Testing requirements and travel rules are changing in February for Covid-vaccinated travellers coming back to England as flights begin to get back to normal service.
Coronavirus testing for fully-vaccinated travellers arriving in England will be axed, Boris Johnson announced.
Reduced testing and self-isolation requirements for people arriving in the UK will bring international travel “back to the good old days”, according to Transport Secretary Grant Shapps.
And the Cabinet minister announced that the requirement for fully-vaccinated arrivals to take a coronavirus test will be dropped from February 11.
Travel rules are also being eased for arrivals who are not fully vaccinated coming back to England.
They will no longer need to self-isolate from February 11, and the testing requirements they face are being reduced.
Mr Shapps noted that having two doses of the vaccine and no booster is currently enough to be categorised as fully vaccinated in the UK.
But he said: “Increasingly countries elsewhere are requiring the booster for you to go there."
Responding to the latest travel changes, airlines have welcomed the news as a return to normality.
TUI
Andrew Flintham, Managing Director for TUI UK said: “The latest travel announcement to remove testing for everyone is who double vaccinated is a huge leap forwards in getting travel back to normal. The relaxation of testing rules has already resulted in an increase in bookings, with customer confidence growing every day in recent weeks. We now look to the Governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to adopt the same approach.
“Many families look to go on holiday over the February half term, so we are delighted these changes will come into effect in time. Going abroad will finally start to feel more normal again and without the added expensive of testing."
Jet2
Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays, said: “This travel update is a real game-changer for the millions of people who simply want to get away to enjoy their well-deserved holidays. [The] announcement means vaccinated customers can once again book and travel on the normal, hassle-free holidays that they know and love.
"We applaud the Government for taking meaningful action to end a set of measures which were not only unnecessary but also ineffective in tackling the spread of the Omicron variant. This should now represent a permanent end to such restrictions, and we know customers will celebrate that news.”
Easyjet
And easyJet said in a statement: "Great news if you’re planning a trip away. The UK Government has announced that they will soon be removing testing requirements for fully vaccinated passengers arriving in or returning to England and Scotland.
"We hope you’ll be as excited as we are."
We've had a look at the latest travel rules for heading to popular European destinations including Spain, France, Portugal, Greece and Cyprus.
This is the latest advice and entry requirements for these countries from the Foreign Office:
Spain latest travel requirements
Before travel to Spain, everyone travelling by air or sea must fill in and sign an online Health Control Form. If you do not complete this form electronically, you may submit it in paper format before boarding.
On arrival into Spanish ports and airports you must show the QR code (hardcopy or digital) issued when you completed the online Health Control Form before travel.
The additional documentation you must present on entry when travelling from the UK to Spain is determined by your reason for travel:
- Tourism: you must show proof of 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).
You may also be subject to additional checks at the point of entry including a temperature check, visual health assessment, or testing on arrival. Passengers may also be contacted and required to undertake a PCR, TMA or LAMP test at any point up to 48 hours after their arrival in Spain.
If you’re fully vaccinated and travelling from the UK, you can enter Spain without needing to test or quarantine regardless of your reason for travel.
Under the Spanish government’s current measures, you can only enter Spain from the UK for tourism purposes if you can show proof of being fully vaccinated with both doses of a two-dose vaccine or one dose of a one-dose vaccine authorised by the European Medicines Agency or by the World Health Organisation at least 14 days prior to arrival in Spain.
France entry requirements
If you’re planning to travel to France you should consult the French government guidance:
From January 14, 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
Travellers who are not fully vaccinated will need to self-isolate on arrival in France for 10 days, subject to police checks. You must also provide:
- 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 Consulate 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.
The same measures applied to vaccinated adults are applied to any minors (under 18) who are travelling with them, whether vaccinated or not.
