The Easter holidays are coming up soon and whilst many just want to relax at home, some people want to getaway whilst the kids are off school.
Just this week (March 21) Scotland scrapped most of its legal covid restrictions not long after England did the same. That being said, due to a rise in covid cases, we opted to keep the rules surrounding face coverings.
Thankfully the travel sector's rules have been easing for a while now, with many top tourist destinations allowing travellers in without the need to quarantine or take a test.
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At present there are several destinations you can visit without the need to take a covid test.
These include the likes of Armenia, Costa Rica, UAE, Sweden and the Faroe Islands.
Here's where you can you travel to without having to take a covid test:
1. Italy
Anyone aged six or over will need to show:
- Proof of vaccination
OR
- A negative PCR test taken within 48 hours prior to arrival
- A rapid lateral flow test taken within 24 hours, or proof of Covid recovery in the last six months.
This means that vaccinated Brits will no longer be required to take a pre-travel test.
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 five days’ self-isolation. If the test is negative, you can leave isolation
2. Iceland
At present there are no covid travel restrictions for Iceland - this applies to people who are fully vaccinated or not vaccinated at all..
You also don’t need to provide proof of your vaccination status for entry to Iceland.
3. France
Anyone who is not fully vaccinated will need an essential reason to visit and in addition must self-isolate on arrival.
From 12 February 2022, fully vaccinated travellers from the UK no longer need to present a negative PCR or antigen test result before travel.
Fully vaccinated travellers aged 12 and over must continue to provide:
- Proof of vaccination (see further details below)
- A sworn statement (déclaration sur l’honneur) self-certifying you’re not suffering from COVID-19 symptoms and haven’t been in contact with confirmed cases in the 14 days prior to travel.
4. Turkey
Every traveller aged 6 and over will need to complete the online form (Form for Entry to Turkey) a maximum of 72 hours before travelling to enter Turkey.
This does not apply to transit passengers.
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.
For those who are fully vaccinated, no test or quarantine is required. Turkish authorities are carrying out random PCR testing at airports though, so bear this in mind if you're planning a trip.
Children aged 11 and under can follow the rules for fully vaccinated travellers to enter Turkey.
5. Portugal
Just like Greece, Portugal has also changed its entry rules meaning that if you are fully vaccinated you are exempt from having to take a covid test.
This applies to anyone aged 12 and over. Unvaccinated travellers can still visit but will need to have proof of either a PCR test taken within 72 hours before travel, or a lateral flow taken within 24 hours.
6. Spain
Fully vaccinated UK arrivals don't need to take a test or quarantine to visit Spain.
You'll need to have been fully vaccinated for at least 14 days before arrival. Children under the age of 12 do not need to show proof of being fully vaccinated on entry to Spain.
All UK travellers will also need to fill out a pre-travel form and obtain a QR code to show at border control.
7. Greece
Greece recently changed its entry rules and scrapped Covid test requirements for those who can show that they are fully vaccinated against covid.
However it is worth noting that you may be subject to random PCR testing on arrival at the airport in Greece.
8. Germany
UK travellers can enter Germany for any travel purpose if they are fully vaccinated. Anyone aged six or over needs to be able to show either proof of vaccination, proof of recovery from Covid, or proof of a negative test, so unvaccinated children can visit but will need a test.
9. Switzerland
Fully vaccinated travellers are not required to take a pre-travel Covid test in order to visit Switzerland. Currently, double jabbed travellers can visit the country for non-essential reasons.
Unvaccinated children under the age of 18 can enter if they are accompanied by a fully vaccinated adult.
10. Malta
All travellers need to complete a passenger locator form before heading to Malta, and show the QR code to board your plane and on arrival.
Only fully vaccinated Brits can visit for holidays without tests or quarantine.
If you're unvaccinated or partially vaccinated, you'll need to have a negative PCR test result taken within 72 hours before arrival, and you'll need to quarantine for 14 days on arrival at a designated quarantine hotel.
