The Canary Islands have accumulated 323,329 cases of Coronavirus COVID-19 as of the 22nd March 2022. Of those cases, 13,801 are active 307,911 have recovered and 1,617 people have died.

The Ministry of Health of the Canary Islands Government have produced a public website to display the data of residents diagnosed with Covid-19, helping to understand the impact of the pandemic on the Archipelago. These are the headline figures per island as to the number of accumulated positive cases, number of deaths and current active cases (updated 22/03/22).

Island

Recovered

Deaths

Active Cases

Tenerife

140,464

886

6,241

Gran Canaria

116,560

589

5,948

Fuerteventura

15,143

30

336

Lanzarote

21,075

68

219

La Palma

10,628

34

754

La Gomera

2,067

2

274

El Hierro

1,974

8

29

Total

307,911

1,617

13,801

Data can be manipulated to drill down into each island and municipality to view the respective Covid-19 figures. You can access the information here: Desktop version & mobile version.

Softening the lockdown

At the end of April 2020 the Spanish Government released their four phased plan of de confinement, to relax the lockdown conditions and reach the new normal in Spain.

Phase Zero: Residents allowed some fresh air once a day with restrictions to the times and distance from home.

Phase One: From 11th May 2020 for provinces that meet the requirements. Small retail premises, bars & restaurants, outdoor markets and hotels can open with reduced capacity and social distancing rules.

Phase Two: From 25th May 2020 for provinces that meet the requirements. Restaurants can offer inside tables, shopping centres can open and small cultural events can take place.

Phase Three: From 22nd June 2020 if the provinces have transitioned the previous phases, travel will be allowed within Spain for residents and restaurants can open to 50% capacity.

The Spanish state of alarm ended at midnight on Saturday 20th June 2020.

Canarian Government

The Canarian government have announced (3rd March 2020) that if or when any further outbreaks occur, they will NOT lockdown any hotels, but will move the patients elsewhere for their quarantine period. This decision is good news for those worrying about getting stuck for an extended stay on holiday in the Canary Islands.

Schools have closed across the Canary Islands from the 13th March 2020. Events attracting 1,000 plus people have been suspended, these include carnival, football matches & other sporting events, plus the Teguise Sunday Market in Lanzarote.

On the 14th June 2020 the President of The Canary Islands, Angel Victor Torres confirmed that the Canaries will start the new normality on the 22nd June 2020.

The Canary Islands started the new normality on Sunday 21st June 2020.

The Canarian Government have agreed a 12 month insurance policy with AXA to cover visitors affected by Covid-19 during their stay in the Canary Islands. The agreement announced on the 5th August 2020 covers medical expenses, extension of stay for quarantine and health repatriation.

The Lanzarote Government have produced this website to record that island’s Covid figures.

On the 10th August 2020 the Radar Covid track and trace App was launched in the Canary Islands. This App can be dowloaded free and is 100% anonymous. It will record your locations and notify you if you have been close to anyone who has tested positive for Covid-19 within the last 14 days.
Android – https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=es.gob.radarcovid
iPhone – https://apps.apple.com/es/app/radar-covid/id1520443509
From the 14th November 2020 it is mandatory that visitors to the Canary Islands have downloaded and activated the Radar Covid App. The App should be valid for the duration of your stay, plus the following 15 days.

An update as to the wearing of masks was brought into force on Friday 14th August 2020, following a surge in cases. In general from 6 years upwards you are required to wear a mask when outside in populated areas. For visitors this means within a holiday resort you wear masks whilst walking around, however when swimming and sunbathing at the beach or pool, they can be removed. Smoking on bar & restaurant terraces is prohibited, you can smoke in the street if 2m social distancing is possible. Restaurants are limited to tables of 10 people as a maximum. Previously, masks were only required in indoor public spaces and transport or where a distance of 1.5m was not possible.

The Canary Islands government introduced a new law on the 31st October 2020, that visitors to the islands staying in tourist accommodation will be required to present a negative Covid test on check in to their accommodation, to be implemented from the 14th November 2020.

