As the summer holidays loom, many people across the country will be looking forward to jetting off for some time away. Yet this also means demand for holidays is as high as it has been in some time - and many airlines have been facing significant disruptions, with long queues and hundreds of cancelled or delayed flights being reported.
If you are heading abroad it’s important to check if your destination still has any Covid entry requirements in place. You may still need to show proof of vaccination or take a test before you enter the country.
We’ve rounded up the entry requirements for popular holiday destinations below, as seen in Manchester Evening News. It’s always worth visiting the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office for the latest travel advice.
Spain
Passengers travelling to Spain need to show proof of one of the following:
- Full vaccination (if your second dose was more than 270 days ago then you must have had the booster)
- A negative Covid test: either a PCR taken within 72 hours prior to departure or an antigen test taken within 24 hours prior to travel
- Coronavirus recovery in the last six months
These requirements do not apply to children under 12 years old.
UK travellers who can show proof of full vaccination, Covid-19 recovery or are aged 12 and under do not need to complete Spain’s travel health control form. Everyone else must complete the form no more than 48 hours before travel to Spain.
France
All travellers aged 12 and over need to show proof of vaccination to enter France. Travellers aged 18 and over must have received their booster jab if their second dose was administered more than nine months ago. France does accept the UK’s recovery and vaccination certificate.
Those who are not fully vaccinated need to provide a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours, or an antigen test result, taken within 48 hours pre-departure.
All children under 12 are exempt from Covid-19 travel restrictions.
Portugal
There are no Covid vaccination or testing requirements for entry to mainland Portugal, Madeira and Porto Santo.
If you’re travelling to the Azores you need to be fully vaccinated - if your last dose was more than 270 days ago then a booster is required. You must show proof of full vaccination when you check in for your flight to the Azores. Your UK Covid pass is accepted.
If you’re fully vaccinated but your airline allows you to travel without showing proof, then you will have to take a test at your own expense when you arrive at the airport.
Those who are not fully vaccinated and travelling to the Azores need to show proof of a negative PCR test (taken no more than 72 hours before boarding), a negative lateral flow test (taken no more than 24 hours before boarding) or valid evidence of recent recovery from Covid-19 (no less than 11 days and no more than 180 days before you travel).
Children aged 11 and under do not need to take a test or show proof of vaccination or recovery to enter the Azores.
Italy
Passengers arriving in Italy do not need to provide any proof of vaccination, a negative test result or a Covid-19 certificate to enter the country, regardless of vaccination status. All passengers entering Italy by ferry, train or coach must wear an FFP2 mask in order to enter the country, but masks are no longer required on flights in, to or from Italy.
Greece
Travellers entering 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.
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