France, Greece and Portugal are the latest European countries to relax COVID-19 travel restrictions
France, Greece and Portugal are the latest countries to have each updated their entry requirements for fully vaccinated travellers which will come as welcome news for many UK families wanting to go away for February half-term. Here’s what you need to know for each country:
France
France has revealed its plans to drop testing requirements for vaccinated travellers who are able to show proof of a negative COVID test on arrival in the country. However, they have yet to announce exactly when this changes comes into play (although it is expected to be soon). Until then, anyone travelling to France from outside the EU, including the UK, is required to show a negative COVID test result taken within 48 hours of travel, regardless of their vaccination status.
Greece
As of yesterday, you can visit Greece without prior testing if you’re vaccinated, as the country no longer requires pre-departure tests from those who have received a full vaccination course, so long as it was administered within 270 days before travel. Arrivals that have had their second jab more than 270 days ago will need to have had a booster.
Portugal
Portugal has announced that it is dropping its requirement to present a negative COVID test for air passengers arriving with a valid digital EU certificate or recognised proof of vaccination. Like France, though, exactly when the change is to be implemented is yet to be unveiled, but the current rules are meant to be in force only until tomorrow (9th February 2022) so this change could be imminent.
Generally, encouraging news that the world is beginning to head towards some normality of travel. Personally, I find those Portuguese regulations rather ambiguous.
My friends who live in Athens tell me that the city is worryingly quiet. Of course, they say that this is the off-season. Many of the shops desperately want some trade back as soon as possible, otherwise they’ll be in big trouble. The changes can’t come soon enough for Athens.