Unvaccinated and want to travel?

With summer just around the corner, and Covid-19 restrictions continuing to loosen, many countries are welcoming visitors again. However, some destinations still have restrictions and rules, particularly for those not vaccinated. So here are some of the top destinations to travel to this year and their requirements for unvaccinated travellers.

Portugal

If you’re not fully vaccinated, you’ll need to show proof of a negative PCR test (taken no more than 72 hours before boarding), a rapid lateral flow test (taken no more than 24 hours before boarding) or valid evidence of recent recovery from Covid-19 (see below) on departure to mainland Portugal.

If you’ve tested positive for Covid-19 in the last year, you can enter mainland Portugal with a certificate showing you recovered from Covid-19, no less than 11 days and no more than 180 days before you travel, in which case you will not need to take a test. You can use your UK Covid Pass to demonstrate proof of Covid-19 recovery when checking in for your flight.

Children aged 11 and under do not need to take a test or show proof of vaccination or recovery to enter mainland Portugal and the Azores.

France

Unvaccinated travellers must present a negative result of a PCR test less than 72 hours old or an antigen test less than 48 hours old before departure.

A recovery certificate is also accepted (positive result of a PCR or antigen test carried out more than 11 days and less than six months previously. This certificate is only valid for a period of six months from the date of the examination or test).

Children under 12 are exempt from these formalities.

Egypt

If you’re not fully vaccinated, you’ll need to show proof of a negative PCR test or a rapid antigen test taken no more than 72 hours before arrival in Egypt. Proof of Covid-19 recovery will not be accepted.

Children under the age of 12 can follow the rules for fully vaccinated travellers to enter.

Germany

Children under 11 year olds may enter if accompanied by a fully vaccinated parent. All permitted unvaccinated or unrecovered travellers aged 12 or over from the UK arriving in Germany need a negative Covid-19 test result. It can be either a PCR test that is no more than 48 hours old at the time of departure, or a rapid antigen or other test sample that is no more than 48 hours old at the time of entry.

Proof of recovery requires at least 28 days and no more than 90 days to have elapsed since the date of the positive Covid-19 test. 

Italy

If you’re not fully vaccinated, exempt from vaccination, or you cannot demonstrate that you’re fully vaccinated, to enter Italy from the UK you must show either evidence of a negative PCR taken within 72 hours before entering Italy or a negative rapid lateral flow test taken within the 48 hours before entering Italy.

Alternatively, a Covid-19 recovery certificate is accepted, certifying that you have recovered from Covid-19 in the last six months. 

Children aged 5 and under do not need to take a test to enter Italy. Children aged 6 and over must follow the rules for adult travellers.

Turkey

If you’re not fully vaccinated, you’ll need to show proof of a negative PCR test (taken no more than 72 hours before entry) or rapid antigen test (taken no more than 48 hours before entry).

If you’re not fully vaccinated but have recovered from Covid-19 in the last six months, you can enter Turkey. You’ll need to show evidence of a positive PCR test (taken more than 14 days and less than six months ago). You will not need to take an additional Covid-19 test.

You can use the NHS Covid Pass to demonstrate proof of Covid-19 recovery when entering Turkey.

Children aged 11 and under can follow the rules for fully vaccinated travellers to enter Turkey.

Please note, rules and requirements can change - you must always check the latest FCDO travel advice before flying.

We hope that this article proves that if you are not fully vaccinated, you still have plenty of options when it comes to holiday destinations. 

If you’re travelling this summer, make sure to book with Qured - with Fit to Fly antigen tests starting from just £12 and Fit to Fly PCR tests now just £59.