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In July, when borders started to reopen, the UK government announced a number of travel corridors. Initially, there were 59 countries from which you could travel without the need to quarantine on arrival. The government also introduced a list of countries and territories exempt from the advice against ‘all but essential international travel.’
Brits, desperate for sun, sand and sea flocked to the airports for European holidays. However this freedom proved short lived and within weeks, some of the ‘travel corridors’ had been removed. Other countries have since followed suit. Your options for a summer holiday are shrinking, and as countries report surges in cases, the list could shrink further.
Where can you go in Europe without quarantine?
I have updated the list of ‘travel corridors’ below to show which in Europe require quarantine on arrival and whether they are excluded from ‘essential travel only.‘ If the country ticks all three criteria, then it could be a a candidate for a last minute summer break.
Covid experience in these countries
The data also shows the number of cumulative numbers of Coronavirus infections for 14 days per 100,000. The UK government uses this data (albeit based on 7 day data) to establish when a country should be removed from the quarantine exemption. If the country exceeds 20 cases per 100,000 over seven days, it is a potential candidate for the reintroduction of quarantine. These numbers change rapidly so even if a country ticks all three boxes today, it may not in a few weeks.
I have highlighted any countries in red which exceed the magical 20 number. This means they could soon require quarantine on arrival into the UK.
Covid statistics
| Country | Cases per 100,000 over 14 days (Source: ECDC) | Exempt from ‘all but essential international travel’ (FCO guidance) | No need to quarantine on arrival |
| Cyprus | 20.4 | √ | √ but with negative Covid test provided within 72 hours of travel |
| Denmark | 30.7 | √ | √ |
| Estonia | 8.2 | √ | √ providing the country from where arriving has an infection rate of 16 or fewer cases per 100,000 people for the previous 14 days |
| Faroe Islands | 299.9 | √ | √ |
| Finland | 5.3 | √ | × |
| Gibraltar | 97.9 | √ | √ |
| Germany | 17.9 | √ | √ |
| Greece | 24.4 | √ | √ |
| Greenland | 0 | √ | √ |
| Hungary | 4.3 | √ | x |
| Iceland | 30.5 | √ | x |
| Ireland | 25.4 | √ | x |
| Italy | 10.3 | √ | √ |
| Latvia | 3.9 | √ | x |
| Liechtenstein | 20.8 | √ | x |
| Lithuania | 12.1 | √ | x |
| Norway | 13.6 | √ | x From midnight on Friday 21 August, all travellers from the UK will be required to quarantine for 10 days on arrival. |
| Poland | 25.6 | √ | √ |
| Portugal | √ | √ | |
| San Marino | 58.1 | √ | √ |
| Slovakia | 10.2 | √ | √ |
| Slovenia | 12.8 | √ | √ |
| Turkey | 20.6 | √ | √ |
| Vatican City | 10.3 | √ | √ |
Note, that quarantine may still be imposed if you show signs of Covid during travel or on arrival in any country on the list above.
What countries are quarantine free?
Countries highlighted in gold do not impose a quarantine on arrival or on your return to the Uk. They also are exempt from essential travel only requirements so your insurance should be valid. More importantly they do not exceed the limit above.
In Europe therefore there are currently 16 countries that you can visit without quarantine on arrival or on your return. If you remove the countries in red this number drops to just 8 countries.
One last tip
Given how quickly the position can change, my last piece of advice would be to book refundable hotels. That way you can obtain a refund if you must cancel due to government imposed changes.
Have your say
Given the rapidly changing situation, would you travel currently? Even if quarantine was involved? Let us know what you think in the comments below.
As a US passport holder, I recently entered Serbia, Albania, Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Turkey with no quarantine there, intermediate countries, or when returning to the US. I had to fill out a brief form when landing in Albania but that was it. I’m not sure if the UK would require quarantine upon return.
Many of those countries currently require quarantine on the UK if you have entered them within 14 days of arriving in the UK. Those travelling directly from the United States also definitely need to quarantine on arrival. Of course the problem is that this relies on the integrity of entering travellers many of whom I suspect will not adhere to the entry requirements. Obviously each country is different as can clearly be seen from the above, and indeed the situation changes day by day as countries experience spikes in cases. Sounds like you had a great trip. I love that part of the world.
Where did you get to?
Norway has a 10 day quarantine on arrival for uk. If you are able to enter at all.
Thanks for that. Position has changed since I wrote the article but now updated
What about Netherlands, Belgium
Neither countries are exempt from quarantine in the UK hence why they are not on the list.
Thank you for changing the table. The FCO isnt to be relied on for the destination rules.
People have to look at the information from the destination goverment. People are still arriving in Iceland not being aware of the change – as reported in their local newspapers
You are welcome. Thanks for commenting.
There is a tick against your Iceland entry not a cross. The FCO actually doesnt give information for other countries, only the UK rules.
https://www.covid.is/categories/tourists-travelling-to-iceland
I beg to differ. The link to the FCO website which clearly highlights the entry requirements for Iceland.
Your table is wrong. iceland has mandatory 5 day quarantine on arrival for everyone since the 19th August. It was announced 10 days ago.
I dont undertand why every tracker site still has this information wrong when the governement has made this very clear in their announcements
According to the FCO website, it is 14 day quarantine. Likewise Icelandic site confirms this or the option to take two tests seperated by 5 days quarantine.