We will be going through the Madrid airport 3 times on our trip to Portugal and Morocco. First time Chicago to Madrid and transfer to Porto. Second time Lisbon to Madrid and on to Tangier and Third time Marrakesh to Madrid and to USA. Will I have to fill out the Spth form each time we fly through the Madrid airport. Do I understand correctly that it cannot be completed until 2 days before arrival? And can you have the QR code printed out or does it have to be on a mobile device. I get nervous having to always rely on my phone and finding what I need. Any help is greatly appreciated.
Posted by
Everett, WA
1299 posts
In order to pass health controls upon arrival in Spain, passengers (except children under the age of 12 and international transits), who arrive from countries that do NOT belong to the European Union or do NOT have the status of Schengen associated countries, must show one of these documents:
I took that off the Spth web site.
I interpret it to mean that if you are just transiting through Spain and not staying, you don't need to fill out the Spth form. I know when we transited through Germany, we were not required to have a negative covid test even though it was still required if we had been staying any length of time in Germany. I am no expert, so look for independent verification.
I agree with trying to do things on a phone. If you do feel you want to have the form (just in case), get on the web site and fill out all the things that you can. You will be able to upload your documents and everything before leaving home. The only thing I had to add within 24 hours was our plane information. (I did this last March, but my memory is that the it included your seat number on the plane and you can't get that before you check in.)
Posted by
Hudson Valley
2267 posts
It can be done via a browser rather than app, thusly more easily printed. I've always used the app, but seen people in the lines with printed forms.
Tip: Fumbling through phones and apps for things can be cumbersome, so I often take screenshots of something like a QR code. Then I know it'll be one of the first pictures in my photo album—easier for me to find than finding, opening, and navigating the app. This also assures that I have "offline" access to whatever I need.
Posted by
Mid-Atlantic area
7162 posts
I used a browser when I filled mine out. The app kept changing the dates for no apparent reason.
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
8073 posts
From a practical standpoint, the check of the QR code comes after Immigration/Passport check on arrival. It is basically several desks set up in the aisle, with a blue lane and and Orange/yellow lane. The lane you take is determined by the QR code you get, it will say and show the color,
For us (This past week) Delta notified us we had to fill out the form, provided the link, and had us check a box that it was complete; but they do not check the form.
On arrival, as I said, you go through immigration (after walking a mile or two), then in the hallway they have desks set up. Your phone will work, but we printed them, and it was easier for them to see we had blue and just direct us that way. We just kept walking as directed, other than seeing we had a form, they did not scan the QR code. I suppose they could have, but just waved us on through.
You will need it for sure flying into Madrid from Chicago, will not need it flying in from Lisbon, and if only transferring in Madrid, not for your third flight. If you are flying in from Morocco and going through immigration to get luggage and change airlines, then yes, you likely will need to fill out a second form.
Posted by
BC, Canada
47 posts
FYI: we will be travelling from Lisbon to Spain next month and I have sent email to Spain Travel Health-programma and here is their reply:
"Good evening,
Regarding your request, if you enter Portugal for two weeks, you will not be asked for a certificate or QR code to move from Portugal to Spain. However, if your arrival in Portugal is only a stopover before arriving in Spain, you will need to complete the form provided for this purpose. I hope to have answered your question."
Posted by
OP
Prescott, AZ
8 posts
Does anyone have an email address for Spain Travel Health? I am trying to find out if you need to fill out the SpTH form if you are only changing planes in the Madrid airport.
Posted by
Everett, WA
1299 posts
You can also send an email to [email protected] with a screenshot of the error message. Please also indicate in the email subject line whether you are using the web service or the mobile application.
The above came from their web site. It's for having a problem filling out the form, but you could try it with your question.
I also found this under frequently asked questions. It is similar to what I posted originally.
This form must be completed by passengers arriving in Spain from countries that do NOT belong to the European Union or do NOT have the status of Schengen Associated Countries, if they do not have an EU DCC or EU Equivalent. Children under the age of 12 or passengers in international transit do NOT have to show any certificate or the SpTH QR code.
My own research says that International transit refers to people who are just changing planes in an airport. I understand your concern. I went through this when we transited through Frankfurt and Germany was requiring a negative test. (Spain was not). My research showed we did not need it. (They dropped the requirement right before we left home, so I wasn't able to test it) It appears to me that they are concerned about people who are actually entering their country for a visit. You are just switching planes. This is the page it was on under "who has to fill in the electronic health control forms".
Let me know what you find out!
Edited: My question to a couple of people who answered above (Paul and Emily) is whether they stayed in Spain or just transited through. You might want to message them and ask. My memory is that we showed it right as we were leaving the secure area of the airport. (not in passport control) There was someone standing there who scanned it and said "have a nice trip".
Posted by
Everett, WA
1299 posts
Me again. Just trying to help. :)
NO. If a passenger arrives in Spain in international transit to another country, they do not have to show EU DCC or SpTH QR. A person is considered to arrive in international transit if this transit lasts less than 24 hours and is performed without leaving the airport premises.
That was also off the same page I sent you under "Do international transit passengers need to have a QR code". I just keep looking, but i think that one really does answer the question.
Posted by
383 posts
I'm returning transiting through Madrid in 2 weeks. Coming from Bologna and departure from Madrid to Charlotte.
So clearly transiting. Hard to find on the Spanish health page,but says passengers under age of 12 and passengers in international transit do not have to show a certificate or SpTH QR. So I should be Ok.
But would like to hear more personal experiences.
Posted by
Colorado Springs, CO, US
24 posts
We leave tomorrow for 6 weeks in Europe. San Sebastain is our first stop. We had to do the Spth form. We travel change planes in Brussels but did not need to meet any requirements for Belgium. The form is straight forward, once you with 72 hours of your flight they send the QR code as a PDF to print and a file to download to your mobile wallet. United is having trouble checking us in so, we will had to show our document at the airport. We fly home from Bologna via Munich and only have to meet US return rules other than waring masks on flights and airport terminals. One FYI Air Dolomiti because of Italian security rule only allow one bag in cabin. everything else needs to be checked. Be sure you meet all the requirement for the last stop on each leg of your travels, Potugal, Morocco and US
Posted by
17 posts
Hola everyone! Just watched a explanatory video on filling out Spanish Health Form (SpTH, FCS) form. The recommendation is to use the web base form and not the phone APP. We will be filling out our forms tomorrow using the web base form. We are leaving for Barcelona on the 14 SEP, arriving on the 15 SEP. Also the recommendation is to fill out individual forms, not the group form.
Looks pretty straightforward and easy. The video has comments addressing booster, just vacination and recovery requirements. A 9 min video and easy to understand. Although very fast, just stop and repeat with captions.
or
https://www.youtube.com/c/PatrickGuideBarcelona/videos
Hopes this help