The following has been sent to us by Marcliff:
1. As from the 23rd November, all arrivals by sea or air to Spain will require a PCR test taken 72 hours before arrival.
The test required is specified as PCR(RT-PCR de COVID 19). Diagnostic tests won't be accepted and these include rapid antigen, rapid antibody or Serologies (ELISA, CLIA, ECLIA).
2. The test must be carried out with 72 hours of arrival in Spain. That is, when you arrive in Spain by sea or air the test certificate must be dated no more than 72 hours previously.
3. Arrivals from all EU countries except for some parts of Finland, Norway and Greece must show have this test, That includes NI, Scotland, Wales, England or any of the islands that make up the British Isles. The full list is given in the BOE which can be found on the Daily Updates threads. Any countries added or deleted to this list will be published in a BOE and the Daily Updates thread will be updated.
4. All arrivals will require this test. That includes residents, non-residents, home owners, citizens of Spain - in fact - all arrivals in Spain and a NIE, TIE, padron certificate, payer of taxes etc will not exempt you from this test.
5. The test is for everyone coming in by Seaport or airport. It is not required if you come in by land in a car, on a bike, on foot, in a bus or a train or any other form of land transport. Considering some 9,000 people cross the 1.8km border with Gibraltar every day and then add those from Portugal, France, Andorra then you can see Spain does not have anywhere near enough officials to check everyone and, besides, you will already have had to have gone through the other country's procedure and rules to enter Spain.
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6. Certificates must be original in paper format but can be stored digitally onto a mobile phone or tablet or whatever. It would seem email copies are not permitted.
7. These tests are required for those entering Spain. You do not need a test if you are traversing one region to another because you would already be in Spain. You will not need on to travel to the Canary Islands or the Balearic Islands from Spain because you are already in Spain. Nor will you need one if travelling from those places to mainland Spain. You will also not need one if you are transiting Spain to another country by sea or air. If your ferry or airplane lands in Spain and you are en route outside Spain then you will be classed as an international traveller and won't require one as you won't be leaving the arrival port. If you clear customs or immigration then you will require one.
8. If you are travelling to the Canary Islands, you cannot book into a hotel without the certificate. The hotels there require a test for everyone over 7 years old but everywhere else requires a test for everyone regardless of age so even children will require one to enter Spain.
9. Yes, you may find it difficult to get a test 72 hours before you come to Spain and, yes, Christmas will make it worse. Just because you are finding it difficult will not be an excuse because you will be breaking the law if you attempt to enter Spain by Sea or Air without one. However, if you find you can't get a test then you have a couple of choices. Stay where you are or go somewhere else. The final choice is to alter your arrival dates so you can get the test 72 hours before arrival.
10. There is no indication that the test can be taken on arrival nor are there any references to being able to take it or facilities for doing so on arrival.
11. If you are transiting through another country to come to Spain by road, make sure you check the restrictions on travel in that country first. Some require mandatory quarantine whilst others allow travel for specified reasons like returning to main place of residence. UK, at the moment, doesn't allow foreign travel outside UK except for specified reasons. There are already reports of drivers being fined at the ferry ports and the tunnel for trying to travel without having a legal reason to do so and being turned back. Visiting a second home, visiting relatives (unless they are disabled and require your special assistance) or looking for some sun are not legal reasons. Those reasons can be found on the UK advice to travellers page along with updates.
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