You are probably already aware that adults who have been fully vaccinated for COVID through the NHS vaccination programme do not need to self-isolate when they return to the UK from any amber list country. Children are also exempt from quarantining as well.
However, each country outside of the UK will have its own rules to follow – both when you get to the border and once you make it to wherever it is you are staying (be that a campsite, hotel or villa).
Rules around testing and quarantine can change quickly, so it is important to check UK government and tourist websites for your chosen destination regularly.
To make things slightly easier for you, we have rounded up some of the key rules currently in place in seven destinations that are popular with UK holidaymakers:
France
If you are fully vaccinated you can enter France from the UK as long as you
- provide proof of your vaccination status
- sign a “statement of honor“
If you are an adult who is fully vaccinated, then you do not have to provide proof of a negative antigen or PCR tests result, but any children travelling with you who are aged 12 or over will do.
If you are travelling to France from either England or Wales then you can show the NHS COVID pass as evidence of your vaccination status.
If you are travelling to France from Scotland then NHS letters will be accepted. If you live in Northern Ireland then you can get a COVID certificate.
If you have not been totally vaccinated then you will only be allowed to enter France for essential reasons. Everyone who is aged 12 and over will also need to present a negative antigen or PCR test taken less than 24 hours before departure – with self-administered tests being unacceptable. You must also complete a certificate of international travel and complete 7 days isolation.
Greece
UK tourists are allowed into Greece at the moment, but they must complete a passenger locator form before travelling, which will give you a QR code that you need to save.
Everyone over the age of 12 who is travelling to Greece must also provide one of the following as well:
- a negative PCR test, taken within 72 hours of arrival, or
- a negative rapid antigen test, taken within 48 hours prior to arrival, or
- proof of recovery from COVID 9 i.e. a positive PCR result dated between 30 and 180 days before travel
- proof of being fully vaccinated at least 14 days before arrival
If you are travelling to Greece from England or Wales you can show the NHS COVID Pass as evidence of your vaccination status.
If you are travelling from Scotland to Greece then an NHS letter will be accepted. If you live in Northern Ireland, you can take a COVID certificate with you.
You may also be asked to take a rapid COVID test on arrival in Greece, and quarantine in a hotel for at least 10 days if the result is positive. You may also be asked to self-isolate if other passengers on your ferry or flight test positive.
Italy
Travellers from the UK to Italy will be asked to complete a digital form online which generates a QR code that will be checked before you travel, or by the border police. If you do not have access to an electronic device to complete this form, then you can use a paper form.
There is no need to quarantine if you can provide proof that you are fully vaccinated, such as the NHS COVID pass, and present a negative antigen or PCR test taken within the 48 hours before you enter Italy.
Children under 18 who are not vaccinated are exempt from quarantining as long as they are travelling with an adult who is fully vaccinated.
If you arrive in Italy without proof of your vaccination status and a negative result, or you are unvaccinated then you have to self-isolate for five days. You also need to get in touch with the regional health office to let them know where you will be self-isolating. You will also be required to take a test at the end of the five day quarantine period.
Every foreign national who arrives in Italy must also call the local COVID-19 helpline to inform them of your visit within 48 hours of arrival.
Malta
Only travellers aged 12 and over who are fully vaccinated can travel to Malta from the UK.
Children aged 5 to 11 can travel with a fully vaccinated adult but have to show evidence of a negative PCR test carried out within the 72 hours prior to arrival. Under fives do not need to take a test. Children aged 12 to 17 are only able to enter Malta if they are fully vaccinated.
If you are travelling to Malta from England or Wales, you can show the NHS COVID pass as proof of vaccination. If you live in Scotland, you can bring an NHS letter. Northern Ireland residents can show their COVID certificates.
Adults who are fully vaccinated are not required to take a PCR test on arrival.
Before you travel, you must complete a passenger locator form and a public health declaration form and show it to both officials on departure from the UK and when you arrive in Malta.
Portugal
Mainland Portugal does not accept the NHS COVID pass as proof of vaccination as yet. So, anyone who travels to the country must:
- show a negative result from a PCR test taken less than 72 hours before arrival in Portugal – or a lateral flow test within 48 hours (but not an NHS test)
- complete a Passenger Locator card
- be prepared to be temperature-checked on arrival
Children aged 11 and under do not need to take a test.
If you are travelling to Madeira, then you must complete a traveller questionnaire and submit it. You must also:
- take a PCR test within the 72 hours before travel and upload the results to the traveller questinnaire
- be able to prove you are fully vaccinated or have recently recovered from COVID
Madeira is accepting the NHS COVID pass as evidence of vaccination status, as well as an NHS letter for those who live in Scotland and the COVID certificate for residents of Northern Ireland.
Again, you should expect to be health screened on arrival and show proof of your negative test result or proof of vaccination.
If you are travelling to The Azores, and are aged 13 or over, then you need to
- complete a local questionnaire for Risk Assessment and Early Detection of SARS-CoV-2
- be able to show a negative PCR test result or proof of having recovered from COVID recently
- take another COVID test if you are planning to stay for more than one week
The NHS COVID pass is not accepted as proof of vaccination in The Azores yet.
Spain
Every UK traveller aged 12 or over arriving in Spain must be able to present
- a negarive COVID PCR test taken within the 72 hours before travelling
- proof of being fully vaccinated at least 14 days before you travel
You can use the NHS COVID pass as evidence of vaccination status if you are travelling from England or Wales, or an NHS letter if you are travelling from Scotland, or a COVID certificate if travelling from Northern Ireland.
You must also complete a health control form no more than 48 hours before travel if you are arriving by air or sea.
If you are travelling from France into Spain and want to cross the border, you may also be required to show a negative COVID test, proof of vaccination or proof of recovery from COVID.
Turkey
Visitors from the UK to Turkey must
- provide a negative PCR test result taken within the 72 hours before arrival
- complete a ‘Form for Entry to Turkey’ online form within 72 hours of arrival
- be prepared to undertake a medical check for symptoms of COVID, including tests for temperature
Turkey is currently on the UK’s red list of countries due to the concern about the high number of COVID cases there, with the UK government saying you should not travel there, meaning most normal holiday insurance policies are likely to be invalid.
Whichever country you are thinking of travelling to, Fit2FlyTest are here to provide you with the PCR tests you need to holiday with peace of mind, including a PCR Fit to Fly Test, Day 2 and Day 8 Testing Kits, and a Test to Release.
