Legal Reasons to Travel to Spain
More information can be found on the website of the Spanish Ministry of Health, Travel and COVID-19. COVID-19 diagnostic tests (e.g. PCR, TMA, LAMP, NEAR or antigen) will not be accepted if you are travelling to Spain from the UK for tourism, unless you are travelling with a family member who is an EU citizen. In accordance with our Consular Assistance Charter, the Embassy of Ireland cannot provide funds or accommodation to citizens who need to extend their stay. If you test positive for COVID-19, you should comply with local health requirements and carefully consider whether your situation allows this option before deciding to travel. On this page you will find information on how to get to Spain. Find out what you need to do to return to the UK. If you intend to purchase a property in Spain, we strongly recommend that you consult an independent legal advisor with expertise in real estate law early in the process. U.S. citizens traveling to Spain from a country that is not the United States should ensure that they follow the guidelines published by Spanish authorities on their local Spanish Embassy website. Before traveling, the ministry strongly recommends that you purchase comprehensive travel insurance that covers all medical expenses abroad, including medical repatriation/evacuation, repatriation of remains, and legal fees. You should check all exclusions and in particular if your policy covers you for the activities you wish to do.
Public meetings and demonstrations may take place without or without warning. We recommend staying away from protests, as even supposedly peaceful gatherings can become confrontational. You should follow the advice of local authorities. The protests could also affect public transport and other services. Be prepared to adjust your travel plans on short notice if necessary. You should also check for travel updates or transportation delays before and during your trip to Spain. Diagnostic tests will only be accepted for travellers from the UK if the reason for your trip to Spain falls into one of the categories listed as “essential” on the Spanish Ministry of Health`s “Travel and COVID-19” page “Conditions for Entry into Spain from Third Countries”. This includes EU citizens, a family member accompanying an EU citizen, a resident of Spain or if one of the other listed exceptions applies to you. See Exceptions. The question of whether or not it is possible to travel to Spain, as is the case in almost every other country in the world, causes considerable difficulties.
Especially because there are changes in the law from time to time. COVID-19 restrictions remain in place throughout Spain and vary widely from region to region. U.S. citizens should carefully follow regional government websites and local press reports for more information. Visitors should ensure that you are familiar with local requirements before travelling between regions of Spain and remember to follow the instructions of local authorities. Otherwise, fines or arrests may be imposed. The most common restrictions in Spain are: No. U.S. citizens enjoy visa-free travel to Spain. Therefore, U.S. citizens do not need a visa to travel to Spain.
Currently, there is no visa to Spain for U.S. citizens unless you hold a U.S. green card. Note that U.S. green card holders may need to apply for a visa if their home country cannot travel to Spain without a visa. Prospective and existing owners must ensure that their legal rights to the property are fully in order, as their rights, for example in relation to the notification of development plans, depend on the proper registration of the property. Real estate buyers should not carry large sums of money with them at any time during the transaction. Whether or not you need an EU visa waiver to enter Spain or other European member states, travelers should apply for an ETIAS visa waiver after the end of 2022 in order to travel to Spain and other EU countries. The now famous Ave high-speed train has significantly reduced travel times between major cities in mainland Spain, with speeds of more than 300 kilometers per hour. Now you can travel comfortably and in style from Madrid to Barcelona in just over 2 hours and 30 minutes, or from Madrid to Malaga on the Costa del Sol in less than 3 hours. High temperatures, especially during the summer months, can lead to forest fires in Spain. These can result in road and rail closures.
