Due to the high vaccination rates and the documented ineffectiveness of some restrictions to prevent coronavirus variants from spreading, a number of EU and non-EU countries have decided to drop pre-departure COVID testing.
Cyprus, Jordan, and Tunisia are among the latest countries to announce that inbound tourists will no longer be subjected to testing rules.
Cyprus – Starting Feb. 21, vaccinated visitors no longer need to present a pre-departure or post-arrival negative COVID-19 test or self-isolate after entering the island. Unvaccinated travelers will be subject to restrictions based on their country of departure.
Tunisia – this African nation removed pre-entry testing for all vaccinated visitors. Unvaccinated travelers must present a PCR test taken less than 48 hours before travel or a rapid test taken less than 24 hours before departure.
Jordan – On March 1, Jordan will lift both the pre-flight and post-arrival COVID-19 tests for all travelers.
Other European countries no longer requiring travelers testing include Finland, Norway, Switzerland, Lithuania, and, France.
For the time being Lithuania has only removed the restriction for EU travelers.
In France, the removal of the testing requirement applies to all travelers, according to the French Ministry of the Interior.
“For travelers vaccinated within the meaning of European regulations, no more tests will be required on departure. Proof of a complete vaccination schedule becomes sufficient to arrive in France, regardless of the country of origin,” the statement of the Ministry reads.
Portugal and Greece have stated that the restriction will be lifted for fully vaccinated tourists or those who have recovered from the virus.
As of today, travelers to Portugal must either present an EU Digital Certificate or a negative PCR test performed 72 hours before departure. A rapid antigen test performed 24 hours prior to travel is also valid.
Passengers should check with their airlines to see if their vaccine certificate is valid before purchasing tickets.
For its part, Greece has withdrawn the obligation for passengers from the United States, Canada, Australia, and other countries to present a COVID-19 test.