Spain will open its borders to the Schengen countries in just one week, on June 21st.

The exception is neighboring Portugal, which at its own request is waiting until July 1.

”Tourism is a very important sector for the economic recovery,” said Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez at a press conference on Sunday.

Earlier in the day, he had held a video conference with the country's regional leaders.

Previously, it was said that the borders would open on July 1. That date still applies to countries outside Schengen. But then, among other things, the infection situation in the country the traveler comes from will be taken into account before travelers are allowed in. At the video conference with the regional leaders, Sánchez was particularly concerned about the situation in North and South America, as well as individual countries such as Russia.

July 1 is also the date when the border with Portugal will open. The fact that it will only happen then is at the request of the Portuguese government – Portugal has not been hit nearly as hard by Covid-19 as its large neighbor. A ceremony will be held to mark the opening of the border. Among others, Spain's King Felipe VI and Portugal's Prime Minister António Costa will attend, reports El Pais.

The national state of emergency that has been in place in Spain since mid-March is set to end on June 21.

It is possible to travel to Spain now, but in most cases strict quarantine rules still apply.

The pressure has been on Spain to open up as the summer tourist season gets underway. The Balearic Islands, including Mallorca, have already been allowed to make exceptions to the quarantine rules.

Source: TT