Turkey

All arrivals into Turkey aged six and over, including Turkish citizens and residence permit holders, must complete an online form (Form for Entry to Turkey) a maximum of 72 hours prior to travel. 

All unvaccinated arrivals aged 12 and over must also have proof of one of the following:

• Recent recovery from Covid-19
• A negative PCR test (less than 72 hours of arrival)
• A rapid antigen test (less than 48 hours of arrival).

For children aged 11 and under, no test is needed.

Turkey uses a domestic Covid passport, which requires proof of either two Covid vaccinations, recent Covid recovery, or a negative PCR test (within 48 hours). However, tourists are exempt. 

UAE

Residents, tourists and visitors travelling from or through the UK and arriving in Dubai and Abu Dhabi must have a negative PCR test before departure and present the certificate at check-in. These need to be taken no more than 48 hours prior to departure. Travellers arriving in Abu Dhabi will also be required to undertake a PCR test on arrival. Travellers arriving in Dubai may be required to undertake a further PCR test on arrival and will have to isolate pending the result.

Ireland

Travellers aged 12 and over who are not fully vaccinated or in possession of a proof of recovery certificate have to show a negative PCR test (taken no more than 72 hours before entry). This includes travellers from Great Britain, but not those whose journey originates in Northern Ireland. 

Under new guidelines, announced on January 21, hospitality venues have returned to normal operations (previously, pubs and restaurants were required to close at 8pm), and customers are no longer asked for a Covid pass.

Costa Rica

The wildlife paradise of Costa Rica, along with Mexico and El Salvador, is one of only three countries that not only welcomes unvaccinated arrivals but does not require them to take a test. They must, however, buy insurance with specific cover requirements and complete an advance epidemiological information form. 

Until at least March 7, commercial establishments may voluntarily ask customers to prove their vaccination status using either a QR code or the physical card provided when they were vaccinated. Doing so means they can operate at 100% capacity, otherwise they must remain at 50%. According to reports, some hotels are asking for proof of vaccination and operating at full capacity, but most restaurants and shops are remaining at 50%. Check with your hotel or tour operator before you book. 

From March 8, the vaccine passport scheme may become mandatory (pending a legal challenge driven largely by Costa Rica’s tourism industry).

Albania

Many of the Balkan states remain relatively relaxed when it comes to Covid controls. Albania, for example, will permit entry to unvaccinated travellers who can show one of the following:

• A negative PCR test performed up to 72 hours ahead of arrival
• A negative rapid antigen test performed no more than 48 hours ahead of arrival
• Evidence proving that you have recovered from Covid within the last six months

South Africa 

Having been briefly ostracized for having the temerity to inform the world about the omicron variant, South Africa is once again a holiday option. Furthermore, it has no additional restrictions on unvaccinated arrivals. All visitors need to produce a paper copy of a negative PCR test taken no more than 72 hours before departure (children under five excluded). The Foreign Office advises visitors to carry several copies of their test result as they may be asked to produce it more than once. 

If you fail to produce a paper copy of a negative PCR test you will be required to do an antigen test on arrival at your own expense. If you test positive for Covid-19, you will be required to self-isolate in line with government guidelines at your own cost for 10 days. 

Tanzania 

Like South Africa, Tanzania offers both sunshine and safari. It also became somewhat notable early in the pandemic for refusing to impose any kind of Covid restrictions. That attitude has hardened slightly, with all visitors now required to present both a negative PCR test taken within 96 hours of arrival and submit to a rapid test on arrival, but there is no need to prove you have been vaccinated. 

Lithuania

British nationals travelling to Lithuania from the UK are no longer required to prove their vaccination status, recovery from Covid or produce a negative test result on arrival.

Slovenia

As of February 19, travellers arriving in Slovenia are no longer required to present proof of vaccination. Proof of a negative Covid test is also not required.

Serbia 

As one would expect of a country that worships Novak Djokovic, unvaccinated visitors are welcome in Serbia. They must, however, present one of the following documents on arrival: 

• A negative PCR test result issued within 48 hours of arrival.
• Certificate of Covid-19 recovery, issued within six months of arrival, issued in Serbia or a country with which Serbia has concluded an agreement on such documents (does not include the UK).

Open to unvaccinated arrivals, but Covid passports used domestically

Portugal

You must complete an online passenger locator card and show evidence of an antigen test taken within 48 hours of departure, or a PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure. However, there are no requirements to show proof of vaccination. 

However, Portugal uses domestic vaccine passports. You must show evidence of Covid vaccination to enter restaurants and hotels, and evidence of a recent negative Covid test, on top of your vaccination record, to enter bars, nightclubs, sports arenas and events without reserved seating.

Croatia

To be allowed entry into Croatia, unvaccinated travellers from the UK must present one of the following documents on arrival:

• A negative Covid-19 antigen not older than 48 hours, or;
• A negative PCR test result not older than 72 hours, or;
• A doctor’s certificate of recovery from Covid-19.

Children under 12 are exempt from these requirements if their parent or guardian has one of the documents set out above.

However, Croatia uses domestic Covid passports. Anyone entering public services, local and regional municipalities, state-owned companies and institutions will be required to show either a digital Covoid-19 certificate or appropriate proof of vaccination, proof of recovery or a negative test.

Greece

If you are unvaccinated, you will need one of the following:

• Proof of a negative Covid-19 PCR test, undertaken within the 72-hour period before arrival into Greece
• Proof of a negative Covid-19 rapid antigen test from an authorised laboratory, undertaken within the 48-hour period before your arrival into Greece
• Proof of recovery from Covid-19. Evidence of a positive PCR test result taken between 30 to 180 days of your travel dates can be used and can be demonstrated via the NHS Covid Pass.

Note, however, that Greece’s domestic rules mean it only permits indoor entry to bars, restaurants, entertainment and sports venues if you are fully vaccinated or under 12. Similar measures apply to some public transport networks. To board boats or ferries to travel between Greek islands or take a long distance bus, you will also need proof of vaccination, recovery or a negative test result.