Thousands of Irish tourists will seize the opportunity to get away this summer, with Dublin Airport expected to see huge increases in passengers after a two year slump due to Covid.
However, travel advice has changed multiple times over the pandemic, leaving some confused about what they need to bring with them when travelling to the airport.
We’ve had a look at some of Ireland’s favourite holiday destinations and found out exactly what you need to gain entry this summer.
READ MORE: Flight declares emergency and diverts to Shannon Airport after young child falls seriously ill
From Covid Certs, Passenger Locator Forms and face masks, here are the entry requirements for Spain, Italy and France.
Spain
In order to enter Spain, all passengers must either:
- Present a valid EU Digital COVID Certificate (EU DCC) or equivalent document; or
- Complete the Spain Travel Health (SpTH) Health Control Form, containing the details of your vaccination, recovery or diagnostic test certificate.
Prior to boarding and at health control points on arrival in Spain, passengers will be required to present a valid EU DCC or equivalent based on one of the following:
- Vaccination against COVID-19,
- A negative PCR Covid test taken no more than 72 hours prior to arrival, or Rapid Antigen Test taken no more than 24 hours before arrival
- Recovery from COVID-19
On arrival, passengers who hold an EU DCC or equivalent should follow the orange path to pass through health control points.
Italy
Anyone considering travel to Italy should check the latest information from the local authorities regarding requirements for international passengers arriving in the country.
Information about restrictions on passengers entering Italy is available here .
Entrants to Italy from EU member states are required to produce.
- The Passenger Locator Form (PLF) in digital or paper format.
- COVID-19 Vaccine Passport (vaccination certificate, recovery certificate or negative molecular or antigen test) or any other equivalent vaccination certificate recognized.
The vaccination cycle must have been carried out using a vaccine approved by the European Medicines Agency or a vaccine considered equivalent in Italian law.
Travellers from within the EU who have been fully vaccinated or who are in possession of a recovery certificate no more than 180 days old are not required to provide a negative test.
All other travellers aged six and over, including those who are unvaccinated, must present proof of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours before entering Italy or a negative rapid antigen test taken within 48 hours before entering Italy.
Regardless of vaccination status, anyone arriving in Italy by air, land or sea may be subject to random COVID testing on arrival.
If you cannot present evidence of vaccination OR a negative test OR a COVID-19 recovery certificate, you will need to:
- Travel to your final destination in Italy by private transport
- Remain in self-isolation for five days at the address indicated on the Passenger Locator Form
- Call the COVID-19 - Regional telephone information hotline to notify the Prevention Department of the local health authority of your entry into Italy as you will be under medical supervision
- Take another PCR or rapid antigen test at the end of the five days’ self-isolation. If the test is negative, you can leave self-isolation
France
The conditions and requirements for entering France may vary depending on your country of departure and your vaccination/recovery status. Ireland is on France’s green list.
If you are travelling from Ireland and are fully vaccinated, or have a negative test result, or you have proof of recovery from COVID-19, you are permitted to enter France without being subject to further restrictions or quarantine.
All travellers must complete the EU-PLF form.
The remaining requirements for travel to France from Ireland depend on your vaccination/recovery status.
If you are vaccinated, you must also present proof of complete vaccination .
If you are recovered, you must present a certificate of recovery dated more than 11 days and less than six months prior to the date of arrival.
If you are unvaccinated, you must present a negative PCR test taken no more than 72 hours before your departure or an antigen test taken no more than 48 hours before departure.
Children under the age of 12 are exempt from these requirements.
All passengers are required to wear a face mask while in the airport and on the plane. However, Italy still has strict mask wearing rules in place so pack a few spare if you are planning a trip.
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