Spain is reopening to vaccinated tourists today. The European country is ready to welcome visitors from from any destination.
All travellers who have been fully inoculated with an approved Covid-19 vaccine will be able to visit Spain from June 7, regardless of their country of origin.
“This summer we will safely receive all visitors that choose Spain as their holiday destination," said the country's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, speaking at the International Tourism Fair in Madrid.
Spain took its first steps towards reopening to tourists from outside the European Union last month. Visitors from 10 low-risk countries, including the UK, Australia and New Zealand, can fly to the country without a PCR test.
From June 7, Spain is open to vaccinated tourists from all other destinations, including the UAE.
After long months of restrictions, we will finally be able to see tourists back from this region to Spain
Travellers have to be fully vaccinated at least 14 days before they are due to land in the country. Vaccines must be one of those authorised by the European Medicines Agency or included in the World Health Organisation's emergency use listing.
Printed certificates issued in Spanish or English will be accepted as proof of vaccinations. Accompanied minors from the same family who are unvaccinated may enter Spain with a negative PCR test taken on arrival, and children under 6 are exempt from any testing.
"After long months of restrictions, we will finally be able to see tourists back from this region to Spain, where we are waiting to welcome them with our usual warmth and with the highest health and security measures," said Daniel Rosado, director of Spanish Tourism for the Gulf countries. "Spain will be delighted to welcome tourists who decide to visit us."
Spain was the world’s second-most visited country before the pandemic, so, as it gets set to welcome travellers again, here's what you need to know if you're planning to go this summer.
Who can travel to Spain?
Travellers from countries across the EU or Schengen Area and from 10 designated low-risk countries can visit Spain for leisure travel.
From today, all vaccinated travellers can fly to Spain from any country, including the UAE. Visitors must have received both doses of a vaccine approved by the EMA.
Unvaccinated travellers from countries outside the EU, Schengen and the designated low-risk countries cannot yet travel to Spain for holidays.
Rules could change if Covid-19 case numbers increase, so travellers should keep up-to-date on local pandemic news.
"The entry of vaccinated citizens from non-EU countries without additional health requirements may be reversed in the event of a worsening of the epidemiological situation in the country of origin or circulation of variants," said the Spanish Tourism authority.
What vaccines does Spain recognise?
Spain recognises all vaccines approved by the EMA or listed for emergency use by WHO. So far, the EMA has approved four vaccines: Pfizer-BioNTech; Moderna; Oxford-AstraZeneca and Janssen/Johnson & Johnson.
The same jabs are authorised for emergency use by the WHO, as is China's Sinopharm.
Which airlines are flying to Spain?
From the UAE, you can fly direct to Barcelona or Madrid. Emirates flies to Barcelona from Dubai four times a week, and to Madrid five times a week. From Abu Dhabi, Etihad Airways and Air Europa operate flights to both Spanish cities, with fares starting from about Dh2,700 ($735) on both UAE airlines. Emirates will add more flights to the Catalonian capital in July, when it launches its Dubai-Barcelona-Mexico City route.
Domestic Spanish airlines offer flights to additional destinations in the country, such as Alicante, Ibiza or Seville, via connecting flights.
What do travellers need to do before they go?
Visitors from the UAE must have received both doses of the Covid-19 vaccination at least 14 days before.
Travellers must also complete an online Health Control Form, no more than 48 hours before flying to Spain. Once submitted, passengers will get an email with a QR code that is needed to board flights to any Spanish destination.
What's the Covid-19 situation in Spain?
Spain seems to be on the road to recovery after being one of Europe's worst-hit countries during the pandemic. The nation is no longer categorised as high-risk as numbers of Covid-19 patients have dropped and death rates have also fallen drastically.
On Saturday, there were 4,975 new cases of the virus recorded, and 97 deaths. A six-month state of emergency was lifted on May 10 and, since then, restrictions have eased across much of the country. Only Navarra, the Balearic Islands and the Valencia regions continue to implement curfews.
