Full List of Countries You Can Visit Without Covid Test and Quarantine

Laelia Yang January 27, 2022 | 23:00

Which countries can you travel to if you're not vaccinated? Despite rising concerns over the new strain of Covid, there are still numerous countries providing allowances to accommodate international arrivals.

Countries You Can Visit Without Covid Test and Quarantine

In light of the omicron variant scare, many countries are tightening or reinstating both testing and quarantine requirements for inbound international travel. Numerous countries have thus implemented omicron-related travel bans for travelers arriving or transiting in a number of African countries.

There are currently a handful of countries that will allow visitors who have not been vaccinated to enter. A few of them are in Europe, and the others slightly farther afield. We recommend always closely following UK health guidance, including having your Covid vaccine and booster if you are able to. Before traveling, you should regularly check government guidelines both for the country you might be considering visiting and for the UK when you return.

To make it on this list, the countries must meet the below criteria:

No tests before arrival

No tests upon arrival

No countries banned due to covid-19

No quarantine periods

No vaccine requirements

The full list of countries allowing people to enter without a vaccine

1. Mexico

2. Spain

3. Seychelles

4. Dubai (United Arab Emirates)

5. Germany

6. Jordan

7. Switzerland

8. The Czech Republic

9. The United Kingdom

10. El Salvador

11. Greece

12. Portugal and Madeira

13. Croatia

14. Cyprus

15. Italy

16.India

17.The United States

18.Thailand

19.Singapore

20.Sweden

21.Vietnam

22.Israel

updating....

Recently Removed Countries

The Maldives. Now requires a 96-hour negative PCR test

Egypt. Now requires a 72-hour negative PCR test

Kosovo. Now requires a 72-hour PCR test from most nations.

Serbia. Now requires a 48-hour PCR test from all.

Brazil. Now requires a 72-PCR test from all arrivals.

Turkey. Now requires a 72-hour PCR test from all passengers.

Haiti – Now requires a 72-hour PCR or antigen test from all passengers

Montenegro – Now requires 72-hour PCR test for all (recovered or vaccinated also accepted)

Tanzania – As of May 4, 2021, requiring a 72-hour PCR test

North Macedonia – As of September 1, 2021, requiring a 72-hour PCR test, proof of vaccination, or proof of recent recovery

Albania – As of September 1, 2021, requiring a 72-hour PCR test, 48-hour antigen test, proof of vaccination, or proof of recent recovery

Costa Rica – As of December 1, 2021, a full vaccine passport is needed to access services/businesses inside the country

Dominican Republic – As of November 2021, vaccine passport in effect for businesses and services OUTSIDE resorts, such as buses, grocery stores, banks, etc.

Colombia – Removed November 20, 2021. Vaccine passport in effect for businesses, restaurants, events, etc.

1. Mexico

Photo: edition.cnn

Mexico is open to all international tourists with no testing or quarantines. However, it is mandatory to register on the Mexico Vuela Seguro Platform before boarding your flight to Mexico and to show the QR code upon arrival at the airport.

Mexico has truly been the king of tourism during the pandemic, as they have never closed their borders, have never enacted a testing protocol, and have kept almost everything inside the country open for tourism. Beaches, gyms, hotels, restaurants, and in some parts even nightclubs and bars, are open.

Now that the USA, Canada and UK all require negative Covid tests in order for travelers to return home, all major tourism hubs in Mexico have testing facilities to help with this requirement. Some hotels are offering free tests for guests, while others help guests obtain a test for a fee.

2. Spain

Spain is currently open to vaccinated Brits only. Fully vaccinated UK arrivals don't need to take a test or quarantine to visit Spain. You'll need to have been fully vaccinated for at least 14 days before arrival. Children under the age of 12 do not need to show proof of being fully vaccinated on entry to Spain.

Connected to the EU Digital COVID Certificate (EUDCC), which allows restriction-free travel across all EU and EEA countries following proof of vaccination and a negative COVID test.

Antigen tests are now accepted instead of PCRs for travelers from countries on the list of risk zones - including France and Germany - while no tests are required for low-incidence areas.

Travelers from the UK must show proof of being fully vaccinated. This means you must have received the second dose at least 14 days before arrival. Children under 12 years old are exempt when traveling with an adult. This rule applies to the whole of Spain, including the Canary Islands and the Balearics.

3. Seychelles

Photo: Youtube

This jewel in the Indian Ocean is one of the most sought-after destinations in the world. No traveler worth their salt can truly resist the temptation of sparkling beaches scattered perfectly across the country’s 115 islands. But in the off chance that the beaches fail to enchant travelers, the Seychelles lush jungle featuring scores of fascinating wildlife will surely do the trick.

