The BA.4 and BA.5 covid sub-variant has been spreading through Scotland and Europe with Spain warning its public not to let its guard down.
While Scotland is recording high cases driven by the new variant, countries around Europe have also been experiencing a spike in infections. Local authorities in Spain have not ruled out bringing covid restrictions back and everyone must wear a face mask on public transport and in health care settings.
With this in mind and with many jetting off on holiday, tourists will want to know the entry requirements to popular holiday hotspots before boarding the plane to avoid disappointment.
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Spain entry requirements
As the Foreign Travel Advice states, if you are traveling to Spain you must show valid proof of one of the following on entry:
Being fully vaccinated. Your vaccination status must meet the Spanish authorities’ validity period requirements. See ‘If you’re fully vaccinated’.
A negative covid test: either a PCR taken within 72 hours prior to departure, or an antigen test taken within 24 hours prior to departure. See ‘If you’re not fully vaccinated’.
Having recovered from Covid-19 in the last six months. You can use a medical certificate or recovery record to prove your Covid-19 status on entry to Spain. See ‘If you’ve had COVID-19 in the past year’.
These requirements do not apply to children under 12 years old. See ‘Children and young people’.
Portugal entry requirements
There are no covid vaccination or testing requirements for entry to mainland Portugal, Madeira and Porto Santo. If you're heading to the Azores, you must show proof of vaccination or negative covid test.
If you have received a booster, you are considered fully vaccinated for entry into Portugal. There is currently no expiry date for booster jabs. If you are aged 18 and over and have not received a booster, but have received two doses of a vaccine, then no more than nine months must have passed since your second dose, to qualify as fully vaccinated.
France entry requirements
If you are fully vaccinated, everyone from the UK aged 12 and over must provide proof of vaccination. If you have received a booster, you are considered fully vaccinated for entry into France. There is currently no expiry date for booster jabs. If you are aged 18 and over and have not received a booster, but have received two doses of a vaccine approved for use by France, then no more than nine months must have passed since your second dose, to qualify as fully vaccinated.
If you are not fully vaccinated, you must provide a negative PCR test result, taken within 72 hours or an antigen test result, taken within 48 hours pre-departure. Everyone may also be asked to complete the EU-PLF form before boarding or upon arrival in France.
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