Many of us are planning on heading away on a summer holiday.
There are different rules for travellers heading to different destinations.
To make it easier, here is everything you need to know if you are heading to Spain, Portugal, Greece, Italy and France.
Read more: Spain extends Covid travel rules
Spain
Spain previously extended its Covid travel rules which are now in place until June 15.
It is no longer mandatory to wear a mask indoors or outdoors with certain exceptions.
You must wear a mask when travelling by plane, train or bus, as well as in all other public transport.
The country has also relaxed entry requirements for unvaccinated UK travellers.
If you are traveling to Spain for tourism you must show valid proof of one of the following:
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). See ‘If you’re fully vaccinated’.
having recovered from COVID-19 in the last 6 months. You can also use a medical certificate or recovery record to prove your COVID-19 status on entry to Spain. See ‘If you’ve had COVID-19 in the past year’.
a negative COVID-19 test: either a PCR taken within 72 hours prior to departure, or an antigen test taken within 24 hours prior to departure.
There are some different entry requirements for children under 12 years old which can be found HERE.
For more information on visiting Spain, CLICK HERE.
Greece
The following requirements for entry to Greece apply regardless of your vaccination status and apply to all travellers.
From 1 May, passengers arriving in Greece are no longer required to show a proof of COVID vaccination, a negative COVID test, or a certificate of recovery from COVID. You no longer need to complete a Passenger Locator Form (PLF). Travellers are still required to wear a protective masks in all indoor spaces, including aircraft.
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.
You should also be aware that if other passengers on your flight, bus, train or ferry later test positive, you may be subject to self-isolation requirements.
This applies to all travellers including children.
For more information on entering Greece, CLICK HERE.
Portugal
A passenger locator form is no longer required for entry to mainland Portugal and the Azores.
It is recommended you complete a form if you are travelling to Madeira or Porto Santo.
Complete one form per passenger. If you’re travelling with children aged 11 and under, include their details in your form.
If you’re fully vaccinated, you can enter mainland Portugal and the Azores without needing to test.
To qualify under the fully vaccinated rules, you must have a vaccination certificate which shows you have had either:
- a full course, as described below, of a vaccine approved by the European Medicines Agency, at least 14 days and no more than 270 days before you arrive, or
- a full course of a vaccine, as described below, plus a booster vaccine approved by the European Medicines Agency at least 14 days before you arrive
You will be considered fully vaccinated if you have had:
- both doses of a 2-dose vaccine, or a combination of two different vaccines, or
- an approved one-dose vaccine, or
- a full course of a vaccine, plus a booster vaccine, or
- if you caught COVID-19 after just one dose of a 2-dose vaccine and your certificate shows that your vaccination course is complete after the administration of just one dose of the vaccine
You must present proof that you have been fully vaccinated when you check-in for your flight to mainland Portugal and the Azores.
If you’re not fully vaccinated, you’ll need to show proof of a negative PCR test (taken no more than 72 hours before boarding), a rapid lateral flow test (taken no more than 24 hours before boarding) or valid evidence of recent recovery from COVID-19 (see below) on departure to mainland Portugal and the Azores.
Make sure your test is carried out by a trained healthcare professional. Self-administered tests are not acceptable. If you take a rapid lateral flow test, check it meets the standards set out in the EU common list of Rapid Antigen Tests.
If you’ve tested positive for COVID-19 in the last year, you can enter mainland Portugal and the Azores with a COVID-19 recovery certificate showing you recovered from COVID-19, no less than 11 days and no more than 180 days before you travel. You will not need to take a test.
If you’re not fully vaccinated and your airline allows you to travel to mainland Portugal or the Azores without a negative test or valid recovery certificate, you will have to take a COVID-19 test at your own expense at the airport or port on arrival.
Children aged 11 and under do not need to take a test or show proof of vaccination or recovery to enter mainland Portugal and the Azores.
For more information on entering Portugal, CLICK HERE.
France
From 31 March 2022, fully vaccinated (see ‘Proof of vaccination status’ below) travellers from the UK aged 12 and over must provide proof of vaccination.
Further information can be found on the French Embassy in the UK’s website.
You may also be asked to complete the EU-PLF form before boarding.
France will accept the UK’s proof of COVID-19 recovery and vaccination record at the border. The French Government recognises any vaccination certificates that conform to EU norms. This means your final dose must have been administered at least 7 days prior to travel for Oxford/AstraZeneca, Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna or 28 days after a second dose of Johnson & Johnson.
For travellers aged 18 and over, France will recognise you as ‘vaccinated’ for entry purposes if you completed your initial vaccine course within the last 9 months. If more than 9 months have elapsed since your initial course, and you have not since received a booster, you will be considered unvaccinated and must follow the rules detailed below.
From 31 March 2022, 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.
You may also be asked to complete the EU-PLF form before boarding.
Children under 12 are exempt from all COVID-19 travel restrictions.
Italy
From 1 May travellers will no longer be required to complete a passenger locator form (EU PLF) to enter or travel through Italy as a visitor.
Until 31 May, all travellers, aged 6 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
All passengers entering Italy by plane, ferry, train or coach must wear an FFP2 mask in order to enter the country.
Further information on entry requirements from the UK and other countries can be found on the Ministry of Health website and the Italian Government’s online questionnaire.
If you travel from the UK and can demonstrate that you’re fully vaccinated, you can enter Italy without the need to self-isolate.
For more information on visiting Spain, CLICK HERE. For more information on coming back to Northern Ireland, CLICK HERE.
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