Here is a complete list of countries allowing unvaccinated travelers to visit.
Backpacking around the world is already becoming easier as restrictions are lifted, particularly for those who have received a full vaccination with an approved Covid vaccine. The UK government scrapped the previous traffic light system (which divided countries into green, amber, and red lists) on Monday, October 4, 2021, and instead launched a single red list of high-risk countries, putting the rest of the world on the same footing. But how do the new rules affect people who haven’t been fully vaccinated, and are any countries enabling tourists to enter after only taking a test?
Countries allowing unvaccinated travelers to visit
Currently, a number of countries will accept visitors who have not been vaccinated. A few are in Europe, and the rest are a little further away. We recommend that you always follow UK health advice, which includes getting your Covid vaccine and booster if you are able. Before going on a trip, make sure to check government regulations for both the country you’re visiting and the UK when you get back.
The following is a complete list of countries allowing unvaccinated travelers to visit:
1. Greece
Greece is one of the countries allowing unvaccinated travelers to visit. Unvaccinated visitors can enter the country with documentation of a negative PCR test obtained within 72 hours of arrival or proof of a negative Covid-19 rapid antigen test done within 24 hours of arrival from an authorized laboratory. Everyone who is five years old or older is affected.
Upon arrival, passengers may be subjected to a rapid Covid test. If you test positive when you arrive in Greece, you must self-isolate for at least five days, either at home or at a hotel (this will be paid for by the Greek state). You will be permitted to exit quarantine if you have no symptoms on day five.
On days two and four after arriving in Greece, the Greek government strongly recommends’ that you take either a certified rapid test or a certified PCR test.
2. Madeira and Portugal
Travelers who have not been vaccinated are welcome to visit the mainland of Portugal and the island of Madeira, as long as they can demonstrate that they do not have Covid when they enter the country. To enter mainland Portugal, you must produce documentation of a negative PCR test performed within 72 hours of departure or an antigen test taken within 24 hours of departure, as well as complete and submit a passenger questionnaire before to departure. Self-administered exams are not permitted. On arrival, your temperature will be checked as well.
To enter Madeira, you must first register on the Madeira Safe Travellers portal and then download a QR code to show to airport personnel when you arrive. You must show documentation of a negative antigen test done by a certified healthcare expert within 48 hours of your departure.
If you don’t have one of these papers when you check in for your flight, your airline may deny you boarding. Before you fly, check with your airline.
3. Croatia
Unvaccinated visitors can enter Croatia with documentation of a negative Covid-19 antigen test within 24 hours of arrival or a negative PCR test within 72 hours of arrival. Before you fly, you must fill out an online admission form.
4. Cyprus
Unvaccinated visitors visiting Cyprus must provide documentation of a negative PCR test within 72 hours of departure or an antigen test within 24 hours of departure. Travellers above the age of 12 must then undergo another PCR test upon arrival at Larnaca or Paphos airports, and they must stay in isolation until the results are returned (this should take roughly three hours). This costs €15–€19 and is the responsibility of the passenger. Travelers may be forced to take a free rapid test at a Ministry of Health mobile unit 72 hours after their arrival.
5. Slovenia
Unvaccinated British visitors visiting Slovenia must fill out a Digital Passenger Locator Form and submit either a PCR test or a rapid antigen test that is less than 48 hours old. A positive PCR test result from more than ten days ago but less than six months ago will also be considered as a criterion for admittance.
6. Turkey
To visit Turkey, you do not need to be completely vaccinated, but you must be able to present confirmation of a negative PCR test (performed no more than 72 hours before admission), rapid antigen test (taken no more than 48 hours before entry), or recent recovery from COVID-19 within the past six months. Arrivals should also display an online form completed 72 hours before arrival and may be subject to a medical examination.
7. United Arab Emirates
To travel the UAE, you do not need to be completely vaccinated. Arriving passengers who have not been vaccinated must show proof of a negative PCR test done 48 hours before to departure. Travellers travelling in Abu Dhabi will be subjected to a COVID-19 PCR test upon arrival, as well as on days four and eight, but will not be needed to quarantine.
