Bookings are already said to be surging according to some airlines with the likes of Easyjet seeing a 337% increase in general bookings whilst their package holiday bookings saw double at 630% as restrictions ease.
The news of less rules and relaxed borders come as much welcomed news to both holidaymakers and the tourism sector who have suffered over the last two years due to the pandemic bringing flights an to a halt.
And you can't be blamed for booking a holiday after the past few years we've all had.
But what are the rules if you're travelling from the United Kingdom to Greece or Portugal?
Greece
All travellers must complete an online Passenger Locator Form (PLF) before arriving in Greece.
If you do not fill it out, you could end up with a fine of 500 euros upon arrival or the Greek authorities may not allow you to enter or re-enter the country.
If you’re fully vaccinated
Travellers who are five years and above must:
a) Show proof of a valid vaccination certificate
There must have been at least 14 days, and not more than nine months, since the completion of your primary vaccination for covid. Booster do not have a time limit.
OR
b) Provide proof a certificate of recovery from covid
Travellers from all other countries can enter Greece by:
c) showing proof of a negative covid PCR test, undertaken within the 72 hour period before arrival into Greece
OR
d) showing proof of a negative covid rapid antigen test from an authorised laboratory, undertaken within the 24 hour period before your arrival into Greece.
The Gov.uk website states that in addition to this, "arrivals into Greece may be required to undergo a rapid covid test. If you test positive on arrival in Greece, you (and those you are travelling with) will have to self-isolate for at least five days at home or in quarantine hotels provided by the Greek state. If you have no symptoms on day five, or your symptoms have improved (e.g. having no fever for the past 24 hours without the use of medicine), you will be allowed to end your quarantine. However, if you still have a fever you will be required to continue to quarantine until your fever drops".
The Greek government also "strongly recommends" travellers take a certified rapid test or certified PCR test on both days two and four after arrival into Greece.
Passengers should be warned that if other people who were on your flight, bus, train or ferry later test positive, you may be subject to self-isolation requirements.
If you’re not fully vaccinated
Travellers wanting to enter should:
a) Show proof of a certificate of recovery from covid
Travellers from all other countries can enter Greece by:
b) Providing proof of a negative covid PCR test taken within 72 hour before arrival into Greece
OR
c) Show proof of a negative covid rapid antigen test from an authorised laboratory, undertaken within the 24 hour period before your arrival into Greece
Children and young people
Rules currently state that children under five do not need to provide a negative test for entry to Greece.
In Greece, children aged five and over who have not had the covid vaccine are considered unvaccinated and must follow the same requirements as unvaccinated adults.
Portugal
The Government state that people can travel to mainland Portugal for "all purposes" from the EU/EEA, the UK and from some other non-EU/EEA countries however if you're travelling from any country not on this list, you can only enter for "essential purposes such as to live with immediate family members, or for professional, educational, health or humanitarian reasons."
You can travel to the autonomous regions of Madeira and the Azores for any purpose without restriction.
All travellers to Portugal are required to complete one of these forms per passenger before arrival:
- Complete this form for mainland Portugal
- Complete this form for the Azores
- Complete this form for Madeira and Porto Santo
If you're travelling to Madeira or Porto Santo with children aged 11 and under, their details must be included in the form.
If you’re fully vaccinated
Thankfully you will not need to take a covid test.
To qualify under the fully vaccinated rules, you must prove you have had either:
- A full course of a vaccine approved by the European Medicines Agency (with both doses of a two dose vaccine, or one dose of a single-dose vaccine) at least 14 days and no more than 270 days before you arrive, or
- A full course of a vaccine, as described above, plus a booster vaccine approved by the European Medicines Agency at least 14 days before you arrive
You will be considered fully vaccinated if:
- You've had you have had both doses of a 2-dose vaccine, or a combination of two different vaccines. You must have had both doses before you travel
- You've have had an approved one-dose vaccine, you will be considered fully vaccinated
- You caught covid after just one dose of a 2-dose vaccine, you will be considered fully vaccinated provided your vaccination certificate shows that you have completed your vaccination course after the administration of just one dose of the vaccine
If you’re not fully vaccinated
If you’re not fully vaccinated you will need to:
- Show proof of a negative PCR test taken no more than 72 hours before entry
OR
- Show proof of a rapid lateral flow test taken no more than 24 hours before entry
The Azores
From 12 February, all travellers will need to take a test on arrival unless:
- You have a valid EU vaccination or recovery certificate
OR
- You have taken a PCR or rapid lateral flow test before you travel
Your PCR or rapid lateral flow test must meet the following criteria:
- It's carried out by a trained healthcare professional. Self-administered tests are not acceptable
- The rapid lateral flow test is taken no more than 48 hours before you travel and meets the standards set out in the EU common list of Rapid Antigen Tests
- ThePCR test is taken no more than 72 hours before you travel
They add: "Your EU vaccination certificate must show you have completed your vaccination course at least 14 days and no more than 270 days before you arrive in the Azores. Your recovery certificate must show you recovered from covid no less than 11 days and no more than 180 days before you travel."
Entry to Madeira and Porto Santo
Passengers must complete a passenger locator form before travel.
Children aged 11 and under do not need to take a test or show proof of vaccination or recovery to enter mainland Portugal and the Azores.
There are no other requirements.
If you’ve had covid in the past year
The Government state that if you’ve tested positive for covid in the last year, you can enter mainland Portugal with a covid recovery certificate showing you recovered from the virus no less than 11 days and no more than 180 days before you travel.
You will not need to take a test.
You can use your UK covid Pass to demonstrate proof recovery when checking in for your flight.
