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    Let’s unravel the confusion and constantly changing travel requirements with COVID-19 testing.

    As we get ready to start travelling, let’s unravel the confusion and constantly changing travel requirements to the top 7 travel destination UK travellers will be heading out to namely, Portugal, Spain, Malta, Greece, Italy, France and Turkey.

    Vaccinations & Amber /Green Listed Countries

     

    If you have been fully vaccinated through the NHS with any one of the 3 vaccines: Astra Zeneca, Pfizer- BioNTech, Moderna, you do not need to self-isolate when you return from amber listed countries from July 19th with the one exception – France. This will also apply to children.

     

    Vaccinations & France

     

    If you are arriving back from France, you will need to fully isolate as well as take mandatory PCR tests on Day 2 and 8. Please note you can take a Day 5 Test to Release PCR to come out of self-isolation, but you must still take your Day 8 PCR test.

     

    The rules for travelling are constantly changing as each country manages to control the different Covid-19 strains that exist in their populations. (Currently France is seeing a rapid increase in the Delta variant).

     

    Travelling to Portugal, Spain, Malta, Greece, Italy, France and Turkey

     

    Each of these popular tourist destinations requires Covid-19 testing before arriving in the country and then have their own local rules and regulations both at the border and once you arrive at your final destination – Hotel, Villa or Campsite.

    These local rules and regulations are changing very quickly so please check the

    Foreign Office guidance  and government and tourist websites for your destination.

    FRANCE 

    France entry requirements:

    If you are fully vaccinated, you can enter France.

    You will also be required to show:

    • Proof of being fully vaccinated
    • A negative PCR test within 72 hours prior to your departure date or
    • A negative Antigen test within 48 hours of your departure
    • A completed “sworn statement”

     

    If you are under 18 and travelling with fully vaccinated adults, you will not need to self-isolate but need a negative PCR or Antigen test.

    Fully vaccinated people will only be allowed entry for essential travel but will have to agree to self-isolate for 7 days and complete a certificate of international travel.

    LOCAL COVID-19 RULES & REGUALTIONS

    • Face masks are required in all enclosed public spaces.
    • No requirement to wear a mask in outdoor public spaces, with some exceptions (gatherings, queues, markets, stadiums)
    • Children under 11 not required to wear masks

    From 21 July, adults will need a “pass sanitaire” to attend larger events, and from 1 August it will be needed for entry to a wide range of venues including bars, restaurants, museums, or to use some types of public transport including planes and long-distance trains.

    To obtain a pass sanitaire you will need either:

    • A vaccination certificate, illustrating that you are fully vaccinated (the French government will accept proof from UK travellers through the NHS App, by downloading or printing the document, or by presenting an NHS letter)
    • A negative PCR/antigen test result from the past 48 hours
    • A document (dated more than 11 days ago and less than six months ago) proving you have recently recovered from Covid

    Useful link:  UK Foreign Office travel advice for France

    RETURNING TO UK FROM FRANCE

    • You will need to quarantine for 10 days as well as taking a pre-departure test before you arrive in the UK (a Return PCR or Antigen Fit to Fly test)
    • Two PCR tests on return to the UK (Day 2 and 8)
    • When you return to the UK, you can take a test on Day 5 (Test to Release) to allow you to leave quarantine early.

     

    PORTUGAL

    Mainland Portugal entry requirements

    Do I need to quarantine?

    If you are fully vaccinated, you will not have to quarantine but will have to show proof of receiving both jabs from an EU-approved vaccines (AstraZeneca, Pfizer or Moderna). Please note that the second jab must have been administered at least 14 days prior to date of departure of travel.

    If you are fully vaccinated and travelling with young children from the age of 12-17, they will not need to quarantine but will have to have a negative PCR 72 hours or negative Antigen 48 hours prior to travel.

    If your child is under 11, they do not need to quarantine or take a PCR/Antigen test.

    If you child is over 12, they will have their temperature checked prior to arrival as well as the following:

    1. a negative PCR/Antigen test result
    2. complete a passenger locator card

    If you not vaccinated, you would need to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival and complete this form.

    Useful Link:   UK Foreign Office travel advice for Portugal

    The Azores entry requirements

    If you travelling to the Azores, you must:

    1. a negative PCR test result
    2. take additional Covid tests during your stay if more than a week
    3. complete a passenger locator card
    1. complete a local form

    Useful Link: regional government’s website

     

    Madeira entry requirements

    If you are an adult or over the age of 12 travelling to Madeira, you must:

    1. complete and submit the following questionnaire
    2. complete and submit a passenger locator card

    You will also be required to do one of the following:

    1. take a PCR test which is negative and uploaded to the traveller questionnaire
    2. be prepared to be tested upon arrival
    3. prove you are fully vaccinated or have recently recovered from Covid
    4. The NHS Covid Pass (England and Wales) can be used as evidence of vaccination status.

