The United Kingdom Embassy in Madrid has published an update on travel to Spain for British nationals who were already legal residents of the country before 1st January, 2021, when the Brexit transition period came to an end and the UK definitively left the European Union.
“We are aware that some of you who were legally living in Spain before 1st January, 2021 have faced difficulty returning to Spain from the UK, as you don’t yet have a residence document (green certificate or Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero – TIE),” said the embassy in a statement on its Facebook page.
The embassy has shared a list of alternative documents that UK nationals without either one of these two proofs of residency may use instead.
“If you are resident in Spain, you should carry your residence document (the green paper EU residence certificate or the new TIE), as well as your valid passport when you travel,” notes the embassy.
The list of acceptable documents, which have reportedly been communicated to airlines and other operators, is as follows:
• Residence card issued under Article 18.4 of the Withdrawal Agreement (the TIE – Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero)
• Temporary or permanent EU residence certificate (Certificado de Registro de Ciudadanos de la Unión)
• Receipt of application for the TIE (Resguardo de presentación de la solicitud de la tarjeta de residencia)
• Confirmation of the positive outcome of your residence application (Resolución favorable por la que se concede la tarjeta de residencia)
• In the absence of any of the above documents, other documents that credibly evidence your legal residence in Spain before 1st January, 2021, such as a padrón certificate (issued by your town hall), a work contract, a rental contract, or proof of property purchase
• In the case of students, documentation that demonstrates enrolment in an on-site or in-person course and proof of accommodation
In addition, travellers must show a valid passport and comply with the other documentation requirements, such as a negative COVID test within 72 hours of arrival.
Restrictions extended to 2nd March
On 22nd December, Spain introduced travel restrictions on passenger travel from the UK by air and sea, after a new and apparently more contagious strain of the coronavirus was identified in the UK. These measures have been extended repeatedly, and are now set to last until 6pm mainland Spain time on 2nd March.