Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) updated its Smartraveller advisory for Spain on 26 July 2026, keeping the overall level at “Exercise normal safety precautions” but adding two mobility-critical warnings. First, DFAT highlights a wave of wildfires that has triggered localised evacuations across mainland Spain and the Balearic Islands. Travellers are urged to monitor Spanish media, obey emergency instructions, and be ready for sudden road or rail closures in affected regions such as Ávila, Madrid and, since 25 July, Toledo. The advisory points out that smoke can disrupt airport operations and that insurance policies may exclude cover if travellers ignore official evacuation orders. Second, the notice reminds visitors that the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) is now fully operational. All non-EU nationals, including Australians and other visa-exempt travellers, must provide fingerprints and a facial image on arrival. DFAT warns that some Spanish airports and land borders experienced significant queues last week as staff calibrated the new biometric kiosks during the summer surge. Business travellers with tight onward connections are advised to build in extra time and to check with airlines about minimum recommended connection windows. The advisory reiterates standard Schengen-area rules (90/180-day stay limit) and clarifies that dual EU nationals should enter on their European passport to avoid EES registration. DFAT also flags the forthcoming—but not yet launched—ETIAS travel authorisation and cautions against fraudulent sites charging fees. Why it matters: Australia remains Spain’s fourth-largest long-haul leisure market, and Australian companies run sizeable outbound incentive and MICE programmes in Madrid, Barcelona and the Canary Islands. The combination of wildfire disruption and a brand-new border control regime increases the likelihood of missed meetings, supply-chain delays for carnets, and heavier HR due-diligence for postings. Mobility managers should brief staff on contingency routing, ensure travel insurance covers natural disasters, and pre-collect biometric data where airlines offer remote EES enrolment pilots.
Source: DFAT – Smartraveller