Christmas rules were announced in the BOC 248 on the 4th December 2020. From Dec 5 until January 10: Christmas family gatherings limited to six people (unless they already live in the same house and not counting children up to six years old). The limits rises to 10 on the holiday days (24, 25, NYE, Jan 1, Jan 6). Restaurants must close at midnight, maintain two metre gaps between tables and maximum table size is six people. Smoking is not allowed in bars and restaurants, even on outdoor terraces. Live music, karaoke, etc is allowed provided the venue has all the correct permits. From December 23 to January 10: Curfew between 01.00 and 06.00 (01.30 on the holiday nights (24, 25, Jan 1). Parties, street processions, large outdoor gatherings and sports events, etc are all banned.

New Covid rules for visitors to the Canary Islands were announced in the BOC 252 on the 09/12/20 which come into force on the 10/12/20. Negative Antigen tests will now be accepted as well as PCR. Plus if allowed by your airline / ferry company passengers can travel without a test as long as they either quarantine for 14 days, or take a local test to prove negative for Covid. Children under the age of 6 years old are exempt from tests.

The Spanish government have annulled the Canary Islands antigen test law for international visitors 16/12/20. A negative PCR test is required from high risk countries.

On the 16/12/20 the Canarian Government imposed further restrictions for Tenerife coming into force at 24:00 Friday 18th December 2020. That island is already on red status due to the continuing rise of active Covid cases. The curfew will be 22:00-06:00 for 14 days with an exception on the 24th and 31st 00:30-06:00. Tourists will still be allowed to travel with a negative Covid test. Interior areas of bars and restaurants are to be closed and terraces limited to 50% of occupancy with a maximum of 4 per table, 2m apart. Hotels have a limit of 33% occupancy for interior areas.

On the 07/01/21 the Canarian Government announced further restrictions coming into place for the Canary Islands at midnight starting 11/01/21. Tenerife is to remain at level 3 with the current restrictions in place. Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and La Gomera are now classed at level 2 with new restrictions to be implemented. These are a curfew 23:00-06:00, groups limited to 4 people including sports, public transport capacity reduced to 50%. Fuerteventura, La Palma & El Hierro remain at level 1.

On the 14/01/21 the Canarian Government announced that Lanzarote had been escalated to level 3 from Friday 15th January 2021 until 28th January 2021, joining Tenerife in the strictest level of restrictions. Gran Canaria remains level 2 with Fuerteventura. La Gomera, El Hierro & La Palma are level 1.

National visitors flying into the Canary Islands from the mainland will require to either travel with a negative Covid test within 72 hours prior to arrival, or self isolate until they have one locally. This ruling was introduced for Christmas and has now been extended until the 31st January 2021. Update 25/02/21 this requirement has been extended until after Easter (24:00 05/04/21).

Tenerife was reduced to level 2, and Gran Canaria escalated to level 3 from midnight on Sunday, effective Monday 18th January 2021 for 14 days.

As of midnight on Friday 22nd January 2021 Lanzarote & La Graciosa have entered level 4 of further restrictions due to the rapidly rising Covid cases. Level 4 is a new restriction just agreed by the Canarian Government and announced in the BOC 2021-015-341. The main change is that you can only mix a maximum of 2 people from different households and that non essential businesses must close by 6pm. Reduced capacity in shops to 25%, beaches & public transport at 50%. The curfew remains 22:00-06:00.

Sanidad confirmed on the 26/01/21 that 4 cases of the British variant SARS-CoV-2 have been found in Lanzarote, and 34 cases in Tenerife including the island of La Palma.

As of midnight on Sunday 21st February 2021 the status of El Hierro, La Palma, La Gomera & Fuerteventura is level 1, Tenerife & Gran Canaria are level 2, whilst Lanzarote & La Graciosa remain at level 4. This will be until a review on the 28th February, apart from Tenerife which is extended to 7th March.

From Tuesday 2nd March 2021 Lanzarote has been reduced to level 3, the other islands remain as they were.

From midnight Friday 5th March Fuerteventura is increased to level 2, the other islands remain the same Lanzarote & La Graciosa 3; Tenerife & Gran Canaria 2; and La Palma, La Gomera & El Hierro 1).

