As people think about finally booking their long-awaited holiday - be it somewhere in the USA or closer to home - there's a lot more work that needs to go into planning holidays thanks to Covid.
Before the virus began spreading, many of us didn't have to look up the rules of each country and think about a vaccine certificate however this is now the new norm if we want some peace away from home.
In a recent travel update for Portugal today, (February 3), the Council of Ministers announced that those entering the country will no longer need "to present proof of a negative result for those who present covid digital certificate of the EU in any of its forms or other proof of vaccination that has been recognised."
Previously the rules stated that all passengers arriving in the tourist hotspot by air must present a negative covid test, a certificate of vaccination or a certificate of recovery on arrival.
But when it comes to other countries such as Spain, Cyprus and France - what are their rules?
Covid rules when travelling from the UK to Spain
Rules for the sunny Spanish destination changed this month on February 1 2022.
This now means that tourists must be vaccinated and will also need to fill out a form providing their reason for travelling.
Proof of recovery from covid - or a negative test - will not be accepted for UK travellers however you may be subjected to testing upon arrival.
Spain will now only allow people who have had a full course of the vaccine within the past nine months - or 270 days.
This means that anyone who has been given their last dose of the Covid vaccine more than nine months will need a booster jab to enter Spain.
This must have been given at least 14 days prior to your travel date and proof will be needed.
These rules apply to all those aged 12 and over.
Fully vaccinated children aged 12 to 15 can request an NHS COVID Pass letter for international travel.
The country's official travel website Safe Spain has said that in order to "travel to Spain with a vaccination certificate, the certificate must have been issued by the competent authorities of the country of origin at least 14 days after the date of administration of the last dose of the full course of vaccination, as long as the final dose of that course of vaccination was no more than 270 days ago."
Covid rules when travelling from the UK to Cyrpus
Anyone wanting to travel to Cyprus will need to show proof of a negative pre-departure test taken within 72 hours or flying.
Alternatively people can also take an antigen test however this must be taken with 24 hours of departure.
In addition, everyone must undergo an additional PCR test at the airport after arrival and must complete a Cyprus Flight Pass before travelling.
This is because the UK is currently on Cyprus' red list.
The Gov.uk website states that if your test result is positive, "you will need to wait 10 days before travel-ling to Cyprus. Upon arrival, all travellers aged 12 and above must also take a PCR test at the airport . The cost of the airport test (€15 - €19) is borne by the passenger. Test results should be available within three hours through the online platform. You must self-isolate in your accommodation until the result is available. If your result is positive, you must remain self-isolated and await instructions from the Ministry of Health."
It adds: "72 hours after arrival in Cyprus, travellers may be required to undergo a rapid test at a mobile unit of the Ministry of Health and send the result to the email: monada2@mphs.moh.gov.cy. This is free of charge to those presenting a boarding pass at the testing site. You are exempt from this requirement if have received the 3rd dose of a two-dose vaccine or the 2nd dose of a single-dose vaccine."
You can enter Cyprus if you are not fully vaccinated but must follow the requirements for coronavirus testing before and after your arrival in Cyprus and completion of the Cyprus flight pass.
Children aged 11 and under are exempted from the testing requirement. Children aged 12 and over who have not completed a full vaccination programme need to follow the guidance for unvaccinated adults.
Covid rules when travelling from the UK to France
After a month-long ban due to covid fears over the omicron variant, France finally re-opened their borders meaning tourists are now welcome and won't need an 'essential' reason to visit.
Travellers will be required to do a test on their way to France with rules eased for the return flight thanks to the Scottish Government scrapped all pre-departure tests.
From 14 January 2022, fully vaccinated travellers from the UK must:
- Present a negative PCR or antigen test result taken within 24 hours pre-departure if aged 12 years and over
Provide a completed 'sworn statement' (déclaration sur l’honneur) form self-certifying you’re not suffering from symptoms associated with coronavirus and have not been in contact with confirmed cases in the preceding fortnight - this can be found on the French government’s website here
You may also be asked to complete the EU-PLF form before boarding.
The Gov.uk website states that "travellers might be asked to take a test upon arrival in France, including at Gare du Nord for Eurostar arrivals. Anyone testing positive for COVID-19 will be subject to mandatory self-isolation for 10 days."
In addition, unvaccinated travellers must self-isolate on arrival in France for 10 days, subject to police checks.
- A negative PCR or antigen test result taken within 24 hours pre-departure if aged 12 years and over
- Contact details before travel to France, including the address they will be staying at, to the French authorities via an online form
- A completed international travel form to prove the reason for essential travel. This can be found on the French government’s website. In exceptional circumstances, the French Con-sulate in London may be able to assist with travel for a compelling reason not listed as an ‘essential reason for travel’
- A completed ‘sworn statement’ (déclaration sur l’honneur) form self-certifying they are not suffering from symptoms associated with coronavirus and have not been in contact with confirmed cases in the preceding fortnight. This can be found on the French government’s website
You may also be asked to complete the EU-PLF form before boarding.
Children under 12 are exempt from all COVID-19 travel restrictions, but must still complete a ‘sworn statement’.
