Where to travel during COVID-19: countries and requirements

Safe international travel during COVID-19 is being made possible thanks to vaccine passports and travel health certificates. Several countries are now using these documents to allow foreign tourists to return.

As more nations open their borders, many people are wondering where they can travel to in 2021.

This page explains where people can travel during COVID-19 with a vaccine certificate and entry requirements in place.

Where to travel in 2021

A number of countries are welcoming international travellers in 2021.

In each case, visitors must meet all the regular and special COVID-19 requirements and apply for each specific travel health certificate:

Do you need the COVID-19 vaccine to travel?

Whenever possible, travellers are recommended to get vaccinated against COVID-19 before going abroad.

Foreign travel is generally easier for people who have been fully vaccinated. Although usually not a mandatory entry requirement, especially for essential trips, vaccinated passengers may be exempt from entry restrictions such as pre-departure testing and quarantine.

Examples include Canada, where vaccinated passengers are exempt from quarantine and the day 8 test.

To travel to Turkey, tourists without a vaccination certificate must provide evidence of a negative pre-departure test to gain entry.

An increasing number of countries are using vaccination certificates to facilitate travel during the pandemic. The EU COVID Certificate contains vaccine information. In principle, vaccinated Europeans can move around the European Union restriction-free.

COVID-19 vaccination for travel

Countries that accept vaccine passports specify which information the medical certificate must contain.

The key information, and why it must be included, is explained below.

Type of vaccination accepted to travel

Countries provide a list of vaccines that they accept. Restrictions are usually lifted for travellers who have received one of the vaccines approved for use in the destination country.

Vaccines that are being widely accepted include:

Travellers must check that the vaccine they received is accepted in the country they wish to visit. If not, the certificate will not be accepted and normal restrictions will apply.

Date when the vaccination was completed

To be considered fully vaccinated, most countries specify that the last dose should have been received at least 14 days before arrival.

Protection from the vaccine is optional from around 2 weeks following the final jab.

Vaccine certificates are not accepted to enter Canada or Turkey until this 14-day period has passed.

QR code containing vaccine information

Some countries require vaccination certificates to contain a QR code. This code contains information about the traveller’s vaccine status. Border officials can scan the QR code to quickly determine under what conditions the passenger may enter.

Paper and digital formats of digital certificates are accepted by most countries.

Depending on the country, other information may also be requested. Travellers wishing to use a vaccine certificate to travel must check the requirements for their destination.

COVID vaccine travel restrictions

Vaccine certificates are facilitating international travel and tourism. By easing restrictions for fully vaccinated foreigners, governments can safely welcome back overseas visitors.

Restrictions for vaccinated arrivals vary depending on the country. Here are some examples of the entry requirements for passengers with a valid vaccine certificate are exempted from:

Vaccinated individuals still need to meet standard entry and visa requirements. In addition, a travel health certificate or health declaration is needed to go to many countries during the pandemic.

Difference between a vaccine passport and travel health certificate

Vaccine certificates and travel health certificates are 2 separate documents that countries have introduced due to COVID-19.

They contain different information and serve different purposes:

Many nations have introduced a version of the travel health certificate. All passengers, vaccinated and unvaccinated, are required to complete the form in the days leading up to departure.

Although the details vary, in most cases visitors need to provide contact information so that they can be easily located during their stay. Passengers may also need to declare that they are not experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms.

Anyone going to Canada, Turkey, or the US needs to submit the form online before departure.

COVID-19 recovery certificate to travel

Passengers with a COVID-19 recovery certificate can usually travel under the same conditions as vaccinated travellers.

People develop antibodies when they are infected, which offer protection against the virus for a limited time.

Turkey recognises COVID-19 recovery certificates that were issued no more than 6 months before arrival.

Travelling in 2021 without a COVID-19 vaccine

Essential travel is permitted by most countries regardless of vaccination or recovery status. Travel bans do not usually apply to people who are:

Depending on the country, other exemptions may also apply. Canada, for example, allows passengers to enter for certain compassionate reasons and several other purposes.

Non-vaccinated travellers in these categories may still be subject to entry restrictions, including quarantine.

Where is the best place to travel in 2021?

When considering where to travel in 2021, it’s important to check the latest entry bans and requirements. As vaccination campaigns are rolled out worldwide, COVID-19 vaccine travel restrictions are being updated regularly.

The best choice depends on the tourist’s nationality and vaccination status.

In all cases, visitors must meet all the regular entry requirements for their destination and obtain the additional COVID-19 documents. It is expected that more countries will open up to international travellers soon.