    If you are travelling from Scotland, NHS letters will be accepted.

    The NHS Covid Pass (England and Wales) can be used as evidence of vaccination status.

    Useful link: Madeira’s official tourist website

    LOCAL COVID-19 RULES & REGUALTIONS

    • Social distance of 2m (6ft)
    • Face masks must be worn in all enclosed spaces, and also outdoors where it is not possible to maintain social distance
    • Shops, restaurants and cafes are open but have reduced hours in some areas, including Lisbon and the Algarve
    • Public transport is at two-thirds capacity
    • Taxis can only carry up to two passengers, and the front seat should not be used
    • Cultural facilities are at 50% capacity
    • You can be served alcohol after 9pm with a meal
    • Beaches have one-way systems and sunshades/towels should be 3m (9ft) apart
    • check beach occupancy levels and avoid “red” or “amber” ones
    • Accommodation must have a Covid plan
    • Golf courses are all open
    • Nightclubs remain closed

    Useful links: 

    UK Foreign Office travel advice for Portugal

      Visit Portugal  

    RETURNING TO UK FROM PORTUGAL

    Portugal and the Azores are on the amber travel list.

    • Check the rules for returning home to England, Scotland, Walesand Northern Ireland
    • From 19 July, adults returning from an amber-list country no longer have to quarantine, if they have been fully vaccinated by the NHS.
    • The quarantine requirement is also being lifted for all under-18s.
    • Passengers will have to prove their vaccination status with the NHS Covid Pass.
    • Everyone aged 11 or over will still have to take a PCR test within three days before returning to the UK, and two days after return (aged 12 and over in Scotland). Children aged 5-10 will also need to test on day two of return.

    Madeira is on the green travel list.

    • You will not have to quarantine on your return, but you must pay for PCR tests before your departure for the UK and two days after your return.

     

    SPAIN

     

    Spain entry requirements:

    If you are travelling from the UK and Wales and are over the age of 12 arriving into Spain, you must:

    1. Take a PCR test 72 hours prior to your departure
    2. Proof of being fully vaccinated at least 14 days before the departure date

    This can be the NHS Covid Pass if travelling from England or Wales.

    If travelling from Scotland an NHS letter can be presented upon arrival.

    If travelling from Northern Ireland, they have introduced some interim travel arrangements before its official vaccine certification commences which must be completed 48 hours prior to your departure date to Spain

    If you are travelling into Spain from France, you will require:

    • Negative PCR test
    • Proof of vaccination (or proof of recovery from Coivd-19)

    If you are travelling to Spain via Gibraltar, please click on the following link

    Foreign Office travel advice

    LOCAL COVID-19 RULES & REGUALTIONS

    Each region within Spain has different Covid-19 rules so please click on the following link to get the latest regulations:

    Covid rules

    Beach rules

    Useful links: healthcare guidance for UK nationals visiting Spain

    UK Foreign Office travel advice for Spain

    RETURNING TO UK FROM SPAIN

    Mainland Spain is on the amber travel list as well as:

    • Gran Canaria
    • Fuertevenira
    • Lanzarote
    • Tenerife

    Please check the requirements by clicking on the following links:

    England

    Scotland

    Wales

    Northern Ireland

    From July 19th, if you are returning from an amber travel list and fully vaccinated by EU approved vaccine (Astra Zeneca, Pfizer- BioNTech, Moderna), you are no longer required to quarantine.

    MALTA

     

    Malta entry requirements:

    Malta will only allow tourists to enter the country if you are fully vaccinated by EU approved vaccine (Astra Zeneca, Pfizer- BioNTech, Moderna).

    If you are aged 5-11 you are allowed to travel with adults who are fully vaccinated and

    • A negative PCR test 72 hours before arrival

    If you aged 12-17 you must be fully vaccinated to enter Malta.

    • As the UK is not vaccinating this age group, this age group will not be allowed to enter the country.

    If you’re travelling from England or Wales, you can show the NHS Covid Pass as evidence of vaccination status.

    If travelling from Scotland an NHS letter can be presented upon arrival.

    If travelling from Northern Ireland, they have introduced some interim travel arrangements before its official vaccine certification commences which must be completed 48 hours prior to your departure date to Malta

    • Negative PCR test 72 hours before arrival

    You must also complete a passenger locator and public health declaration form before you travel, and show it to officials both on departure from the UK and arrival in Malta.

