Spain mandates full Covid-19 vaccination proof for American tourists

Spain, a major tourism destination, is among a handful of EU countries that has announced steps to adjust its entry rules to the European Council's recommendation to remove US from safe list for non-essential travel.

Spain is tweaking its travel entry rules from next week to require vaccination certificates from US tourists, adjusting to recent European Union (EU) advice on stricter rules due to growing anxiety over coronavirus contagion in the US.

Under the rules, US tourists will no longer be admitted from Monday, unless they can show proof of being fully vaccinated at least 14 days before their trip. (Reuters)

The European Council's decision earlier this week to remove the US from a safe list of countries for non-essential travel also came amid unanswered calls from European officials for “reciprocity” in travel rules.

Despite the EU's move to open its borders to US citizens in June, the US didn't allow EU tourists in.

Spain, a major tourism destination, is among a handful of EU countries that has announced steps to adjust its entry rules to the Council's recommendation.

The country published Friday the new guidelines on its official gazette, also removing Israel, Kosovo, Lebanon, Montenegro and North Macedonia from the safe list.

What the rules say?

Under the rules, US tourists will no longer be admitted from Monday, unless they can show proof of being fully vaccinated at least 14 days before their trip. Unvaccinated children under 12 travelling with vaccinated adults are also allowed in the country.