Hassle-free holidays are starting to become a reality once again after a number of travel rules were changed in Scotland last week.
Fully vaccinated Scots are no longer required to take any Covid test upon their arrival into Scotland under the rules that came into force last Friday.
Quarantine requirements have also been removed for unvaccinated passengers, but they must still continue to take a pre-departure test and another test within two days of their return to Scotland.
The Scottish Government has said that the changes to the rules will be welcome news to the travel and tourism industry in Scotland.
Here are a number of countries that fully vaccinated Scots can travel to without the need to test.
France
Fully vaccinated Scots are no longer required to show evidence or a negative PCR or antigen test to gain entry into France.
Travellers that had their full vaccine course (i.e. two jabs for a two dose vaccine) more than nine months ago must present proof of their booster jab.
Unvaccinated passengers will only be allowed to enter into France if they have an essential reason for travel. They will also need to show a negative PCR test or an antigen test for entry.
The above rules apply for travellers aged 12 years and over.
Tunisia
From tomorrow, fully vaccinated Scots will be able to enter Tunisia without the need to present a negative Covid test.
Unvaccinated travellers will no longer be required to isolate, but they must show evidence of a negative PCR (less than 48 hours before) or antigen test (less than 24 hours before).
Turkey
Fully vaccinated Scots are now allowed to enter Turkey without the need to test or quarantine under the current rules.
At least 14 days must have passed since your second dose of the vaccine, and it must have been approved by the Turkish Ministry of Health of World Health Organisation.
Unvaccinated people will need to show proof of a negative PCR test (take 72 hours before travel) or a negative rapid antigen test (taken no more than 48 hours before entry), or proof of recent Covid recovery within the last six months.
Portugal
Testing rules have been scraped for all fully vaccinated passengers entering into Portugal.
To qualify as fully vaccinated, you must have had a vaccine that is approved by the European Medicines Agency.
If you received your second dose more than 270 days before then you will need to show evidence of your booster vaccination.
Unvaccinated people must show proof of a negative PCR test (taken no more than 72 hours before entry) or a rapid lateral flow test (taken no more than 24 hours before entry).
Mexico
Mexico is open to all UK travellers with no requirement to take a Covid test or quarantine, the Mirror reports.
However, it is mandatory to register on the Mexico Vuela Seguro Platform before boarding your flight to Mexico, and to show the QR code upon arrival at the airport.
Spain
Fully vaccinated travellers are not required to take a Covid test or quarantine upon entry into Spain.
Everyone over the aged 12 and over must show evidence that they have received their vaccine at least 14 days before travel.
Passengers must fill in a travel form before travel and show the resulting QR code at border control.
Greece
Greece recently scrapped the requirements to take a Covid test for those who are fully vaccinated against Covid.
There is a chance that you may be subject to random PCR testing upon arrival at the airport in Greece.
Germany
Scots travellers can enter into Germany without the need to test if they have been fully vaccinated against Covid.
People can also enter if they show evidence of recent recovery from Covid or proof of a negative test if they are unable to show evidence of vaccination.
The rules apply for anyone aged six or over.
Dominican Republic
No tests are required for fully vaccinated passengers, but they must show evidence that they received their final dose no fewer than three weeks before their arrival.
Costa Rica
There are currently no requirements to carry out a Covid test or enter into quarantine in Costa Rica at the moment.
Travellers must fill out an online health pass within 72 hours before arrival.
Fully vaccinated passengers will be allowed to enter Costa Rica without having to buy mandatory insurance, providing they received their final dose at least 14 days before travel.
Switzerland
Fully vaccinated passengers will be allowed to enter Switzerland without the need to take a pre-departure Covid test.
Unvaccinated children under the age of 18 can travel with fully vaccinated parents or guardians.
Czech Republic
Scots that can show evidence that they have received their booster jab can enter without the need to show a negative PCR test.
If you have received two doses and have not yet received your booster, then you must show a negative PCR test result.
A passenger locator form must be filled out before travel.
Children aged 12 or under will not be required to test or self-isolate if they are travelling with fully vaccinated adults.
Malta
The Maltese border is currently only open to fully vaccinated travellers - with no requirement to test or to quarantine.
Your full course of vaccination must have been completed at least 14 days before your arrival.
Croatia
Anyone can visit Croatia if they can show one of the following: proof of being fully vaccinated within 365 days, a negative antigen test, a negative PCR test or proof of recovery from Covid.
Children under 12 are exempt if they travel with an adult that gets the above requirements.
Egypt
Fully vaccinated travellers aged 12 or over can enter Egypt without the need to test or to quarantine.
Unvaccinated people that are older than 12 will need to take a PCR test within 72 hours of arrival or an antigen test within 24 hours before arrival.
Hungary
Testing requirements have been completely dropped for fully vaccinated passengers in Hungary.
Your last dose must have been administered at least 14 days before travel to the country.
More countries
The countries listed above are currently the viable holiday options as they are open to UK holidaymakers.
However, there are other countries open to fully vaccinated travellers, although some do have other restrictions, or the Foreign Office advises against travel. We've listed those below, but always check the latest Foreign Office advice before planning or booking a trip.
- Albania
- Andorra (if travelling via Spain)
- Armenia
- Bosnia
- Colombia
- El Salvador
- Faroe Islands
- Georgia
- Honduras
- Kosovo
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
-
Montenegro
- North Macedonia
- Panama
- Peru
- San Marino
- Senegal
- Slovenia
- Sweden
- Ukraine
