As the days begin to brighten, travellers can look forward to Summer trips away and holidays into Europe once again. Last summer strict rules were in place for those wanting to get away but now it’s a bit easier to escape to Europe. Whether it’s a city break, an Easter skiing trip or a beach holiday, those living in the UK can look more optimistically at their options this year. Gone are the days of colour coded countries and travel now looks easier than it has done in the last two years.

Vaccinated passengers have it much easier than those who haven’t got a jab and much less paperwork is needed if you have received your vaccine and boosters. Some countries are still banning those without a vaccine from entering. A holiday for most Brits is on the cards and we have listed the updated travel restrictions for France, Germany, Spain and Italy.

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Germany

You may enter Germany from the UK for any travel purpose if you are fully vaccinated.

Germany will accept the UK’s proof of Covid-19 recovery and vaccination record and proof of Covid-19 vaccination issued in the Crown Dependencies.

Travellers from the UK to Germany who are not fully vaccinated may not currently enter Germany unless they are a German citizen; the spouse/partner/child under 18 of a German citizen; a resident of Germany; the spouse/partner/child under 18 of a resident of Germany; serve in an important role; or have an urgent need to travel.

You can find out more about what classes as an urgent need to travel on the Gov website.

France

Fully vaccinated travellers from the UK no longer need to present a negative PCR or antigen test result before travel to France. Fully vaccinated travellers aged 12 and over must continue to provide:

• Proof of vaccination. Further details on what counts as being fully vaccinated can be found below
• A sworn statement (déclaration sur l’honneur) self-certifying you’re not suffering from Covid-19 symptoms and haven’t been in contact with confirmed cases in the 14 days prior to travel.
• France will accept the UK’s proof of Covid-19 recovery and vaccination record at the border.

Travellers aged 18 and over who had their full vaccine course over nine months ago and have not since received a Covid-19 vaccine booster must follow the rules for unvaccinated passengers to enter France.

Travellers from the UK to France who are not fully vaccinated no longer need to self-isolate on arrival. Travellers who are not fully vaccinated need to provide:

• A negative PCR test result taken within 72 hours or an antigen test result taken within 48 hours pre-departure if aged 12 years and over.
• A sworn statement self-certifying you’re not suffering from Covid-19 symptoms and haven’t been in contact with confirmed cases in the 14 days prior to travel.

You may also be required to take a test on arrival. If you produce a positive test result on arrival, you will be required to self-isolate according to the rules

Spain

Under the Spanish government’s current measures, you can only enter Spain from the UK for tourism purposes if you can show valid proof of meeting the vaccination or a medical certificate certifying that you have recovered from Covid-19 in the last six months prior to travel.

If you’re fully vaccinated and travelling from the UK, you can enter Spain without needing to be tested or quarantined regardless of your reason for travel. Your vaccination status must meet the Spanish authorities’ validity period requirements.

At least 14 days must have passed since being fully vaccinated (with both doses of a two-dose vaccine or one dose of a single-dose vaccine) before arrival in Spain.

There is no requirement for 14 days to have passed between receiving your booster jab and entering Spain. Booster jabs can be administered at any time prior to travel to Spain.

Spain will accept the UK’s proof of Covid-19 vaccination record and proof of Covid-19 vaccination issued in the Crown Dependencies.

Entry requirements may vary if your reason for travel to Spain falls into one of the categories listed as ‘essential’ by the Spanish government. More can be found out about essential needs to travel here.

Italy

From March 1, all travellers, aged six and over, who want to enter Italy must show one proof of vaccination or evidence of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours before entering Italy or a negative rapid lateral flow test taken within the 48 hours before entering Italy. They can also show a Covid-19 recovery certificate, certifying that you have recovered from Covid-19 in the last 6 months.

If you cannot present evidence of vaccination or a negative test or a Covid-19 recovery certificate, they will need to travel to their final destination in Italy by private transport, remain in self-isolation for five days and take another PCR or rapid lateral flow test at the end of the five days’ self-isolation. If the test is negative, you can leave self-isolation.

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