Spain travel 2021: when could holidays from the UK be allowed and what is the current travel advice?

The Spanish government has announced that UK holidaymakers will be allowed to enter Spain again from next week.

It announced the decision in an official state bulletin on Friday (21 May), saying it will follow the lead from Portugal and let UK tourists back in.

However, Spain is currently on the UK’s amber list, which means people should only travel to the country for "extreme circumstances”.

But when could travellers head to Spain for holidays what is the latest travel advice for Spain?

Here’s what you need to know.

Can I visit Spain?

The update from the Spanish government was welcomed as “great news” by Antonio Mayor, President of the Benidorm, Costa Blanca and Valencia Region Hotel Association Hosbec.

He said he expects many British tourists will visit Spain now the UK has been put on the country’s green light status.

However, although it is no longer illegal to travel abroad for holidays in England, Wales and Scotland, advice from the Government recommends against travel to both amber and red listed countries for leisure purposes.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said countries on the amber list are “not somewhere where you should be going on holiday”, with these destinations requiring people to self-isolate for 10 days on return.

He said people should only travel to amber countries “for some extreme circumstance, such as the serious illness of a family member”.

Travellers returning from countries on the green list do not have to self-isolate, but are required to take a PCR test on day two after their arrival.

Individuals arriving from red list countries will need a negative pre-departure Covid test, as well as undergoing a managed quarantine at a hotel for 10 days and a PCR test on days two and eight.

What is the current travel guidance for Spain?

The obligatory use of face masks in public spaces, social distancing and hygiene and air ventilation rules must continue to be observed at all times, according to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).

Regional governments also retain legal powers to ease or tighten restrictions within their region if they deem this necessary in order to control the spread of the virus. This can include partial lockdowns and limiting the capacity and opening hours of retail.

You should consult the Spanish Ministry of Health map for details of local outbreaks and the specific measures in place in your destination and you should also check the advice of local authorities in your destination prior to travel.