Spain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAEC) refreshed its India travel advice on 8 October 2026, keeping the overall risk level unchanged but spotlighting continued security restrictions along the India-Pakistan frontier. The notice recalls that the Attari–Wagah land crossing, popular with overlanders and logistics drivers, has remained closed to civilians since the April 2025 Pahalgam terrorist attack. MAEC now explicitly advises Spanish nationals to route cargo and project staff through alternative air corridors (Delhi, Amritsar or Lahore) until further notice. The ministry also reiterates that e-Tourist visas do not grant automatic access to restricted border zones; special permission from India’s Ministry of Home Affairs is required. Failure to obtain permits has recently led to deportations of European adventure-tour groups attempting to trek in border districts of Rajasthan and Gujarat. For business-travel planners the key takeaway is timing: additional permit processing can take up to 20 days, potentially delaying site visits near the frontier. Companies should build contingencies into project timelines and consider insurance that covers rerouting costs if permits are refused. The advisory further reminds travellers to register on the MAEC travel registry and maintain comprehensive medical coverage, noting limited trauma-care facilities in some remote border areas.
Source: MAEC – Gobierno de España