From midnight Sunday 21st March, La Palma, La Gomera & El Hierro remain on level 1, Lanzarote is reduced to level 2, whilst Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria & Tenerife escalate to level 3.

From Friday 30th April 2021 Fuerteventura, La Palma & La Gomera are level 1. Gran Canaria, Lanzarote & El Hierro are level 2, and Tenerife is level 3.

From Wednesday 5th May 2021 Tenerife has been reduced to level 2.

The Canarian Government extended the requirement for national visitors from the Spanish mainland to have a PCR, TMA or antigens test prior to arrival until the 31st July 2021. (update 10/05/21)

Whilst Spain have removed the requirement for a negative test to enter the country from 24/05/21), the Canary Islands still have a law in place for UK visitors to present a negative test (can be antigen) on check in at their tourist accommodation.

Gran Canaria move to level 1 from 28th May 2021, to match El Hierro, La Gomera, La Palma and Fuerteventura. Lanzarote and Tenerife remain on level 2.

From 31/05/21 Spanish citizens and residents can travel from the mainland to the Canary Islands without testing if you have had a minimum of one jab at least 2 weeks prior to travel, or have a medical certificate stating you have recovered from Covid-19 within 6 months prior to travel. CI residents can return from the mainland for trips less than 72 hours duration without any test or vaccines.

The Canarian Government agreed on the 23/06/21 that children under the age of 12 years will be exempt from providing a negative test result to check in to tourist accommodation. Previously the exemption was for children under 6 years old.

As of 24/06/21 Tenerife has escalated to level 3 for 2 weeks due to concerns over the level of Covid cases. Lanzarote surprisingly remains level 2 for another week. The other islands are level 1.

As of the announcement 01/07/21 Tenerife remains on level 3, Fuerteventura has moved to level 2 for 2 weeks and finally Lanzarote was reduced to level 1 with the remainder of the other islands.

The 15/07/21 update upgraded La Palma to level 2, and Fuerteventura to level 3. The other islands remain the same: Tenerife level 3, Gran Canaria level 2, Lanzarote, La Gomera and El Hierro all on level 1.

Update 22/07/21 from Monday 26/07/21 only El Hierro remains on level 1. La Gomera & Lanzarote are level 2. Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria & La Palma are level 3. Tenerife is level 4.

Update 12/08/21 Tenerife & Gran Canaria continue on level 4, Fuerteventura is 3, Lanzarote & La Palma are level 2, El Hierro & La Gomera on level 1. No change for update 19/08/21.

Update 26/08/21 Tenerife remains on level 4, Gran Canaria & Fuerteventura level 3, Lanzarote & La Palma level 2, El Hierro & La Gomera on level 1.

Update 02/09/21 Tenerife moves down to level 3 to match Gran Canaria & Fuerteventura. Lanzarote and La Palma move down to level 1 to match La Gomera & El Hierro.·

Update 09/09/21 Gran Canaria move down to level 2, all other islands remain the same. Tenerife & Fuerteventura level 3, Lanzarote, La Palma, La Gomera & El Hierro are level 1.

Updated 16/09/21 Tenerife move down to level 2, all other islands remain the same. Fuerteventura level 3. Gran Canaria level 2. Lanzarote, La Palma, La Gomera & El Hierro level 1. The same levels were kept for the update 23/09/21.

Covid screening on arrival by air or sea for national visitors over the age of 12 years old will cease from 1st October 2021. Spanish tourists from the mainland had been required to present either a Covid certificate or negative test on arrival in the Canary Islands since the 18th December 2020. However, tourist accommodation will still require the same documents at check in.

Update 30/09/21 Tenerife & Fuerteventura, level 2; Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, La Palma, La Gomera y El Hierro, level 1.

Update 07/10/21 all islands level 1 except for Fuerteventura who remains on level 2.

From Friday 15 October 2021 all of the Canary Islands will be on green level 1, which is the lowest level of Covid restrictions allowed. Additionally on the 15/10/21 the Canarian Government removed the requirement for tourist accommodation providers to check Covid certificates / negative test results of guests on arrival.

Update 11/11/21 Fuerteventura moves to level 2 following a spike in cases, the other islands remain on level 1.

