Spain has raised hopes that British holidaymakers will be able to return this summer.
Spanish industry trade and tourism minister Reyes Maroto suggested new EU rules could allow borders to reopen to the UK from as early as May 20.
Spain, along with most of Europe with the exception of Portugal, was placed on the UK government’s amber traffic light status for when international travel resumes from May 17, meaning quarantine is needed on return together with Covid tests.
However, Spanish officials believe an upcoming review of EU regulations will allow for more flexible travel terms for countries outside the bloc, paving the way for British travellers to return to the top overseas package holiday destination.
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The EU Council is expected to update its recommendation on travel to member states from third countries in the next few days.
The UK is expected to be included in a ‘free-to-travel’ list.
“Following this review, possibly as soon as 20 May, Spain will adapt its national legislation to welcome UK residents,” the Spanish Tourist Office said.
Maroto emphasised that the Spanish government maintains a permanent dialogue with the UK authorities and continues to highlight a regional approach.
She reiterated her expectation that Spain will be added to the UK’s green travel list in the coming weeks and outlined how PCR tests may not be a requirement for British travellers given the country’s current epidemiological data and COvid-19 vaccination rate.
Maroto said: “We know what we have to do to enable British travellers to return to Spain. To continue to lower the accumulated incidence rate of Covid-19 and continue with our vaccination roll-out.”
A new green list is expected to be issued on June 7.
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