Latest travel rule changes in Spain, France and Greece ahead of half term

Latest travel updates and coronavirus PCR test rules for UK travellers heading to countries including Spain, Portugal, Morocco France and Greece this half term – and the UK travel rules changing this week

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Travel rules for going to Spain? Everything you need to know

A wave of new travel changes have come into force ahead of the half term holidays in popular destinations including Spain, Greece, France and Morocco, from the end of travel bans to new PCR test changes.

There’s an increasing number of countries scrapping Covid test rules for vaccinated travellers while a new EU rule has seen the likes of Spain and France tightening up the definition of what they consider as fully vaccinated.

Under the new definition, you’ll need to have been double jabbed in the last 270 days before travel, otherwise you’ll need a booster jab in order to be considered as fully vaccinated.

Meanwhile the UK’s travel rules are changing this week. The UK government revealed that from 4am on Friday 11, fully vaccinated arrivals in the UK will no longer be required to take PCR tests, meaning all you’ll need to do is fill out a pre-departure form.

As for those who are unvaccinated or partially vaccinated, the current requirement to self-isolate for 10 days will be scrapped, as will day eight Covid tests. This means that unvaccinated arrivals will need to just take two tests; one pre-departure, one post-arrival.

To give you a helping hand we’ve rounded up all the latest travel changes at the biggest holiday hotspots below…

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Travel rules for Spain

Fully vaccinated Brits can visit Spain for holidays. This applies to anyone aged 12 or over – which means unvaccinated children aged 12-17 won’t be able to visit under the new rules.

The country also has new booster jab requirements which mean that if you completed your vaccination course over nine months ago, you’ll need a booster jab to be considered fully vaccinated.

All UK travellers will also need to fill out a pre-travel form and obtain a QR code to show at border control.

The rules also apply for Brits heading to the Canary Islands and the Balearics.

Travel requirements for Portugal

Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated travellers aged 12 or over will need to have a negative Covid test to visit Portugal. This can be either a PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure, or a lateral flow test taken within 24 hours of departure.

Fully vaccinated travellers are exempt from Covid test requirements.

All travellers also need to complete a pre-departure passenger locator form online.

If you completed your vaccination course over nine months ago, you’ll need a booster jab to be considered fully vaccinated.

Greece entry requirements

Greece is open to both vaccinated and unvaccinated Brits.

Anyone over the age of 12 will need to fill out a pre-departure passenger locator form.

If you’re unvaccinated or partially vaccinated, you will need to show proof of a negative Covid test result. PCR tests can be taken within 72 hours of arrival, or antigen tests within 48 hours of arrival.

Fully vaccinated travellers will be exempt from Covid test requirements.

Travel requirements for France

Only fully vaccinated Brits can visit for holidays without needing to quarantine but you will need a negative Covid test result taken within 48 hours before departure. It’s worth noting the country is set to ditch Covid test rules within days.

Unvaccinated travellers need an essential reason to visit.

There are also new booster jab requirements if you were vaccinated over 270 days ago.

All passengers will also need to sign a ‘sworn statement’ confirming they are not showing symptoms of coronavirus, nor have they been in contact with a confirmed case within 14 days before travel to France.

Morocco travel restrictions

Morocco has lifted a travel ban on UK travellers.

You’ll need to show proof of full Covid vaccination (aka your course being completed at least two weeks before travel), as well as proof of a negative PCR test result from within 48 hours before boarding.

Children under the age of 6 are exempt from the pre-travel PCR test requirement, and children under the age of 18 are exempt from the requirement to present a vaccine pass.

All passengers will also need sign a passenger health form before arrival in Morocco – this needs to be printed and signed before you travel.

There is also lateral flow testing on arrival, as well as random PCR testing.

Are you planning a holiday or do travel rules put you off? Let us know in the comments below.