Update 18/11/21 Lanzarote (& La Graciosa) moves to level 2 on 22/11/21 after an increase of active cases and hospital admissions, Fuerteventura remains on level 2 and all other islands remain on level 1.

Update 18/11/21 from 1st December 2021 visitors to the Canary Islands from Spain will have to be vaccinated or boosted in the 8 months prior to travel, have a negative test before arrival, or have recovered from Covid in the six months before travel. Under 12s, passengers in transit to a third country, and Canarian residents who have been in Spain for less than 3 days, are exempt.

Update 2/12/21 Fuerteventura increase to level 3 (effective 06/12/21) and Lanzarote drops to level 1 with all the other islands.

Update 10/12/21 Gran Canaria and Tenerife move up to level 2 (effective 13/12/21), Fuerteventura remains at level 3 and the other islands remain at level 1.

On the 16/12/21 Sanidad confirmed that 78 cases of the Omicron variant had been identified in the Canary Islands. Of those 65 are in Tenerife, 12 in Gran Canaria and 1 in La Palma.

Due to the increase of Covid cases in the Canary Islands, Tenerife moves to level 4, La Palma & Lanzarote move to level 3 from midnight on Sunday, effective Monday 10th January 2022.

Update 18/01/22 Gran Canaria & La Palma will both increase to Covid level 4 on 22/01/22 due to the high risk of healthcare capacity. El Hierro increases to level 3 on 24/01/22. Tenerife remains at level 4, Lanzarote & Fuerteventura at level 3 and La Gomera at level 2.

Update 21/01/22 the certificado COVID to enter establishments with a capacity of over 30 people has been extended by law until the 24th February 2022 for Covid levels 3 and 4.

Update 27/01/22 La Gomera increases to Covid level 3 from Monday 31st January, all other islands remain on current levels.

Update 03/02/22 La Palma reduced to level 3 from Friday 4th February, all other islands remain on current levels. Also the Covid Pass has become voluntary for establishments rather than mandatory in levels 3 & 4. Some businesses may still choose to have them as they can increase their capacity and opening hours.

Update 10/02/22 All islands remain on current Covid levels, however Covid level restrictions have been relaxed for more capacity and opening hours.

The Canary Islands Covid insurance policy for visitors will cease from the first week in March 2022.

From 18/02/22 there are just 2 levels of Covid restrictions with Tenerife & Gran Canaria (level 4) at the higher level and all other islands at the lower level (Lanzarote level 2, all others level 3).

From 25/02/22 Gran Canaria remains at alert level 4; Tenerife reduces to level 3. La Palma, Fuerteventura, La Gomera and El Hierro at level 3; and Lanzarote at level 2.

From 10/03/22 Fuerteventura and Lanzarote are level 2, all other islands level 3.

Update 22/03/22 from 24/03/22 all local Covid restrictions will cease in the Canary Islands. (The SPTH form, entry requirements and mask wearing rules are still in place as for the time being as these are rules issued by Madrid)

Update 31/03/22 Tenerife, Gran Canaria and La Palma are at alert level 2. Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, La Gomera and El Hierro at level 1, which indicates medium and low risk levels, respectively.

Update 07/04/22 Tenerife & Gran Canaria remain on level 2, all other islands are level 1.

Update 12/05/22 Gran Canaria remains on level 2, all other islands are level 1.

Spanish Government

The Spanish Government have closed ports in Spain to cruise ships from the 13th March 2020.

A State of Alarm for 15 days from the 14th March 2020 has been declared by the Spanish Government. This has subsequently been extended to the 21st June 2020.

From the 15th May 2020 anyone entering Spain from abroad is required to spend 14 days quarantine in self isolation. This will last until the state of alarm finishes.

14 Day Quarantine For Arrivals Into Spain. A new order has been published, which comes into effect from this Friday 15th May and will last until the state of alarm finishes. Anyone entering Spain from abroad is required to spend 14 days in self isolation. Until now this has been a recommendation, but is now law. The only people currently allowed to travel into Spain from abroad are Spanish citizens and residents, diplomats and cross border workers.

On the 23rd May 2020, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced in a television broadcast that international tourism will commence across Spain in July 2020 – “saving the summer season.”

