Five European countries have recently dropped entry rules requiring visitors from the UK to be vaccinated or test negative for Covid-19. They include destinations popular with summer sun-seekers and countries that are popular for city breaks. The changes make holidaying more straightforward and should make trips cheaper too as there is now no need to fork out for Covid-19 tests to visit.
According to SchengenVisaInfo, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Lithuania and Switzerland are the latest countries to drop entry restrictions. All four of the countries are in the EU, except Switzerland, which is part of the Single Market and the European Economic Area (EEA).
While the entry restrictions have been dropped, some of the measures still apply in some of them, like having to self-isolate if you test positive for Covid-19 while you're in that country.
Read more : Passport e-gates back open for British tourists in Portugal
Bulgaria
There are no longer any Covid-19 restrictions for arrivals into Bulgaria. They were removed on May 1. Bulgaria has also removed a requirement to present a Covid Pass to enter indoor venues. Masks are no longer mandatory, indoors or outdoors, but are recommended.
If you test positive for Covid-19 while in Bulgaria you will be required to self-isolate, as will any contacts you are with.
Croatia
"Travellers are no longer required to show a Covid-19 vaccine certificate, proof of a negative test, or a certificate of recovery to enter Croatia," the UK's Foreign and Commonwealth Office confirms. Croatia no longer requires masks and there is no Covid Pass system for entering venues.
If you test positive you may have to self-isolate until a negative test.
Greece
Since May 1, arrivals from the UK into Greece are no longer required to show proof of vaccination, a negative Covid test or a recovery certificate to enter Greece. However, you may get asked to do a rapid Covid-19 test when you arrive. If you test positive you and those you are travelling with will have to self-isolate for at least five days. Greece no longer requires a Covid-19 pass to enter venues.
Masks are still worn indoors in Greece. If you test positive at all in Greece, you will have to self-isolate. The FCO says: "If you test positive for Covid-19 while in Greece you must self-isolate for 5 days from the date of the positive test result. You may leave self-isolation after 5 days if you are no longer experiencing symptoms, otherwise you should continue to self-isolate."
Lithuania
As with Greece and Bulgaria, Lithuania ended Covid entry restrictions on May 1. The FCO says: "Lithuania ended all Covid-19 related entry restrictions on 1 May 2022. Travellers to Lithuania are no longer required to prove their vaccination status, recovery from Covid-19, have a negative Covid-19 test result on arrival or complete a passenger questionnaire. Self-isolation is no longer required."
Lithuania dropped its mask rule in May too. They are only required in medical settings, but you are still advised to wear one when close to others.
Visitors no longer have to prove their vaccine status through a Covid Pass to enter venues. The FCO adds: "Self-isolation is no longer mandatory for individuals who test positive for Covid-19."
Switzerland
There are no Covid-19 restrictions for entering Switzerland anymore. You do not need to be vaccinated, recovered or have to show a negative test to enter Switzerland as a UK passport holder.
The Swiss have also dropped all their Covid measures. The FCO says: "Switzerland has lifted all Covid-19 pandemic restrictions – there are no social distancing or mask-wearing measures in place. There is no mandatory isolation requirement if you test positive for Covid 19."
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