The information on these pages should be used to research health risks and to inform the pre-travel consultation.
Due to COVID-19, travel advice is subject to rapid change. Countries may change entry requirements and close their borders at very short notice. Travellers must ensure they check current Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) travel advice in addition to the FCDO specific country page (where available) which provides additional information on travel restrictions and entry requirements in addition to safety and security advice.
Travellers should ideally arrange an appointment with their health professional at least four to six weeks before travel. However, even if time is short, an appointment is still worthwhile. This appointment provides an opportunity to assess health risks taking into account a number of factors including destination, medical history, and planned activities. For those with pre-existing health problems, an earlier appointment is recommended.
All travellers should ensure they have adequate travel health insurance. If visiting European Union (EU) countries carry an European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) as this will allow access to state-provided healthcare in some countries, at a reduced cost, or sometimes for free. The EHIC or GHIC, however, is not an alternative to travel insurance. Check the GOV.UK website for guidance.
A list of useful resources including advice on how to reduce the risk of certain health problems is available below.
Details of vaccination recommendations and requirements are provided below.
Travellers should be up to date with routine vaccination courses and boosters as recommended in the UK. These vaccinations include for example measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine and diphtheria-tetanus-polio vaccine.
Country specific diphtheria recommendations are not provided here. Diphtheria tetanus and polio are combined in a single vaccine in the UK. Therefore, when a tetanus booster is recommended for travellers, diphtheria vaccine is also given. Should there be an outbreak of diphtheria in a country, diphtheria vaccination guidance will be provided.
Those who may be at increased risk of an infectious disease due to their work, lifestyle choice, or certain underlying health problems should be up to date with additional recommended vaccines. See the individual chapters of the ‘Green Book’ Immunisation against infectious disease for further details.
There are no certificate requirements under International Health Regulations.
The vaccines in this section are recommended for most travellers visiting this country. Information on these vaccines can be found by clicking on the blue arrow. Vaccines are listed alphabetically.
Tetanus
Tetanus is caused by a toxin released from Clostridium tetani and occurs worldwide. Tetanus bacteria are present in soil and manure and may be introduced through open wounds such as a puncture wound, burn or scratch.
Travellers should thoroughly clean all wounds and seek appropriate medical attention.
Country specific information on medical facilities may be found in the ‘health’ section of the FCDO foreign travel advice website.
The vaccines in this section are recommended for some travellers visiting this country. Information on when these vaccines should be considered can be found by clicking on the arrow. Vaccines are listed alphabetically.
Rabies
Rabies is a viral infection which is usually transmitted following contact with the saliva of an infected animal most often via a bite, scratch or lick to an open wound or mucous membrane (such as on the eye, nose or mouth). Although many different animals can transmit the virus, worldwide most cases follow a bite or scratch from an infected dog. Bats are also an important source of infection in some countries.
Rabies symptoms can take some time to develop, but when they do the condition is almost always fatal.
The risk of exposure is increased by certain activities and length of stay (see below). Children are at increased risk as they are less likely to avoid contact with animals and to report a bite, scratch or lick.
Post-exposure treatment and advice should be in accordance with national guidelines.
For travellers to the African territories of Ceuta and Melila:
Pre-exposure vaccinations are recommended for travellers whose activities put them at increased risk including:
For those travelling to other areas in Spain:
A full course of pre-exposure vaccines simplifies and shortens the course of post-exposure treatment and removes the need for rabies immunoglobulin which is in short supply world-wide.
There are some risks that are relevant to all travellers regardless of destination. These may for example include road traffic and other accidents, diseases transmitted by contaminated food and water, sexually transmitted infections, or health issues related to the heat or cold.
Some additional risks (which may be present in all or part of this country) are mentioned below and are presented alphabetically. Select risk to expand information.
Altitude
There is a risk of altitude illness when travelling to destinations of 2,500 metres (8,200 feet) or higher. Important risk factors are the altitude gained, rate of ascent and sleeping altitude. Rapid ascent without a period of acclimatisation puts a traveller at higher risk.
