When it comes to holidays, there are many stumbling blocks in relation to vaccination requirements for families with children. Many nations waive rules for under-18s, or under-12s, who are travelling with a fully vaccinated adult. But others do not. 

Malta has one of the toughest stances: while those aged 0-11 can travel with a vaccinated parent or guardian (those over five must show a negative Covid test) anyone aged 12-18 can only enter Malta with proof of full vaccination. 

Others impose quarantine on teenagers who are not double-jabbed. They include Canada, Germany, the Netherlands and Thailand. This is a particular problem for British families as children aged between 12 and 15 are only being offered one dose of a vaccine in the UK. 

Richard Dawood, a travel health expert, told Telegraph Travel: “As travel begins to open up, public health authorities really don’t know how best to handle the issue of reducing the risk of infection from arriving unvaccinated children: we all know children are less likely than adults to become seriously ill as a result of Covid, but the fact remains that they are still susceptible to infection and capable of infecting others. 

“While restricting entry may seem like the easiest option, it cannot be sustainable in the longer term, and a regimen of testing should always be made available as an alternative.”

Should you be planning a trip with children in the coming months, it is advisable to pay close attention to vaccination requirements – and related restrictions – should any of your party not be fully immunised. 

The following list is not exhaustive, but includes the most stringent rules or significant restrictions in popular destinations, affecting unvaccinated children. 

Canada

Unvaccinated (or partially vaccinated) travellers under the age of 18 are not permitted to enter the country unless accompanied by a fully vaccinated adult, such as a parent or guardian. Should they be allowed into the country, then the rules will depend on their age. 

Those aged between 12 and 17 will face 14 days of quarantine if they are not double vaccinated, as well as strict testing rules.

Unvaccinated under-12s will not face quarantine, but will be required to take pre-entry, arrival and day eight tests (unless under five). They cannot attend venues such as school, amusement parks or sporting events and they cannot use buses, subways, trains or other crowded transport. A handout provided at the Canadian border includes other rules that children must follow. 

Germany

There are strict Covid-related entry rules in place for under-18s here. Those who are 12 or under and not fully vaccinated can enter the country without a negative Covid test, so long as they are travelling with at least one fully vaccinated parent – but they are required to quarantine for five days. However, UK travellers aged 12-17 who are not fully vaccinated under Germany’s definition – two doses for children – are not allowed to enter the country unless they have an “urgent need”. 

Netherlands

Here are the most stringent rules among our neighbours on the continent. Children aged 12 and under are exempt from quarantine requirements, regardless of vaccination status. Those aged 12 and over must provide evidence of a negative PCR test result (taken no more than 48 hours before departure) or a negative antigen result (taken no more than 24 hours before departure), whether vaccinated or not.

Anyone aged 13 or over who’s not double jabbed must isolate for 10 days on arrival, even if they are travelling with a fully vaccinated adult. There is a test to release option after five days. 

Austria

When entering Austria you must provide either proof of vaccination, evidence of a current negative test, or proof of recovery. 

If you are not vaccinated, you will need to complete a pre-travel clearance form not more than 72 hours before entry to Austria and self-isolate for 10 days. Children are exempt. However, the Covid passport scheme in Austria means entry to restaurants and other indoor venues is restricted for unvaccinated over 12s.  

Belgium 

Travellers aged 12 or over who are not fully vaccinated must quarantine for 10 days on arrival (a test can end quarantine after day seven), even if with a fully vaccinated adult.

Poland

Unvaccinated travellers aged 13 or older face seven days of quarantine, even if travelling with fully vaccinated adults.

France 

For children aged 12-17 (as well as adults) a “pass sanitaire” is required for entry to a range of venues. This must fulfil one of three criteria: proof of full vaccination, a recent negative Covid test or proof of recovery from Covid. Most children this age will not have received both vaccinations. As such, children this age may need to take regular tests to enter places such as restaurants and museums. 

Romania

Unvaccinated children aged 16-17 may face 14 days of self-isolation. 

Slovakia

Only fully vaccinated UK travellers are permitted to enter, this includes under-18s. 

Cyprus

Children aged 12 or over who are not fully vaccinated will be subject to the same rules as unvaccinated adults, this includes: test before departure and test on arrival. 

Israel

Israel opened up to fully vaccinated solo travellers on November 1 – before closing its borders again after the emergence of omicron. Its policy upon reopening is likely to remain the same: children cannot enter unless they are double-jabbed. 

USA

The US reopened to fully vaccinated travellers on November 8. All people travelling from the UK to the US must also have proof of a negative test. Under-18s who are not double jabbed are exempt from the vaccination requirement, but all children age two or over must take a test. Unvaccinated children must also take a second test three to five days after arrival and should self-isolate should any symptoms develop or if they test positive. 

Note, however, that unvaccinated children will face restrictions in some jurisdictions. New York, for example, has a Covid passport scheme that restricts entry to restaurants and other indoor public spaces to unvaccinated over-12s. This will soon be extended to cover all those over the age of five. 

See the rules in full here.

Thailand

Another country that’s recently opened to the double-jabbed, teenagers (ages 12-18) are not permitted to visit unless they are fully vaccinated. Children under 12 can travel if not fully vaccinated, so long as they are travelling with an immunised adult. 

Other countries and territories may impose bans or quarantine (or multilayered testing rules) on all unvaccinated (or partially vaccinated) children. Check the Foreign Office advice page for the latest rules before travelling.