The EES border check system is the responsibility of the Spanish National Police, the body in charge of border control.

The European Commission has determined that EES will be operational on Sunday, 12^th October 2025 and has set a 180‑day implementation period. The use of EES in Spain will be rolled out progressively from this date.

Spain´s inaugural EES check will take place with the arrival of a flight landing at Madrid-Barajas-Adolfo Suárez airport early in the morning.

Manuel Butler, Director of the Spanish Tourist Office in London commented:

"As the leading destination for UK travellers, we understand that the introduction of the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) on 12th October 2025 may raise questions and concerns.

This phased implementation, set to be fully operational by 10th April 2026, is designed to modernise border management through biometric registration, enhancing both security and efficiency.

We are committed to keeping our valued UK visitors informed and ensuring a smooth transition. Spain’s tourism sector is in close collaboration with the Spanish government and AENA, and we will provide timely updates as new information becomes available.”

For further information, please contact Jessica Harvey Taylor, head of press at the Spanish Tourist Office: Jessica.harvey@tourspain.es

Published on 07 October 2025

UK travellers, aged 12 and above, arriving into Spain by air or sea, will need to fulfil one of the following criteria:

1.- Certificate of vaccination:  Proof of being fully vaccinated (with both doses of a two-dose vaccine or one dose of a one-dose vaccine) at least 14 days prior to arrival in Spain. If more than 270 days have passed since the final dose, certification of a booster vaccination is also required, except for teenagers aged 12 to 17 (inclusive).

2.- Certificate of recovery: Proof that the passenger has recovered from COVID. Recovery certificates issued by the official authorities will be valid at least 11 days after the first NAAT diagnostic test or positive antigen screening test, carried out by qualified personnel. The certificate shall be valid for 180 days after the date of the first positive diagnostic test result.

3.- Negative diagnostic test certificate: Proof of a negative NAAT (PCR or similar) test carried out in the 72 hours prior to departure, or an antigen test carried out in the 24 hours prior to departure.

Children under 12 years old are exempt when travelling with an adult.

From 6 April, children under 12 and those travelling to Spain with an EU COVID passport or equivalent (including NHS COVID travel pass) no longer need to complete the Health Control Form (FCS in Spanish) prior to arrival. Those without an EU COVID pass or equivalent must complete the Health Control Form to show evidence of their vaccinations or certificate of recovery. This can be completed via Spain Travel Health (SpTH).

14 July 2021: From 00.00 on 14 July 2021, the diagnostic test illustrating a negative result for the presence of an active COVID-19 infection (NAAT type, e.g TMA, PCR, LAMP & NEAR) must be completed within 72 hours prior to arrival in Spain. 

This has been updated from the previous entry requirement stating that the diagnostic certificate must illustrate a negative COVID-19 test result (NAAT type, e.g TMA, PCR, LAMP & NEAR) and have been issued within 48 hours prior to arrival in Spain. Antigen tests are still not accepted.

30 June 2021: From 00.00h on 2 July 2021, Spain will require arrivals from the United Kingdom to provide evidence of a negative COVID-19 test or proof of the complete vaccination programme.

Spain’s Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, announced this measure yesterday in order to protect both residents and visitors, given the rising infection rates in the United Kingdom.

Those who have had the full vaccination programme will need to show a vaccination certificate issued by the competent authorities in the UK (either electronically or in print) at least 14 days from the last vaccination dose (e.g.NHS Covid pass). Accepted vaccines include: Pfizer-Biontech; Moderna; Astra-Zeneca; Jansen/Johnson&Johnson; Sinovac & Sinopharm.

The vaccination certificate must include the following information as a minimum:

• Name and surname of the holder
• Vaccination date, indicating the date of the last dose administered
• Type of vaccine administered
• Number of doses administered / full programme
• Issuing country
• Identification of the issuing body of the vaccination certificate

The diagnostic certificate must illustrate a negative COVID-19 test result (NAAT type, e.g TMA, PCR, LAMP & NEAR) issued within 48 hours of arrival into Spain. Antigen tests will not be accepted.

Children under 12 years old are exempt from the requirement to present a negative COVID test or vaccination certificate when travelling with an adult.

Prior to travelling to Spain, all passengers must also present a QR code which is obtained from filling in the Health Control Form (FCS in Spanish) available via Spain Travel Health (SpTH).

This new legislation is for UK residents prior to their arrival to the whole of Spain, including the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands, but it´s also important to remember that whilst most of Spain remains on the UK’s amber list for international travel, the Balearic Islands have been added to the green list meaning that visitors arriving to the UK from the Balearic Islands from 04:00 on 30 June will not need to quarantine.

Despite this change in entry requirements, Spain has reinforced the value of its UK visitors and stressed that British guests remain welcome. 

For more information on the travel requirements in Spain, please visit https://travelsafe.spain.info/en/.

The “International Travel Insurance” comes as part of a strategy from the Government of Andalucía to help the recovery of its tourism industry which is vital to the local economy and has been badly affected by the global pandemic.

The types of coverage and circumstances covered in the case of a COVID-19 infection includes medical, surgical and hospitalisation expenses with a maximum cost of €4,000, medical expenses for transportation and repatriation, as well as the costs of extending a stay at the regulated accommodation for the policyholder and their companions.

For more information on the “International Travel Insurance for Andalucía”, please visit www.andalucia.org/en/travel-assistance-insurance

For further information on how travel to Spain has changed following the UK's exit from the European Union, please visit www.spain.info/en/discover-spain/brexit-information-british-tourists