Seychelles is open to travelers from all over the world. Fully vaccinated status is not mandatory, although travelers are strongly encouraged to have been fully immunized prior to travel.

A Health Travel Authorisation (HTA) is required for every passenger entering Seychelles along with a negative PCR test taken a maximum of 72 hours before departure.

Where to Travel Without A Covid Vaccine - Updated Full List

We update the full list of countries and territories that accept travelers who have not received the covid vaccine

4. Dubai (United Arab Emirates)

Dubai is the place for you if excellent restaurants, fine spas, international shopping, luxury hotels, and alluring nightlife constitute your idea of the perfect getaway. In other words, Dubai appeals to foodies, shoppers, lovers of art, and those simply looking to have some fun. Dubai also boasts some local flavors with its laid-back ambiance of the traditional souks, its art galleries as well as local gastronomy. With its incredible array of offerings, you will find Dubai catering to both simple living and luxurious lifestyles alike.

Tourist Visa applications for all countries are now being issued although there are countries currently barred from entering the UAE due to Omicron-related concerns namely Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Republic of Congo (Congo – Brazzaville), Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zimbabwe.

Travelers to Dubai who have been in or transited through said countries in the past 14 days will not be permitted entry.

All passengers traveling to Dubai from any other point of origin must first register their arrival and vaccination credentials on the ICA Smart Services portal. They must also hold a negative COVID‑19 RT‑PCR test certificate for a test issued within 72 hours prior to departure. Depending on your country of origin, you may need to take another test upon arrival. Children under the age of 12 and passengers who have a moderate or severe disability are exempt from taking a COVID‑19 RT‑PCR test.

5. Germany

Photo: insuremytrip

Connected to the EU Digital COVID Certificate (EUDCC), which allows restriction-free travel across all EU and EEA countries following proof of vaccination and a negative COVID test.

Germany is operating a 'green pass' for entry into public spaces.

Travelers entering the country need to fill out a digital registration form before they travel and must have proof of full vaccination or a negative COVID test. Full details here.

Unvaccinated travelers from Belgium, Ireland, Greece, and the Netherlands will have to self-isolate for up to ten days on arrival in Germany. This can be shortened by submitting a negative test on or after the fifth day of quarantine. Arrivals from these countries will also have to register on Germany’s Digital Entry Portal.

UK tourists who are fully vaccinated are allowed into Germany without showing a negative COVID-19 test or quarantining for 14 days on arrival. The UK will also be classified as a high-risk area, according to a statement on the German embassy's website.

Only German citizens are allowed into the country on flights from South Africa. Arrivals will need to go into quarantine for 14 days whether they are vaccinated or not.

German regions have some authority to set their own restrictions leading to new restrictions being put in place since mid-November. It is best to research where you are going to find out what restrictions are in place at the time, as they can change at short notice.

6. Jordan

Jordan’s generosity and hospitality are simply boundless—since ancient times, the land has always been welcoming to countless strangers and visitors. As such, not even the pandemic can stop you from paying your respect to Jordan’s ancient rock city of Petra. No one can claim to have ever visited Jordan without spending a full day in this amazing World Heritage Site.

All travelers bound for Jordan are required to first complete the required form prior to departure and obtain a QR code. Travelers must also possess a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken at most 72 hours before departure. The test result for passengers arriving from Egypt, Turkey, Iraq must be issued by an approved laboratory.

Upon arrival, fully vaccinated passengers along with children under the age of five years will not be subjected to mandatory PCR testing.

Note that non-national/residents departing from South Africa, Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia, Eswatini, and Botswana will not be granted entry and transit.

7. Switzerland

Whether embarking on a road trip or going on a panoramic train tour, you’ll come across pristine lakes, grand forests, charming cities, and villages all conspiring to conjure up romantic images of Switzerland. Under the watchful eye of the Alps and Jura mountain range, and with the accompaniment of its exquisite cheese, wine and chocolate, life is all but good here in Switzerland.

On entering Switzerland, everyone aged 16 and over must be able to show the negative result of a PCR test (performed no more than 72 hours prior to entry) or a rapid antigen test (performed no more than 24 hours previously). Anyone unable to present a valid negative test must take a test immediately on arrival (PCR or rapid antigen test).

People who have been fully vaccinated or recovered from COVID-19 are exempt from testing and quarantine requirements when entering Switzerland (unless they are traveling from areas with variants of concern).

All travelers must also complete an entry form prior to departing for Switzerland.

Tourists from Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Zimbabwe, South Africa cannot currently enter Switzerland.

