The latest travel advice from the UK Foreign Office to France, Spain, Italy and Portugal

With the start of the next phase of the easing of the blocking measures today (12 April) here in England, many people are rushing to enjoy their new freedoms.

Non-essential stores, gyms, outdoor hospitality, zoos and parks welcome visitors today, after closing before Christmas.

As Londoners enjoy the shift towards a sense of normality, many will consider their summer holidays abroad and the possibility of international travel.

Despite these new freedoms, the current law still states that it is illegal to travel abroad for vacations and entertainment purposes.

Each country has its own set of rules and requirements for those exempt from the travel ban and who have a legitimate reason to travel.

Italy

From April 7-30, entry into the United Kingdom is no longer limited to Italian residents and residents.

However, many Covid measures remain in place, such as the mandatory negative test for Covid before travel, which takes a maximum of 48 hours before entering the country.

Upon arrival in Italy, travelers must inform local health authorities and self-isolate for five days. At the end of the isolation period, arrivals are expected to undergo another Covid test.

France

Since March 12th, the French government has eased restrictions on travelers in the UK, which means expats no longer need to justify an underlying reason for entering the country.

Health and safety measures remain in effect, such as a requirement that all travelers over the age of 11 years have a negative COVID test result.

The expats are also expected to self-isolate for seven days after their arrival, before further testing.

All visitors to the UK will need to complete an ‘oath statement’ (announcement about l’honneur) to acknowledge that they are not developing symptoms associated with the Coronavirus and have not contacted confirmed cases in the past two weeks.

However, the health situation in France remains grave. The national curfew applies from 7 PM until 6 AM, when a certificate (self-attested document) is required to leave the home.

Since April 3, the entire French continent has been subject to more stringent restrictions, and certificates (self-certified documents) are required if you are traveling more than 10 kilometers from your home. Non-essential stores have been closed, and as of April 5, travel to other regions has been banned, except in exceptional or professional circumstances

For more London news and resources straight to your inbox, subscribe to our newsletter Here.

Portugal

Travel to Portugal is currently restricted to EU / EEA citizens and their families, UK and other non-EU / EEA citizens residing in Portugal or any other EU country.

UK citizens and other non-EU citizens can also travel to the country, but they must travel for a specific primary purpose.

Those who meet these travel requirements must provide evidence of a negative Covid test taken within 72 hours of departure.

The airline may refuse to board passengers who do not provide evidence of this negative test.

Expatriates must then isolate themselves for a period of 14 days at their home in Portugal or at a place specified by the Portuguese National Health Authority.

Spain

Passenger travel from the UK to Spain is restricted to EU and Schengen citizens, or those legally residing in the European Union or Schengen-related countries, or passengers who can prove that their journey is necessary.

Before traveling to Spain, all passengers traveling by air or sea must complete and sign an online health monitoring form at least 48 hours before travel, declaring that they have no symptoms of Covid virus.

All passengers over the age of six must undergo a negative test that took a maximum of 72 hours before travel.

Anyone arriving in Spain without sufficient evidence of a negative test result of at least € 3,000 can be fined.

On arrival, travelers may undergo other health procedures, such as temperature checks and health assessments.

The government currently only permits essential trips abroad.