After two years away from my property in Spain, I am finally travelling there this weekend! Although the build up to this holiday has been exciting, I’m sure I’m not the only one who has been a little put off travelling abroad by the thought of doing (and potentially forgetting!) all the tests and forms that both Spain and the UK require.
Thankfully, it has all been really straightforward and with just a few days to go until I fly to Spain, I am feeling confident. So, if you’re thinking of a trip to Spain soon but are feeling overwhelmed by everything you have to do, I hope I can put your mind at ease by explaining it all, step-by-step.
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The forms
In England before you fly to Spain:
Before you fly to Spain, you will need to complete a Health Control Form in the 48 hours before you depart. This needs to be done by each person flying to Spain, including those under 12 (to be completed on their behalf by their guardian). You will then get a QR code which you will need to present (either on your phone or paper) both before boarding the plane in England and at border control in Spain.
Before you fly to Spain, you will need to complete a Health Control Form in the 48 hours before you depart.
In Spain before you fly home to England:
Before you fly home to England, you will need to complete a Passenger Locator Form any time in the 48 hours before you arrive in England. Again, each person flying will need to complete their own form, however, unlike the Spanish Health Control form you can include someone under 18 on your own form if they live at the same UK address.
The tests
In England before you fly to Spain:
If you are double-vaccinated, then you do not need to do any tests before you fly to Spain. You will just have to show evidence of your two vaccinations which can be done using the NHS COVID Pass on the NHS app.
If you haven’t been fully vaccinated (excluding those under 12) then you will need to show proof of a negative COVID test (PCR, TMA, LAMP or NEAR) in the 72 hours before arriving in Spain. It is important to note that certificates of recovery – a medical document certifying that you have recovered from COVID in the last 6 months prior to travel – are not accepted by Spain if you are arriving from the UK.
In Spain before you fly home to England:
It is more straightforward on the way home as the same rules apply whether you have been fully vaccinated or not.
You will need to take a COVID test in the 72 hours before you fly back to England. For Spain, they do advise a PCR type test rather than an antigen test such as an LFD, however, certain antigen tests will be accepted. You can either purchase this in Spain or in England before your trip and take it with you. I opted for the latter option as I found the tests to be cheaper in England.
You will also need to book a day 2 test to be taken on your second day in England. You will need to show proof of your booking which comes in the form of a code. If you are not fully vaccinated, you will also need to book a day 8 test.
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The quarantine
If you are fully vaccinated, then there is no need to quarantine in either Spain or the UK on your return. If you are not fully vaccinated, then you will need to quarantine at home or in the place you are staying for 10 days as Spain is currently on the UK’s amber list.
The flights
I will be flying into Murcia San Javier airport, which is a small airport, however there were still regular flights with easyJet. Prices were really affordable – the perks of flying outside of school holidays! For a round trip, we paid around £100 each.
I also looked at flying into Alicante and there were plenty of flights with Ryanair and easyJet.
In terms of what you have to do at the airport and on the plane, masks must be worn at all times unless you are exempt. EasyJet is also doing an automated bag drop at some airports to minimise contact.
What will be open in Spain
The good news is that life is relatively ‘back to normal’ in Spain as three out of four Spaniards are now fully vaccinated, however, facemasks must still be worn indoors across the country. In Murcia where I am going, cafes, bars and restaurants are all open until 1am and you can eat outside in groups of up to 10 people or groups of 6 indoors. Drinking at the bar is still prohibited.
Cafes, bars and restaurants are open.
Beaches are open but if you want to meet up with lots of people, social meetings are limited to 10 people.
Restrictions do vary across the country so I would advise looking up the rules in your chosen destination.