     

    LOCAL COVID-19 RULES & REGUALTIONS

    • Face coverings are still compulsory in both indoors and outdoors places
    • You do not need to wear them on the beaches (but the authorities are advising you do)
    • Two people together, with proof of vaccination, can remove their masks in an outdoor public place.
    • Two-metre (6ft) social distancing encouraged
    • Restaurants and cafes are open (six per table)
    • Nightclubs are closed

    Useful link: UK Foreign Office travel advice for Malta

    RETURNING TO UK FROM MALTA

    • You do not need to quarantine in returning to the UK
    • You will need take a Covid-19 test prior to your departure
    • Take a mandatory PCR test on Day 2

     

    GREECE

    Greece entry requirements:

    If you are aged over 12, you will need to provide one of the following:

    • A negative PCR test 72 hours before your arrival
    • A negative Rapid Antigen test within 48 hours of your arrival
    • Proof of recovery from Covid-19 (a positive PCR result dated 30-180 days before your departure)
    • Proof of full vaccination at least 14 days before your arrival

    UK tourists are allowed to travel but will require completion of a passenger locator form

    If you’re travelling from England or Wales, you can show the NHS Covid Pass as evidence of vaccination status.

    If travelling from Scotland an NHS letter can be presented upon arrival.

    If travelling from Northern Ireland, they have introduced some interim travel arrangements before its official vaccine certification commences.

    You could also be asked to take a Rapid Antigen test on arrival in Greece with quarantine in a hotel for at least 10 days if your result is positive.

    LOCAL COVID-19 RULES & REGUALTIONS

    • Face coverings are still compulsory in both indoors and outdoors places
    • Face coverings must be worn on public transport
    • Face coverings are still compulsory in both indoors and outdoors places
    • You do not need to wear them on the beaches (but the authorities are advising you do)
    • Two people together, with proof of vaccination, can remove their masks in an outdoor public place.
    • Two-metre (6ft) social distancing encouraged
    • Restaurants and cafes are open (six per table)
    • Nightclubs are closed

    ]Travel to and between most Greek islands (except Lefqada, Evia & Salamina) requires either:

    Useful link:  UK Foreign Office travel advice for Greece

    RETURNING TO UK FROM GREECE

    • Greece is on the amber travel list, so you do not need to quarantine if fully vaccinated
    • All under 18s will be required to take a covid-19 test three days before returning into the UK
    • You will not need to quarantine but must take a mandatory PCR test on day 2 after arrival into the UK
    • Children aged 5-10 will also be required to take a mandatory PCR test on day 2 after arriving back in a mandatory PCR test on day2 after arrival into the UK

     

    ITALY

    Italy entry requirements:

    If you are aged over 6 and travelling to Italy in July, you must quarantine for a period of 5 days when arriving (children under this age do not need to self-isolate)

    • You will also be required to complete an EU digital passenger locator form (this is available in paper form also)
    • Complete a PCR test or Antigen test 48 hour prior to your departure
      • Failure to comply with this will increase the self-isolation to 10 days
    • You will need to call the local Covid-19 helplinewithin 48 hours of your arrival to ensure they are aware of your planned visit
    • You will need to wear a Medical Mask on all flights to and from Italy

     

    LOCAL COVID-19 RULES & REGUALTIONS

    • You be required to wear masks in all indoor and outdoor spaces (where social distancing is not possible)
    • Social distancing of 1m (3ft)
    • Public transport is at 50% capacity
    • Beaches are open with social distancing in place
    • Shops, Museums, Cinemas and Theatres open with limited capacity

    Useful link:  UK Foreign Office travel advice for Italy

    RETURNING TO UK FROM ITALY

    • Italy is on the amber travel list, so you do not need to quarantine if fully vaccinated
    • All under 18s will be required to take a covid-19 test three days before returning into the UK
    • You will not need to quarantine but must take a mandatory PCR test on day 2 after arrival into the UK
    • Children aged 5-10 will also be required to take a mandatory PCR test on day 2 after arriving back in a mandatory PCR test on day2 after arrival into the UK

     

    TURKEY

    Turkey entry requirements:

    Flights to Turkey have resumed from designated terminals at Birmingham and London

    The UK government advises against travel to Turkey as it is a red list travel country

    If you are travelling to Turkey, you do not need proof of vaccination but must:

    • A negative PCR test within 72 hours of your date of arrival
    • Complete an online form within 72 hours of your arrival
    • You may be required to take a temperature test upon arrival at the airport

     

    LOCAL COVID-19 RULES & REGUALTIONS

    Turkey provinces are  split into four tiers:

    • Low to Very High Covid-19 risk
    • Nationwide curfews have been removed
    • Smoking is banned in public spaces

    Useful link:  UK Foreign Office travel advice for Turkey

    RETURNING TO UK FROM TURKEY

    • You will need to quarantine for 10 days at your cost in a managed quarantine hotel
    • Take a pre-departure test before you arrive in the UK (a Return PCR or Antigen Fit to Fly test)
    • Two PCR tests on return to the UK (Day 2 and 8)
    • When you return to the UK, you can take a test on Day 5 (Test to Release) to allow you to leave quarantine early.