COVID-19 testing requirements from the UK to popular destinations

Here is an overview of the key pre-travel testing requirements for UK citizens travelling to popular destinations as of 17 March, 2022. You should always stay in contact with your travel provider when travelling abroad from the UK.

Better2Know, the world´s leading private health testing provider, can provide you with the Covid-19 tests that meet your travel requirements.

Before you travel check the UK government´s website for current entry restrictions and requirements. They may change at short notice, so you need to monitor this advice for the latest updates. As an extra precaution when travelling abroad from the UK you should also check information and guidance from the country you are visiting.

France:

The full list of entry requirements for France can be found here. The key points are:

• Fully vaccinated travellers aged 12 years and over must present proof of vaccination.
• If you are not fully vaccinated, you need a negative PCR taken within 72 hours or an antigen test result taken within 48 hours of pre-departure if aged 12 years and over. Book your PCR swab test or Rapid Covid-19 Lateral Flow Antigen test with Better2Know.  
• You need to complete a ‘sworn statement’ (déclaration sur l’honneur) form self-certifying you are not suffering from symptoms associated with coronavirus and have not been in contact with confirmed cases in the preceding fortnight.
• Children under 12 are exempt from all COVID-19 travel restrictions but must still complete a ‘sworn statement’.

Italy:

The full list of entry requirements for Italy can be found here. The key points are:

• All travellers aged 6 and over must show proof of vaccination OR the following:
• Evidence of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours Book your PCR swab test with Better2Know.
• Or a negative antigen test taken within 48 hours before entering Italy. Book your Rapid Covid-19 Lateral Flow Antigen test with Better2Know.

• Or a COVID-19 recovery certificate that certifies you have recovered from COVID-19 in the last 6 months
• From 1 February 2022 you must have had your final vaccine within 180 days for your vaccination certificate to be valid when visiting Italy.

Greece:

The full list of entry requirements for Greece can be found here. The key points are:

• From Monday 7 February 2022, travellers aged 5 or over able to demonstrate full vaccination status will be exempt from the requirement to take any pre-departure test to enter Greece.
• If you are not fully vaccinated, you will need proof of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours. Book your PCR swab test with Better2Know.  Or you will need a negative rapid antigen test from an authorized laboratory, taken within 24 hours before arrival into Greece. Book your Rapid Covid-19 Lateral Flow Antigen test with Better2Know.
• The test result must be in Greek, English, French, German, Italian, Spanish or Russian.
• Arrivals into Greece may be required to undergo a rapid COVID-19 test on arrival.

Portugal:

The full list of entry requirements for Portugal can be found here. The key points are:

• Travellers able to demonstrate full vaccination status will be exempt from the pre-departure test to enter Portugal
• If you are not fully vaccinated, you will need a RT-PCR test which must be completed within 72 hours of departure by a trained healthcare provider. Book your PCR swab test with Better2Know.
• Or you will need an Antigen test which must be completed within 24 hours of departure by a trained healthcare provider. Book your Rapid Covid-19 Lateral Flow Antigen test with Better2Know.
• All tests must be carried out by trained healthcare professionals. Self-administered tests are not acceptable

USA:

The full list of entry requirements for the USA can be found here. The key points are:

• You must be fully vaccinated to travel to the United States by plane. Limited exceptions apply. Proof must be shown.
• Regardless of your vaccination status, a negative Covid-19 test result must be taken within 24 hours of travel. Book your PCR swab test or Rapid Covid-19 Lateral Flow Antigen test with Better2Know.
• Alternative documentation of recovery (past 90 days) can be shown.

Spain:

The full list of entry requirements for Spain can be found here. The key points are:

• Fully vaccinated travelers do not need to take a test prior to flying.
• Unvaccinated travelers over the age of 18 cannot enter Spain for tourism purposes.
• Information on proof of vaccination and a new 270-day validity period requirement will be enforced from 1 February 2022.
• From 14 February travellers from the UK aged 12 to 17 who do not have a full vaccination certificate must take a PCR test within 72 hours prior to arrival. Antigen tests are not accepted.

Republic of Ireland:

The full list of entry requirements for the Republic of Ireland can be found here. The key points are:

• Adults and children do not need to show any proof of vaccination, proof of recovery, proof of negative test or Irish passenger locator form receipt.

Netherlands:

The full list of entry requirements for the Netherlands can be found here. The key points are:

• A negative PCR test if you are aged 12 and over taken within 48 hours of departure. Book your PCR swab test with Better2Know.
• Or a negative antigen test if you are 12 and over taken within 24 hours of departure. Book your Rapid Covid-19 Lateral Flow Antigen test with Better2Know.
• You must be fully vaccinated to travel to The Netherlands. Limited exceptions apply.

Germany:

The full list of entry requirements for Germany can be found here. The key points are:

• Fully vaccinated travelers aged 12 or over must show either proof of vaccination, proof of recovery or a negative Covid-19 test prior to arrival. Book your PCR swab test or Rapid Covid-19 Lateral Flow Antigen test with Better2Know.
• You must be fully vaccinated to travel to Germany. Limited exceptions apply.
• All travellers entering Germany from the UK are required to complete pre-departure digital registration, regardless of vaccination status.

Poland:

The full list of entry requirements for Poland can be found here. The key points are:

• Evidence of a negative PCR or antigen test taken if you are aged 5 years or older within the 24 hours before entering Poland. Book your PCR swab test or Rapid Covid-19 Lateral Flow Antigen test with Better2Know.
• The test result must be in English or Polish. 
• A test can be taken within 3 hours of arrival at some airports.

Turkey:

The full list of entry requirements for Turkey can be found here. The key points are:

• Fully vaccinated travelers do not need to take a test prior to entering Turkey.
• For unvaccinated arrivals, a negative PCR test result taken within 72 hours of arrival. Book your PCR swab test with Better2Know.
• Or for unvaccinated arrivals you need a negative antigen test taken within 48 hours of arrival. Book your Rapid Covid-19 Lateral Flow Antigen test with Better2Know.
• Or alternative documentation of recovery (past 6 months) can be shown.

How can you obtain fast and accurate COVID-19 tests for travel from the UK?

Better2Know is a global private health testing company which can offer fast and accurate results for a range of Covid-19 tests.

You can be assured you will get the answers you need quickly and with accuracy. Our Patient Services team is here for you 24 hours, 7 days a week to guide you every step of the way.

You can test with a home sample collection kit, and we will provide you with an appropriate Coronavirus test for your travel needs.

If you are travelling abroad, you can choose our PCR swab test with a Fit to Fly Test and Certificate or our Rapid Covid-19 Lateral Flow Antigen test with a Fit to Fly Test and Certificate. Please note that from February 11, 2022, you will no longer be required to test for travel into the United Kingdom.

We also provide a range of Covid-19 antibody tests which will inform you whether you have produced antibodies in response to a previous coronavirus infection or from your vaccinations.

For full information on the UK government´s travel guidelines please go to https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice

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