On the 14th June 2020, the Spanish Government announced that borders between countries in the Schengen zone will open on the 22nd June 2020, other than Portugal which will be later on the 1st July 2020.

The state of alarm ended at midnight on the 20th June 2020. Spain has entered their new normal and confirmed conditions for international visitors. EU countries can travel to Spain from the 21st June 2020. That includes the UK currently, but there is an exception – Portugal. Non EU countries will be able to travel to Spain from the 1st July.

There are three rules for all international’s arrivals:

  1. They must complete a form with their recent medical history and contact details while in Spain.
  2. They will be temperature checked.
  3. They will have a brief assessment by medical staff at the airport.

Anyone failing on any of those three criteria will be taken to an isolation area to be tested for Covid 19. If clear, they will continue on their way. If positive, they will be taken into isolation accommodation.

From the 1st July 2020 arrivals from outside Spain will have to complete the FCS health form within 48 hours of travel to Spain. From the 23rd November 2020 this form will also include a section to confirm travellers have a negative PCR Covid test result taken within 72 hours of their arrival time into Spain.

A new Spanish state of alarm was declared on Sunday 25th October 2020, this is initially for 15 days until the 9th November 2020. The government have introduced a curfew to be implemented by regional authorities from 22.00 hours and 00.00 hours and the end time of that limitation is between 05.00 hours and 07.00 hours. NB: The Canary Islands are currently exempt from the curfew. This state of alarm is expected to be extended for the next 6 months, which would allow the government to implement additional measures as required according to the local Covid situation across the country.

The Spanish government introduced a new law on the 12th November 2020 that international travellers from high risk countries are required to produce a negative PCR Covid test taken within 72 hours of arrival in Spain, at their departure airport in country of origin. To be implemented from the 23rd November 2020. High risk countries to be determined on a weekly basis by ECDC, where the 14-day notification rate is 50 cases per 100,000 or higher and the test positivity rate is 4% or higher or if the 14-day notification rate is higher than 150 cases per 100,000.

The Spanish government have also updated their laws (BOE-A-2020-15878) for visitors to Spain effective from the 10th December 2020. Visitors from high risk areas must provide a negative test result for Covid-19 which can be a PCR, Transcription-Mediated Amplification test (TMA) or RT-LAMP (Reverse Transcriptase Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification). Children under 6 years old are exempt from testing. The test certificate can be accepted in Spanish, English, French or German.

Spain suspended all non essential incoming flights from the UK effective from 22/12/20 due to the new Covid-19 virus strain.

The first BOE of 2021 on the 01/01/21 was to extend the restriction for non essential flights and boats from the UK for 2 more weeks until 18:00 on the 19/01/21. Excluding Spanish nationals and residents of Spain. This requirement has since been extended until the 02/02/21. The ban on UK arrivals has been further extended to the 02/03/21. The UK ban has further been extended on the 24/02/21 to the 16/03/21. Another extension has been confirmed for UK to 18:00 on the 30/03/21, along with Republic of Brasil & Republic of South Africa.

Spain lifted the UK travel ban on Tuesday 23rd March 2021 with effect from 18:00 on the 30th March 2021. A new BOE was announced 29/03/21 restricting UK arrivals to those with permitted circumstances for travelling to Spain, the UK travel Spain FCO page has been updated with the proof of residency / essential reasons list. A further BOE (103) dated 30/04/21 extended the UK restriction until the 31st May 2021.

The Spanish government added the UK to their safe country list for entry from 00:00 24th May 2021. Just the SPTH form is required on entry. A Covid negative test result is not required.

Face masks will no longer be required outdoors as long as 1.5m social distancing can be maintained from 26/06/21.

The Spanish authorities moved UK to the high risk country list for arrivals from 2nd July 2021. Anyone arriving from the age of 12 upwards will need to provide one of the following: a vaccination certificate, a negative PCR Covid test certificate within 48 hours before arrival or Covid recovery certificate.

The Canarian government have ceased Covid screening for national visitors from the 1st October 2021. The requirement to produce a negative Covid test or vaccination certificate had been required since 18th December 2020.

