Temporary Restrictions on Non-Essential Travel to the EU

Update January 29. 2021.

The final provision is amended as follows:

«This order will take effect from 24:00 hours on July 22, 2020 until 24:00 hours on February 28, 2021, without prejudice to its eventual modification to respond to a change in circumstances or new recommendations in the field of European Union.”

Update January 28.

Based on the criteria and conditions set out in the recommendation, as from 28 January member states should gradually lift the travel restrictions at the external borders for residents of the following third countries:

Australia
New Zealand
Rwanda
Singapore
South Korea
Thailand
China, subject to confirmation of reciprocity
Travel restrictions should also be gradually lifted for the special administrative regions of China Hong Kong and Macao, subject to confirmation of reciprocity.

Residents of Andorra, Monaco, San Marino and the Vatican should be considered as EU residents for the purpose of this recommendation.

Update 22.6.2020 – extended till midnight June 30th. Info on which Spanish (air)ports are available HERE

With the intent to coordinate the control of the coronavirus, the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen has proposed to the heads of State and governments to introduce temporary measures for non essential travel to the EU. The measures will consist of:

Temporary restrictions for non essential travel for thirty days. This can be extended. There are exemptions to include: Long term residents of the EU (CAB note* Includes all residents including non permanent residents),  Family members of European Nationals, diplomats, essential staff such as; doctors, nurses, care workers, cross border workers. Researchers and experts working on the coronavirus should be allowed continued access. People transporting goods are also exempt (Green Lanes).

For the measures to be effective, this should also be applied by the four member associated states.

Temporary measures for State aid will be provided to all the member states at an unprecedented level. It will enable businesses to have access to liquidity for the coming months.

17/03/ 21,00 hours from the EU Commission.

Proposal to close external borders accepted by all member states.

To coordinate between EU member states on the internal borders to allow citizens to return home.

EU Commission statement below:

“Citizens stranded in Third countries.

We are committed to coordinate among our embassies and the EU delegations in third countries. The High Representative and the European External action service will support in this regard.

We will jointly arrange repatriation of EU citizens, where necessary and possible, and make use of the Union’s Civil protection mechanism. Additional EU funding for such joint operations will be mobilised”.

From the Spanish royal decree published: 22/03/20202

a) Residents of the European Union or Schengen Associated States, who are returning directly to their place of residence.

Note* Added information on the orden of April 20 ‘

a, (addendum) Residentes en la Unión Europea, así como el cónyuge o pareja del ciudadano de la Unión con la que mantenga una unión análoga a la conyugal inscrita en un registro público y aquellos ascendientes y descendientes que vivan a su cargo, y residentes en los Estados asociados Schengen o Andorra, que se dirijan directamente a su lugar de residencia“.

(Residents in the European Union, as well as the spouse or partner of the Union citizen with whom they maintain a partnership registered in a public registry. Also ascendents and descendants who live under their care, and residents in the Schengen Associated States or Andorra, who are going directly to their place of residence “

Examptions.

As of 1.7.2020: Residents of the European Union, Schengen Associated States, Andorra, Monaco, The Vatican (Holy See) or San Marino.

b) Holders of a long-term visa issued by a Member State or Schengen Associated State and on their way to it. On their way to it no longer applicable.
c) Cross-border workers.
d) Healthcare or elderly care professionals who go to exercise their work activity.
e) Personnel dedicated to the transport of goods, in the exercise of their work activity and flight personnel necessary to carry out transport activities commercial air.
f) Diplomatic, consular, international, military and members of humanitarian organisations, in the exercise of their functions.
g) Students studying in the Member States or Schengen States and who have the corresponding permit or visa.
h) Highly qualified workers whose work is necessary and cannot be postponed or performed remotely. These circumstances must be justified documentary.
i) People travelling for imperative family reasons duly accredited.
j) Persons who document documentary reasons of force majeure o for humanitarian motives.

Registered as residents in Spain or going directly to their place of residence in another Member State or Schengen Associated State.
b) Those included in paragraphs c) to h) of section 1 of this article.

In order not to have to resort to the administrative refusal procedure input in the cases provided in the two previous sections, Spain will collaborate with carriers and the authorities of neighbouring States in order that the travel will not be authorised.

The provisions of the preceding sections shall not apply at the border with Andorra or at the checkpoint for people with the territory of Gibraltar.

Please note: The information provided is based upon our understanding of current legislation. It is not legal advice but is provided freely to enable you to be properly informed. We recommend that if you are considering taking action, you should seek professional advice.