Photo: Balate Dorin/Shutterstock

These Countries Are Open to Vaccinated Tourists

by Eben Diskin Apr 28, 2021

Just when we got used to COVID-19 testing requirements for travel, the vaccine rollout is changing countries’ entry protocols. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, and vaccines become more widely available, more countries are swapping out negative test results for vaccination cards. Instead of producing a negative test result to gain entry or avoid quarantine, travelers are increasingly being allowed to show proof of vaccination in countries around the world. This regularly updated list shows which countries are welcoming vaccinated travelers.



Europe

Croatia

Croatia

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Croatia is opening its borders to fully vaccinated travelers from any country — that means anyone who has received both doses of a two-dose vaccine, or one dose of the Johnson & Johnson shot, and waited the necessary two-week period. No negative test or quarantine will be required upon arrival. In addition to vaccination, travelers will also have to show proof of paid accommodation in a hotel, camp, private rental, or rented vessel paid in advance. A reservation alone will not be sufficient.

Cyprus

Cyprus

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Starting early April, Cyprus began accepting proof of vaccination as a substitute for negative PCR tests. Now, as long as you can prove you’ve been vaccinated, and upload a copy of your vaccination card to the Cyprus Flight Pass platform, you won’t be required to show any test results or quarantine.

Estonia

Tallinn, Estonia, for vaccinated travelers

Photo: kavalenkava/Shutterstock

Estonia’s 10-day self-isolation period is no longer mandatory for those who have received a COVID-19 vaccination and no more than six months have passed since its completion. Those who have recovered from COVID-19 no more than six months ago will also be allowed to skip quarantine. For more information, visit the official tourist information website.

Georgia

Georgian countryside for vaccinated travelers

Photo: SJ Travel Photo and Video/Shutterstock

Citizens of all countries traveling by air are allowed to enter Georgia if they show evidence of being fully vaccinated. Travelers who do so will not be required to self-isolate. Otherwise, a negative PCR test will be mandatory to avoid quarantine. For more information, visit the official Travel Georgia website.

Greece

Adisa/Shutterstock

Greece is taking steps to open the country to vaccinated visitors, beginning with tourists from the EU, UK, US, Serbia, Israel, and the UAE. Starting April 19, incoming citizens from these designated places will not be required to quarantine as long as they have been vaccinated or test negative for COVID-19. If this phase proves successful, Greece will open to more countries in the future. Airports will also be reopening in Kos, Mykonos, Santorini, Rhodes, Corfu, Athens, Thessaloniki, and Crete, making it easier for travelers to access the country.

Iceland

Waterfall in Iceland for vaccinated travelers

Photo: Maridav/Shutterstock

For those previously eligible to enter Iceland with a negative COVID-19 test, proof of vaccination will now be accepted. Travelers entering Iceland with proof of full vaccination from an EEA/EFTA country (the 27 EU member states, as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway) will be permitted to skip the border screening and quarantine. As of March 18, all vaccinated travelers, including those from the US and UK, will also be admitted without any testing or quarantine requirements. Further details are available online.

Ireland

Ireland

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Travelers with proof of vaccination no longer have to quarantine upon arrival to Ireland. A negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure, however, is still required. Those who received the two doses of the Pfizer vaccine must wait at least seven days after inoculation before entering the country, those who received Moderna must wait at least 14 days, AstraZeneca must wait 15 days, and Johnson & Johnson must wait 14 days.

Lithuania

Lithuania

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Travelers who can prove that they have completed the full course of a COVID-19 vaccine will be allowed to enter Lithuania with relaxed restrictions — no quarantine or test upon arrival. All travelers, regardless of vaccination status, must fill out this online form before traveling.

Montenegro

Perast

canadastock/Shutterstock

Montenegro is now allowing fully vaccinated travelers from certain countries to enter without any quarantine requirements. All you have to do is prove that you’ve been fully vaccinated for at least seven days. Montenegro is also allowing visitors who can show a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours.

Poland

Poznan, Poland, vaccinated travelers

Photo: Maciej Bledowski/Shutterstock

Travelers to Poland will now be allowed to skip the mandatory 10-day quarantine, as long as they can prove that they have been fully vaccinated. Keep in mind that only citizens of countries already permitted to enter with a negative test will be eligible for the vaccine exemption. These countries are subject to change but currently include EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland, Georgia, Japan, Canada, New Zealand, Thailand, South Korea, Tunisia, and Australia.

