Coronavirus: Latest information and advice

Last updated: 21/06/2021

The national state of emergency declared by the Spanish government on 25 October 2020 ended on 9th of May 2021. Restrictions across the autonomous communities will now vary depending on decisions taken by regional governments. Once in Spain, all visitors must follow the latest government guidelines, including social distancing and wearing a mask at all times in public places, both indoor and outdoor.

Latest coronavirus measures in place in the whole of the Madrid region:

• The night-time curfew has been lifted.

• It is recommended that gatherings both indoors and outdoors be limited to no more than 6 people.

• Groups in bars and restaurants are limited to a maximum of 6 people indoors and 8 people outdoors.
   
• Restaurants, bars and cafés may open from 6am to 1am.
   
• Facemasks must be worn in all public spaces in Madrid, both indoor and outdoor. The only exception are people doing sports and children under the age of 6.
   
• Social distancing rules must be followed at all times.
   
• Smoking outdoors in public places is forbidden if and when a 2-metre distance cannot be maintained.
   
• The maximum capacity is 50% in most enclosed spaces (such as hotels, restaurants, bars, places of worship and sports facilities), and 75% in cultural venues (like museums, monuments, theatres and cinemas), outdoor cafés and restaurants, and shopping centres.
   
• Night clubs and other late night venues are now allowed to open till 3am. New customers will not be allowed in after 2am. Drinks may be ordered but not consumed at the bar. Masks must be kept on at all times except when eating and drinking. It is not permitted to dance indoors and is only allowed outdoors if social distancing is possible and masks are worn. Maximum capacity is 50% in enclosed spaces and 75% outdoors.
   
• Shows and concerts must finish before 1am.

Museums and Cultural Centres

Many of the city’s museums and cultural institutions have reopened, all of them with the necessary social distancing and safety measures put in place. We strongly recommend you visit the venue’s official website before visiting to get the most reliable and up-to-date information.

• Paseo del Arte: the three major museums on the Art Walk – The Prado, Thyssen-Bornemisza and Reina Sofía – are open as are CaixaForum and the Mapfre Foundation Recoletos exhibition hall.
• The following national museums are open: National Archaeological Museum, National Museum of Decorative Arts, Sorolla Museum, National Museum of Anthropology, Cerralbo Museum, Museum of Romanticism, Museum of the Americas.
• The Royal Palace has reopened and the biweekly Changing of the Guard has resumed. The monthly Solemn Changing will be returning on 2 June.
• The rest of the palaces and royal sites of Patrimonio Nacional in Madrid and the surrounding area are also open: Royal Palace of El Pardo, Royal Palace of Aranjuez, Royal Palace of La Granja de San Ildefonso and gardens, Royal Palace Riofrío and the Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial.
• Also reopened: Lope de Vega House Museum, Royal Tapestry Factory, Museum of Natural Sciences (with discounts all summer), National Library, Lázaro Galdiano Museum (free entry until the museum opens fully), San Fernando Royal Academy of the Fine Arts, Liria Palace, Espacio Fundación Telefónica.
• Visits to the city’s two main football stadiums, the Bernabéu and Wanda Metropolitano, resumed at the beginning of June as did the live horse races at La Zarzuela race course.
• All parks and gardens as well as most theme parks (including the Zoo, Parque de Atracciones and cable car) are once again open to the public.
• The Rastro flea market reopened on 22 November 2020 with half the number of stalls and a maximum capacity of 2700 visitors.

Urban transport

Madrid's extensive public transport system is up and running again. Please note that face masks must be worn on all forms of transport:

• The metro, buses and Cercanías regional train are all operating normally.
   
• Taxis are also operating normally. Please note that the front passenger cannot be occupied.
   
• The BiciMAD electric bike hire service is also operating normally. Please note that you must wear gloves when riding the bicycles.

Tourist information points

All the Tourist information points are now open (except the one located in Terminal 2 of Barajas airport).

The Plaza Mayor Tourist Information Centre and the city’s five tourist information kiosks (Plaza de Callao, Royal Palace, Reina Sofía, Paseo del Prado and Bernabéu) have been awarded the Safe Tourism Certified Seal (UNE 0066-10 de Mayo 2020). Madrid is the first major city whose tourist information centres have received the seal which is given by the Institute for Spanish Tourism Quality (ICTE).

You can also continue to use the following channels to obtain information about the city:

• Telephone (+34) 915 787 810: 9:30am-8:30pm   
• Via e-mail: turismo@esmadrid.com: 9:30am-8:30pm
• On this Tourism website: www.esmadrid.com: 24 hours

Travelling to Spain

There is currently a temporary restriction on non-essential travel from many non-EU countries to the European Union and Schengen zone. The decision to lift or relax restrictions for those who hold a COVID-19 vaccine certificate will depend on which country the tourists are travelling from (see below).

All passengers arriving in Spain must fill in an FCS health control form and will face both a temperature check and a visual inspection. From 7 June 2021, all those passengers (except for children under 6) travelling from a high-risk country/area must present a certificate or document certifying vaccination against COVID-19, a negative certificate of a Diagnostic Test of Active Infection, or a certificate of Recovery after having passed this disease in order to enter Spain. 

YOU SHOULD NOT TRAVEL if you have had symptoms consistent with COVID-19, such as a high temperature, a cough or breathing difficulties, in the last 14 days.

EXEMPTIONS AND PARTIAL RESTRICTIONS:

THIRD COUNTRIES

• From 24 May, restrictions have been lifted on flights between Spain and Australia, China, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Rwanda, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand and the United Kingdom. Passengers arriving from these countries do not need to present any health certificates.
• Till at least 22 June, there continue to be restrictions on all travellers flying in from Brazil and South Africa. In additionl, passengers flying in from India must quarantine upon arrival for 10 days or for 7 days if after one-week quarantine they take a PCR test and get a negative result.

EUROPEAN UNION

• The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has established a traffic light system to classify regions in Europe according to their risk level. There are no entry restrictions for passengers from “green” countries nor for those travelling from “orange” and “red” territories, provided they present a negative PCR result or a certificate that demonstrates they are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 (visit https://reopen.europa.eu/en/)
• All overland travellers who wish to enter Spain by road or rail from high-risk areas in France are required to present a negative PCR, TMA or LAMP test taken within 72 hours prior to entry.

Read more

A COVID-19 testing centre is now available at Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport. Results are received in a matter of minutes or hours, depending on the test.

Please note that these tests need to be pre-booked and fees apply.

Additional information on other websites

• Everything you need to know about the FCS health control form (official government website in English)
• Everything you need to know before going to the airport (official website of the Spanish Aena airport network in English)
• Detailed information on the current situation at Spanish airports (in Spanish)
• Information from Renfe on the situation of rail transport (in Spanish)

In addition, the European Union has launched "Re-open EU", an interactive tool that provides you with the information that you need to confidently plan your European travel and holidays, while staying healthy and safe.

Interactive COVID-19 Map of Europe

Find out the latest available data on coronavirus cases in Europe with this interactive map published by the WHO.

Disclaimer: Please be aware that this is an uncertain and evolving situation, and further restrictions could be introduced at short notice. Although we make every effort to keep it up to date, we cannot assume any responsibility for the completeness and accuracy of this information. Anyone intending to travel to Spain is advised to confirm the conditions and restrictions that are in place with their tour operator, airline and accommodation provider before travel.