Spain confirms when Brits will finally be able to visit on holiday

Spain is set to reopen its borders early to some countries [Photo: Courtesy]

British tourists will be able to enter Spain from next week.

The welcome news comes after 24 hours of confusion generated by the country’s decision to re-open to international tourism a week earlier than expected.

It also follows Benidorm Town Hall’s claim that British holidaymakers would not be allowed to return to the Costas until at least July 10.

Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez announced yesterday: “The recovery of tourist activity is key for this government.

“Spanish will lift border controls with the EU member states from June 21 and on July 1 it will re-open borders to other countries.

“Tourism and health security will go hand in hand.”

Today the Spanish Foreign Minister confirmed British tourists would be allowed into Spain from the start of next week too.

The UK is still in a transition phase after voting to leave the UK. The transition period runs to the end of 2020 and new rules will only take effect on January 1 2021.

A Spanish Foreign Ministry spokesman said today: “As it’s in a transition period, it’s considered that the UK is included in the announcement that Pedro Sanchez made yesterday and can return to Spain along with EU nationals when border controls are lifted from June 21.”

Starting from 21 June, travelers from the European Union and Schengen area will be welcomed into the country.

This means international visitors arriving in Spain will no longer need to undergo 14 days of isolation under mandatory quarantine rules.

The loosening of travel restrictions comes as the country enters the final stages of its strict lockdown.

One of the most visited destinations by Brits, the Spanish government has sent mixed signals on when it was set to reopen borders, having announced numerous dates in recent weeks.

But now it has been announced that tourists from the EU and Schengen area will now be able to enjoy a holiday from June 21 - when Spain's state of emergency ends.

The Schengen area composes of 26 countries, including Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Poland, Netherlands, Belgium, Greece, Portugal, Czech Republic, Hungary, Austria, Switzerland, Denmark, Slovakia, Finland, Norway, Lithuania, Latvia, Slovenia, Estonia, Luxembourg, Malta, Iceland, and Liechtenstein.

"Tourism is a key sector for the economic recovery," Prime
Minister Pedro Sanchez previously told a news briefing.

"We have been able to corner the virus in our country and on the European continent... but the risk has not disappeared."

Tourists from outside the EU or Schengen area will be able to visit from July 1.

Portugal is set to keep its borders closed until July 1st.

The number of cases and fatalities in Spain continue to decline, with just 27 deaths in the last week.

A total of 27,136 deaths have been recorded across the entire country.

Visitors will have to wear a mask in crowded public spaces until a cure or vaccine for coronavirus is found.

Currently the Foreign Office warn against all but non-essential travel abroad.

And travellers arriving in the UK face 14 days of isolation under mandatory quarantine rules - with fines threatened for anyone who flouts the rules.

But sources have claimed that travel to low-risk countries could soon be allowed, in order to restart the economy.