Do you need a PCR test to travel to Mallorca? Entry requirements and COVID measures

The Balearic Islands are one of the most popular tourist destinations in Spain. Each year, they receive millions of Spanish and foreign tourists who are looking for paradise beaches, turquoise waters and appealing hotels.

During the summer months, Spain had a total of 9.4 million international tourists. In July, 4.4 million travellers came to visit the islands by plane, which was a 108.7% increase on the previous year. In August, the Balearics attracted 1.29 million foreign travellers, which represents 25.9% of the total tourists that arrived in Spain in that month.

The improvement in immunisation rates, the EU COVID certificate and the sanitary measures adopted by the hospitality sector are the cause of the increase in tourism. In fact, more and more people want to fly to the Balearics to enjoy everything these Mediterranean islands have to offer.

What are the entry requirements for the Balearic Islands?

Since the latest data and news related to COVID-19 cases and the pandemic are increasingly alarming, the requirements to travel to the Balearics are stricter than they were a few months ago. While there isn't "free circulation", it is possible to travel to Mallorca and the other islands by presenting different certificates.

One of the most frequently asked questions is if you need a PCR test to travel to Mallorca. This is different in each case, and it depends on if you travel from inside Spain or from another country. For instance, for international and fully vaccinated passengers who received their second dose 15 days or more before the trip, the PCR test isn't necessary. Neither do you need a PCR test to travel to Mallorca if you've recovered from COVID-19 in the last 6 months. For passengers that aren't vaccinated or aren't fully vaccinated, the following is needed:

• Negative PCR test results from 72 hours or less before arriving at the island.
• Negative antigen test results from 48 hours or less before arriving at the island.

When you arrive at Mallorca, you'll be required to show your documentation to demonstrate any of the following circumstances: fully vaccinated, fully recovered, negative PCR test, or negative antigen test. These certificates must be the originals, have the personal details of each person who's travelling, the date of the test (if it's a test) and should be in Spanish or English. If you have the EU Digital COVID Certificate, it's not necessary to provide any other evidence.

This is one of the requirements for travelling to the Balearics, but the Islands also ask entering travellers to complete a sanitary control form if they come from outside Spain. You can find this form on the Spain Travel Health website, where you'll also find useful information about the requirements for tourists in Spain. This form should be completed 24 hours before you start your trip. You'll get a QR code that you should present when entering any of the islands.

What if a traveller doesn't have the required certificates, such as a PCR test to travel to the Balearics or a valid vaccination certificate? They should do an antigen test within the first 48 hours after arriving on the islands. The traveller should stay in quarantine until they receive the result, and if it comes back negative, they should send it to controlpuertosyaeropuertosib@ssib.es. With that, they can start their vacation.

What are the sanitary measures in place in Mallorca?

Throughout Spain, decreasing case levels, improvement in immunisation rates, and border control has made it possible to have a relatively relaxed summer. For the islands, this was an incredible relief and allowed foreign travellers to return. Tourism activity has almost completely recovered. However, with the large increase in cases leading up to Christmas, restaurants and nightlife have been forced to exercise extreme caution. 

To access both restaurants, bars and cafes as well as nightlife, with a capacity greater tan 50 people, you must present the Covid Passport, a negative diagnostic test or the official document that proves having passed the disease up to 6 months before. 

In addition, it will be mandatory to use the mask indoors and recommended outdoors, as well as taking extreme hygiene measures and maintaining a safety distance. Also, it will be forbidden to smoke on the terraces. 

Although the restrictions and sanitary security measures are still in force, tourism is opening up more and more, which allows both tourists and locals to continue enjoying the island of Mallorca. 

VIVA travel!