The Easter holiday season – one of the busiest periods of the year for tourism – is very nearly here. Millions of people will be eagerly looking forward to a well-earned spring getaway, with the opportunity to enjoy some sun and a change of scenery.
Although the tourism industry is returning to near normal after the worst of the coronavirus pandemic, different destinations still have their own entry requirements. This can cause some confusion among holidaymakers.
So, if you’re getting ready for an Easter break, you’ll need to know what the entry requirements are in your chosen destination. Here we’ll look at the travel rules for some of the most popular holiday resorts.
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Spain and the Canary Islands
Fully vaccinated tourists can travel to Spain without the need for a pre-travel test. If your second Covid jab was more than 270 days before you travel, you’ll need to have had a booster jab to be considered fully vaccinated.
Although tourists need to wait 14 days after their final regular Covid jab before travelling to Spain, there is no such requirement after having a booster vaccination. Spanish border authorities will accept the NHS Covid pass as proof of vaccination.
People who aren’t fully vaccinated from the coronavirus can travel to Spain if they can present proof of recent recovery from Covid. If you’ve had and recovered from Covid in the last six months, a recovery record or medical certificate will be accepted on entry.
Children aged under 12 are exempt from vaccination and testing requirements. Tourists aged between 12 and 17 who aren’t fully vaccinated can enter Spain provided they’ve had a negative PCR test within 72 hours of travelling or have proof of recent recovery from Covid.
All tourists travelling to Spain – including children aged under 12 – must complete an online health control form before arrival. The same entry requirements apply in the Canary Islands as in mainland Spain.
Greece
Tourists arriving in Greece will need to present proof of full vaccination (including a booster, if your final vaccine dose was more than seven months ago), a negative PCR or lateral flow test result, or proof of recovery from Covid to be allowed into the country.
Travellers who aren’t fully vaccinated must have had a negative PCR test result within 72 hours before entering Greece, a negative lateral flow within 24 hours, or a certificate proving recovery from the virus.
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France
Fully-jabbed people aged 12 and over must provide proof of vaccination and swear a statement to say they’re not experiencing Covid symptoms when travelling to France. Children under 12 are exempt from French travel restrictions.
People who are not fully vaccinated will only be admitted to France if they have an essential reason for travelling, provide a negative PCR test result taken within 72 hours before arriving or a lateral flow taken within 48 hours, and complete a sworn statement.
Unvaccinated arrivals who are aged under 18 and are accompanied by vaccinated adults will be allowed into France for tourism purposes.
Portugal
Fully vaccinated tourists do not need to do a pre-travel test to be allowed into Portugal. If your final regular Covid jab was more than 270 days ago, you’ll need to have had a booster to be considered fully vaccinated.
People who aren’t fully vaccinated will need to provide proof of a negative PCR test taken no more than 72 hours before travelling to Portugal, or a negative lateral flow test taken within 24 hours. This proof must be provided when checking in for your flight to Portugal.
Italy
To be allowed into Italy, tourists aged six and over must provide proof of vaccination, a negative PCR test result taken within 72 hours before arrival or a negative lateral flow result from within 48 hours, or a certificate proving recovery from Covid within the last six months.
All tourists heading to Italy are required to fill out a passenger locator form. Masks must also be worn throughout on flights to and from Italy.
Dubai
People who are fully vaccinated don’t need to take a pre-travel PCR test before travelling to Dubai. Arrivals aged under 12 and those who have a Covid recovery certificate with a QR code dated within 30 days of departure are also not required to do a pre-travel test.
Those with severe disabilities are also exempt from pre-travel testing requirements in the United Arab Emirates, including Dubai. However, arrivals in Dubai may be required to do a PCR test once they get there and to isolate while they await the result.
Travellers who aren’t fully vaccinated and don’t have a Covid recovery certificate will have to present proof of a negative PCR test, taken no more than 48 hours prior to departure. People who test positive on arrival in Dubai may have to self-isolate for at least 10 days.
United States
Most fully-vaccinated travellers are allowed entry into the United States. However, most will have to provide proof of a negative Covid test taken no more than a day before travelling to the US – whatever their vaccination status.
Fully-vaccinated travellers are not required to isolate upon their arrival in the United States, though it is recommended that they take a Covid test within three to five days of arriving. Arrivals who’ve recovered from Covid within the last 90 days do not need to do this.
Children aged 17 or under do not have to quarantine, but must take a test within three to five days of arriving in the US and should self-isolate if they test positive or develop symptoms. Children aged under two are exempt from testing requirements.
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