8. The Czech Republic

Photo: thetrustedtraveller

Connected to the EU Digital COVID Certificate (EUDCC), which allows restriction-free travel across all EU and EEA countries following proof of vaccination and a negative COVID test. Travelers are also required to fill in the Passenger Locator Form and present it upon arrival. The Czech Republic separates countries into five categories with varying entry requirements.

Fully vaccinated Brits can enter the Czech Republic for holidays. If you've had your booster jab, you won't need to show a negative PCR test result.

If you're fully vaccinated with two doses but haven't yet had your booster, then you will be required to show a negative PCR test result.

You'll also need to fill out a pre-departure Passenger Locator Form.

Children aged 12 or under are exempt from testing and do not need to self-isolate if they are traveling with their fully vaccinated parents.

9. The United Kingdom

As of now, fully vaccinated travellers need to do a lateral flow or PCR test within two days of arriving in England after a pre-arrival test requirement was done away with earlier this week. The devolved regions of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland usually adopt similar rules on travel.

Pre-departure tests are no longer required for vaccinated travelers arriving in the UK meaning they will no longer have to self-isolate until they get a negative PCR test. Instead vaccinated travelers will have to take a lateral flow test at the end of their second day in the UK with a follow-up PCR required if it is positive.

Unvaccinated travelers are still required to take a pre-departure test and self-isolate for 10 days. They will also need to take a PCR test on day two and day eight after they arrive in the UK. Face masks are now mandatory in most public spaces in the UK and COVID passes are required for large venues.

All arrivals into the UK must fill in a passenger locator form. There are currently no countries on the UK's red list. This follows the removal of 11 African countries earlier in December as the Omicron variant spread. Arrivals from these nations no longer have to go into hotel quarantine.

Mask-wearing is required in shops and on public transport.

10. El Salvador

Photo: travelplannersinternational

El Salvador has now joined Mexico and Colombia in being the third country in the WORLD in late 2021 to have no entry requirements or vaccine passports.

El Salvador originally reopened in September 2020 but was requiring all arrivals to bring proof of a negative PCR test. Then, on April 21, 2021, they also added proof of being fully vaccinated as a way to avoid testing. However, now as of November 15, 2021, all requirements have been dropped.

11. Greece

Greece, the cradle of Western civilization, is a destination unlike any other. In a land where the line between mythology and history is blurred, Greece boasts scores of ancient ruins, museums, temples, along with alluring islands and beaches.

Greece is allowing international arrivals to travel without the need to quarantine providing they are arriving from a quite extensive list of countries. The list extends to all EU and Schengen Area countries, USA, UK, Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brunei, Canada, China, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Lebanon, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Qatar, Russia, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, South Korea, Turkey, UAE, and Ukraine.

Travelers from the aforementioned countries are eligible for a quarantine-free journey so long as they have been fully vaccinated with approved vaccines and 14 days have elapsed from the date of their final jab. Travelers must also be able to provide a negative PCR test issued within 72 hours before travel or proof of infection within the past two to nine months.

Accepted vaccines are Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca/Oxford, Novavax, Johnson & Johnson/Janssen, Sinovac Biotech, Gamaleya (Sputnik), Cansino Biologics, Sinopharm among others.

Travelers from Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia or Zimbabwe are not allowed to enter for tourism/non-essential purposes.

12. Portugal and Madeira

Photo: danflyingsolo

Portugal’s mainland and Madeira are open to travelers who have not been vaccinated, as long as they can prove they don't have coronavirus when they enter the country. You will be required to show proof of a negative PCR test taken within 72 or 48 hours of arrival and complete and submit a traveler questionnaire before departure.

Your airline may deny boarding if you cannot show one of these documents when you check-in for your flight. Check with your airline before you travel.

13. Croatia

Unvaccinated travelers can enter Croatia with proof of either a negative Covid-19 antigen test, issued within 48 hours of arrival, a negative PCR test issued within 72 hours of arrival, or a doctor’s certificate of recovery following a positive test result between 11 and 180 days prior.

Connected to the EU Digital COVID Certificate (EUDCC), which allows restriction-free travel across all EU and EEA countries following proof of vaccination and a negative COVID test.

All passengers coming from an EU/EEA country on the 'green list' are allowed into Croatia, as long as they can show a negative PCR test was taken 48 hours before departing, or a vaccination certificate.

Failing to provide any of the above documents, travelers have the obligation to isolate themselves for 10 days on arrival in Croatia. this isolation can be shortened by obtaining a negative result in a PCR test or rapid antigenic carried out in Croatia.

