There have been huge changes in travel restrictions around the world over the past few months.
As we adapt to the new post-pandemic normal, countries including Spain, France and Italy have opened their borders to all tourists, vaccinated or not, and some countries have even scrapped mandatory face mask rules.
Even Australia, the country which held the world’s longest lockdown, has now also opened its borders to double-jabbed Brits. We have taken a look at the latest entry requirements into the UK’s top 10 holiday destinations to see what restrictions remain in place. You can get more travel news and other story updates by subscribing to our newsletters here.
Read more:18 places to spend the night in Wales that are like nothing else on earth
Spain
Mallorca, Spain, is one of Britain’s favorite holiday destinations
(Image: Getty Images)
Spain is one of Britain’s favourite tourist destinations, but up until recently, it’s maintained a strict no-entry policy for unvaccinated travellers. Anyone aged 12 or over can visit Spain provided they are either fully vaccinated against Covid, or can show proof of recent recovery. To be considered fully vaccinated, you need to have completed your initial course within 270 days before arrival, or you need a booster jab.
All travellers will need to fill out a pre-travel form, and obtain a QR code to be scanned at border control. The same rules apply whether you’re heading to mainland Spain, the Canary Islands or the Balearic Islands.
France
You can enjoy the cafe culture of Paris even if you’re unvaccinated, now
(Image: Getty Images)
Until recently, France maintained a strict no-entry rule for unvaccinated tourists. Fully vaccinated UK travellers can visit without Covid tests or quarantine. If you are unvaccinated, you will need to show proof of a negative Covid test result, which can be either a PCR taken within 72 hours before departure, or an antigen test taken within 48 hours. All travellers also need to fill out an online form before travelling to France.
Greece
If you’re fully vaccinated, you can visit Greece without needing a pre-travel Covid test. If you’re unvaccinated or partially vaccinated, you will need proof of a negative Covid test result – this can be a PCR test taken within 72 hours before arrival, or an antigen test within 24 hours. Proof of recovery from Covid will also be accepted.
All visitors may be required to undertake a rapid antigen test on arrival. If it’s positive, you will have to quarantine for at least five days in a government hotel, or at home. Unlike Spain and France, Greece has even axed passenger locator forms for travellers.
Turkey
Whether it’s a city break in Istanbul or a beach holiday in Antalya, Turkey has always been a popular holiday choice for Brits. If you are vaccinated, you can enter Turkey without a pre-departure test or quarantining.
If you are unvaccinated, you will either need proof of recovery, or a negative Covid test. This can either be a PCR test taken within 72 hours before entry, or a rapid antigen test taken within 48 hours before entry. Regardless of your vaccine status, all travellers aged six or over need to fill out an online passenger form within 72 hours before travelling to Turkey.
Italy
(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Italy took a huge hit in the early days of the pandemic, so it’s not surprising that it maintained some stringent travel restrictions for quite some time. Fully vaccinated Brits can visit without self-isolation or testing. If you are unvaccinated, you can either present proof of Covid recovery within the past six months, or a negative Covid test. This can be either a PCR taken within 72 hours before entering Italy, or a rapid lateral flow taken within 48 hours.
Unvaccinated arrivals who do not have proof of a test will be subject to five-day isolation. All travellers will need to fill out a passenger locator form before travelling.
Portugal
Cascais beach, near Lisbon, Portugal
(Image: SCU)
If you are fully vaccinated, you can visit Portugal without Covid tests or quarantine. If you are unvaccinated or partially vaccinated, you will need to present a negative Covid test. This can be a PCR test taken within 72 hours before entry, or an antigen test taken within 24 hours before entry.
All travellers need to complete a passenger locator form before travelling. Rules are typically the same for the Azores, but these can differ in some circumstances so check the latest Foreign Office advice before travelling.
Malta
Malta is on the stricter side of entry requirements when it comes to unvaccinated tourists. Currently, unvaccinated Brits need a negative PCR test result taken within 72 hours before arrival, and must undergo quarantine for 14 days on arrival. Malta does not recognise proof of Covid recovery.
If you are double vaccinated, you will not need to quarantine or undergo pre-departure testing. However, the country’s authorities have confirmed that from April 11, tourists from a red list country (which includes the UK) can visit without quarantine if they meet the Covid test requirement, or can show proof of recovery from Covid within the 180 days pre-travel.
All travellers need to complete a passenger locator form before heading to Malta, and show the QR code to board their plane and on arrival in Malta.
Cyprus
All holidaymakers heading to Cyprus will need to complete an online Flight Pass within 48 hours before travel. Fully vaccinated travellers can visit the Republic of Cyprus without quarantine or testing.
Anyone aged 12 or over who is not double jabbed will need a negative Covid test result. This can be a PCR test within 72 hours of departure, or an antigen test within 24 hours. Cyprus does not accept proof of recovery. If you are not vaccinated, you will also be required to take a PCR test on arrival in Cyprus. This will cost you between €15-€19, and you must isolate until the result comes back.
Children aged 11 and under are exempt from testing.
USA
New York – you have no chance of sighting the Big Apple any time soon if you are unvaccinated
(Image: Getty Images)
Double jabbed Brits can enter the USA without quarantining, but they must present a negative Covid-19 test taken no more than one day before travel. Testing is recommended on days three and five even if you are fully vaccinated. If you are unvaccinated, you cannot enter the USA as a tourist unless you meet an exceptional circumstance. Proof of Covid recovery is not accepted.
Australia
You can only go to Australia if you are fully vaccinated or have an exemption
(Image: AP)
For the first time in two years, fully vaccinated travellers are now able to enter Australia with a negative Covid test. This can be a negative PCR test taken within three days of scheduled departure, or a negative rapid antigen test taken under medical supervision within 24 hours of departure.
Unvaccinated travellers can only enter Australia if they have a valid exemption. Quarantine rules vary from state to state. All travellers must complete a Digital Passenger Declaration (DPD) within 72 hours of departure.
Travel restrictions can change quickly during the pandemic. Always check the latest Foreign Office advice for a destination before booking or going on a trip.
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