than 270 days before travel. Children and adults must have had all the required shots at least 14 days before travel to be considered fully vaccinated.

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. 

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 COVID test. This can either be a private PCR test taken 72 hours prior, or a private lateral flow test taken 24 hours prior to departure to Spain. 

Travellers are no longer required to complete a health control form prior to travel. This applies to both vaccinated and unvaccinated travellers.

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

School trips transiting through France to Spain

If you pass through France on your way to Spain, or on your return home, you will still need to comply with any French vaccination and testing restrictions that are in place at the time of your trip.

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