Frequently asked Questions on Layovers, Transits or Stopovers at Barcelona Airport during COVID-19
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Latest update: 20 July 2022
This page covers frequently asked questions regarding the COVID-19 certificates and procedures needed during a transit, layover or stopover at Barcelona Airport.
Question: I will be in transit at Barcelona Airport before reaching my final destination but I won’t leave Barcelona airport. I am not vaccinated against COVID. Do I need any COVID certificate to stay at the airport?
Answer: According to the Spanish Health Ministry, if you stay in the airport less than 24 hours without leaving the international zone of Barcelona Airport, i.e. : without passing through the border control and therefore without entering the Spanish territory, you do not need any COVID certificate. If you stay in the airport but need to pass through the border control and therefore enter the Spanish territory to take your next flight, as long as your transit is of less than 24 hours and as long as you have your tickets for your next flights, you do not need any COVID certificate.
Question: I am planning to book a flight to my final destination but this flight has a stop over in Barcelona. I don’t know if I’ll have to get off the plane or if the same flight will continue to my final destination. I am fully vaccinated and I will also have a negative COVID test result of a test made within 72 hours before departure. Do I need any other COVID travel document to transit through Barcelona?
Answer: According to the Spanish Health Ministry, if the transit is made without leaving the international zone of Barcelona Airport, i.e. : without passing through the border control and therefore without entering the Spanish territory, you do not need any COVID certificate to transit through Barcelona.
If you have to get off the plane and if you need to pass through the border control and therefore enter the Spanish territory to take your next flight, as long as your transit is of less than 24 hours and as long as you have your tickets for your next flights, you do not need any COVID certificate to transit through Barcelona.
Question: I have a 6 hour layover at Barcelona Airport. I am vaccinated against COVID. Can I leave the airport to visit Barcelona and come back later to catch my flight?
Answer: Yes, if you have a vaccination certificate or a EU Digital COVID certificate showing you’ve been vaccinated, you can leave Barcelona airport and come back later.
You will find detailed information on the validity of vaccination certificates, of EU Digital Certificates and on the Health Control Form on the following page:
If you want to learn more about the COVID-19 measures and restrictions at Barcelona Airport we recommend you visit the following page:
All You Need to Know About COVID-19 Measures and Restrictions at Barcelona Airport
Question: I have a stop over in Barcelona. I will have a negative COVID test certificate. Can I leave Barcelona airport to visit the city and come back afterwards to catch my flight ?
Answer: Yes, if you have a valid negative COVID test certificate for Spain or a EU Digital certificate showing you had a negative COVID test certificate during the requested time range, you can leave Barcelona airport during your layover and come back later. Note that in addition of your negative COVID test certificate, you will also need to fill out a Health Control Form.
You will find detailed information on the COVID test certificates valid for Spain and on the Health Control Form on the following page:
If you want to learn more about the COVID-19 measures and restrictions at Barcelona Airport we recommend you visit the following page:
All You Need to Know About COVID-19 Measures and Restrictions at Barcelona Airport
If you need to get an antigen test or a PCR test in Barcelona, you can easily get tested at a test centre in Barcelona.