Flights between the United Kingdom and Spain are expected to see an increase in bookings after Spanish authorities stated that unvaccinated British citizens will be allowed to enter the country. Unvaccinated non-EU passengers can now enter Spain with a negative COVID test, thanks to reforms made yesterday.

Unvaccinated travellers from outside the EU are allowed enter Spain provided they take a COVID test or present a recovery certificate, according to the Spanish authorities. The modifications are effective immediately.

In a radio interview on Thursday, Spain’s Tourism Minister, Maria Reyes Maroto, hinted that the country might allow unvaccinated non-EU passengers into the country sooner than expected, and this has now been confirmed.
“This is excellent news, highly anticipated by the tourism sector, which facilitates the arrival of tourists from outside the EU with a view to guaranteeing safe journeys during the high season.”

Spanish authorities only recently extended the prohibition on unvaccinated non-EU passengers on May 14th, causing considerable misunderstanding over entrance restrictions. Before yesterday’s modifications, the restriction was scheduled to last until at least June 15th.

The more eased entry restrictions are anticipated to attract a rush of last-minute bookings from the United Kingdom. Over 18 million British tourists visited Spain last year, and authorities are expecting even more this year.

In March, over 826,000 British tourists visited Spain, with over 1.75 million arriving in the first three months of this year. Many unvaccinated British tourists who were unable to visit Spain last summer will be looking for a vacation this summer.

Spain’s comeback is well underway, with more flights than before the pandemic this summer to some Spanish cities. Ryanair, Vueling, and Iberia will operate the most flights between the two countries.