UK family holidays to Spain over the festive period may have to be cancelled, due to new measures put in place by Spain resulting from the new Omicron variant.
Spain has changed the entry rules for several countries including the UK. From December 1, all visitors from the UK to Spain must be double vaccinated. They must also produce a completed Spain Travel Health form.
Proof of vaccination
The Spanish Government requires all arrivals to Spain from the UK to present this proof on entry to the country. This excludes children under the age of 12 years old who only require a completed health form.
Whilst most Brits have received both jabs, only a small percentage of those under 18-years-of-age have. This means, a family with children aged between 12-18 will be unlikely to be able to take their holiday.
According to the official UK government website, which was last updated on November 22, it stated, “the NHS is offering the COVID-19 vaccine to some children and young people. This includes those aged 12-17 at increased risk from infection who will need 2 vaccine doses 8 weeks apart. All young people aged 16 and 17 years will be offered the first dose of vaccine. The timing of a second dose for these 16- to 17-year-olds will be confirmed later”.
Second dose for 12-16-year-olds
At a press conference yesterday, UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson stated, a second dose was now being offered to 12–16-year-olds. Johnson stated this was on the advice of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). They say this group should be offered a second jab – at least 12 weeks after the first. It’s one of a number of measures the JCVI say should be carried out, in case the Omicron variant spreads more easily or is more severe than current types of Covid.
Children aged 16 and 17 are already being offered a second dose.
Testing and vaccination requirements
The UK government also detailed on its website the testing and vaccination requirements. This is for arrivals from the UK to Spain from 1 December 2021. It states “The Spanish government requires all arrivals to Spain from the UK (excluding children under the age of 12 years old) to present on entry 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 (date(s) of vaccination must be specified), with a vaccine authorised by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) or by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
All passengers (including children under 12 years old) travelling by air or sea must complete and sign an online Health Control Form no more than 48 hours prior to travel.
Travel requirements
Therefore, if you are planning holidays from the UK to Spain, please check for any new restrictions as the Omicron variant continues to spread. Therefore, restrictive measures can change daily. According to detailed information released by the Spanish consulate in London, this change does not apply to those under 12 years old, Spanish citizens, or EU citizens and their family members.
This chart published in the document from the Spanish consulate in London sets out the requirements clearly.
