Half-term holidaymakers from the UK face Covid-linked penalties when travelling within the EU because of Brexit.
Families heading on ski trip getaways or winter sun breaks face Covid travel restrictions not imposed on EU citizens travelling between nations, who enjoy greater freedom of movement.
Rules remain despite the EU wishing to streamline travel regulations amongst the whole group of countries.
Here are some of the difficulties facing UK visitors to various popular EU destinations:
France
UK visitors are required to take a PCR or antigen Covid test at least 24 hours before arriving, whether they are vaccinated or not, while travellers from other EU countries face no such requirement.
Spain
All UK citizens, including children aged over 12, must be vaccinated – but not if they are travelling with EU citizens. Spain will not allow entry to children who have not been double-jabbed, even if they have had coronavirus, because UK Covid recovery certificates are not recognised.
Italy
Travellers from the UK must have proof of a negative PCR test within 48 hours of arrival or negative lateral flow swab within 24 hours, even if fully vaccinated. This regulation does not apply to visitors from other EU nations.
Sweden
The country insists UK visitors are fully-vaccinated. Sweden accepts proof of Covid recovery for unvaccinated travellers, but only if they come from within the EU.
Denmark
Unvaccinated visitors from the UK must take a test and self-isolate for 10 days after arrival. But EU arrivals who are not fully-vaccinated are exempt from quarantine.
Travel experts have accused EU nations of deliberately targeting UK travellers.
Julia Lo Bue-Said, the chief executive of the Advantage Travel Partnership, which represents independent travel agents, told the Telegraph : "How can we be treated differently if we base it purely on vaccination status? Why are travellers from the UK being treated differently?"
Paul Charles, chief executive of travel consultancy the PC Agency, added: "Some countries are penalising British citizens because of Brexit. British consumers are losing their freedom of movement.
"People are so confused now about the restrictions in place to get to certain European countries that they are almost giving up on some destinations in Europe and choosing to go to other places. It will be Europe's loss if they continue to put such barriers in place."
Meanwhile, the influential World Travel & Tourism Council insisted governments must continue to focus on the vaccine and booster rollout – allowing fully vaccinated travellers to move freely without the need for additional testing, and for others to travel with a negative test.
Julia Simpson, WTTC president and chief executive, said: “Over the past two years, due to severe travel restrictions around the world, the global travel and tourism sector has suffered tremendous losses.
“Our latest research clearly shows that there is light at the end of the tunnel, and 2022 is certainly looking more positive in terms of both jobs and the economy.
“However, there is much more work to be done if we are to bring back all the jobs lost and achieve a full economic recovery. With so much is at stake, it’s vital we continue driving the recovery of our sector.
“Governments must shift their risk assessment from entire countries to the individual traveller and allow the fully vaccinated to travel freely.”
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