What can I see and do in Spain?
There is a reason that Spain is one of the world's most-visited countries – it's a destination that can truly claim to have something for everyone.
From sun-drenched Mediterranean beaches along the coast, to Granada's Moorish Alhambra palaces or Barcelona's Sagrada Familia, Gaudi sites and buzzy Eixample neighbourhood, visitors need endless time to discover all of Spain's treasures. So don't try to; instead decide what you want to do and see and pick your destination based on that.
Scroll through the gallery above for some Spanish travel inspiration.
In the throbbing capital of Madrid, architecture, art and nightlife collide, while culture fans should make a beeline to Cordoba, where there are more Unesco-listed sights than anywhere else in the country. Culinary travellers will find delights countrywide and Spain's foray of island destinations offer an idyllic sunshine-filled getaway.
What restrictions are in place?
There are still restrictions in place across Spain with face masks mandatory in public spaces and 1.5 metre social-distancing rules. Restrictions vary depending on which region you visit, with some areas continuing to implement curfews and others limiting capacities.
This handy map from the Spanish Tourism authority lets you see what measures are in place for the different destinations you plan to visit during your stay. It details any restrictions of movement within each region, provides information on curfews and has guidance on limitations on tourist activities such as restaurant capacities, museum visitor numbers and the opening status of bars, theme parks, theatres and more.
When is the best time to visit Spain?
Spain is a year-round destination thanks to its Mediterranean climate, meaning there is really no bad time to go. Peak tourism season is typically during the summer months, where southern destinations placate sun-seekers and the north of the country is a little cooler.
Summertime in Spain typically means crowds, higher hotel prices and increased flight fares, but with so many people not ready to travel, this could be the year to see it without so many tourists around, especially if you head out of the main cities such as Barcelona and Madrid, which attract travellers from across Europe.
What do I need to do when flying out of Spain?
Travellers departing Spain for the UAE need a PCR test to return.
Airports in Spain are only open to passengers in possession of a ticket or boarding pass, so you cannot accompany others who are leaving to the airport and travellers must wear face masks and respect social distancing policies in place.
Spain was added to Abu Dhabi's Green List on Sunday, May 23, meaning there's no quarantine required for travellers flying from Spain to any airport in the UAE.
Titanium Escrow profile
Started: December 2016
Founder: Ibrahim Kamalmaz
Based: UAE
Sector: Finance / legal
Size: 3 employees, pre-revenue
Stage: Early stage
Investors: Founder's friends and Family
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
Premier League results
Saturday
Tottenham Hotspur 1 Arsenal 1
Bournemouth 0 Manchester City 1
Brighton & Hove Albion 1 Huddersfield Town 0
Burnley 1 Crystal Palace 3
Manchester United 3 Southampton 2
Wolverhampton Wanderers 2 Cardiff City 0
West Ham United 2 Newcastle United 0
Sunday
Watford 2 Leicester City 1
Fulham 1 Chelsea 2
Everton 0 Liverpool 0
Countdown to Zero exhibition will show how disease can be beaten
Countdown to Zero: Defeating Disease, an international multimedia exhibition created by the American Museum of National History in collaboration with The Carter Center, will open in Abu Dhabi a month before Reaching the Last Mile.
Opening on October 15 and running until November 15, the free exhibition opens at The Galleria mall on Al Maryah Island, and has already been seen at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum in Atlanta, the American Museum of Natural History in New York, and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
RESULTS
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UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 194hp at 5,600rpm
Torque: 275Nm from 2,000-4,000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed auto
Price: from Dh155,000
On sale: now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
How to report a beggar
Abu Dhabi – Call 999 or 8002626 (Aman Service)
Dubai – Call 800243
Sharjah – Call 065632222
Ras Al Khaimah - Call 072053372
Ajman – Call 067401616
Umm Al Quwain – Call 999
Fujairah - Call 092051100 or 092224411
Tips for job-seekers
- Do not submit your application through the Easy Apply button on LinkedIn. Employers receive between 600 and 800 replies for each job advert on the platform. If you are the right fit for a job, connect to a relevant person in the company on LinkedIn and send them a direct message.
