The UK Foreign Office has issued a new travel warning for Brits travelling to Spain this summer, including those flying from Birmingham Airport.
The updated safety guidance for travellers comes after a recent heatwave in Spain, which saw temperatures soar above 40C.
Provisional figures suggest the extreme conditions have led to around 1,000 deaths in Spain. : Read our latest travel advice with updated information on swimming safety for children in swimming pools and the sea: https://t.co/3jJn1TY9ub pic.twitter.com/a5KXViQuhF
— FCDO Travel Advice (@FCDOtravelGovUK) June 26, 2026
UK Foreign Office updates travel advice for Spain
The UK Foreign Office is warning visitors to take extra care when swimming in the sea or pools, as “every year, people drown in the sea and in swimming pools in Spain.”
It stressed the importance of supervising children at all times, especially around water.
Advice now includes keeping children within arm’s reach in pools and on beaches, even if a lifeguard is present.
Sea hazards such as strong undercurrents, hidden rocks, and unpredictable waves mean not all areas are safe for swimming and can cause “serious injury or death”.
The Foreign Office has cautioned against diving into unknown waters and swimming at beaches where rivers meet the sea, as these locations can be particularly dangerous.
Water safety tips
It also reminded holidaymakers to pay close attention to the flag system in use on many Spanish beaches.
A red flag means it is unsafe to enter the water.
Travellers are also advised to heed local warnings about jellyfish, which can sometimes populate coastal waters.
The Foreign Office recommended checking additional resources, including ABTA’s swim safe guidance and the Royal Life Saving Society’s advice on water safety during holidays.
Where in Spain can you fly to from Birmingham Airport?
Spanish destinations accessible from Birmingham Airport include:
Alicante
Almeria
Barcelona
Fuerteventura (Canary Islands)
Gibraltar
Girona
Gran Canaria (Canary Islands)
Ibiza
Jerez
Lanzarote (Canary Islands)
Madrid
Majorca
Malaga
Menorca
Murcia
Palma
Reus
Santander
Seville
Tenerife (Canary Islands)
Valencia
eGate rules to change from this week
Meanwhile, changes are also coming to UK border procedures for families returning from overseas.
From Wednesday, July 8, children aged eight and nine, who are at least 120cm (3ft 11in) tall and travelling with an adult, will be allowed to use UK airport eGates.
The new EU Entry and Exit System explained
Before the rule change, the minimum age for eGate use was 10, and before 2023, it was 12.
The change is expected to speed up arrivals, as younger children currently have to be processed manually by a Border Force officer.
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The new rule will make an estimated 1.5 million more children eligible to use eGates over the next year, based on 2025 UK arrival figures.
It applies to the 13 UK airports using eGates, including Birmingham.
Are you going to Spain this summer? Tell us your holiday destination in the comments below.