After two years of travel disruption there are reasonable hopes that this summer will be different.
Key holiday destinations of Spain, Greece and Turkey still have some Covid travel requirements but they are not as odious as they have been in the past. To help you plan your trip WalesOnline has put together the latest Foreign Office advice.
Remember that the situation with the virus can move very fast. You should always double check before travelling to make sure you don't ruin your well earned break.
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Greece entry requirements
From 15 March 2022 onwards, arrivals in Greece are no longer required to complete a Passenger Locator Form (PLF).
The following requirements for entry to Greece apply regardless of your vaccination status, and apply to all travellers who are five years old and older. Travellers from the United Kingdom can enter the country by:
- Showing a valid vaccination certificate. There must have been at least 14 days, and not more than nine months, since the completion of your primary vaccination for Covid-19. Booster jabs are not subject to the same time restrictions. See ‘Demonstrating your Covid-19 status’ for further details 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. If you test positive on arrival in Greece, you (and those you are travelling with) will have to self-isolate for at least five days at home or in quarantine hotels provided by the Greek state.
The measures to enter Greece apply to all travellers aged five and above. Children under five do not need to provide a negative test for entry to Greece.
Spain entry requirements
If you want to visit Spain, you'll need to show proof of either being fully vaccinated or having recently recovered from Covid. To be considered as fully vaccinated you'll need to have completed a full vaccination course at least 14 days before travel. If you completed this over 270 days (nine months) before travelling to Spain, you'll need a booster jab to qualify as fully vaccinated.
Although the rules apply to anyone aged 12 or over, Spain has eased its restrictions for unvaccinated teens, aged 12 to 17, who can visit if they have proof of a negative Covid test taken before travel.
If you are fully vaccinated, you do not need to fill out a pre-travel health form. However, travellers entering with proof of Covid recovery, or unvaccinated teens aged 12 to 17 will need to fill out a pre-travel online form, which must be completed no more than 48 hours before travel to Spain.
Currently, unvaccinated Brits will not be able to enter for holidays unless they can show proof of recovery. As for local Covid rules, Spain recently relaxed its face mask rules meaning you'll no longer be required to wear these at indoor venues such as restaurants and bars. The country has already axed a requirement to wear face coverings outdoors.
Canary Islands travel rules
The Canaries' rules are similar to those of Spain; you need to be fully vaccinated or have proof of recovery to visit. Again, unvaccinated teens aged 12 to 17 can visit provided they have proof of a negative test taken within 72 hours before travel.
You may also be required to show proof of a negative Covid test for your accommodation - check with your tour operator or travel agent. All travellers will need to fill out a pre-travel online form before visiting the Canaries.
If you're travelling to the islands from Spain, the Foreign Office travel advice notes: "To travel to the Canary or Balearic islands from mainland Spain, you may need to show a negative COVID test depending on the region you are travelling from. Check with your travel operator and the local authorities in your final destination for guidance on domestic entry requirements."
In a recent holiday boost for Brits, the Canaries have ended their local Covid restrictions, which included removing capacity limits for venues such as bars and restaurants, and once again allowing dancing in nightclubs.
Balearic Islands travel requirements
Travellers will need to be fully vaccinated against Covid if they want to enter the Balearics for holidays. According to the Balearics Tourism Board website, proof of recent recovery or a negative Covid test will not be accepted for travellers arriving from the UK. You can find out more on the tourism board website .
Anyone entering the Balearic Islands will need to fill out a pre-travel health check form online. Children under 12 years of age are exempt from vaccination and testing requirements.
If you are travelling to the islands from Spain, the Foreign Office travel advice notes: "To travel to the Canary or Balearic islands from mainland Spain, you may need to show a negative COVID test depending on the region you are travelling from. Check with your travel operator and the local authorities in your final destination for guidance on domestic entry requirements."
Travel restrictions can change quickly due to the nature of the pandemic. Always check the Foreign Office's latest Spain travel advice which covers mainland Spain, the Canaries and the Balearics, before booking or going on a trip.
Turkey travel requirements
You will need to complete the online form (Form for Entry to Turkey), a maximum of 72 hours before travelling, to enter Turkey if aged six and older. This is not necessary for 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. You must wear a face mask at all times whilst in an airport, and for the duration of all flights, to and from Turkey.
If you’re fully vaccinated, you can enter Turkey without needing to test or quarantine. At least 14 days must have passed since your second dose of the vaccine and the vaccine must be approved by the Turkish Ministry of Health or World Health Organization. Find out if you qualify as fully vaccinated in Turkey on the Turkish Embassy in London website.
You must present proof that you have been fully vaccinated to enter Turkey. Turkey will accept the UK’s proof of COVID-19 recovery and vaccination record and proof of COVID-19 vaccination issued in the Crown Dependencies. Your NHS appointment card from vaccination centres is not designed to be used as proof of vaccination and should not be used to demonstrate your vaccine status.
If you’re not fully vaccinated, you’ll need to show proof of a negative PCR test (taken no more than 72 hours before entry), rapid antigen test (taken no more than 48 hours before entry), or proof of a recent recovery from Covid-19 within the last six months, when entering Turkey. See information on getting a test before entry.
If you’re not fully vaccinated but have recovered from COVID-19 in the last six months, you can enter Turkey. You’ll need to show evidence of a positive PCR test (taken more than 14 days and less than six months ago). You will not need to take an additional Covid-19 test. You can use the NHS Covid Pass to demonstrate proof of Covid-19 recovery when entering Turkey.
Remember that all of these rules can change quickly. You should ensure you check before travel.
