Foreign Office travel restrictions have thrown many holiday plans into chaos – so just what is the latest advice for Spanish and Greek islands?
It can be hard to keep up with the ever changing ‘green list’ for quarantine-free travel, especially when it comes to the popular holiday sun-spots of Greece and Spain and their islands – especially with the differing rules within Greece.
With regards to Spain, this is the least confusing as the FCO advise British holidaymakers against travelling to the entire country, including the Balearic and Canary Islands.
However, if you do want to travel to Spain or its islands, you will be subject to the following requirements:
- you will have to provide the Spanish Ministry of Health with mandatory contact information and any history of exposure to COVID-19 48 hours prior to travel
- you will have to undergo a temperature check
- and you will have undergo a visual health assessment on arrival
- face coverings are mandatory for anyone over the age of six years old on all forms of public transport in Spain and in many other indoor and outdoor public spaces
Now Greece is a little more complicated as they vary depending on where in Greece you are travelling to – there are different rules for the mainland and the islands.
The popular holiday islands of Crete, Mykonos, Santorini and Zakynthos are considered no-go areas by the FCO who advise “against all but essential travel to the islands of Lesvos, Tinos, Serifos, Mykonos, Crete, Santorini and Zante”.
However, the rest of Greece remains exempt from the FCO’s advice against all non-essential international travel, but entry restrictions are in place:
- you will need to complete a Passenger Locator Form (PLF) at least 24 hours before travel and failure to do so in advance may result in your carrier not allowing you to travel, a 500 Euro fine on arrival or the Greek authorities not allowing you to enter the country
- face masks/coverings are mandatory on all public transport within Greece, at airports and on aeroplanes and in all public indoor spaces
