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Daily Record

Lifestyle

Lucy Farrell

Five EU countries keeping Covid travel rules in place this summer

European Union Nerlands Portugal France Spain

In response to Covid-19 rates improving, most EU countries have dropped entry rules to allow restriction-free travel to boost tourism.

However, five EU countries will keep their entry rules in place for the rest of the summer, reports SchengenVisaInfo.com. These include France, Malta, Spain, the Netherlands and Portugal.

While these countries have managed to stabilise Covid-19, they continue to enforce travel restrictions. Below are the current Covid-19 entry rules for all five countries and who they apply to.

France

Travel rules vary depending on person's country of origin.
Travellers from green countries - all EU and several third countries, must provide vaccination, recovery or test certificate.
Those who don;t present one of the above must take a PCR or rapid antigen test..
Similar to green, people from France's orange listed countries who are fully vaccinated and recovered can enter restriction free.
Orange country travellers who are not vaccinated or can't provide proof of recovery must provide a negative test, as well as a compelling reason to enter France.

Malta

Travellers, regardless of their country of origin, must present a COVID-19 certificate, vaccination, recovery, or test certificate.
Test certificates must meet certain criteria to permit entry.
Those who can provide one of these documents do not need to follow any additional travel rules.
Kids under 12 can enter Malta without having to provide documents, regardless of vaccination or recovery status.

Netherlands

Covid-19 travel rules in the Netherlands only apply to those from third-countries.
Non-EU tourists must present a vaccination or recovery certificate upon arrival to enter the country.
Right now, those without either certificate from non-EU countries are banned, meaning they are not permitted to enter the Netherlands
EU travellers can enter the Netherlands restriction-free regardless of the vaccination status or purpose of trip.

Portugal

Both orange and green country travellers are subject to Covid-19 entry rules
People over the age of 12 must present a vaccination, recovery, or test certificate upon their arrival.
Portugal does not accept Covid passes from all countries, so travellers should check what rules apply to their country of origin.
Portugal currently recognises Coronavirus certificates issued by EU countries as well as tens of other countries
According to ShengenVisaInfo, these include: Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Australia, Benin, Cabo Verde, Colombia, El Salvador, Faroe Islands, Georgia, Indonesia, Israel, Iceland, Jordan, Lebanon, Liechtenstein, Malaysia, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Morocco, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Panama, San Marino, Seychelles, Serbia, Singapore, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Tunisia, Togo, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and the Crown Dependencies, Uruguay, the Vatican City State, and Vietnam.
The Azores requires all travellers to hold COVID proof. Conversely, while Madeira no longer enforces travel rules
While travel rules remain in place Portugal has lifted most of its lockdown restrictions.

UPDATE: As of July 4, Portugal has lifted entry rules for all travellers regardless of vaccination status.

A statement from tourism site Visit Portugal read: "Passengers entering national territory are no longer required to present proof of carrying out a test to screen for SARS-CoV-2 infection with a negative result or to present a COVID-EU digital certificate or vaccination or recovery certificate issued by third countries, accepted or recognized in Portugal.”

Spain

Spain has dropped all Covid entry rules for EU countries, but tourists from third countries still need to meet certain entry rules.
All non EU-travellers must provide proof of vaccination, test certificate or recovery to enter Spain
Those who can provide one of these certificates can enter the country regardless of reason of visit
Travellers who do not hold an EU Digital Covid Certificate or EU equivalent will have to complete a Health Control Form
A vaccination certificate must show that the holder has completed primary vaccination in the last nine months or has received a booster shot.
A recovery certificate is acceptable as long is it proves that the holder has recovered in the last six months
PCR and rapid antigen tests are sufficient, with the former being taken 72 hours before arrival and 24 hours for the latter