Rules for taking food from the UK to Spain or bringing food back to the UK with you

Passengers generally aren’t allowed to bring meat or dairy from Britain to Spain

Many UK travellers to Spain are often tempted to pack a few treats in their suitcase to get a taste of home, but since Brexit airports have become far more stringent regarding which food products are and aren’t allowed into Spain.

There are also restrictions on some items that can be brought from Spain back to Britain, so it’s best to be fully aware of the regulations to avoid being disappointed at the airport.

Carrying animal products, food or plants to Spain

If you are travelling to Spain from another EU country, you’re free to bring any meat or dairy products provided they’re for your own personal consumption. The same applies to plants, fruit and vegetables that have been grown in the European Union and are pest free.

However, if you are arriving from the UK, you are strictly prohibited from bringing in any meat or dairy items. Passengers from Britain are allowed to carry up to 2kg of honey, eggs and egg products as well as up to 20kg of processed fish.

Some notable additions include:

Baby food: passengers arriving from the UK into Spain can bring up to 2kg of infant milk, infant food and special foods required for medical reasons. These items must not require refrigeration before opening and must be in their original containers. They must also be sealed unless currently in use.
Pet food: Up to 2kg of pet food required for medical reasons is allowed, but the animal must be accompanying the passenger. In addition, the product must not require refrigeration and it must be in the original container.
Plants, plant products and cut flowers: Passengers wishing to bring these items from the UK to Spain must be able to provide a phytosanitary (plant health) certificate attesting that the product is free from certain specific pests.

Bringing food from Spain back to the UK

The regulation are far less strict when you’re arriving home in Britain after a holiday in Spain, but there are still some restrictions.

Items allowed into England, Scotland and Wales from Spain:

Any meat products
Any dairy products
All fish and seafood
Other animal products, including eggs and honey
All fruit and vegetables

Alcohol

Alcohol is generally much cheaper in Spain that the UK so you might be tempted to stock up on booze before you go home. However, while there’s technically no restrictions on how much alcohol you bring into the UK it is supposed to be for personal consumption only, so you can expect to answer a few questions at security if you’re carrying more than:

Beer: 110 litres
Wine: 90 litres
Spirits: 10 litres
Fortified wine (e.g., sherry, port): 20 litres

Image: Freepik

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