There are still many travel restrictions in place as we come out of the Covid-19 pandemic and there are likely to be some in place for the foreseeable future. In many places, requirements for testing are relaxed or waived altogether for people that are vaccinated. However, this has led to a common misconception that you need travel vaccines to gain entry to any country, which is not the case.

It is still possible to travel to many countries around the world if you are not yet vaccinated and do not plan to be. Unfortunately, a lot of people are not sure what the rules for unvaccinated Covid-19 travel are and this limits their travel plans. This guide will explain where you can travel and what steps you need to take if you are unvaccinated.

Know which countries accept unvaccinated travellers

Although some countries will not admit unvaccinated travellers at all, this is relatively rare and there are still plenty of places you can visit. Knowing which countries you can go to is the first step to planning your trip.  Currently, the following countries accept unvaccinated travellers:

Greece

Greece requires proof of a negative PCR test within 72 hours before travel, or an antigen test within 48 hours. Both tests must be from an authorised testing facility. You must also take tests on the second and fourth days of your stay.

Spain

Spain has recently dropped the requirement for vaccinations, as long as you can prove that you have recently recovered from Covid-19. You can get a Covid recovery certificate to show instead of your vaccination certificate.

Portugal

Everybody, whether vaccinated or not, is required to take a PCR test 72 hours before arrival or an antigen test within 48 hours of arrival.

France

France is now allowing anybody with a vaccination or recovery certificate to enter the country. If you are unvaccinated, you can also present a recent negative test result to gain entry.

Turkey

To travel to Turkey, you must complete an online form and provide either a negative PCR test taken 72 hours before arrival, an antigen test 48 hours before, or a Covid recovery certificate.

Croatia

If you are unvaccinated, you must present a PCR test taken 72 hours before arrival or an antigen test taken 48 hours before arrival. You will also need to fill out an online form that is shown at the airport with your test results.

Cyprus

Restrictions are a bit stricter in Cyprus. All travellers must take a PCR test in the 72 hours before arrival or an antigen test within 24 hours. Anybody over the age of 12 must also take another PCR test when arriving at the airport, and remain in isolation for around 3 hours until they get the result. You will have to pay for this. In some cases, you may also be asked to take another test at a Ministry of Health testing facility 72 hours after arrival, but the cost of this is covered for you.

United Arab Emirates

The UAE allows unvaccinated travellers in as long as they can provide a negative PCR test 48 hours before arrival. If you are travelling from the UK, you may be asked to do another PCR at the airport when you arrive, but this is not always the case.

Ireland

Since the 6th of March 2022, Ireland has lifted all restrictions on travel so you no longer need to show vaccination status, test results, recovery forms, or fill out a passenger locator form.

Mexico

Mexico also does not have any requirements for vaccinations or testing. You have to fill out a short form and then present the attached QR code on arrival. Sometimes, your hotel may ask you to fill out a health questionnaire too.

Sweden

Sweden relaxed restrictions on UK visitors on the 1st of April 2022. You are no longer required to provide proof of vaccination or a test.

Egypt

Egypt still maintains strict regulations about Covid-19 travel. You must show a negative PCR taken 72 hours before arrival or an antigen test. You also need to fill out a declaration form. Unlike most other places, Egypt does not accept a recovery certificate.

Bahamas

You must show a negative PCR test result within 72 hours of travel to gain entry to the Bahamas if you have not been vaccinated.

Cape Verde

If you do not have a vaccine, you need a PCR test result within 72 hours or an antigen test taken within 48 hours. You will also have a temperature test on arrival and if you are above 37.5 degrees you will be asked to take another test.

Seychelles

The Seychelles allow unvaccinated travellers to enter with a negative PCR test result within 72 hours of arrival or an antigen test 24 hours before.

Iceland

Iceland dropped all of their restrictions on 25th of February 2022, so you can travel as normal. There are also no restrictions on mask wearing or social distancing once you are in the country.

Luxembourg

Everybody that travels to Luxembourg must fill out a passenger locator form. If you cannot show proof of vaccination, you can show a PCR test result taken within 48 hours of your flight or an antigen test taken 24 hours before. If you have had Covid in the last year, you can show proof of recovery instead of test results.

