People are desperate for a trip to the sun - and this summer millions are planning to jet to European holiday spots to enjoy a well earned break. However, travellers need to be aware that even though the Covid pandemic seems to be on the wane, there are still a number of rules in place - and not being prepared could lead to problems.
So here are the latest rules for Spain, France, Italy, Germany and Greece - as put forward by the Foreign Office in liaison with the authorities in those countries.
Cyprus
As of June 1, 2022, passengers travelling to Cyprus will not be required to present any sort of vaccination or recovery certificate, nor a negative Covid test result. Entry requirements for Cyprus are the same for all travellers, regardless of Covid-19 vaccination status. Unvaccinated travellers visiting the north of Cyprus from the UK must provide a negative result from a PCR test, taken within 72 hours or a rapid test taken within 24 hours prior to entry.
Read more: BBC One Sherwood: Fans not happy at 'Notts Forest' reference in drama
Unvaccinated travellers are also required to take an additional Covid-19 test within 72 to 120 hours after entry. Fully vaccinated travellers do not require a negative test result upon entry. Travellers are considered fully vaccinated if they have received a booster shot or have received two doses of Sinovac, Pfizer Biontech, Sinopharm, Astrazeneca, Janssen, Sputnik, Moderna, Novavax, Covishield, Covaxin or Canisobio and 14 days have passed since the second shot.
If more than 270 days have passed since the second vaccination, you will be deemed unvaccinated. All travellers must complete a Passenger Country Entry Form before travel and, as relevant, you must upload your negative PCR test result or vaccination certificate bearing a QR code or proof of having previously contracted Covid-19 (in the form of a positive PCR test result obtained 30 to 180 days before the date of arrival). The traveller must also carry printed copies of these documents.
France
From March 31, 2022, fully vaccinated (see ‘Proof of vaccination status’ below) travellers from the UK aged 12 and over must provide proof of vaccination. France will accept the UK’s proof of Covid-19 recovery and vaccination record at the border.
The French Government recognises any vaccination certificates that conform to EU norms. This means your final dose must have been administered at least 7 days prior to travel for Oxford/AstraZeneca, Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna or 28 days after a second dose of Johnson & Johnson.
For travellers aged 18 and over, France will recognise them as ‘vaccinated’ for entry purposes if they completed your initial vaccine course within the last nine months. If more than nine months have elapsed since the initial course, and the person has not since received a booster, they will be considered unvaccinated and must follow the rules detailed below.
If the vaccine certificate shows a different name to the person's passport (e.g. marital/birth name), please also carry any supporting documentation (e.g. marriage certificate) when travelling. From March 31, 2022, travellers from the UK aged 12 years and over who are not fully vaccinated need to provide:
- A negative PCR test result taken within 72 hours or an antigen test result taken within 48 hours pre-departure. The French Ministry of the Interior website states that all children under 12 are exempt from all Covid-19 travel restrictions.
Greece
Passengers arriving in Greece do not need to show a proof of Covid vaccination, a negative Covid test, or a certificate of recovery from Covid. You do not need to complete a Passenger Locator Form (PLF). Travellers are still required to wear a mask on public transport.
Italy
As of June 1, Covid-19 restrictions on entering Italy have been lifted. Italy does not require any proof of vaccination, a negative test result, or a Covid-19 recovery certificate to enter the country, regardless of your vaccination status. All passengers entering Italy by plane, ferry, train or coach must wear an FFP2 mask in order to enter the country.
Germany
From Saturday, June 11, 2022, all Covid-19-related restrictions for entry into Germany have been lifted. You can travel to Germany for all travel purposes, including tourism and visits, without restrictions. However, if you are resident in China, you will need an important reason for travelling to Germany.
Spain
If you are traveling to Spain for tourism you must show valid proof of one of the following:
- Being fully vaccinated. Your vaccination status must meet the Spanish authorities’ validity period requirements.
- A negative Covid-19 test: either a PCR taken within 72 hours prior to departure, or an antigen test taken within 24 hours prior to departure.
- Having recovered from Covid-19 in the last six months. You can also use a medical certificate or recovery record to prove your Covid-19 status on entry to Spain.
Travellers from the UK who can either show proof of being fully vaccinated, or of having recovered from prior Covid-19 infection in the last six months, or who are aged under 12 years old, do not need to complete Spain’s Travel Health Control form. Everyone else must complete Spain’s Travel Health Control form no more than 48 hours before travel to Spain.
You may also be subject to additional checks at the point of entry including a temperature check, visual health assessment, or testing on arrival. Passengers may also be contacted and required to undertake a Covid-19 nucleic acid amplification test - NAAT (PCR or similar) at any point up to 48 hours after their arrival in Spain.
Everyone (excluding children under the age of 12 years old) arriving into Spain who have visited a 'risk country' in the previous 14 days must meet the requirements on the Spanish Ministry of Health Travel and Covid-19 page. The Spanish government reviews their 'risk countries' list every seven days. You may get a minimum fine of €3,000 if you do not comply with the requirements.
If you’re fully vaccinated and travelling from the UK, you can enter Spain without needing to test or quarantine regardless of your reason for travel. Your vaccination status must meet the Spanish authorities' validity period requirements.
If you have received a booster, you are considered fully vaccinated for entry into Spain. There is currently no expiry date for booster jabs. If you have not received a booster, but have received two doses of a two-dose vaccine or one dose of a single-dose vaccine approved for use by Spain, then at least 14 days and no more than 270 days must have passed since your last dose, to qualify as fully vaccinated.
Spain will accept the UK’s proof of Covid-19 vaccination record and proof of Covid-19 vaccination issued in the Crown Dependencies. Your date of vaccination must be specified and you need to have had a vaccine authorised by the European Medicines Agency or by the World Health Organisation.
Your NHS appointment card from vaccination centres is not designed to be used as proof of vaccination and should not be used to demonstrate your vaccine status. If you’re not fully vaccinated, you can enter Spain presenting one of the following documents:
- Documentation certifying that you have undertaken a diagnostic test and tested negative within 72 hours of entering Spain if using a Covid-19 nucleic acid amplification test - NAAT (PCR or similar), or 24 hours if using an antigen test.
- Proof of having recovered from Covid-19 in the last six months. You can also use a medical certificate or recovery record to prove your Covid-19 status on entry to Spain.
- If you're travelling to Spain for tourism purposes and have recovered from prior Covid-19 infection in the last six months, you can use the UK proof of Covid-19 recovery record or a recovery certificate issued by a relevant health authority or medical service to certify your Covid-19 status.
Children under the age of 12 years old do not need to:
- Complete an online Health Control Form before travel.
- Show proof of being fully vaccinated on entry to Spain.
- Take diagnostic tests prior to arrival.
- Show proof of having recovered from prior Covid-19 infection in the last six months
- Meet the requirements outlined in the Spanish Ministry of Health 'Travel and Covid-19' page, even if they have visited a 'risk country' in the previous 14 days
Read more: