Before jetting off abroad to Spain, there are three crucial travel rule changes that everyone should be aware of.

In the last few months, there have been significant changes to how Brits travel, including to the holiday hotspot of Spain. It's vital to be clued up on any changes to avoid travel disruption, especially as the Mediterranean hotspot attracts millions of UK holidaymakers every year, with more than 19 million recorded last year alone.

One change that came into effect last month impacts how British pet owners travel abroad with their beloved dog or cat. Meanwhile, there's also been a shift in how Brits enter the EU, including Spain, alongside warnings from the Foreign Office on the need to show valid travel documents...

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People on beach in Spain [People on beach in Spain]
Millions of Brits visit Spain every year

Pet passports

Under the new rules, the vast majority of pet passports are now invalid, meaning that Brits travelling into the EU with a pet, including a dog, assistance dog, cat or ferret, will now be required to obtain an animal health certificate (AHC).

In an update on the government website, it states: "GB residents should no longer use EU pet passports to travel into the EU. EU pet passports may now only be issued to people whose main home is in the EU and should not be used by people who have holiday homes in the EU or visit seasonally.

"EU pet passports issued to GB residents before 22 April 2026 may no longer be valid documents for entry to the EU. This means GB residents even if they already have an EU pet passport may need a different document to take their pet to the EU. To guarantee smooth travel, owners resident in Great Britain should get an Animal Health Certificate for their dog, cat or ferret(s) if theyre travelling from Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland) to an EU country."

Cute pets and suitcase indoors. Pet friendly hotel [Cute pets and suitcase indoors. Pet friendly hotel]
Brits are now required to get an animal health certificate (AHC) when travelling with pets into the EU, including Spain

The animal health certificate must be issued by a vet no more than 10 days before the trip, and a fresh certificate is required for every journey to the EU. That said, the AHC can be used for up to 6 months for onward travel within the EU and for re-entering Britain, provided the rabies vaccination remains valid.

However, there are no changes to pet travel documentation for the return journey back into Britain, meaning EU pet passports can still be used. The government also noted that additional documentation is required when someone other than the owner accompanies a pet on the journey.

The individual travelling with the animal must do so within five days of the owner and must carry written authorisation from the owner, which must be kept alongside the pet's travel documents.

Entry/Exit System

On April 10, 2026, the European Union's (EU) Entry/Exit System (EES) was fully rolled out across airports. This requires all British travellers heading to the Schengen area to "create a digital record" and submit their biometric details, including fingerprints and a photograph.

This must be completed upon their first arrival at a Schengen area border, and after the initial registration, the EES remains valid for three years. Spain is just one of the Schengen areas, along with Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, and Switzerland.

However, since the full rollout of the EES, there have been reports of significant travel disruptions for Brits as they navigate the new digital border checks. Holidaymakers are advised to arrive at the airport in plenty of time and expect some delays when going through the new system.

Passengers with suitcases wait in line to check in [Passengers with suitcases wait in line to check in]
Spanish airports are said to introduce measures to ease border control disruption for Brits

In a bid to ease pressure on Brits using the new digital border system, Spanish airports are set to introduce several adjustments. The Spanish airport authority AENA has "instructed staff to do what they can to ease the process and reduce waiting times", according to the Majorca Daily Bulletin.

The local news outlet reported that this could mean Spanish airports redirecting families with young children and passengers with reduced mobility to the border control point that uses the old passport-stamping method whenever queues for the new digital system exceed 25 minutes. On top of this, they could also stagger flight arrivals by liaising with AENA's ground team.

Travel documents

With a valid passport, Brits can travel to Spain without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. This applies to tourists, those visiting friends or family, attending business meetings, cultural or sports events, as well as anyone taking on short-term studies or training.

The Foreign Office further advises: "If youre travelling to other Schengen countries as well, make sure your whole visit is within the 90-day visa-free limit. Visits to Schengen countries in the 180 days before you travel count towards your 90 days. If you overstay the 90-day visa-free limit, you may be banned from entering Schengen countries for up to 3 years."

The government also warned that Brits heading to Spain may need to show the following at border control:

  • A return or onward ticket
  • Proof of your travel insurance
  • You have enough money for your stay - the amount varies depending on your accommodation
  • A hotel booking confirmation or proof of address if youre staying at your own property
  • An invitation or proof of address if staying with a third party, friends or family, such as a carta de invitation completed by your hosts

For more information on travel to Spain, visit the Foreign Office website.

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