CDC vax cards while in Spain

Since you carry your passport with you, carry the CDC too just in case. With the numbers in Spain way down, you probably won’t need to show it. As I’m sure someone living in Spain will respond, different regions, provinces, cities, and municipalities can have different rules that can change at a moment’s notice.

In three plus weeks in Spain I never had to show my CDC card. I don't think they even looked at it when they checked my passport on entry. We were in Northern Spain, Galicia, Castilla Leon, Cantabria, and Asturias. Info as of our return Oct 22.
Brad

Good point on the regions.

We’ll be primarily in Andalucia, with a couple of days at either end in Toledo and Madrid.

Thanks for the feedback so far.

I've just returned from a week in Mallorca and other than the check at the airport I wasn't asked to show any documentation related to vaccination or anything else, the same was true for Estepona in June. Spain hasn't implemented the use of vaccine passports so establishments aren't asking to see proof of vaccination. A sensible and pragmatic approach which doesn't discriminate.

We were on Costa Brava in smaller towns and in Barcelona. Once we got out of the airport in Barcelona and showed our QR code on the Spain travel app, as we got off the plane to get to our luggage, we didn't need our CDC cards once.

In the airport in the US is another issue. Leaving the US, you will show the card to the gate agent and get your boarding pass stamped that it was checked. In Frankfort and in Munich on our transfer flights, we had to show it to the agents.

You don't need your CDC card while touring in Spain from our first hand experience early October this year.

I was in Spain in the Barcelona region in Sept. for a week. I certainly did have to show my vaccine pass in multiple locations - Sagrada Familia and in many restaurants. For that, I am very happy that they are checking. It does not discriminate, it is a health issue for a country that doesn't want more people to die or get sick.

I returned Oct. 9th I never once had to show my CDC card, however I have a photo of it on my phone just incase. I did need to upload the photo for entry into Spain and transit thru London.

I have been in Castile y León for 3 days so far and have not been asked for my CDC vaccination card to board a train or enter museums, restaurants, etc (in contrast to Venice in Aug/Sept). I am carrying it in case I’m asked for it and I expect to have to show it at Sagrada Familia. Buen viaje!

@accidentalsouthener We visited the Sagrada Familia, the week of October 10 this year, we did NOT have to show the CDC card. I just had to show the QR code for my tickets on my phone at my allotted time to enter. The guards didn't ask for anything other than the QR code to scan.

Not once did anyone ask for CDC card in Spain in our 2 weeks there.

@Ellen, thanks for the update from your recent experience.

Thanks, everyone, for your sharing your experiences. Sounds like I will not need to carry around my card, although I always have a photo on my phone -- and we are never far from the apartment -- should a sudden need crop up. Since I carry all the documents for my 2 teens as well as my own, I'm always looking to lighten my load.

I cannot comment on the Vax card requirements for sites in Spain. We were there in July and I don't remember having to show it anywhere. But that might have changed. But .... one time in Madrid, we were stopped by the police and asked to show our passports. We didn't have them with us. The police told us that we were required to carry them with us at all times and be prepared to show them, when asked (by the police, presumably). So, if I'm going to carry my passport around, I might as well carry my vax card.

Hello ! I am in Spain since Oct 6 and leaving back home (las Vegas) on Nov 9 . I was never asked to show the vaccination card during my trip. I am based in Barcelona and visited Granada , Seville and did El Triangulo Daliano (Figueres, Port Lligat/Cadaques and Pubol) . Concerning the passport . The most part of attractions did not asked for it either to confirm you are the one on the tickets name . However, Its always better to have it on hands to be safe . Yesterday, for example, for curiosity I tried to visit the Casino Barcelona but I was denied the entry because I did not have my passport book (just the passaport card) . Happy and Safe travel !

We got home from Spain last Thursday (11/4). In 3 weeks, the only time we had to show it was before boarding our plane to the U.S. Still, I would definitely carry it wherever you go.

An update…. We arrived in Spain December 27, currently in Granada. We have been asked a couple of times for proof of vaccination before entering a restaurant. Our QR codes that were generated for our entry to Spain were considered valid proof (we had them stored on our phones, so they were easier to access vs. CDC card), but we are now carrying our vax cards with us in case.

Prospero Ano at todos!

Hi Deb,
We just got back from Catalonia region. It was a mixed bag of when we were asked to show them. About half the time in restaurants in Barcelona we were asked. A few times in Girona as well. But definitely not 100%. We would just pull out the card- say "We're Americans- it's a CDC card" and they would wave us in.

Happy travels!

@debVT - Prospero año nuevo. I’m chuckling right now.

Quick Spanish lesson, Ano = anus, Año = year.

Jaime - hahahaha!!!

I don’t know how to get a tilda on my phone. Maybe I’ll just leave it for laughs.

Happy New Year everyone!