There are three syndromes; acute mountain sickness (AMS), high-altitude cerebral oedema (HACE) and high-altitude pulmonary oedema (HAPE). HACE and HAPE require immediate descent and medical treatment.
There is a point of elevation in this country higher than 2,500 metres. Example places of interest: Mulhacen, Sierra Nevada on mainland Spain, 3,479m and Pico de Teide on Tenerife, 3,718m.
Biting insects or ticks
Insect or tick bites can cause irritation and infections of the skin at the site of a bite. They can also spread certain diseases.
There is a risk of insect or tick-borne diseases in some areas of Southern Europe. This includes diseases such as Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever, leishmaniasis and West Nile virus.
Further information about specific insect or tick-borne diseases for this country can be found, if appropriate on this page, in other sections of the country information pages and the insect and tick bite avoidance factsheet.
Dengue
Dengue is a viral infection transmitted by mosquitoes which predominantly feed between dawn and dusk. It causes a flu-like illness, which can occasionally develop into a more serious life-threatening form of the disease. Severe dengue is rare in travellers.
The mosquitoes that transmit dengue are most abundant in towns, cities and surrounding areas. All travellers to dengue areas are at risk.
During 2018 the first locally acquired cases were reported, with transmission occurring in the provinces of Cádiz, Catalonia and Murcia.
Influenza (seasonal)
Seasonal influenza is a viral infection of the respiratory tract and spreads easily from person to person via respiratory droplets when coughing and sneezing. Symptoms appear rapidly and include fever, muscle aches, headache, malaise (feeling unwell), cough, sore throat and a runny nose. In healthy individuals, symptoms improve without treatment within two to seven days. Severe illness is more common in those aged 65 years or over, those under 2 years of age, or those who have underlying medical conditions that increase their risk for complications of influenza.
Seasonal influenza occurs throughout the world. In the northern hemisphere (including the UK), most influenza occurs from as early as October through to March. In the southern hemisphere, influenza mostly occurs between April and September. In the tropics, influenza can occur throughout the year.
All travellers should:
If individuals at higher risk of severe disease following influenza infection are travelling to a country when influenza is likely to be circulating they should ensure they received a flu vaccination in the previous 12 months.
The vaccine used in the UK protects against the strains predicted to occur during the winter months of the northern hemisphere. It is not possible to obtain vaccine for the southern hemisphere in the UK, but the vaccine used during the UK influenza season should still provide important protection against strains likely to occur during the southern hemisphere influenza season, and in the tropics.
Avian influenza viruses can rarely infect and cause disease in humans. Such cases are usually associated with close exposure to infected bird or animal populations. Where appropriate, information on these will be available in the outbreaks and news sections of the relevant country pages. Seasonal influenza vaccines will not provide protection against avian influenza.
Outdoor air quality
Poor air quality is a significant public health problem in many parts of the world. Exposure to high levels of air pollution over short time periods (e.g. minutes/hours/days) and longer time periods (e.g. years) is linked to many different acute and chronic health problems. These effects are mainly on the respiratory (lungs and airways) and cardiovascular (heart function and blood circulation) systems.
Current information on world air quality is available from the world air quality index project.
Travellers with health problems that might make them more vulnerable to the effects of air pollution who are travelling to areas of high pollution should:
It is unclear if face masks are beneficial at reducing exposure and may make breathing more difficult for those with pre-existing lung conditions. Those who choose to use one should make sure that the mask fits well and know how to wear it properly.
COVID-19 disease is caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV2. The main symptoms of COVID-19 are recent onset of a new continuous cough and/or a high temperature and/or a loss of, or change in, normal sense of taste or smell. Symptoms range from mild to life-threatening. Older people and those with underlying health problems are more likely to develop severe disease. Current evidence also shows that there is a higher risk of infection and of severe disease in Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic groups in the UK. The reasons for this are currently not clear.
