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Now that many travel restrictions have been eased around the world, travel is becoming easier – particularly for those who are fully vaccinated with an approved Covid vaccine.
But how do the latest rules affect those who aren't fully vaccinated, and are any countries allowing tourists to enter with just a test? One of the most common questions we get is; "Where can I travel unvaccinated?"
There are currently a number of countries that will allow visitors who have not been vaccinated to enter. A few of them are in Europe and the others slightly farther afield.
Before travelling, we recommend regularly checking government guidelines both for the country you might be considering visiting and for the UK when you return.
You can find the full list of countries allowing people to enter without a vaccine below: These are correct at the time of writing but please bare in mind these can change at any time.
1. Greece
Unvaccinated travellers can visit the country with proof of a negative PCR test issued within 72 hours of arrival or proof of a negative Covid-19 rapid antigen test from an authorised laboratory, taken within the 24 hours before your arrival. This applies to everyone aged five and over.
Arrivals may also be required to undergo a rapid Covid test on arrival. If you test positive on arrival in Greece, you (and those you are travelling with) will have to self-isolate for at least five days, either at home or in a hotel (this will be paid for by the Greek state). If you have no symptoms on day five you will be allowed to leave quarantine.
The Greek government also ‘strongly recommends’ that you take either a certified rapid test, or certified PCR test on both days two and four after arrival into Greece. For holiday inspiration, see our guide to The Best Greek Islands to visit in 2022
2. Portugal and Madeira
Portugal's mainland and Madeira are now open to travellers who have not been vaccinated, as long as they can prove that they don't have Covid.
To enter mainland Portugal, you will be required to show proof of a negative PCR test taken within 72 or an antigen test taken within 24 hours of departure and complete and submit a traveller questionnaire before departure. Self-administered tests are not accepted. Your temperature will also be screened on arrival.
To enter Madeira, you must register on the Madeira Safe travellers platform and download a QR code to present to airport staff on arrival. You must provide proof of a negative antigen test taken within 48 hours of departure that has been administered by a trained healthcare professional.
Your airline has the right to deny boarding if you can't show one of these documents when you check in for your flight. We recommend that you check with your airline before you travel.
3. Spain
Unvaccinated adult travellers can enter Spain with one caveat:: they must have proof of having recovered from Covid in the past six months. Previously, only fully vaccinated travellers aged 12 and over could enter Spain from the UK, but the destination has relaxed rules slightly, meaning it is now accepting certificates of recovery from Covid for unvaccinated travellers. However, those who cannot meet either criteria will be denied entry.
As of 1 February, you will need to have received your second jab between 14 and 270 days before travel to Spain and the Canary Islands to be classed as fully vaccinated.
Children aged 12-17 no longer need to show proof of a vaccine, but will need a negative PCR test to enter.
Take a look at our Guide to Spain for inspiration.
4. Croatia
Unvaccinated travellers can enter Croatia with proof of either a negative Covid-19 antigen test, issued within 24 hours of arrival, or a negative PCR test issued within 72 hours of arrival. You will need to complete an online entry form before travelling.
5. Cyprus
Unvaccinated travellers to Cyprus must provide proof of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours before departure or an antigen test taken in the 24 hours before departure. Travellers over 12 must then take another PCR test upon arrival at Larnaca or Paphos airports, and remain in isolation until the result comes back (this should take roughly three hours). This costs €15–€19 and must be paid for by the traveller.
72 hours after arrival, travellers might be required to take a rapid test at a Ministry of Health mobile unit, which is free of charge.
Read our Top 10 Cyprus accommodation's
6. Slovenia
Unvaccinated British travellers to Slovenia must provide a Digital Passenger Locator Form as well as either a PCR test not older than 48 hours or a rapid antigen test not older than 24 hours. A positive PCR test result that is older than 10 days but more recent than six months old will also be accepted as a requirement of entry.
7. Turkey
You do not need to be fully vaccinated to visit Turkey, but you must be able to show proof of a negative PCR test (taken no more than 72 hours before entry), rapid antigen test (taken no more than 48 hours before entry), or proof of a recent recovery from COVID-19 within the last six months. Arrivals into the country should also show an online form completed 72 hours before travel and may be subject to a medical screening.
8. United Arab Emirates
You do not have to be fully vaccinated to visit the UAE. Unvaccinated arrivals to the Emirates must present evidence of a negative PCR test taken 48 hours before departure. Travellers arriving in Abu Dhabi will also be required to undertake a COVID-19 PCR test on arrival as well as on days four and eight, but are not required to quarantine.
