Spain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAEC) updated its UAE travel advice on 23 July 2026, keeping the alert level at “Normal precautions” but adding reminders about health-related entry bans. The notice emphasises that, since 6 June 2026, the UAE continues to restrict entry and suspend new visit visas for travellers who have recently been in Uganda, South Sudan or the Democratic Republic of the Congo due to Ebola outbreaks. The ministry confirms that land borders with Saudi Arabia and Oman remain open, though hours may change at short notice. It also provides the 24-hour emergency consular hotline for Spaniards in the Emirates (+971 50 612 0260) and warns that the Embassy cannot cover costs arising from flight cancellations or hotel stays during disruptions. For Spanish companies with staff posted in the Gulf, the advisory underscores the need to check connecting-flight itineraries for hidden routings through the three affected African states, as passengers who merely transit those countries within 21 days may face denial of boarding in their point of origin. Employers should also validate that medical insurance covers communicable-disease quarantine costs, which some policies exclude. The update follows similar advisories issued by Australia and the UK this week, suggesting a coordinated diplomatic effort to remind citizens that heightened health screening remains in force at UAE ports of entry. Mobility managers should circulate the MAEC hotline to Spanish assignees and ensure that their travel profiles list secondary contact numbers in case UAE authorities need to conduct epidemiological follow-up.
Source: MAEC (Spain)