From the 1st December 2021 citizens from third countries arriving in Spain have to be fully vaccinated from 12 years old upwards (BOE 284 27/11/21). Also, Spanish nationals & residents will have to produce a negative Covid test or vaccination certificate from the same date.

From the 4th December 2021 face masks are to be worn in public areas outside. This does not apply if walking on the beach or in the countryside, when exercising, sunbathing or swimming. The Spanish government explained that it was a temporary measure with the increase of Omicron cases.

From the 10th February 2022 face masks are no longer mandatory when outdoors in Spain. The indoor mask rule still applies, which has been in place since Spring 2020.

From 14th February 2022 children aged from 12 to 17 not fully vaccinated will be able to travel with a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to arrival in Spain.

From 01/03/22 a Covid-19 recovery certificate can be used to travel to Spain for tourism purposes if not fully vaccinated and have been infected within the last 6 months.

Update 28/03/22 third country entry rules were extended unchanged until the 30 April 2022, from 18 years upwards unvaccinated visitors are only allowed with a Covid recovery certificate less than 6 months old. SPTH form still required for all visitors.

From 06/04/22 fully vaccinated adults, children under the age of 12 and those with a valid NHS recovery pass do not have to complete the SPTH form to enter Spain. Travellers 12-17 years old with a negative PCR test result or a valid private recovery certificate still need to complete the form to generate a QR code.

UK Government

The UK Government currently have the following status for foreign travel advice:

“COVID-19 Exceptional Travel Advisory Notice
The Foreign & Commonwealth Office currently advises British nationals against all but essential international travel.”

From the 8th June 2020 the UK Government have introduced a 14 day quarantine period for people arriving in the UK to self isolate.

From the 4th July 2020 Spain is exempt from the FCO advice against all non-essential international travel.

From the 10th July 2020 you will not have to self-isolate if you have been to Spain for the previous 14 days.

From the 14th July 2020 you will have to complete an entry form within 48 hours of travel to the UK even if travelling from a country that doesn’t require self isolation for 14 days.

From the 26th July 2020 the FCO advise against all non-essential travel to mainland Spain based on the current assessment of COVID-19 risks. Only the Canary Islands (Tenerife, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, La Palma, La Gomera, El Hierro and La Graciosa) and Balearic Islands (Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza, and Formentera) are exempt from the FCO advice against all non-essential international travel. If you are returning from Spain (including from the Balearics and Canaries) on or after 26 July you will be required to quarantine on your return to the UK.

From the 27th July 2020 the FCO advise against all non-essential travel to Spain, including the Balearic and Canary Islands, based on the current assessment of COVID-19 risks in the country. The FCO is not advising those already travelling in Spain to leave at this time. If you are returning from Spain you will be required to self-isolate on your return to the UK, but the FCO is not advising you to cut short your visit.

The UK opened an air corridor to the Canary Islands in Spain from 4am on Sunday 25th October 2020.

The UK government closed the air corridor to the Canary Islands from 4am on Saturday 12th November 2020. FCDO advice allows travel to the Canary Islands with quarantine on return. Under 6 year olds are no longer required to take Covid tests prior to travel.

Quarantine for UK arrivals from countries without air corridors will be reduced from 14 to 10 days from Monday 14th December. Plus the new Test to Release scheme due to be implemented from the 15th December 2020 can reduce this down to 5 days with a negative test result.

FCDO advice regarding Covid tests required for Spain changed to may accept Antigen tests on the 15th December, and updated to reflect only PCR, TMA or LAMP tests on the 16th December 2020.

The UK announced lockdown restrictions:
Wales locked down from 20/12/20
Northern Ireland 6 week lockdown from 26/12/20
Scotland lockdown from 05/01/21
England lockdown from 06/01/21 to be reviewed 15/02/21

An announcement on the 08/01/21 confirmed that arrivals into the UK will require a negative Covid test within 72 hours within the next week. This decision includes UK nationals and if there’s no air corridor in place, the quarantine of 10 days remains despite the test result. Children under 11 years old are exempt. The start date has been clarified as 4am Friday 15th January 2021. Border Force will also conduct further checks upon arrival and there will be minimum fines of £500 for anyone caught entering England without a negative Covid test result.