Read our Guide to Dubai here
9. Mexico
Mexico does not currently require visitors to show a negative PCR test or quarantine on arrival, you will just need to fill in a form beforehand and have the QR code from the form with you on entry to the country. Resorts are also able to request guests fill in a health questionnaire on arrival
Read "Top Ten Hotels in Yucatan For families"
10. Ireland
Passengers flying from the UK to Ireland must fill out a locator form before they travel. They will also be asked for proof of vaccination or recovery, or to present evidence of a negative PCR taken within 72 hours before arrival in the country.
You can read our Guide to Dublin Activities here
11. Maldives
All visitors (except children under the age of one) must present a negative PCR test on arrival to the Maldives. The test and negative PCR certificate must be issued no more than 96 hours before departure. While those who are not fully vaccinated will be permitted to enter, they must self-isolate for 14 days and take an exit test before leaving quarantine. Fully vaccinated tourists do not need to isolate.
Read our Guide to honeymoons in the Maldives
12. Italy
Unvaccinated tourists entering Italy from the UK must fill in a locator form and show a negative PCR test taken within 48 hours before entering Italy or a negative lateral flow test taken within 24 hours before entering. They then need to notify the Prevention Department of the local health authority of your entry into Italy, travel to their final destination in Italy by private transport only and self isolate for five days. At the end of the five days, they must take another PCR or lateral flow test to leave quarantine.
Our recommended Wine Tasting Tours Guide can be found here
13. Sweden
Sweden currently has an entry ban in place for unvaccinated non-EU citizens, until 31 March 2022. However, if you can prove that you are exempt from Sweden’s current entry ban under another exemption you may be able to enter.
Those who are unvaccinated will be able to enter if they can show proof of a negative PCR or antigen test (taken no more than 72 hours before entry). Proof of previous Covid infection will not be accepted for entry to Sweden.
14. Seychelles
Travellers are able to enter Seychelles regardless of vaccination status, but must present a negative PCR test, taken within 72 hours prior to departure, and must stay in approved accommodation. There is no requirement to quarantine on arrival.
15. Bahamas
Unvaccinated travellers aged 12 and over must show a negative PCR test taken no more than 72 hours prior to the date of arrival to The Bahamas.
16. Egypt
All travellers to Egypt must complete a declaration form before entering the country. Unvaccinated travellers are required to show either a negative PCR test, taken no more than 72 hours before arrival in Egypt, or a rapid antigen test, taken no more than 24 hours before arrival in Egypt. Proof of COVID-19 recovery will not be accepted. Passengers arriving from London Heathrow only are permitted to have their PCR test conducted no more than 96 hours prior to arrival in Egypt.
17. Cape Verde
You do not need to be fully vaccinated to enter Cape Verde, but you do need to be able to prove that you don't have Covid, either with a negative PCR test taken 72 hours before departure or a lateral flow test taken 48 hours before departure. Your temperature will be taken on arrival, and if it's higher than 37.5°C you may need to do another test.
18. Iceland
On 25 February 2022 all Covid restrictions were removed, including domestic rules. This means you do not need to test or show proof of vaccination status to enter the country.
Read Our Favourite Places To Stay In Iceland
19. Luxembourg
All travellers to Luxembourg need to fill in a passenger locator form before their flight. Those who are not vaccinated need to show proof of a negative PCR test taken no more than 72 hours before their flight, or a negative lateral flow test taken no more than 48 hours before. If you’re not fully vaccinated but have tested positive for Covid in the last year you can show proof of recovery to enter.
20. Norway
The travel restrictions upon entry into Norway have been lifted, which means that the same rules as before the pandemic now apply.
21. Sri Lanka
All travellers should present a pre-travel health registration form before entering Sri Lanka. Covid travel insurance is mandatory for all visitors, and unvaccinated travellers need to show proof of a negative PCR test taken no more than 72 hours before their flight, or a negative lateral flow test taken no more than 48 hours before – be aware that self-swab tests are not recognised. In Sri Lanka, you will need to stay in a ‘Tourism Bio Bubble’ for seven days after arrival, although you will be allowed to visit approved tourist sites and use all facilities of the hotel upon negative results of the on-arrival PCR test.
22. South Africa
Travellers to South Africa must present proof of a negative PCR test taken no more than 72 hours before departure. You may be screened on arrival, and will be expected to take a Covid test at your own cost if you display any symptoms. If the result is positive, you will need to isolate for 10 days at your own cost.
You can book package holidays and destinations in all of the above destinations and get guidance on visas etc at gemmamasterson.inteletravel.uk or you can contact me using any method on www.gemzlifestyle.com
Do I have to quarantine when returning to the UK?
It depends where in the UK you return to. As of Thursday 24 February 2022, unvaccinated travellers need to take a PCR test on or before day two of their return, but are no longer legally required to quarantine in England, even if the result is positive. Scotland is advising people to stay home if they receive a positive Covid test result, while Wales and Northern Ireland are yet to announce that they will be lifting the requirement to isolate.