What are the rules on travelling within Spain this Christmas?

There are general rules across the regions that includes exemptions for travelling across regional borders for work or study purposes and you will always be allowed into a territory if returning to primary residence.

Some regions allow exceptions over Christmas for those who are going to visit family, others also include the term allegados, (which means close friends or loved ones) while Catalonia will also visits to second homes and hotels, others do not.

Here’s a breakdown of travel rules within each of Spain's autonomous communities.

Madrid

Spain’s capital is shutting its perimeters between December 23 and January 6 in line with Ministry of Health recommendations. However it will allow people to cross in and out of they are going to visit family or allegados (close friends).

 

Authorities have produced a justification form that travellers must fill in and show at any checkpoint or if stopped by police in order to enter or leave the Madrid Community. DOWNLOAD HERE

Catalonia

Authorities in Catalonia have restricted non-essential movement between comarcas (counties) at all times but exceptions are made not only for the usual work/study/care for vulnerable rules but also for those travelling to a second home or hotel or to return to the family home.

Those wishing to travel between comarcas must fill in a justification form and present it to police if stopped at a checkpoint. 

 

Valencia

The regional government in Valencia has brought in the strictest rules regarding movement within its territory and has closed off regional borders even to those wanting to visit family and close friends.

The only exception beyond those entering for justified work/study etc reasons are those returning to their primary residence.

 

Balearic Islands

Travellers are allowed to enter the Balearics only if they can present a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to arrival or they must have an appointment to do so on the island and quarantine while they wait for a negative result.

Andalusia

Restrictions on travelling between provinces in Andalusia has now been lifted but a perimeter closure of the entire region remains in force until at least December 28 when authorities will reassess.

This means you cannot visit Andalusia for tourism purposes but an exception is made under Spain’s Health Ministry guidelines that you can enter or leave if you are going to visit relatives or close friends.

 

 Canary Islands

 

The government of the Canary Islands have decided to ban non-essential travel to the island of Tenerife from Friday December 18th after a recent surge in infections.

Tourists however, both from mainland Spain and abroad, are exempt from the travel ban provided they have accommodation booked and can show a negative Covid-19 test that was taken within 72 hours prior to arrival.

There are no travel restrictions on other islands although all visitors must present a negative Covid-19 test at the airport and at their accomodation. READ MORE HERE

 

Aragon

A regional border closure is in place until January 12 plus travelling between the provinces is not allowed. An exception is made between the dates of December 23 and 26 and December 30 and January 2 when travelling is allowed for the purpose of meeting up with family only – Aragon has also chosen not to include the term allegados.

Castilla y Leon

The region will remain closed until at least January 10 with exceptions for travel to visit family (not close friends) between December 23rd and December 26th, December 30th and January 2nd and January 5th to January 6th.

Castilla-La Mancha

Regional borders will remain closed over the Christmas period but it will allow make an exception for visits to family and friends between December 23 and January 6 in accordance with Spain's Health Ministry guidelines.

Cantabria

The region has been closed since November 4 and will remain so over the Christmas period but it will allow make an exception for visits to family and close friends between December 23 and January 6 in accordance with Spain's Health Ministry guidelines.

Galicia

The region has no perimeter confinement around the territory but it will do so following national guidelines between December 23 and January 6 except for those visiting family (it did not include the term allegados).

Students are advised to get PCR tests before returning home to family units.

Extremadura

The region is one of the few in Spain which has not imposed a perimeter confinement around the region but it will close its regional borders following national guidelines between December 23 and January 6 except for those visiting family and close friends.

Murcia

The ban on travel in and out of Murcia will only be lifted between December 23rd to 26th and December 30th to January 2nd for those visiting family and close friends.

Basque Country

The ban on travel in and out of the Basque Country will only be lifted between December 23 to 26 and December 30 to January 2 for those visiting family and close friends. Those doing so will have to complete the justification form required by regional authorities HERE

Navarra

The ban on travel in and out of Navarra will only be lifted between December 23 to 26and December 30 to January 2 for those visiting family and close friends.

La Rioja

The ban on travel in and out of La Rioja will only be lifted between December 23 to 26and December 30 to January 2 for those visiting family and close friends.

 

Look at the interactive map produced by the Spanish Health Ministry for details on restrictions in individual regions.

READ ALSO:

• The declaration forms you need to travel in Spain this Christmas
• EXPLAINED: Spain's Christmas coronavirus restrictions in each region
• UPDATE: Which travellers must show negative Covid-19 test on arrival in Spain?