Spain
Warnings and insurance
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help British nationals make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.
Strike Action
Road transport strikes are due to be held across Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura throughout October. They are due to commence at 00:00 on the 2 October and will run on 4, 7, 9, 11, 14, 16, 18, 21, 23, 25 and 28 October, ending at 24:00. The Government of the Canary Islands has confirmed that transportation to hospitals and medical centres will be maintained, as well as transport of medicines and other urgent supplies to guarantee the life, health and security of people.
If you are on holiday in Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura and needing to travel or use road transport, we encourage you to contact your tour operator or transport company as soon as possible for more information to understand how this strike may impact your travel arrangements. Significant travel disruption is expected.
More information can be found on the Canary Islands Government website (in Spanish)
Heatwave in Europe
Extreme temperatures are affecting many areas of Spain. Read our guidance on extreme weather in Spain and NHS advice on coping in hot weather.
Before you travel
No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide as well as support for British nationals abroad which includes:
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advice on preparing for travel abroad and reducing risks
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information for women, LGBT+ and disabled travellers
Follow and contact FCDO travel on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. You can also sign up to get email notifications when this advice is updated.
Travel insurance
If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.
Update history
2024-11-05 17:22
Update on location of severe flooding in Spain (‘Warnings and insurance’ page)
2024-10-30 10:54
Information about flooding (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2024-09-05 13:25
Information on the new EU Entry/Exit System (EES), planned to be introduced from November 2024 (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2024-05-29 12:12
Amended information on car child safety requirements (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-05-17 10:35
Information that if your passport is lost or stolen, you cannot use a police report to leave Spain (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-05-02 11:18
This travel advice was reviewed for style and accuracy.
2024-01-10 09:46
Information on the mandatory use of face masks in healthcare settings (‘Health’ page)
2023-10-19 13:53
Information on transport strikes (‘Safety and security’ page).
2023-10-02 15:46
Information on low emission zone’s in Spain and on reporting a crime in Spain (‘Safety and security’ page).
2023-09-30 16:08
Updated information on transport strikes commencing Monday 2 October.
2023-08-09 16:01
Updated information on attacks and sexual assaults in Spain (‘Safety and security’ page).
2023-07-26 15:44
Updated information on providing personal ID when renting a vehicle, water safety, altitude sickness, and what to do in the event of a forest fire (‘Safety and security’ page).
2023-07-17 13:12
Information on the extreme temperatures currently affecting many parts of Spain (‘Safety and security’ page).
2023-07-10 15:27
Addition of English-speaking police line (‘Getting help’ page).
2023-07-07 15:29
Updated information on how to report a crime in Spain (‘Getting help ’ page).
2023-07-05 14:21
The Spanish government has declared an end to the health crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and has lifted all compulsory requirements to wear face coverings (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2023-06-28 16:38
This travel advice has been rewritten to make it easier to read and understand.
2023-06-22 10:23
Information about the global terrorism risks to British nationals abroad on all FCDO travel advice pages.
2023-06-09 10:50
Removal of information on Storm Oscar weather warnings in the Canary Islands (‘Summary’ page).
2023-06-05 18:45
Updated information on Storm Oscar weather warnings in the Canary Islands (‘Summary’ page).
2023-05-19 14:46
Information on consulting your airline or tour operator if your onward travel is affected by strike action (‘Summary’ page).
2023-02-08 14:47
Updated information on use of face masks in Spain following the lifting of the requirement to use face masks on public transport (‘Coronavirus’ page).
2023-01-26 13:16
Update on terrorist-related incident in Algeciras on 25 January (‘Terrorism’ page).
2023-01-03 14:35
Information on COVID-19 vaccination and testing requirements for passengers arriving from China (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2022-10-28 13:24
Updated information on demonstrations and processions (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
2022-10-24 14:02
Updated information on opening times of English-speaking police line (‘Safety and Security’ page).
2022-10-21 00:00
From 21 October 2022, all COVID-19 travel restrictions for travellers to Spain have been lifted. (‘Entry requirements’ page)
2022-09-21 16:53
New information about the lifting of the requirement to complete the health control form prior to travel to Spain (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2022-08-12 14:05
New information on attending festivals or concerts in Spain (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
2022-08-01 16:09
Updated information on the possibility of strike action disrupting flights to and from Spain (‘Summary’ page)
2022-07-18 16:17
Information on heightened risk of forest fires (‘Summary’ page)
2022-07-14 11:16
Updated information on what to do if you test positive for COVID-19 during your stay in Spain (‘Coronavirus’ page). Addition of information on the use of e-gates on arrival in Spain (‘Entry requirements’ page)
2022-07-04 16:48
Information on planned strike action by airlines in July (‘Summary’ page).
2022-06-17 15:40
Updated information on vaccine validity requirements for 12 to 17 year olds. (‘Entry requirements’ page)
2022-05-26 11:47
Updated information on transiting Spain (‘Entry requirements’ page)
2022-05-23 13:05
Updated following changes to entry rules for unvaccinated travellers (‘Entry requirements’ page)
2022-05-12 15:10
Clarification about current passport validity (‘Entry requirements’ page)
2022-05-06 16:21
Updated information on restrictions on the sale of alcohol in Balearic Islands and irregular commercial parties (‘Local laws and customs’ page)
2022-04-20 16:46
Updated information on the use of face masks in Spain (‘Coronavirus’ page)
2022-04-08 13:03
Updated information on the requirement to complete a Health Control Form for entry to Spain (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2022-04-01 15:27
Updated information on COVID-19 public health measures in Spain (‘Coronavirus’ page).
2022-03-10 16:40
Updated information on completing a Health Control Form for entry to Spain (‘Entry requirements’ page)
2022-02-28 17:07
Travellers can now enter Spain by presenting documentation that certifies they have recovered from COVID-19 infection in the last 6 months. (‘Entry requirements’ page)