Romania

Romania

Photo: Balate Dorin/Shutterstock

Romania allows travelers with proof of vaccination to enter the country without quarantine, though quarantine does remain in effect for those without vaccination. You must prove that at least 10 days have passed since your second dose before entering the country.

Slovenia

Slovenia

Photo: Uhryn Larysa/Shutterstock

Slovenia is open to tourists from certain countries, depending on their current epidemiological situation. Travelers from countries on its “red list” must take a PCR test and quarantine upon arrival, though these requirements will be waived if they can show proof of vaccination. Vaccinated travelers must wait seven days after receiving the second dose of the Pfizer vaccine, or 14 days after the Moderna vaccine, or 21 days after the AstraZeneca vaccine, to be allowed entry.

South America, Central America, and the Caribbean

Puerto Rico

Photo: Sean Pavone/Shutterstock

Fully vaccinated US travelers no longer have to provide a negative COVID-19 test to enter Puerto Rico. A vaccination card, along with an ID, will now be acceptable for entry. International visitors, and domestic travelers who are unvaccinated, will still be required to present a negative PCR test taken no more than 72 hours before arrival. All travelers are still required to submit a Travel Declaration Form prior to arriving.

Belize

Belizean beach welcoming vaccinated tourists

Photo: Simon Dannhauer/Shutterstock

Instead of providing a negative COVD-19 test, travelers to Belize must now only present a vaccination record card, proving that they received full inoculation at least two weeks before their arrival to Belize. They must also download the Belize Health App and input the required health information within 72 hours of arriving in Belize. Travelers who haven’t yet received their vaccines must still show a negative COVID-19 test to enter, taken within 96 hours of travel. A rapid antigen test, taken within 48 hours of travel, is also acceptable. Failing to produce a test will result in a mandated test upon arrival at the airport at a cost of $50 per person. Airport testing is also available for travelers who need a test to return to home countries that require it. A list of approved testing sites is available on the Belize Tourism Board website.

Ecuador

Seal

Photo: FOTOGRIN/Shutterstock

To enter Ecuador, travelers previously had to show proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test or evidence of recent recovery from the virus. Now, while a negative test is also acceptable for entry, proof of vaccination will be enough to enter Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands. Details are a bit hazy right now, but presumably a traveler must have taken both doses of a two-dose vaccine — or a single dose of Johnson & Johnson — and wait the required two weeks for full immunization.

Guatemala

Guatemala

Photo: Simon Dannhauer/Shutterstock

Guatemala is now open to travelers who can prove that they are fully vaccinated, which includes a two-week waiting period after the final shot. The country is also open to anyone who tests negative for COVID-19 within 72 hours of arrival, and those who have recovered from the virus within the past three months and can prove it with an antibody test.

The Middle East

Israel

White mineral salt shore at Dead sea, Israel

Photo: Dmitry Polonskiy/Shutterstock

Starting May 23, Israel will begin welcoming vaccinated visitors as part of a phased approach. In the first phase, a limited number of tour groups will be allowed to visit, and that number will increase based on the country’s COVID-19 situation. At a later date in July, individual vaccinated travelers will be allowed to enter. Regardless of phase, all vaccinated visitors are still required to show evidence of a negative PCR test before entering, and a serological test upon arrival to prove vaccination. The latter requirement will likely be lifted once a standardized vaccine passport is approved.

Lebanon

Lebanon

Photo: Vadim Nefedoff/Shutterstock

Lebanon is allowing anyone who can prove they have received the COVID-19 vaccine to enter the country without quarantining. Travelers will still be required to take a PCR test within 96 hours of their arrival to Lebanon. Travelers must show their test results at their departure airport, or they won’t be allowed to board the airplane.

Asia

Nepal

Nepal

Photo: Olga Danylenko/Shutterstock

All travelers to Nepal must either show a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of boarding their flight or a document proving complete vaccination against COVID-19. You will also need a visa or a letter of recommendation from the department of tourism, proof of travel insurance, and a barcode from an online application.

A version of this article about countries open to vaccinated travelers was previously published on March 15, 2021, and was updated on April 28, 2021, with more information.

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