Ibiza vaccine passport to be operational by June

A vaccine passport for tourists to enter Spain — including Ibiza and the rest of the Balearic Islands — will be ready by June, the Spanish government has said.

Speaking at a press conference in Playa de Palma last Thursday (25th), Spain’s tourism minister, Reyes Maroto, told reporters that a new coronavirus vaccination certificate “will replace current restrictions when it comes to travelling”, and is expected to be ready by summer.

According to Majorca Daily Bulletin, the press conference took place following a meeting between President of the Balearic Government, Francina Armengol, and the tourism industry leaders, where the discussions about the passport had “forecast is for it to be operational in Spain by June.”

Maroto also told press that in order for the vaccination passport to work, Spain will need “to have a significant percentage of the population vaccinated” against COVID-19 to ensure “maximum certainty in order to have a season without taking risks.”

Maroto’s comments come just weeks after the Balearic government announced that, from the beginning of March, bars and restaurants in Ibiza, Formentera, Menorca and Mallorca would be able to open terraces and outdoor spaces to the public. 

Tourism is one of the most crucial industries in Spain, especially in nightclub hotspot Ibiza. Spain welcomes approximately 80 millions tourists a year, with the industry providing over 12% of the country’s GDP.