UK Issues Final Warning: ETA Mandatory for Spanish Travellers From 25 February
Winter Chaos: 56 Cancellations and 886 Delays Hammer Spain’s Major Airports
Spain and Oman Bring Diplomatic Visa-Free Agreement Into Force
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EU Border Tech, Tourist-Tax Rises and Party-Boat Bans: 2026 Rulebook Hits Spain
Spain is rolling out 240+ biometric kiosks ahead of the EU Entry/Exit System, while Barcelona, Valencia and the Balearics hike tourist taxes and tighten behaviour rules. Travel managers must budget for extra costs and educate staff on new border tech and local restrictions.
Epiphany Peak: Madrid-Barajas Handles 1,006 Flights in Single Day
Madrid-Barajas processed over a thousand flights on Epiphany, capping a record 101,793-flight holiday season for Spain. The data signal sustained demand and tight capacity just as business travel resumes, so companies should expect crowded terminals and possible last-minute timetable tweaks.
Mass Flight Disruptions Hit Five Major Spanish Airports on Epiphany Eve
On 6 January, Spain’s five busiest airports cancelled 56 flights and delayed 886 more, stranding hundreds of passengers. Weather knock-ons, staffing gaps and EES processing times combined to disrupt KLM, Vueling, Ryanair, Iberia and other carriers—highlighting the need for agile travel-risk monitoring during Spain’s peak post-holiday rush.
Spain & Oman Activate Visa-Free Travel for Diplomats and Service Passport Holders
Spain and Oman have brought a bilateral visa-waiver for diplomatic and service passports into force, allowing officials to travel visa-free for 90 days per 180-day period. The change streamlines government-to-government visits and defence, energy and logistics projects, trimming weeks off travel-planning timelines for Spanish firms active in the Gulf.
UK Issues Final Reminder: ETA Becomes Mandatory for Spanish Travellers from 25 February 2026
Britain confirmed that its Electronic Travel Authorisation will be compulsory from 25 February 2026, affecting all Spanish nationals who previously travelled visa-free. The £16 digital pass must be obtained before departure, and carriers face penalties for boarding passengers without it—requiring Spanish businesses to build ETA checks into UK-bound travel workflows.
EU Travel Shake-Up for 2026: New Border Tech and Higher Tourist Taxes Hit Spain Too
A Europe-wide travel outlook published on 6 January confirms that Spain will feel the bite of stricter border controls (EES), delayed ETIAS permits, and higher visitor taxes in Barcelona, Palma and Valencia. Companies face rising costs and new compliance steps when moving staff or staging events in Spain during 2026.
Epiphany Traffic: Madrid-Barajas to Operate 1,006 Flights on 6 January
Aena expects Madrid-Barajas to process 1,006 flights on 6 January, leading Spain’s Epiphany traffic as the holiday travel season winds down. Although slightly below 2025’s tally, the day caps a Christmas period with 7.8 % more flights overall, signalling continued demand and potential congestion for business travellers.