Unvaccinated travel to Spain (not holiday)

wonka

Hi,
My Dad lives in Spain, and sadly, his wife / my step mother has just died, so I need to travel to see my Dad.
I'm unvaccinated, and I know unvaccinated tourists are banned from entry.
However, this is travel for family reasons, so I wonder if anyone knows whether there are exemptions?

GingerTim

I'm sorry for your loss, first of all, and hope your dad is doing as well as can be expected.

According to gov.uk (https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/spain/entry-requirements#exemptions) you might be allowed in on the basis of presenting either a) a negative test as described, or b) a certificate saying you've recovered from an infection in the previous six months.

BUT you have to meet one of criteria A to I at https://www.sanidad.gob.es/en/profesionales/saludPublica/ccayes/alertasActual/nCov/spth.htm, which opens when you click on 'Entry requirements for entry in Spain from Third Countries'. It seems to me that you meet criteria H 'imperative family reasons', but best check to confirm that's correct.

onashoestring

Sorry to hear of the circumstances. 

There are exemptions listed here Spanish Ministry of Health Website. https://www.sanidad.gob.es/en/profesionales/saludPublica/ccayes/alertasActual/nCov/spth.htm

I assume that your situation would be cover by H “ Persons traveling for duly accredited imperative family reasons”

I am not certain  how you become “duly accredited . 
I would assume you will need a copy of the death certificate and your Dad’s Spanish residency and your birth certificate ( to prove the relationship to your Dad). Other posters maybe able to confirm this.

You will also need a negative Covid test and to Complete the online Health Form before travelling.

wonka

GingerTime / OnAshoestring
Many thanks, appreciate the help, have read those links, and it looks hopeful that I may be exempt, I'll dig deeper.

cx6

It does say "At the present time it is not mandatory to present any form if the trip to Spain is by land" so maybe you could drive? Not sure what the requirements are for getting across the channel to eg France or Holland are.

emmajones1976

cx6 said:

It does say "At the present time it is not mandatory to present any form if the trip to Spain is by land" so maybe you could drive? Not sure what the requirements are for getting across the channel to eg France or Holland are.

Thats an absolute non starter in his situation. France will require him to quarantine there for 10 days, as will the Netherlands

jon81uk

Don't forget for return to the UK you will also need to do a test and book day 2 and day 8 tests and then quarrentine for 10 days.
Travel to England from another country during coronavirus (COVID-19) - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Richard_T_

The best and most responsible solution to avoid issues such as this is to get vaccinated, you can either go to a walk in centre or book here: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination/

emmajones1976

Richard_T_ said:

The best and most responsible solution to avoid issues such as this is to get vaccinated, you can either go to a walk in centre or book here: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination/

If ifs and buts were candy and nuts...I agree but not really helpful when his father is probably in distress.

Upsidedownandaround

Richard_T_ said:

The best and most responsible solution to avoid issues such as this is to get vaccinated, you can either go to a walk in centre or book here: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination/

8 weeks between 1st and 2nd dose and then another 14 days. 

Waiting 10 weeks is clearly not the best solution in his circumstances.

Chris_English

Do you have a medical exemption? Without that I think that it’s going to be difficult; would it be an option for your father to travel to see you instead?