Ryanair passengers refused entry to Tenerife and sent straight back to the UK
A Ryanair flight that arrived in Tenerife from Manchester on Friday afternoon, was met by Guardia Civil officers who boarded the plane to check passengers documents before letting them disembark, but refused entry to eight of them and sent them straight back to the UK on the same plane that they had arrived on.
According to one of the passengers on board the plane, a fellow traveller had an email confirmation from a Tenerife based estate agent for an appointment to view properties on the island, but this was not accepted by the police as this is not on the Spanish list of essential reasons to travel for entry to the country, even though it is on the UK accepted reasons to travel overseas.
Last week there were several changes to the travel restrictions, not just in Spain, but the UK also, which have not only caused confusion for travellers, but also laid hope that there was a loop-hole in the legislation that meant, particularly second home owners, would be able enter the country.
Since December there has been a blanket ban on UK citizens entering Spain (including the Canary Islands) unless they had full residency and the correct documentation, due to the concerns over the B117, so called British variant, of the coronavirus. This was lifted last week on March 30th, so that UK citizens can now enter for essential reasons.
The next day on March 31st, the ruling of essential travel from outside of the EU or Schengen area from third countries (including the UK) was extended until the end of April, meaning again, that only essential travel is permitted for entry in to Spain.
The confusion has come because the UK Governments reasons that allow overseas travel from the UK, include one that says if you are buying or selling or renting or viewing a property overseas then you are permitted to leave the UK to travel abroad. But, the Spanish Decree-Law of essential reasons does not include this, which is why it is not sufficient for entry to the country. The only case where it is allowed is if there is a legal notary appointment to sign on the sale or purchase of a property.
Many people are questioning as to why Ryanair allowed them to board the plane in the first place, but in this case this is not their responsibility. If passengers have a negative test result, have completed the correct forms, and reasons comply with UK legislation, then the rest is out of their control.
To summarize, for UK residents of Spain (including the Canary Islands) the new TIE card, green residencia card, green residency certificate, or proof of application is needed for entry to the country, with a negative Covid test, either PCR or antigen.
For non-residents of Spain (including the Canary Islands) from the UK, you can only enter the country for essential reasons listed in the decree, such as work commitments, legal obligations, and you must have a negative PCR test result.