Spain to demand negative PCR test from inbound travellers arriving from at-risk countries taken within preceding 72 hours

This measure is in addition to the health controls already performed on all inbound passengers at points of entry. Accordingly, temperature controls and visual checks will be maintained.

The Health Control Form, which all passengers must fill in before entering the country, will now include a question regarding whether they can produce a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to their arrival in Spain. Proof of this test result may be requested from passengers at any time. The document must be original, drafted in Spanish or English, and may be submitted on paper or in an electronic format.

If the Form has not been filled in online, using the QR code generated on the website www.spth.gob.es, or the Spain Travel Health-SpTH app, it may be presented on paper before departure. In this case, it must be accompanied by the original document certifying the diagnostic test.

Passengers whose temperature, visual or documentary checks indicate that they could be suffering from COVID-19 must have a diagnostic test taken at the airport on their arrival in Spain.

At-risk countries

The designation of at-risk zones or countries where a PCR test will be required, in the case of EU countries and Schengen-associated countries, will take as a reference those criteria included in Recommendation EU 2020/1475, of 13 October, on a coordinated approach to the restriction of free movement in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

For third countries, the basic reference will be the cumulative rate of cases per 100,000 inhabitants over the previous 14 days, supplemented by the capacities introduced in each country, as contained in the International Health Regulation, based on information provided by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).

Travel agencies, tour operators and air and sea transport companies and any other travel agent that sells tickets must inform passengers of the obligation to produce a PCR test with a negative result before they travel to Spain.

This new measure complies with European Council Recommendation EU 2020/1475 of 13 October, which seeks to end the differences between health control models implemented by different European Union countries.

The Resolution establishing these new controls will be published in the Official State Gazette on 13 November and come into force on 23 November.

Non official translation