Immigration update: Spain | Extension of COVID-19 restrictions
Extension and clarifications of restrictions on entering the European Union or Schengen
Who will be affected?
- EU citizens and their families.
- Third-country nationals to the EU and some relatives *
Background:
On the 17th of March, the European Council came to an agreement on the temporary restriction of travel (not essential) from third countries to the European Union and associated Schengen countries. The objective: to reduce the spread of COVID-19, due to the health crisis situation caused by Covid-19.
The new Spanish Government Order INT/356/2020 April 20th, of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, published by the BOE (State Official Gazette) yesterday, 21st of April, establishes the extension and the clarification criteria to deny the entry to the European Union and associated Schengen countries. Previously Established in the last Government Order INT/270/2020 of 21st March.
Implementation and duration:
Duration: from today, April 22nd to May 15th, 2020. Possibility of extensions that could be established.
Impact:
EU citizens and their families. The entry will be denied except to:
- Registered as residents in Spain or going directly to their place of residence in another Member State, Schengen Associated State or Andorra.
- Cross-border workers.
- Health professionals or elderly care professionals who go to exercise their work activity.
- Personnel dedicated to the transport of goods, in the exercise of their work activity.
- Crew of ships, in order to ensure the provision of maritime transport services and fishing activity.
- Flight personnel necessary to carry out commercial air transport activities.
It will be an essential condition that they ensure the immediate continuation of the trip.
- Personnel: diplomatic, consular, military. Personnel of international organisations, and members of humanitarian organisations, in the exercise of their functions.
- Citizens travelling for imperative family reasons duly accredited.
- Citizens with mandatory reasons of force majeure or situation of need, or whose entry is allowed for humanitarian reasons.
Third-country nationals to the EU The entry will be denied except to:
- Residents of the European Union, Residents in the Schengen Associated States or Andorra, who go directly to their place of residence.
- The extension includes now:
- Spouse or partner of the European citizen with whom they maintain a union analogous to the conjugal. The Union should be registered in public registry.
- Ancestors and descendants who live under their care.
- Holders of a long-term visa issued by a Member State or Schengen associated state who apply to it.
- Cross-border workers.
- Health professionals or elderly care professionals who go to exercise their work activity.
- Personnel dedicated to the transport of goods, in the exercise of their work activity.
- Crew of ships, in order to ensure the provision of maritime transport services and fishing activity.
- Flight personnel necessary to carry out commercial air transport activities.
- Personnel: diplomatic, consular, military. Personnel of international organisations, and members of humanitarian organisations, in the exercise of their functions.
- People travelling for imperative family reasons duly accredited.
- People who document documentary reasons of force majeure or situation of need, or whose entry is allowed for humanitarian reasons.
Next Steps (or) Actions Required:
Santa Fe will update about any relevant immigration update arising considering this scenario is continuously changing.
Should you have any questions, please contact the following:
Marta Parejo
Immigration Specialist
Santa Fe Relocation Spain
Marta.parejo@santaferelo.com
Irene Martin
Immigration Director
Southern Europe Cluster
Santa Fe Relocation
D: +34 695 228 239
irene.martin@santaferelo.com
To read more immigration updates, click here.
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