Brits travelling abroad for their first summer holiday in three years will face a bewildering array of Covid rules in the countries they visit.
If traveller numbers reach pre-pandemic levels, we will spend £63billion on foreign jaunts this year as 18million of us head for Spain, 10million to France and five million to Italy.
Yet each country has its own rules about jabs, tests and Covid form-filling. In many, vaccine validity expires after 270 days (nine months), though in Israel the deadline is 180 days.
In Switzerland you need to take a test between days four and seven of arrival, even if fully jabbed.
The rules for kids also vary so check those. And look at the Foreign Office website for latest info before travel.
Spain
- Two jabs with the second within 270 days of travel
- OR proof of booster
- OR proof you have had Covid within the previous 180 days
Caribbean
- No Covid entry requirements for Jamaica but you will be screened for symptoms on arrival in the country
- Two jabs for Barbados, the second at least 14 days before arrival. OR rapid flow test one day before arrival. OR PCR test within three days before arrival. Unvaccinated visitors may be asked to wear an electronic tracking bracelet
- You need to be double-jabbed to enter Antigua and you may need a PCR test on arrival
France
- Two jabs with second at least seven days before travel
- OR rapid flow test within 48 hours before departure
- OR PCR test within 72 hours before departure
- And you may be selected for a random test on arrival whether vaccinated or not
Italy
- Second days within at least 14 days before departure and within 270 days of arrival
- Boosters are valid indefinitely
- OR rapid flow test within 48 hours of departure
- OR PCR test within 72 hours of arrival
- OR proof of Covid recovery within the last six months
Greece
- No need to provide proof of vaccination or pre-travel tests
- Masks are mandatory in enclosed public spaces
Portugal
- Second days within at least 14 days before departure and within 270 days of arrival
- OR booster jab
- OR PCR test within 72 hours before departure
- OR rapid flow test within 24 hours before departure
- Tests must be carried out by a health professional, so no self-testing
Turkey
- Second dose at least 14 days before arrival
- OR PCR test within 72 hours of arrival
- OR rapid flow test within 48 hours of arrival
- OR proof of Covid in previous six months
- Random temperature checks and tests on arrival
US
- Second jab must be at least 14 days before arrival
- All travellers must have a medically approved Covid test one day before departure
Mauritius and Maldives
- Second dose at least 14 days before departure
- Completion of Covid pre-travel form
- In Mauritius, a rapid flow test at hotel check-in is mandatory
- In the Maldives your temperature may be taken at the airport. Covid travel insurance is mandatory
UK
- No special travel requirements. Whoopee!