The UK government have introduced a mandatory hotel quarantine for 10 days, for all arrivals from 33 red list countries starting 15/02/21. The cost of £1,750 for accommodation and testing is to be borne by the traveller. Additionally all UK arrivals will be expected to complete a triple Covid test from the 15/02/21. The first to be within 72 hours prior to arrival, followed by a test on day 2 and day 8 of their 10 day quarantine.

A small list of green countries for international travel was confirmed on the 07/05/21 by the UK government to the dismay of the travel trade and citizens looking to travel abroad this summer. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/red-amber-and-green-list-rules-for-entering-england Green listed destinations require a negative Covid test taken in resort 72 hours prior to return (PCR, LAMP or antigen tests accepted). Plus a PCR test from a UK government authorised supplier on day 2 after arrival. Children under the age of 11 are not required to be tested. Spain (including Balearics & Canaries) is listed as an amber destination, which the FCDO state “You should not travel to amber list countries or territories for leisure purposes.” However, some tour operators have been quick to confirm that they will continue to fly holiday clients to these countries as it is not illegal. In addition to the green list requirements, citizens returning to the UK from an amber country have to quarantine for 10 days, and take an additional test on or after day 8. Test to release is available with a private test on day 5.

From Monday 19th July fully vaccinated UK citizens and children under 18 years old from England, Scotland & Wales will not need to quarantine when returning from Amber status destinations. The pre departure test in resort and day 2 tests are still required.

From the 4th October UK fully vaccinated citizens returning home will no longer be required to take a pre-departure Covid test in resort.

From 4am on 30th November 2021 arrivals into the UK have to take a PCR test within 0-2 days and self isolate until a negative result is received.

From 4am on 7th January 2022 vaccinated arrivals into the UK will not require to take a pre-departure test, or self-isolate until a day 2 test result.

From 4am on 9th January 2022 a lateral flow day 2 test can be taken by fully vaccinated travellers aged over 5 years, on or before day 2.

From 4am 11th February 2022 the day 2 test will be scrapped for fully vaccinated travellers arriving in the UK.

From 4am 18th March 2022 the PLF form requirement for entry to the UK will cease.

Current Travel Requirements UK Visitors – May 2022

The Spanish SPTH entry form requirements changed on 6 April 2022.

Anyone who is fully vaccinated (and boosted if 2nd vaccine is over 270 days) with an NHS Covid pass
OR: NHS recovery pass
OR: anyone under 12 years of age
does NOT need to complete an SPTH form
(use the orange health lane on arrival in Spain)
You can check the validity of your Covid Pass here: https://www.spth.gob.es/spain-validator

The SPTH QR code is still required if the traveller:
Has a certificate of a negative PCR test (12-17 years old)
OR: has a valid private recovery certificate
(use the blue health lane on arrival in Spain)
Complete SPTH here: https://www.spth.gob.es/ within 2 days prior to your arrival in Spain (online guide available) don’t start your SPTH form prior to 2 days before travel, as it can be difficult to access again afterwards, just do it in one go and have the online guide open at the same time for reference. The SPTH website is better to navigate than the app.

Covid Symptoms Freephone & App

The Canarian government have issued two Covid assistance telephone numbers for tourists. The call is answered in Spanish, press one of the following keys to be attended in your preferred language of 4 English, 5 German, 6 Italian & 7 French.

Santa Cruz de Tenerife: +34 922 842 279 (Tenerife, La Palma, La Gomera & El Hierro)
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria: +34 928 846 579 (Fuerteventura, Lanzarote & Gran Canaria)

The Consejería de Sanidad have activated a freephone number 900 112 061 for residents. There is also a self assessment Covid App available for anyone suffering with Covid-19 symptoms.

Official Advice

The definitive place for official travel advice for British Citizens travelling to Spain can be found here https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/spain. Unless the UK Government declare that travel to the Canary Islands of Spain is not advised, standard terms & conditions will apply on your existing travel arrangements.

ABTA advice: https://www.abta.com/news/coronavirus-outbreak

We will keep this page updated with Coronavirus (Covid-19) updates.