Spain opening up summer tourism to vaccinated visitors from Europe

Wednesday, June 9, 2021

Spain is jumpstarting its summer tourism season by welcoming vaccinated visitors from most countries as well as European visitors who can prove they are not infected with coronavirus.

It also reopened its ports to cruise ship stops on Monday.

Visitors need proof they were fully vaccinated at least 14 days before the trip or that they overcame a COVID-19 infection in the past six months.

The certificates can be in Spanish, English, French or German – or their equivalent translations in Spanish, the government order said.

Non-vaccinated travellers from the European Union’s 27 countries have also been allowed to enter Spain with a negative result from a recent antigen test, which are cheaper and faster than PCR tests, after restrictions were eased on Monday.

Spain is still banning non-essential travellers from Brazil, India and South Africa, where virus variants have been a major source of concern.

Tourism is a major industry that in 2019 accounted for over 12% of Spain’s GDP.

On the Balearic Island of Mallorca, one of Europe’s most popular holiday destinations’, the opening of the tourism season and the differences between many EU countries and the UK authorities restrictions on their citizens travel was stark.

On Palma beach, a popular area with German tourists, the beach was filling up with tourists sunbathing.
For bar manager Cristian Lafourcade it was good news and his income was on a positive climb.

In contrast in and around the Magaluf district, a popular area for UK tourists, the beach was empty with sunlounges stacked-up.

The bars and restaurants of the area were closed.

Many British tourists who love Southern Europe’s beaches aren’t expected in large numbers yet because they must quarantine upon their return to the U.K.

The Spanish government has set a goal of receiving between 14.5 million to 15.5 million visitors between July and September.That’s about 40 per cent of the tourists in the same period of 2019 but twice as many as last summer, when only EU visitors could enter Spain.Tourism is a major industry that in 2019 accounted for over 12 per cent of Spain’s GDP.7

« Back to Page

• What Are the 2024 Summer International Travel Trends of Spain, as per National Tourism Agency?

• Know why Spain’s Majorca set new rule for beach management

• Iberia Celebrates 60 Years of Linking Brussels and Madrid flights with Chocolate and Pansy Biscuits Special Surprises for Travelers

• Here is what you need to know why Spain is a great place to visit this Summer 2024

• Proposed new railway line to connect seaside cities along the Spanish coast