14. Cyprus

Photo: cityam

Unvaccinated travelers to Cyprus must provide proof of a negative PCR test taken within 48 hours before departure, and then take another PCR test upon arrival at Larnaca or Paphos airports, and remain in isolation until the result comes back (this should take roughly three hours). After landing in Cyprus, all passengers from the UK will be given five at-home tests which they must use daily – if any of these are positive, they must refer themselves for a follow-up PCR test. If you get three consecutive days of negative results, you must go for a rapid test at an official Ministry of Health mobile unit – this is free to those who can present a boarding pass at the testing site.

15. Italy

Unvaccinated tourists entering Italy from the UK must fill in a locator form and show a negative PCR test taken within 48 hours before entering Italy or a negative lateral flow test taken within 24 hours before entering. They then need to notify the Prevention Department of the local health authority of your entry into Italy, travel to their final destination in Italy by private transport only and self isolate for five days. At the end of the five days, they must take another PCR or lateral flow test to leave quarantine.

16.India

In India, cautious authorities gave an extended ban on scheduled international flights till February 28. But Indian travellers hoping to hop out of the country for work or travel can breathe a sigh of relief with countries looking to open up borders and easing travel restrictions, especially for the fully vaccinated.

Here are some other nations that are allowing entry to vaccinated as well as unvaccinated Indians and the rules to follow in order to enter.

17.The United States

While the UK has made it easier for international travellers, the US which is still facing a high number of Covid-19 infections has only allowed vaccinated non-US passengers to enter the country. Passengers are expected to get a negative covid-test a day ahead of date of arrival. Vaccinated Indian travellers can arrive with a negative test report.

18.Thailand

Another popular holiday destination that recently eased travel restrictions was Thailand. In wake of declining Covid-19 cases, Thailand on Thursday announced that it will start allowing entry to fully vaccinated travellers from all countries. However, unlike the UK, travellers will have to undergo a 'Trst And Go' program initiated by the Thai government. Vaccinated individuals will have to take an RT-PCR test upon arrival and then spend the night at a pre-booked hotel. Another test and hotel stay will follow within five days to ensure proper tracking. The costs of the tests and hotel stays are to be borne by the passengers themselves.

19.Singapore

Even as authorities of the city-state predict a Covid-19 wave that can lead to up to 15,000 cases a day, the government in Singapore announced easing certain travel restrictions last week. Under the new rules, vaccinated travellers who were infected but with mild symptoms could isolate for seven days instead of the previously mandated 10 days. Children are allowed to recover at home. The country has also eased testing measures by abolishing mandatory swap tests for vaccinated passengers. Passengers who have recently recovered from Covid-19 and are vaccinated do not have to undergo any testing.

20.Sweden

Sweden has also eased travel restrictions for international passengers. It recently announced that it does not require arriving passengers to undergo any covid-testing as the Omicron virus no longer posed a threat to the world.

21.Vietnam

Though most international tourists still have to undergo rigorous testing and isolation protocols upon entering the nation, the Vietnamese government has started to slowly ease restrictions for some foreigners and Vietnamese nationals living abroad. Under the new rules, those who hold permanent residence or visas to Vietnam can travel to the country without seeking any permission from the government. However, casual tourists will still have to seek approval on their documentation for travel purposes. As per the country's Covid rules, only vaccinated travellers can arrive in Vietnam, after having undergone a Covid-19 test or along with proof of recovering from Covid-19. Upon arrival, travellers are expected to isolate for three days and take another PCR test. The rules also mandate close watch over health and symptoms for two weeks after testing negative.

22.Israel

Earlier in January, Israel decided. to lift travel restrictions from passengers arriving from all countries. The government noted that travel restrictions were futile in containing the spread of the virus. Vaccinated travellers from former 'Red' list countries (which were moved to Orange) have to quarantine for 24 hours after arriving in Israel or until they receive a negative Covid-19 test result. Vaccinated travellers who are not from countries on the orange or red list only require a rapid antigen test. The new travel rules apply to vaccinated and recently recovered Covid-19 patients. Unvaccinated passengers need to take two tests within a seven-day gap after arrival during which period the passengers are required to quarantine.

What to find out before you go

• Whether you're required to be fully vaccinated to enter. Some countries on this list accept only fully vaccinated Americans.

• Possible exemptions from various rules for the fully vaccinated, people recovered from a recent case of Covid-19 or children.

• Presenting negative results from Covid-19 tests to enter, including time limits to take the test, types of tests allowed, and additional tests upon arrival.

• Possible quarantines and durations as well as health screenings upon arrival.

• Health insurance requirements, curfews and lockdowns.

• Different rules if you're arriving from a third country vs. the United States as well as rules for land and sea entry, which might differ from air arrivals.

• What safety rating the CDC gives the destination