As the summer holidays fast approach many of us are heading the airports to tackle chaotic queues in hope of catching our flights on time.
But another worry on top of 'how long will the airport queues be' is the strict travel rules in place when visiting many countries. Although lots of destinations have scrapped their rules, meaning tourists are less restricted as the pandemic eases, there are still a fair few countries with their own rules in place.
With summer now in full swing, a host of airlines, including Jet2, easyJet, Ryanair and TUI have got an array of flights to many destinations in Europe, including Spain, France, Portugal and Greece.
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And although travelling is easier now thanks to a relaxation in Covid rules, different countries in Europe have different requirements upon entry to the country. To make your travel slightly less stressful with chaotic airport queues causing issues at this time, Leeds Live, along with Kent Live and Sussex Live, has listed all the travel requirements for the UK's most popular holiday destinations.
Scroll down to see a list of the latest travel rules and restrictions for popular tourist destinations as it stands on June 14, 2022:
Spain
If you are travelling to Spain for tourism, you must show valid proof of one of the following:
Fully vaccinated - your vaccination status must meet the Spanish authorities’ validity period requirements
Negative COVID-19 test - either a PCR taken within 72 hours prior to departure, or an antigen test taken within 24 hours prior to departure.
Recovery from COVID-19 in the last 6 months - you can also use a medical certificate or recovery record to prove your COVID-19 status on entry to Spain
Children under the age of 12 years old do not need to:
- Complete an online Health Control Form before travel
- Show proof of being fully vaccinated on entry to Spain
- Take diagnostic tests prior to arrival
- Show proof of having recovered from prior Covid-19 infection in the last 6 months
Travellers from the UK who can either show proof of vaccination or full recovery, or of having recovered from prior COVID-19 infection in the last 6 months, or those under 12, do not need to complete Spain’s Travel Health Control form.
Everyone else must complete Spain’s Travel Health Control form no more than 48 hours before arrival. Unvaccinated travellers can now enter Spain.
If you’re not fully vaccinated, the UK government states you can enter Spain presenting one of the following:
- Documentation certifying that you have taken a PCR and tested negative within 72 hours of entering Spain - or 24 hours if using an antigen test
- Proof of recovery from COVID-19 in the last 6 months - you can also use a medical certificate or recovery record to prove your Covid-19 status on entry to Spain
France
There are a number of rules anyone travelling to France must follow. Fully vaccinated travellers aged 12 and above must provide proof of vaccination status on entry to France.
As of March 31, travellers from the UK aged 12 and above who are not fully vaccinated need to provide a negative PCR test result taken within 72 hours or an antigen test result taken within 48 hours pre-departure. All children under 12 are exempt from COVID travel restrictions in France.
France will accept the UK’s proof of COVID-19 recovery and vaccination record at the border. The French Government recognises any vaccination certificates that conform to EU norms. This means your final dose must have been administered at least seven days prior to travel for Oxford/AstraZeneca, Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna or 28 days after a second dose of Johnson & Johnson.
If more than nine months have elapsed since your initial course, and you have not since received a booster, you will be considered unvaccinated and must follow the rules for unvaccinated travellers. Tourists aged 12 years and over who are not fully vaccinated need to provide a negative PCR test result taken within 72 hours or an antigen test result taken within 48 hours pre-departure.
Greece
Passengers arriving in Greece do not need to show proof of COVID vaccination, a negative COVID test, or a certificate of recovery from COVID. You do not need to complete a Passenger Locator Form (PLF).
This applies to everyone regardless of vaccination status. Travellers are still required to wear a mask on public transport.
Italy
As of 1 June, COVID-19 restrictions on entering Italy have been lifted. Italy does not require any proof of vaccination, a negative test result, or a COVID-19 recovery certificate to enter the country, regardless of your vaccination status.
Passenger locator forms (EU PLF) to enter or travel through Italy as a visitor have also been scrapped. All passengers entering Italy by plane, ferry, train or coach must wear an FFP2 mask in order to enter the country.
Portugal
If you’re fully vaccinated, you can enter mainland Portugal and the Azores without needing to test. To qualify as fully vaccinated, you must have a vaccination certificate which shows you have had either:
- a full course, as described below, of a vaccine approved by the European Medicines Agency, at least 14 days and no more than 270 days before you arrive, or
- a full course of a vaccine, as described below, 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 have had:
- both doses of a 2-dose vaccine, or a combination of two different vaccines, or
- an approved one-dose vaccine, or
- a full course of a vaccine, plus a booster vaccine, or
- if you caught COVID-19 after just one dose of a 2-dose vaccine and your certificate shows that your vaccination course is complete after the administration of just one dose of the vaccine
If you’re not fully vaccinated, you’ll need to show proof of a negative PCR test (taken no more than 72 hours before boarding), a rapid lateral flow test (taken no more than 24 hours before boarding) or valid evidence of recent recovery from COVID-19 on departure to mainland Portugal and the Azores. If you’ve tested positive for COVID-19 in the last year, you can enter mainland Portugal and the Azores with a COVID-19 recovery certificate showing you recovered from COVID-19, no less than 11 days and no more than 180 days before you travel. You will not need to take a test.
Turkey
As of 1 June, all COVID-19 restrictions in Turkey have been lifted, and passengers arriving in Turkey are no longer required to present proof of vaccination or negative PCR test results. However, COVID-19 entry requirements may change at short notice, you should check the specifics with your airline before you travel.
Entry requirements for Turkey are the same for all travellers, regardless of COVID-19 vaccination status. For British citizens travelling to Turkey for tourist or business purposes, there is the ability to travel without a visa for visits of up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
Croatia
Travellers are no longer required to complete an online entry form before arriving in Croatia. Tourists also don't have to show a COVID-19 vaccine certificate, proof of a negative test, or a certificate of recovery to enter Croatia.
Entry requirements for Croatia are the same for all travellers, regardless of COVID-19 vaccination status.
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