8. Mexico
Mexico presently does not require travellers to provide proof of a negative PCR test or quarantine upon arrival; instead, you must fill out a form ahead of time and bring the QR code from the form with you while entering the country. On arrival, resorts might also ask visitors to fill out a health questionnaire.
9. Ireland
Before travelling from the United Kingdom to Ireland, passengers must complete a location form. They will also be required to show confirmation of immunization or recovery, or to show evidence of a negative PCR obtained within 72 hours of their entry in the country.
10. Maldives
On arrival in the Maldives, all tourists (excluding children under the age of one) must submit a negative PCR test. The test and negative PCR certificate must be issued within 96 hours before departure. Those who have not had all of their vaccines will be allowed to enter, but they must self-isolate for 14 days and pass an exit exam before exiting quarantine. Tourists who are fully immunized do not need to isolate.
11. Italy
Unvaccinated visitors entering Italy from the United Kingdom must fill out a locator form and produce a negative PCR test or a negative lateral flow test done within 48 hours of their arrival. They must then inform the local health authority’s Prevention Department of your admission into Italy, travel to their ultimate location in Italy using only private transportation, and self-isolate for five days. They must undergo another PCR or lateral flow test to escape quarantine at the conclusion of the five days.
12. Sweden
Sweden presently has a prohibition on unvaccinated non-EU people entering the country until March 31, 2022, but still it is one of the countries allowing unvaccinated travelers to visit. You may be permitted to enter Sweden if you can demonstrate that you are exempt from Sweden’s present entrance prohibition under another exception. Those who have not been immunized will be allowed to enter provided they can provide documentation of a negative PCR or antigen test (taken no more than 72 hours before entry). Proof of prior Covid infection will not be considered as proof of entrance into Sweden.
13. Seychelles
Travellers can enter Seychelles regardless of vaccination status, but they must show proof of a negative PCR test done within 72 hours of leaving and stay in authorized lodging. There is no need to quarantine when you arrive.
14. Bahamas
Unvaccinated travelers aged 12 and above must present a negative PCR test done within 72 hours of their arrival in The Bahamas.
15. Egypt
Before entering Egypt, all visitors must fill out a declaration form. As one of the countries allowing unvaccinated travelers to visit, unvaccinated travelers must produce either a negative PCR test performed within 72 hours of arrival in Egypt or a rapid antigen test taken within 24 hours of arrival in Egypt. COVID-19 recovery documentation will not be accepted.
Passengers travelling from London Heathrow can have their PCR test performed no more than 96 hours before their arrival in Egypt.
16. Cape Verde
To enter Cape Verde, you do not need to be completely vaccinated, but you must be able to demonstrate that you are free of Covid, either by a negative PCR test performed 72 hours before departure or a lateral flow test taken 48 hours before departure. When you arrive, your temperature will be measured, and if it is greater than 37.5°C, you may need to repeat the test.
17. Iceland
All Covid limitations, including domestic rules, were lifted on February 25, 2022. This implies that you will not be required to take a vaccination test or provide proof of immunization status in order to enter the country.
18. Luxembourg
Before flying to Luxembourg, all passengers must complete a passenger location form. Those who have not been immunized must present documentation of a negative PCR test done within 72 hours of their trip, or a negative lateral flow test taken within 48 hours. If you haven’t been fully vaccinated but have tested positive for Covid in the recent year, you can enroll if you produce proof of recovery.
19. Norway
The travel restrictions for entering Norway have been abolished, therefore the same regulations that applied before to the outbreak now apply.
20. Sri Lanka
Before entering Sri Lanka, all visitors must fill out a pre-travel health registration form. All visitors must have Covid travel insurance, and unvaccinated visitors must present documentation of a negative PCR test performed no more than 72 hours before their trip, or a negative lateral flow test taken no more than 48 hours before their flight — self-swab tests are not accepted. You must stay in a ‘Tourism Bio Bubble’ for seven days after arriving in Sri Lanka, however you will be able to visit authorized tourist attractions and utilize all hotel services if the on-arrival PCR test is negative.
21. South Africa
Travelers visiting South Africa must provide confirmation of a negative PCR test performed within 72 hours before departure. You may be tested upon arrival and asked to undergo a Covid test at your own expense if you exhibit any symptoms. If the test results are positive, you will be required to isolate for 10 days at your own expense.
