COVID Updates & Protocols

This page provides students and parents with COVID updates for Spain.

In any situation involving a student’s health, the program will consult with the office of Tufts Global Education (TGE) for Tufts students, and with the Skidmore Office of Off Campus Study & Exchanges (OCSE) for Skidmore students.

Entry Requirements to Spain for Travellers Entering from the US

Please use the links below to access updated information as it released by the Spanish Health Authorities. Requirements change frequently.

***This information was updated on 27 May 2022***

  • U.S. citizens entering Spain on essential travel (such as residents, students or workers) or tourists must show EITHER proof of vaccination, a negative COVID NAAT test, or a certificate of recovery.
  • Spain accepts vaccines approved by the World Health Organization: Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, Astra-Zeneca, Johnson & Johnson, Sinovac, and Sinopharm.
  • Please read the detailed information on the Spain Ministry of Health’s website and on TravelSafeSpain.
  • All travelers from the United States to Spain must present a QR code generated through the Spain Travel Health portal, obtained through the website or by downloading the SpTH app in Google Play or App Store.
  • If you test positive before departing the US for Spain, you must remain in the US for 11 days after the first positive viral test was performed and present a certificate of recovery upon entry to Spain.
    • The certificate of recovery must state the country where the certificate was issued, the date of the first positive test, and indicate that the student has passed the disease and is not infectious-contagious at the present time and is cleared to fly by a certified physician. The certificate of recovery will be valid for 180 days thereafter.
    • The program will work with the student whose arrival is delayed by a positive COVID test to make sure that orientation and academic work is completed upon the student’s arrival
  • There are no quarantine arrival requirements
  • Testing upon arrival is not required by the Madrid public health authorities

General Information about COVID 19 in SPAIN

  • 92% of people 12 years and older are fully vaccinated
  • Spain has declared COVID an endemic disease, similar to the flu, and no longer mandates asymptomatic testing, quarantines or close contact tracing
  • PCR tests can only be obtained with a prescription and are only indicated in the event of severe illness (hospitalization), advanced age, or comorbidities
  • Testing is not recommended in case of mild illness
  • People who do home testing and get a positive result do not need to report it to the Ministry of Health
  • The focus now is on hospitalization and deaths, not on positive test results or mild cases that do not require hospitalization
  • Masking is only required on public transportation, in hospitals, pharmacies and senior residences

Entry Requirements to Other EU countries and the UK

  • Entry requirements differ according to country and to the current COVID conditions. Students must confirm entry requirements before they travel
  • Most countries require that US people have a negative NAAT test and or vaccination certificate
  • Costs of any tests is assumed by student
  • Some countries may require testing and/or quarantine upon in-country arrival
  • If you test positive and cannot return as scheduled from another country, students may have to quarantine for at least 7 days in that country
  • Students should check with the international insurance at their institution to see if they would cover these costs (iSOS at Tufts; AXA at Skidmore)
  • Students’ international insurance will cover your medical costs while traveling outside of Spain

Return Home at the End of the Semester

  • Students who test positive pre-flight and cannot fly home as scheduled will be issued a recovery certificate after five days (you should check on US regulations for entry, as they can change)
  • If a student’s home is not the US, and entry requirements require testing, a pre-flight test will be arranged