After years of delays due to Covid-19, many people have booked long-awaited summer vacations.
While some are heading to sunny destinations abroad, others may have opted for a stay somewhere stunning across Britain. But if you’ve booked a vacation abroad, it’s important to know exactly what you need to do before boarding the plane.
Coronavirus restrictions are different for each country, with some requiring proof of a negative test or proof of vaccination. In other countries all Covid restrictions and requirements have been lifted, but it’s important you have all the latest information, reports the Liverpool Echo.
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With that in mind, here’s the latest Foreign Office travel advice for Spain, France, Turkey, Portugal, and more.
Turkey
Coronavirus
As of June 1, all Covid-19 restrictions in Turkey have been lifted and passengers arriving in Turkey are no longer required to show proof of vaccination or negative PCR test results.
Safety and security
The FCDO advises against any travel to:
- areas within 10 km of the border with Syria
The FCDO advises against all travel, except essential, to:
- Sirnak
- Hakkari Province
Portugal
Coronavirus
There are no longer any vaccination, test or Covid-19 passenger locator form requirements for entry into mainland Portugal, Madeira and the Azores.
Natural disasters
Portuguese civil protection authorities in the Azores are monitoring an increase in seismic activity on the island of São Jorge. Mainland Portugal is on high alert due to an increased risk of forest fires. Measures in place include prohibiting:
- Walk or stay in wooded areas, including forest, woodland, and rural trails
- Burn garden and other agricultural waste
- Clearing agricultural land using burning
- Use of garden and farm machinery in or near wooded areas
- Launch a firework
Greece
Coronavirus
Passengers arriving in Greece do not need to present proof of Covid vaccination, a negative Covid test or a Covid recovery certificate. You do not need to complete a Passenger Locator Form (PLF). Travelers are still required to wear a mask on public transport.
Natural disasters
Forest fires often occur during the summer months throughout Greece due to dry/hot weather. Current weather conditions (extreme heat and high winds) mean fires are more likely. The Civil Protection Authority publishes a daily map detailing the fire risk by area (1 = low risk to 5 = emergency).
In the event of forest fires, the situation on the ground can change quickly, so you should keep up to date with official advice and alerts by subscribing to the Civil Protection SMS or email service, or via “112 Greece” on Twitter (to translate into English, click on the tweet and press ‘Translate Tweet’).
Spain
Coronavirus
If you are traveling to Spain, you must show valid proof of one of the following upon entry:
-
being fully vaccinated. Your vaccination status must meet the validity period requirements of the Spanish authorities.
-
a negative Covid-19 test: either a PCR carried out within 72 hours before departure or an antigen test carried out within 24 hours before departure.
-
having recovered from Covid-19 within the past six months. You can use a medical certificate or recovery file to prove your Covid-19 status when entering Spain.
These requirements do not apply to children under 12 years of age. Travelers from the UK who can either prove they are fully immunized, have recovered from a previous COVID-19 infection within the last six months, or who are under the age of 12 years old, do not need to complete the Spanish Travel Health Check form. Anyone else must complete the Spanish Travel Health Screening Form no later than 48 hours before traveling to Spain.
Natural disasters
There is currently an increased risk of forest fires due to the exceptionally high temperatures in Spain. Be careful when visiting or crossing wooded areas.
Access to certain areas such as nature parks and nature reserves may be limited or closed accordingly. You should follow the instructions of local authorities and call 112 if you need emergency assistance.
If you need urgent consular assistance, you should call +34 91 714 6300.
France
Coronavirus
As of August 1, 2022, all Covid-19 travel restrictions for travelers to France have been lifted.
Natural disasters
There is currently an increased risk of forest fires in many parts of France. You should familiarize yourself with local emergency procedures and restrictions in place.
Be careful when visiting or crossing wooded areas. Access to certain areas such as nature parks and nature reserves may be limited or closed accordingly.
You should follow the instructions of local authorities and call 112 if you need emergency assistance. If you need urgent consular assistance, you should call +33 1 44 51 31 00.
Travel
The coming weeks are expected to see an increase in traffic between the UK and France on trains, planes, ferries and the Channel Tunnel, which could cause delays at times. Industrial action in France and resource constraints for tour operators could also lead to further disruption.
Before travelling, you should check the latest information with your tour operator or airline, including their advice on what time you should arrive at the terminal or airport to check in. Wherever possible, you should ensure you have a confirmed reservation before travelling. and make sure you are fully prepared for your trip, including the possibility of delays, with plenty of food and water.
Cyprus
Coronavirus
From June 1, 2022, passengers traveling to Cyprus will no longer be required to present any kind of vaccination or recovery certificate, nor a negative Covid test result.
Croatia
Coronavirus
Travelers are no longer required to present a Covid-19 vaccination certificate, proof of negative test or certificate of recovery to enter Croatia. Travelers are no longer required to complete an online registration form before arriving in Croatia.
Italy
Coronavirus
From May 1, travelers will no longer be required to complete a Passenger Locator Form (EU PLF) to enter or travel to Italy as a visitor. Since June 1, the Covid-19 restrictions on entering Italy have been lifted. Italy does not require 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 ferry, train or coach must wear an FFP2 mask to enter the country. Masks are no longer mandatory on flights to, from or to Italy.
Natural disasters
Parts of Italy, particularly in the north, are currently facing severe drought and could experience water rationing. Forest fires are a risk during the long summer months.
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