UK added to Spain's 'safe' list for Travel: 24 May

Hi all,

Good news for second home owners - it's been confirmed that Spain has added the UK to its list of 'safe' countries, citizens of which can now travel to Spain, i.e. the restriction allowing entry to Spain of only its citizens and residents is lifted with effect from 00:00 on 24 May.  You do, of course, still need to comply with UK exit and Spain entry rules - Spain us still on the UK's Amber list.

Please see below a translation of the BOE:

Council Recommendation (EU) 2020/912, of June 30, on the temporary restriction of non-essential travel to the European Union and the possible lifting of said restriction, established a list of third countries whose residents were exempt from the restrictions  travel to the European Union, as well as a set of specific categories of people also exempt from these restrictions, regardless of their place of origin.  This Recommendation has been modified on successive occasions to adapt the list of third countries to the epidemiological circumstances.

The Council Recommendation and its modifications have been applied in Spain by means of Order INT / 595/2020, of July 2, which modifies the criteria for the application of a temporary restriction of non-essential travel from third countries to the Union  European and Schengen associated countries for reasons of public order and public health due to the health crisis caused by COVID-19, and Order INT / 657/2020, of July 17, of the same title, with its extensions and modifications,  the last of them by means of Order INT / 448/2021, of May 10, which included Israel in the annex.

Currently, a modification of Recommendation (EU) 2020/912 is being debated within the Council of the European Union, which is foreseeable that will allow the inclusion of the United Kingdom and Japan among the countries exempt from restrictions.  Several Member States already place them in that privileged position.

With regard to the United Kingdom, Spain annually receives a number of visitors that is not only especially relevant in absolute terms but also in relative terms, so many economic sectors need to adapt their capacities in anticipation of changes in borders.

🔴 In view of the foregoing, and after consulting with the other affected ministries, Order INT / 657/2020, of July 17, is modified in order to include the United Kingdom and Japan in its annex.  The entry into force of this change is set for 00:00 hours on May 24, 2021🔴

 By virtue of it, I order:

 Unique article.  Modification of Order INT / 657/2020, of July 17, which modifies the criteria for the application of a temporary restriction of non-essential travel from third countries to the European Union and Schengen associated countries for reasons of public order and  public health due to the health crisis caused by COVID-19.

 The annex to Order INT / 657/2020, of July 17, which modifies the criteria for the application of a temporary restriction of non-essential travel from third countries to the European Union and Schengen associated countries for reasons of public order  and public health due to the health crisis caused by COVID-19, is modified as follows:

 «Third countries and special administrative regions whose residents are not affected by the temporary restriction of non-essential trips to the EU through the external borders in the terms included in this order:

 I. States:

1. Australia.

2. Israel.

3. Japan.

4. New Zealand.

5. Rwanda.

6. Singapore.

7. South Korea.

8. Thailand.

9. United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

10. China.

II.  Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China

 Hong Kong SAR.

 Macao SAR. »

Unique final provision.  Effects.

This order will take effect from 00:00 hours on May 24, 2021.

Madrid, May 19, 2021. – The Minister of the Interior, Fernando Grande-Marlaska Gómez.

https://www.boe.es/buscar/doc.php?id=BOE-A-2021-8449

Kind regards, 

Kim