Spain COVID pass restrictions tightened

Last update: December 7th, 2021.

Spain has seen a recent surge in COVID-19 cases. The country’s courts have ruled that stricter green pass regulations were to be implemented from December.

This ruling comes as Spain nears the 80% vaccination mark and the argument for discrimination becomes weaker.

Spain uses the EU Digital COVID Certificate (EUDCC) and joined the scheme in June along with the rest of the bloc.

How does the EU Digital COVID Certificate work in Spain?

The Spanish government began issuing the EUDCC a month before the certificate became standard in the European Union.

By July 1st, Spain was able to distribute digital and hard copies of COVID passes for citizens who have been vaccinated, recently recovered, or recently received a negative COVID test result.

For those concerned with data protection in vaccine passports: the EU Gateway which verifies the certificate’s authenticity works along with the EU’s data protection regulations.

The EU Gateway ensures that the information provided for the certificate is not held by any business, institution, or member state other than that which issued it.

Each regional health authority has a different website or corresponding app where the COVID passport for Spain can be downloaded.

COVID-19 restrictions in Spain

High courts across the country’s regions have approved the use of Spain’s green pass for regional restrictions to curb the spread of the virus.

Eight of the 19 territories and regions have made rulings regarding Spain’s COVID passport for local use.

The high court in Andalucía has not approved the use of Spain’s vaccine passport as the local government failed to stipulate the duration of the rules. A new application will be made to suggest the use of the pass to visit hospitals and care homes.

In Aragón, the EUDCC is used at nighttime venues, celebrations in hospitality establishments, and large-scale events. The court is open to objections from the respective sectors but no grievances have yet been made.

In contrast to that, the court in Asturias has not ruled on any use of a COVID pass but has also not eliminated the potential in the future.

In the Balearic Islands, the green pass of Spain is required at nursing homes, nighttime venues, restaurants, and bars with a capacity of over 50 people. This will remain in effect until 24 January.

Basque Country is still toiling with the legislation. The Spanish Supreme Court gave the green light but the Basque High Court denied the application. The regional government appealed this decision and the Supreme court granted permission once more to implement restrictions in venues that allow more than 50 people.

Entrance to the Canary Islands is still limited to vaccinated and tested passengers. On December 6th, the Superior Court of Justice of the Canary Islands approved the use of COVID passes in bars and restaurants on a voluntary basis. This means that individual businesses will decide whether to require a COVID pass or not in the Canary Islands.

In Cantabria, a request to implement stricter COVID pass regulation was denied last year but the regional government has applied again in the hopes of enforcing new rules soon.

The governments of Castilla-La Mancha, Extremadura, and La Rioja do not believe it is necessary for additional measures just yet.

In Castilla y León, a ruling for use of COVID passes at guesthouses and hospitals is still pending.

Catalonia faced an unexpected delay in the Spanish COVID pass rollout but now vaccination is mandatory to access nightclubs, bars, restaurants, care homes, and gyms.

Galicia has already made the use of Spain’s green pass mandatory to visit a patient in the hospital and to enter nightlife venues. A ruling is still pending that will limit entry to bars and restaurants after 9 pm to vaccinated people.

Madrid has not implemented any vaccination restrictions but the government is set to announce region-wide restrictions ahead of the Christmas season to limit the spread.

Murcia does not require a COVID pass at bars and restaurants but nightlife venues that use vaccine certificates may operate at full capacity.

In Navarra, the EU Digital COVID Certificate of Spain will be used until 4 January. This will allow access to restaurants and bars with a capacity above 60 and large-scale indoor events with more than 1000 people in attendance.

The Valencian Community has made provisions for the festive season by making the pass mandatory at outdoor events where mask-wearing cannot be monitored at all times. It will also be used at restaurants with more than 50 people, betting parlors, care homes, hospitals, and indoor social events and music festivals.

Can I travel to Spain with my COVID certificate?

Spain changed its entry regulations as news of the Omicron variant started to develop. Passengers are advised to review the entry regulations carefully.

All passengers, no matter their country of origin, are required to complete the health control form on the Spain Travel Health App. The app generates a QR code that is requested at border control.

Travel during COVID-19 from within the EU is allowed, but those coming by air from high-risk countries will have to present an EU COVID Certificate for vaccination, testing, or recovery.

If EU citizens enter by land they will only need to provide documentation if entering from high-risk areas in France.

Countries inside the EU that are currently considered high-risk are:

High-risk third country residents must provide proof of vaccination and a negative PCR test if they are older than 12. Those coming from a low-risk country do not need to provide any documentation.

All third countries are considered to be a risk factor but the following countries and territories are considered safe:

High-risk countries with the strictest regulations are:

Passengers from high-risk areas have to enter a mandatory 10-day quarantine and can get tested on the 7th day for early release.

Is it safe to travel to Spain now? COVID-19 statistics

Spain suffered several waves of COVID-19. The peak came in July 2021, with around 44,000 new cases per day.

Since then, numbers have declined to around 13,000 new cases per day at the beginning of December.

As of December 6th, over 77 million doses have been administered and the Spanish population is 79.5% fully vaccinated.