Jet2, Ryanair and a host of other airlines have stated that booking for countries such as Spain and the Canary Islands have increased over the past few months. With Covid restrictions being lifted across the world, people in the UK are looking forward to possibly their first summer holiday in years.
Yet, certain destinations still have several entry restrictions that differ from those in the UK. So with this in mind, below is the latest Foreign Office travel advice for France, Italy, Spain, Cyprus and Greece, as reported by the Liverpool Echo.
France
Fully vaccinated travellers from the UK aged 12 and over must provide proof of vaccination. France will accept the UK’s proof of Covid-19 recovery and vaccination record at the border.
Travellers from the UK 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.
Italy
Adult travellers will need to complete a passenger locator form (EU PLF) to enter or travel through Italy as a visitor.
From March 1, all travellers, aged six and over, must show one of the following:
- proof of vaccination OR
- evidence of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours before entering Italy or a negative rapid lateral flow test taken within the 48 hours before entering Italy OR
- a Covid-19 recovery certificate, certifying that you have recovered from Covid-19 in the last 6 months
If you cannot present evidence of vaccination OR a negative test OR a Covid-19 recovery certificate, you will need to:
- travel to your final destination in Italy by private transport
remain in self-isolation for 5 days
- take another PCR or rapid lateral flow test at the end of the 5 days’ self-isolation. If the test is negative, you can leave self-isolation
Spain
If you are travelling to Spain for tourism you must show valid proof of either being fully vaccinated (with both doses of a two-dose vaccine or one dose of a one-dose vaccine) at least 14 days prior to arrival in Spain (date(s) of vaccination must be specified) or having recovered from Covid-19 in the last six months.
You can also use a medical certificate or recovery record to prove your Covid-19 status on entry to Spain. If you come under these two categories, you don't need to complete a health control form.
Under the Spanish government’s current measures, if you're not fully vaccinated you can only enter Spain from the UK for tourism purposes with a medical certificate certifying that you have recovered from Covid-19 in the last six months prior to travel. Diagnostic tests are only accepted for travellers from the UK if your reason for travel to Spain is ‘essential’.
Cyprus
Vaccinated or recovered passengers, regardless of nationality, will be able to travel to Cyprus from any country of departure, without the need for a Covid-19 test, provided they hold a valid Covid-19 Certificate of Vaccination or Recovery.
Passengers who have not been vaccinated or do not hold a valid vaccination or recovery certificate, regardless of nationality, may travel to and enter the Republic of Cyprus from any country of departure if they provide certification of a negative result from either a laboratory Covid-19 test (RT-PCR) taken 72 hours prior to departure, or a Rapid antigen test taken 24 hours prior to departure.
Greece
Travellers from the United Kingdom can enter the country by showing a valid vaccination certificate or showing a certificate of recovery from Covid-19 or showing proof of a negative Covid-19 PCR test, undertaken within the 72-hour period before arrival into Greece or showing proof of a negative Covid-19 rapid antigen test from an authorised laboratory, undertaken within the 24-hour period before your arrival into Greece.
In addition, arrivals into Greece may be required to undergo a rapid Covid-19 test on arrival.
