The countdown is on for the Easter holidays with lost of people planning to jet off for a sunny break.
With Covid rules relaxed in many countries, Irish holidaymakers have an ever-increasing list of destinations to travel to.
However there are still some travel rules in place for certain countries, as well as different Covid entry requirements.
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In its latest advice, the Department of Foreign Affairs said: “Covid-19 is still a major threat to life and health. New variants of the disease are continuing to emerge and spread.
“It is vital that you take care to protect yourself from Covid-19 if you plan to travel and that travel rules are strictly adhered to.
“Citizens should exercise caution in any decisions about international travel, taking account of their overall health, their vaccine status, and the risk of testing positive for Covid-19 while abroad. If you contract Covid-19 when abroad, you may face delays and additional costs before returning to Ireland.”
With this in mind, we’ve put together the latest travel rules and Covid entry requirements for Spain, Portugal, France, Italy and America ahead of the Easter holidays.
With Covid rules subject to change at short notice, passengers are advised to check the Department of Foreign Affairs website before travel.
Spain
Irish citizens can enter Spain using an EU Digital Covid Certificate showing proof of vaccination, recovery or valid negative tests.
All passengers must also complete a Health Control Form before their departure and obtain a ‘FAST CONTROL QR code’ to present at boarding.
Holidaymakers are also advised to check if there are local restrictions in effect in the region they are staying in.
Portugal
All passengers will need to fill out a Passenger Locator Card before departure to Portugal.
Irish citizens can enter the country using an EU Digital Covid Certificate showing proof of vaccination, recovery or valid negative tests.
Children under 12 are exempt from entry requirements.
The rules are the same for Madeira and the Azores, but can differ so travellers are advised to check the latest Department of Foreign Affairs advice before travelling.
France
Irish travellers who are fully-vaccinated, or have a valid negative test result, or have proof of recovery from Covid are permitted to enter France without being subject to further restrictions or quarantine.
Everyone must complete an EU-PLF form which is compulsory for entry into France.
Children under the age of 12 are exempt from these requirements.
Italy
Entrants to Italy from EU member states, including Ireland, are required to produce a Passenger Locator Form and an EU Digital Covid Certificate based on vaccination, recovery or a negative test.
Regardless of vaccination status, anyone arriving in Italy by air, land or sea may be subject to random Covid testing on arrival.
Before embarking on a trip to Italy, Irish citizens are advised to check that your region of destination has no further Covid measures in place.
America
Fully vaccinated Irish citizens can enter the US if they provide proof of vaccination status and a negative Covid test prior to boarding an airplane.
The negative Covid result must be from a test taken no more than one day before travel to the US.
Documentation showing you have recovered from Covid in the past 90 days may be presented as an alternative to the negative Covid test.
The US accepts the EU Digital Covid Certificate as proof of vaccination.
Anyone not fully vaccinated against Covid who wants to travel to the US must either meet the US government’s criteria for an exception - e.g. children under the age of 18 or persons on official government travel or receive a waiver from the CDC to travel to the US. They will then be required to take a test within three to five days of arrival.
Fully vaccinated travellers are not required to quarantine upon arrival in the US, however individual states and territories may have their own quarantine requirements so passengers are advised to check with the Department of Foreign Affairs before travel.
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