Sri Lanka

You must show a negative PCR test result taken within 72 hours of your flight, or an antigen test taken 48 hours before to enter Sri Lanka without a vaccination. Only tests administered by somebody else are applicable, self-swab tests will not be accepted. You also need to fill out a pre-travel form and take another PCR test on arrival

When you arrive in Sri Lanka, there are restrictions on where you can go. You must remain in a tourism ‘bio bubble’ for a week but you will be allowed to visit certain tourist hotspots once your arrival test results come back negative.

Norway

Norway has also lifted all restrictions, so you can travel to the country as normal.

Costa Rica

Currently Costa Rica has removed all Covid travel restrictions. However, the government has warned that they could be reinstated at short notice, if necessary, so always check before your trip.

Cuba

Cuba stopped requiring test results or vaccination proof on the 6th of April 2022. But they are randomly testing people at the airport and if you test positive you will have to quarantine. You will be required to pay for this. So, it may be best to test yourself before you leave to make sure.

Denmark

Denmark has no Covid travel restrictions at all, so you can travel as normal.

Italy

Travellers from the UK that are not vaccinated must show either a negative PCR or antigen test result taken within 48 hours before travel. You also need to fill out a locator form before you travel.

Belize

If you are unvaccinated, you need a negative PCR test result within 72 hours of arrival or an antigen test within 48 hours. You can choose to take an antigen test at the airport on arrival instead, but you have to pay for this and you will need to quarantine if you are positive.

Slovenia

You do not need to show your vaccination status or a test result to travel to Slovenia from the UK. You just need to fill out a digital form and show it at the airport.

South Africa

Unvaccinated travellers must take a PCR test within 72 hours of the date of travel and present a negative test. You will be screened for symptoms on arrival and may have to take another test if you are suspected to have Covid. If you test positive, you will have to isolate for 10 days and pay for it.

These are the current rules for countries where you can travel without a vaccine. However, the rules are subject to change at any time, so always check before booking anything.

Ensure you have the correct certification

When you get to the airport, you will be asked to show all of the relevant certification alongside your boarding pass and passport, etc.

If you are required to take a test, you need confirmation of the negative results. This will be supplied by the test provider and if you do not have it, you need to contact them and request it before you set off on your trip.

When travelling to a country that accepts proof of recovery from Covid-19, you need a certificate to prove that you have recently recovered. If you have had Covid in the last 6 months, you are eligible for a recovery certificate. You simply need to provide us with proof of your positive test result and answer some simple questions. A certified doctor will then sign your certificate and you can show this at the airport to prove that you have recently recovered from Covid and you have some natural immunity.

Conduct thorough research on the country you are visiting

Every country has slightly different restrictions, both at the airport and while you are staying there. The rules are constantly evolving too, so it is important that you do thorough research. Find out what form you need your documentation to be in (digital or paper copies), whether you will be screened at the airport on arrival, and what happens if you need to isolate. 

Any mistakes will hold you up at the airport and could even result in you being refused entry, so make sure that you know exactly what the rules are. You can find an updated list of restrictions here.

Prepare for some restrictions (depending on the region)

Just because you can enter a country without a vaccination, that does not mean that you won’t be subject to any restrictions. Many countries still require vaccinations to enter cafes, bars, and restaurants. Other restrictions like social distancing or mask wearing are also in place in a lot of places. Before your trip, research the restrictions so you know what to expect and you can prepare for them.

Apply for your Covid recovery certificate today

If you are planning a trip soon, get in touch to apply for your Covid recovery certificate. Our process is very quick and can all be done online from the comfort of your own home, so it’s the easiest way to travel right now. 

Once you have your certificate, all that’s left to do is plan your trip and enjoy your travel experience!

Simple: Our fast 5-minute online application process means there is no appointment needed.

Fast: You will receive your Certificate within 24 hours via your email inbox.

All-In: You are eligible for a Certificate regardless of your vaccination status. Both adults and children over 5 are eligible.