- Make sure you are an exact fit for the job advertised. If you are an HR manager with five years’ experience in retail and the job requires a similar candidate with five years’ experience in consumer, you should apply. But if you have no experience in HR, do not apply for the job.
David Mackenzie, founder of recruitment agency Mackenzie Jones Middle East
UAE v Zimbabwe A
Results
Match 1 – UAE won by 4 wickets
Match 2 – UAE won by 5 wickets
Match 3 – UAE won by 25 runs
Match 4 – UAE won by 77 runs
Fixture
Match 5, Saturday, 9.30am start, ICC Academy, Dubai
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The Rub of Time: Bellow, Nabokov, Hitchens, Travolta, Trump and Other Pieces 1986-2016
Martin Amis,
Jonathan Cape
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
Yahya Al Ghassani's bio
Date of birth: April 18, 1998
Playing position: Winger
Clubs: 2015-2017 – Al Ahli Dubai; March-June 2018 – Paris FC; August – Al Wahda
MATCH INFO
Euro 2020 qualifier
Fixture: Liechtenstein v Italy, Tuesday, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: Match is shown on BeIN Sports
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
ANALYSTS’ TOP PICKS OF SAUDI BANKS IN 2019
Analyst: Aqib Mehboob of Saudi Fransi Capital
Top pick: National Commercial Bank
Reason: It will be at the forefront of project financing for government-led projects
Analyst: Shabbir Malik of EFG-Hermes
Top pick: Al Rajhi Bank
Reason: Defensive balance sheet, well positioned in retail segment and positively geared for rising rates
Analyst: Chiradeep Ghosh of Sico Bank
Top pick: Arab National Bank
Reason: Attractive valuation and good growth potential in terms of both balance sheet and dividends
57%20Seconds
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Company%20profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Fasset%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2019%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Mohammad%20Raafi%20Hossain%2C%20Daniel%20Ahmed%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFinTech%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInitial%20investment%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%242.45%20million%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECurrent%20number%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2086%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Pre-series%20B%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Investcorp%2C%20Liberty%20City%20Ventures%2C%20Fatima%20Gobi%20Ventures%2C%20Primal%20Capital%2C%20Wealthwell%20Ventures%2C%20FHS%20Capital%2C%20VN2%20Capital%2C%20local%20family%20offices%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Sam Smith
Where: du Arena, Abu Dhabi
When: Saturday November 24
Rating: 4/5
When Umm Kulthum performed in Abu Dhabi
Known as The Lady of Arabic Song, Umm Kulthum performed in Abu Dhabi on November 28, 1971, as part of celebrations for the fifth anniversary of the accession of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan as Ruler of Abu Dhabi. A concert hall was constructed for the event on land that is now Al Nahyan Stadium, behind Al Wahda Mall. The audience were treated to many of Kulthum's most well-known songs as part of the sold-out show, including Aghadan Alqak and Enta Omri.
Our legal consultants
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
The drill
Recharge as needed, says Mat Dryden: “We try to make it a rule that every two to three months, even if it’s for four days, we get away, get some time together, recharge, refresh.” The couple take an hour a day to check into their businesses and that’s it.
Stick to the schedule, says Mike Addo: “We have an entire wall known as ‘The Lab,’ covered with colour-coded Post-it notes dedicated to our joint weekly planner, content board, marketing strategy, trends, ideas and upcoming meetings.”
Be a team, suggests Addo: “When training together, you have to trust in each other’s abilities. Otherwise working out together very quickly becomes one person training the other.”
Pull your weight, says Thuymi Do: “To do what we do, there definitely can be no lazy member of the team.”
more from Janine di Giovanni
The Voice of Hind Rajab
Starring: Saja Kilani, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees
Director: Kaouther Ben Hania
Rating: 4/5