Unvaccinated minors (aged 12 – 17) accompanied by unvaccinated adults are subject to the same travel regulations as unvaccinated adults (PCR/antigen test less within 24 hours pre-departure, essential reason for travel, ‘sworn statement’, digital platform registration and self-isolation on arrival). Those under 12 are exempt from all Covid travel restrictions, but must still complete a ‘sworn statement’
Portugal entry requirements
You can travel to Portugal for any purpose from the EU/EEA, the UK and from some other non-EU/EEA countries.
If you are travelling from any other non-EU/EEA country, you can only enter for essential purposes, such as to live with immediate family members, or for professional, educational, health or humanitarian reasons.
Before you travel to mainland Portugal:
You must complete an online passenger locator card and be prepared to show a negative COVID-19 test result or your NHS or EU COVID recovery certificate (except children aged 11 or under).
You may have a RT-PCR or an antigen test. Make sure the test you choose meets the following criteria:
- all tests must be carried out by trained healthcare professionals. Self-administered tests are not acceptable
- antigen tests must be completed within 48 hours of departure. They must meet the standards set out in the EU common list of Rapid Antigen Tests
- RT-PCR tests must be completed within 72 hours of departure
You should not use the NHS testing service to get a test to facilitate travel to another country. You should arrange to take a private test
Your airline may deny boarding if you cannot show an appropriate test certificate when you check-in for your flight. Check with your airline before you travel.
The Portuguese authorities can deny your entry to Portugal if you do not have an appropriate COVID test certificate. If you are legally resident in Portugal, you will be allowed to enter but you will have to take a test at the airport at your own expense and you may be fined from €300 to €800.
If your test is positive, you will need to self-isolate for a period of at least 7 days at home or in a place indicated by the Portuguese authorities
On arrival in mainland Portugal:
Be prepared to show your COVID-19 test result or recovery certificate to immigration or security staff.
Your temperature will be screened. If it is 38ºC or over or you show signs of being unwell, you may be required to take a COVID-19 test and remain at the airport until you receive your test result.
Greece entry requirements
If you’re travelling from the UK or anywhere else in the world, you will need:
- To have completed a Passenger Locator Form (PLF) before arrival in Greece. The form is required regardless of the means of transport you use to travel to Greece (including by ferry, road, rail or air);
You will also need one of the following:
- Proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test, undertaken within the 72 hour period before arrival into Greece; or
- Proof of a negative COVID-19 rapid antigen test from an authorised laboratory, undertaken within the 24 hour period before your arrival into Greece
These requirements are compulsory for all travellers aged 5 and above. The test provider must be certified by the competent national certification authority of the country in which you received the test, and must provide you with a certificate of your test result, in Greek, English, French, German, Italian, Spanish or Russian. The certificate must include the name of the person, as stated on the passport.
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 5 days at home or in quarantine hotels provided by the Greek state. If you have no symptoms on day 5, or your symptoms have improved (e.g. having no fever for the past 24h without the use of medicine), you will be allowed to end your quarantine. However, if you still have a fever you will be required to continue to quarantine until your fever drops.
Travellers leaving quarantine are also legally required to wear an FFP2 / N95 mask, or double masks (at least one of which should be surgical), in all public indoor and outdoor spaces for at least 5 days after the end of their quarantine.
Cyprus entry requirements
The UK is in Cyprus’ Red category. All travellers are required to complete a Cyprus Flight Pass before travel. Passengers travelling to the Republic of Cyprus require a negative PCR test result taken within 72hrs before departure or a rapid antigen test taken within 24hrs before departure.
Results from the PCR test taken before travel can be in the form of an email or SMS, but the result itself and/or appointment letter must include the date and time when the test was taken. You should not use the NHS testing service to get a test in order to facilitate your travel to another country. You should arrange to take a private test.
If your test result is positive, you will need to wait 10 days before travelling 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.
After 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.
These testing measures are currently in place until 31st January: within this timeframe, precise rules are subject to change and passengers should follow any instructions given on arrival at immigration or airport testing facilities.
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