Since the most recent set of changes introduced by the government, international travel has become much easier.
This is after restrictions and measures were relaxed, meaning Brits don’t have to follow as many Covid-related rules in many circumstances.
One of the changes saw the red list being scrapped, meaning every country is now on England’s ‘rest of the world’ list.
Read more: The latest travel news
However, other countries assess the Covid situation in the UK separately and have introduced their own measures Brits have to follow when entering a certain country.
Here is the latest Foreign Office travel advice for popular tourist spots Spain, France, South Africa, Portugal and Greece.
Spain
(Image: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire)
All arrivals to Spain from the UK to present on entry a pre-travel declaration form and one of the following: a negative Covid-19 test; or proof of vaccination.
Evidence of the Covid test needs to show a negative result taken within 72 hours prior to arrival in Spain.
Whereas fully vaccinated people need to show proof of receiving last jab at least 14 days before arrival.
A medical document certifying that you have recovered from Covid-19 in the last 6 months prior to travel – is not currently accepted for arrivals from the UK.
All passengers (including children under 12 years old) travelling by air or sea must also complete and sign an online Health Control Form no more than 48 hours prior to travel.
The UK is currently on the French amber list and the entry requirements depend on whether you are fully vaccinated or not.
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France
Unvaccinated (or not fully vaccinated) arrivals in France from the UK will only be permitted to travel for essential reasons.
If you are not fully vaccinated, you will need to have an essential reason to travel.
Those who are not fully vaccinated will also need to present the following documents:
- a completed International Travel Certificate to confirm their essential reason for travel
- a completed ‘sworn statement’ (déclaration sur l’honneur) form self-certifying they are not suffering from symptoms associated with coronavirus and have not been in contact with confirmed cases in the preceding fortnight, and that they will self-isolate for seven days after arrival. This can be found on the French government’s website.
- anyone aged 12 years old or over must provide evidence of a negative test (PCR or antigen) taken within 24 hours of departure (first flight departure in case of connecting flight). Self-administered tests are not accepted.
Travellers who are not fully vaccinated will need to self-isolate for seven days after arrival, then take another PCR test following this period of self-isolation.
Children aged 12 years old or over who are not fully vaccinated and travelling with a fully vaccinated adult are required to present a negative test result (PCR or antigen). However, they do not need to provide an essential reason for travel, nor do they need to self-isolate on arrival.
Travellers who are fully vaccinated do not need an essential reason to travel to France and do not need to self-isolate on arrival.
And fully vaccinated travellers no longer need to present evidence of a negative test result before travel. Fully vaccinated travellers will need to present the following documents:
- a completed ‘sworn statement’ (déclaration sur l’honneur) form self-certifying they are not suffering from symptoms associated with coronavirus and have not been in contact with confirmed cases in the preceding fortnight. This can be found on the French government’s website
- proof of vaccination status
If you are fully vaccinated, you do not need to complete the certificate to leave metropolitan France, unless you are travelling to a country on France’s red list.
South Africa
There are strict health protocols in place for international travellers to South Africa.
You will need to produce a paper copy of a negative PCR Covid-19 test to border officials upon arrival in South Africa.
The test must have taken place no more than 72 hours before your departure. Children under five do not require a PCR test.
The UK’s Foreign Office advises that you carry several paper copies of your test as you may need to present it more than once on your journey.
If you do not present proof of a test upon arrival, you will be required to take a Covid-19 at your own expense and may be required to quarantine at your own cost.
You will be asked to fill out a health questionnaire on the plane before you enter South Africa.
You should not use the NHS testing service to get a test in order to facilitate your travel to another country. You should arrange to take a private test.
Greece
(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
If you’re travelling from the UK, you will need to have completed a Passenger Locator Form (PLF) before arrival.
The form is required regardless of the means of transport you use to travel to Greece (including by ferry, road, rail or air).
You will also need one of the following:
- proof of a negative Covid-19 PCR test, undertaken within the 72 hour period before arrival into Greece; or
- proof of a negative Covid-19 rapid antigen test from an authorised laboratory, undertaken within the 48 hour period before your arrival into Greece; or
- proof of being fully vaccinated against Covid-19 at least 14 days before travel (see Demonstrating your Covid-19 status);
- Greece will also accept proof of recovery from Covid-19 for entry purposes. Evidence of a positive Covid-19 PCR test result taken between 30 to 180 days of your travel dates can be used and can be demonstrated via the NHS Covid Pass.
These requirements are compulsory for all travellers above the age of 12.
Arrivals into Greece may also be required to undergo a rapid Covid-19 test on arrival.
And if you test positive on arrival in Greece, you (and those you are travelling with) will have to self-isolate in quarantine hotels provided by the Greek state. The length of time you need to self-isolate depends on your vaccination status.
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Portugal
If you’re fully jabbed or have an NHS Covid Pass, entry into Portugal is much easier.
You do not need to have a Covid-19 test to enter Portugal, however some airlines have not yet updated their requirements which you are advised to check.
You also have to complete an online passenger locator card.
However if you do not have an NHS COVID Pass or an EU digital Covid certificate, you must:
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take a Covid-19 pre-departure test before you travel (children under the age of 12, i.e. up to and including 11, are exempt). This can be an antigen test taken within 48 hours of departure, or a RT-PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure. You should not use the NHS testing service to get a test in order to facilitate your travel to another country. You should arrange to take a private test
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complete an online passenger locator card
All information is correct at the time of writing. Please check before you travel, and you can find the latest information on the Foreign Office website here.
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