The virus is mainly transmitted from human to human by breathing in droplets from the nose or mouth of an infected person or by touching the infected droplets on surfaces, then touching the eyes, nose or mouth. No vaccine is available to prevent COVID-19, and prevention relies on strict attention to social distancing guidance and personal and respiratory hygiene.
Travellers should always check the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office travel advice and their country-specific pages for the latest COVID-19 travel advisories which may include information on travel restrictions, quarantine or COVID-19 testing requirements. This includes considering the recommendations and requirements for any transit countries. Travellers should be aware that case numbers in individual countries/areas can increase rapidly. They should check this page regularly for updates.
Based on currently available information, there is a high risk of exposure to COVID-19 in mainland Spain and the Balearic Islands. All travellers are advised to avoid non-essential travel to these areas.
Based on currently available information, there is a moderate risk of exposure to COVID-19 in the Canary Islands. All travellers should carefully consider the risks of exposure to COVID-19 before travel to the Canary Islands. This is particularly important in those in clinically extremely vulnerable groups who may wish to seek advice before travel.
There has been an increase in reported cases particularly in northern parts of the Island of Tenerife. This is being monitored. Please check this page regularly for updates.
Individuals entering or returning to the UK may be required to follow additional UK border measures including self-isolation. These measures may vary depending on whether you have travelled from the Spanish mainland, the Balearic or Canary islands.
If travel ito mainland Spain or the Balearic islands is essential, travellers should:
All travellers (including those visiting the Canary Islands) should:
See guidance on factors to consider when assessing the risk of COVID-19 for travellers.
If travellers develop COVID-19 symptoms while abroad, they should:
21 Jan 2021
Advice for travellers from the UK on travel abroad and reducing spread of respiratory viruses during the COVID-19 outbreak Read more
13 Jan 2021
The United Kingdom government has updated advice for UK nationals on accessing state healthcare in the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway Read more
05 Nov 2020
Advice for British travellers overseas during the pandemic Read more
01 Sep 2020
CCHF cases reported in the Castilla y León region, north-western Spain Read more
24 Aug 2020
An outbreak of West Nile virus has been confirmed in the province of Seville, Spain Read more
25 Jun 2020
Hot weather advice for travellers to mainland European countries Read more
21 Feb 2020
The dog located in Île de Ré developed symptoms on 1 February Read more
29 Aug 2019
Cases have been associated with consumption of a shredded meat product from Seville Read more
22 Oct 2018
Locally acquired dengue reported in southern France and Spain Read more
17 Oct 2017
Clusters of Legionnaires’ disease are reported in travellers who recently visited Palmanova in Majorca Read more
14 Jun 2017
A reminder for those travelling to World Pride in Madrid, 23 June to 2 July 2017, to be aware of potential health risks, particularly sexual health ri Read more
26 May 2017
CCHF virus has been detected in ticks in the regions of Extremadura, Castilla-La Mancha, Castilla and León, and Madrid Read more
06 Apr 2017
Outbreaks of hepatitis A have been reported in Europe mostly affecting men who have sex with men (MSM) Read more
16 Sep 2016
Two cases Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever, one fatal, have been reported in Spain Read more
27 Jun 2016
An outbreak of enterovirus A71 (EV-A71) in children, with associated neurological symptoms, has been reported in Catalonia, Spain Read more
14 Sep 2015
The previously reported chikungunya virus infection in Gandía, mainland Spain is not laboratory confirmed Read more
05 Aug 2015
The first case of locally acquired chikungunya virus infection is reported in Gandía, mainland Spain Read more
Using information collated from a variety of sources, we regularly review and update information on overseas disease outbreaks and other health issues that may affect the UK traveller.
Please note that not all cases of disease or outbreaks are reported; some diseases may only be reported if they occur outside of the usual recognised risk area or season, or they have been reported in greater than usual numbers.
Further information on the Outbreak Surveillance section.