The UK may have scrapped all of its travel rules, but as the peak summer holiday season nears, many nations are still enforcing various restrictions for UK tourists. Proof of vaccination or a negative Covid test is still required to enter a host of holiday hotspots.
However, countries have been relaxing their rules. Spain eased its restrictions for unvaccinated adults, just this week, while Belgium also lifted its remaining Covid curbs, including a ban on non-essential travel from outside the EU and mandatory face masks.
Passenger Locator Forms, Covid tests and quarantine rules have also been dropped by the nation. But there are still varying regulations in force, which are likely to impact on trips abroad as half-term and Platinum Jubilee holidays get nearer, reports the Mirror.
Check out the latest rules and regulations here:
Spain
The country has re-opened to unvaccinated travellers from the UK. Anyone fully-vaccinated against Covid or with proof of recovery within the last six months, can visit without a Covid test.
To be considered fully vaccinated, passengers need to have received a complete vaccination course at least 14 days before travel. If a course was completed more than 270 days before travel (nine months), travellers will be required to have a booster jab.
Arrivals who have not been vaccinated will need either a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to departure, or an antigen test taken within 24 hours prior to departure.
Turkey
UK travellers can visit whatever their vaccination status, with those who have been fully-jabbed able to avoid testing or quarantine. Anyone not fully-vaccinated will need to show either recovery from Covid within the last six months, or a negative Covid test. This can be a PCR taken within 72 hours before entry, or a rapid antigen test within 48 hours.
Children under 11 are exempt from testing.
The Foreign Office says as part of its travel advice: "All arrivals into Turkey will be subject to a medical evaluation for symptoms of coronavirus, including temperature checks. Arrivals may be subject to random PCR testing on arrival."
Portugal
Entry rules vary depending on vaccination status. Anyone fully vaccinated can visit without taking Covid tests, but all other arrivals will need to produce proof of either recent recovery, a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours before boarding, or a rapid lateral flow test taken within 24 hours before boarding.
This applies to mainland Portugal and the Azores. For Madeira and Porto Santo, there are currently no entry rules.
Greece
UK visitors can enter Greece without proof of vaccination, Covid tests or recovery. The country has also scrapped passenger locator forms.
But the UK Foreign Office does state: "Arrivals into Greece may be required to undergo a rapid COVID-19 test on arrival. If you test positive on arrival in Greece, you (and those you are travelling with) will have to self-isolate for at least 5 days at home or in quarantine hotels provided by the Greek state.
"If you have no symptoms on day 5, 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."
Cyprus
Travellers who are fully vaccinated, or have proof of recent recovery from Covid, you can visit the hotspot without needing a test. All other travellers will need a negative Covid test result to enter Cyprus. This can be a PCR test taken within 72 hours before departure, or a rapid antigen test taken within 24 hours.
Children under 12 years old are exempt from testing.
France
Fully-vaccinated travellers can visit France for holidays with no need to show proof of a negative Covid test. Travellers who are not yet fully vaccinated will need to show either a negative PCR test result taken within 72 hours or a negative antigen test result taken within 48 hours pre-departure.
Children under 12 are exempt from all COVID-19 travel restrictions.
Italy
Anyone aged six or over heading to Italy must be able to show either proof of vaccination, recovery from Covid within the last six months, or a negative Covid test result. The Covid test can be either a PCR taken within 72 hours before entering Italy, or a rapid lateral flow test taken within 48 hours of entering the hotspot.
These rules are in place until May 31. Italy has scrapped passenger locator forms for all travellers.
Malta
All arrivals aged 12 or above need to be fully vaccinated or have proof of a negative Covid test. This can be either a PCR test taken no more than 72 hours before arrival, or a rapid antigen test taken no more than 24 hours before arrival.
Children aged six to 11 need a negative PCR test within 72 hours, provided they are accompanied by a vaccinated parent or legal guardian. Younger children under the age of six are exempt from testing and vaccination rules.
The Netherlands
There are no restrictions for fully-vaccinated UK visitors. To be considered fully vaccinated, passengers need to have received a complete vaccination course at least 14 days before travel. If a course was completed beyond 270 days before travel (nine months), travellers will be required to have a booster jab.
Anyone who is not fully vaccinated will need to have an essential reason for visiting the Netherlands (holidays won't count).
- Travel rules can change quickly during the pandemic so always check the latest Foreign Office advice for a destination before booking or going on a trip.
For more stories from where you live, visit InYourArea.
