Spain Travel Guide – The Ultimate Spanish Holiday Advice

A lot has changed over the last two years and it’s no longer possible to just jump on a plane and go on holiday to Spain.

We now have to think: Do I need a negative COVID test to enter Spain? Is my passport up to date? Is there enough time left on my passport? What do I do if a have an accident on holiday? Can I drive in Spain?

Following Brexit and the global pandemic, finally travel restrictions have eased and large numbers of people are going on holiday to Spain once again. A lot of time has passed since many people went abroad and it’s easy to forget what you need to do before going on holiday.

Our travel law team have therefore provided some important Spain Travel Guidelines to help holidaymakers enjoy and stay safe on their holidays to Spain this year.

COVID-19

The foreign travel advice section for Spain has up to date advice for what proof is required to travel to Spain. The Spain government travel advice is contained and it is important that you check this before you go on holiday.

If you are going on holiday to Spain you need to show proof that you a fully vaccinated (with both doses of a two dose vaccine or one dose of a one dose vaccine) at least 14 days before arriving in Spain or you have recovered from COVID-19 in the last six months. There are some different entry requirements for children under 12 years old and those aged 12 to 17.

If you’re fully vaccinated and travelling from the UK to Spain then you can enter Spain without needing to take a test or quarantine. It must be at least 14 days since being fully vaccinated. If you were fully vaccinated more than 270 days before arriving in Spain, you will also need to show proof that you received a booster jab. You do not need to have had the booster jab at least 14 days before travel.

Do I need a negative COVID test to enter Spain?

The NHS COVID pass is sufficient and this can be obtained through the NHS app or online via NHS.UK. Alternatively, you can request a COVID pass letter on the NHS website.

The coronavirus travel advice for the Canary Islands including Fuerteventura and Lanzarote together with the Balearic islands of Majorca and Ibiza is the same. It is important that you check the Canary Island tourist board and Balearic islands Tourism board for up to date advice before you travel.

Brexit

As a result of the UK leaving the EU, the passport rules have changed so your passport must now have a date of issue of less than 10 years before the date you enter Spain and be valid for at least 3 months after the date you leave Spain.

Driving in Spain

You can drive in Spain on your full UK driving licence. If you are using your UK insurance, make sure you take your certificate on holiday with you in case you are stopped. It is important that you check the terms of your insurance before driving in Spain to make sure you are covered.

There are a number of Spanish driving rules and customs which are different from the UK. For example, you must carry two red warning triangles in case of an accident, aa spare wheel and the tools to change it. You also need to wear a reflective vest if you leave your vehicle due to an accident or you may face a fine.

Spain has strict drink driving laws and police regularly carry out checks for alcohol and drugs. You are not allowed to talk on a mobile phone when driving in Spain.

Had a car accident on holiday and in need of a claim? Our experts can help you.

Car hire in Spain

Prices of hiring a car in Spain have increased dramatically over the last 12 months. We would recommend booking your car hire as early as possible as this could save you as much as 50% of the price of hiring a car to drive in Spain. To find the cheapest car hire, it will be helpful to use online resources such as Skyscanner, Kayak or Travel Supermarket.

Holiday accidents in Spain

The Holiday Claims Bureau have specialist solicitors who help holidaymakers following an accident in Spain. This includes helping clients following road traffic accidents, accidents on a plane and injuries at the hotel. We have extensive experience of providing travel advice following accidents in all the Mainland, Canary and Balearic Islands including:

• Mallorca
• Ibiza
• Fuerteventura
• Lanzarote
• Tenerife
• Southern Spain

It is important to have everything you need before you travel in case the worst does happen. You should make sure you have comprehensive travel insurance in place to enable you to recover any medical costs.

In light of Brexit, the system regarding European Health Insurance Cards has also changed and you should ensure you obtain a UK Global Health Insurance Card. This is free and can be requested online or at the post office.

If something does happen, report the incident immediately to the appropriate person and speak to your holiday insurer. You should also take and photos of the area and obtain details of any witnesses.

Contact our expert team to handle your holiday accident claim.

All-inclusive holidays in Spain

The Balearic Government announced new Regulations in January of this year for Mallorca travel and Ibiza travel to try and cut down on binge drinking in these resorts. The new restrictions apply in:

• Magaluf
• El Arenal
• Playa de Palma in Mallorca
• Sant Antoni de Portmany In Ibiza.

Drinks are now limited in all inclusive hotels to six free drinks a day in these locations. There is also a ban on the sale of alcohol in shops between 9.30pm and 8.00am, ban on happy hours and two for one drink offers.

These new measures have not been particularly well advertised so we would recommend holidaymakers check with their tour operator to see if this will affect their holiday.

Mobile phone roaming charges

Following Brexit, you can no longer roam like at home whilst on holiday in Spain. Vodaphone, EE and Three have now reintroduced roaming charges. Only O2 have not yet brought back roaming charges. The charges are usually £1-£2 a day to get your home phone and data package abroad.

We would therefore strongly recommend that you check with your phone provider before travelling abroad to ensure you don’t face any charges you might not be expecting.

Contact Holiday Claims Bureau if the worst happens

The team at Holiday Claims Bureau hope you will make the most of your trip to Spain and the holiday goes smoothly. However, if the worst happens – a member of your party falls ill or is injured and it is not their fault, do not hesitate to contact our experienced holiday sickness and accident solicitors.

Start your claim online or speak directly to an expert holiday claim solicitor today on 0161 813 2131.