Business Traveller (Middle East)
Third dose travel
The countries requiring travellers to prove COVID-19 booster jab status
Several countries are now requiring travellers to show proof of a COVID-19 booster jab due to the fear of spreading variants such as Omicron, to name just one. The definition of “fully vaccinated” differs depending on the country, with some putting time limits on the initial two doses of the vaccine. This may not restrict entry to the country but might mean that you won’t be able to access certain venues and services upon arrival.
Last year, the European Commission proposed a ninemonth time limit on vaccination certificates for travel to and within the European Union.
Here we round up the countries that require boosters or third doses either for entry or for domestic activities. Note that rules are always subject to change and that it is advisable to check rules of entry before departure.
AUSTRIA
To enter Austria, travellers must be fully vaccinated and either present proof of a booster shot or a negative PCR test.
“Fully vaccinated” means that travellers have received the second dose no more than 270 days before entry into the country. If it is beyond this time period they will be classified as fully vaccinated if they have had a booster shot 90 days after the second vaccination and less than 270 days ago. Travellers who have not been boosted must take a predeparture PCR test no more than 72 hours before arrival in the country. Without a negative PCR test or proof of a booster at the time of entry, travellers must complete a pretravel clearance form and enter quarantine. austria.info
CROATIA
The country has set a one-year limit on the validity of vaccine certificates, meaning that travellers who received their second dose (or first dose of Johnson and Johnson) more than 365 days ago will no longer be regarded as “fully vaccinated”. mup.gov.hr
FRANCE
According to the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, any person aged 12 and over entering French territory must present a negative PCR or antigen test less than 24 or 48 hours old, depending on the country of origin. The measures applicable to fully vaccinated adults will be extended under the same conditions to minors accompanying them, regardless of vaccination status. Minors less than 12 years of age are exempt from showing a test.
Fully vaccinated individuals arriving from a Member State of the European Union, Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, the Holy See or Switzerland do not have to show a COVID-19 test. To use the French health pass (“pass sanitaire”), adults aged 18 plus must show proof of a COVID-19 booster shot received five to seven months after their final dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. The health pass is essential if you want to visit any public venues in France. diplomatie.gouv.fr
ITALY
Fully vaccinated travellers can visit Italy provided they take a pre-departure PCR test no more than 48 hours before entering Italy or an antigen test no more than 24 hours before arrival. Nonetheless, travellers must have had a final dose of the vaccine within 180 days for their vaccine certificate (which is the equivalent to a green pass) to be valid when visiting Italy. The official website states: “As of January 10, 2022, if you do not hold a Strengthened Green Pass (or Super Green Pass), once in Italy you may not be able to access services such as public means of transportation and hotel accommodations. Vaccination certificates in Italy hold a validity of six months only, as of February 1, 2022.” salute.gov.it
ISRAEL
To enter Israel, you must provide proof that your final dose of the vaccine was administered no more than 180 days from the date of your departure from Israel. The country’s Ministry of Health states that travellers must either be: “Vaccinated with two vaccine doses (or a single dose in case of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine) and 14 days or more have passed since the date of the second dose on the day of arrival in Israel (and no more than 180 days on the day of leaving Israel). Not including the day of vaccination.”
Or: “They have been vaccinated with a booster dose and 14 days or more have passed since the date of the vaccination on the day of arrival in Israel. Not including the day of vaccination.” Note, that all travellers must also take a predeparture PCR test and another upon arrival at their own expense, and isolate until they receive their result (or 24 hours have passed). corona.health.gov.il
SINGAPORE
From February 14, travellers with a second jab more than 270 days old were not regarded as fully vaccinated. They now need to provide proof of a booster dose within 270 days after the final dose of the primary vaccination series. This rule includes those aged 12 years and above from March 14. mfa.gov.sg
SPAIN
Travellers who have had two doses of the vaccine more than 270 days prior to travel are no longer classified as fully jabbed, and they must have received a booster vaccination at least 14 days prior to entry. Spain’s official tourism website states: “If you need a vaccination certificate, this must have been issued by the competent authorities of the country of origin at least 14 days after the date of administration of the final dose of the complete (first) course of vaccination, as long as the final dose of that course of vaccination was no more than 270 days ago. From that time, the certificate must show the administration of a booster vaccination.” Travellers must also complete an online Health Control Form and may have to undergo additional checks upon arrival in Spain, including a temperature check, visual health assessment or testing. Passengers may also be contacted and required to undergo a PCR, TMA, or LAMP test at any point up to 48 hours after their arrival in the country. www.spth.gob.es
SWITZERLAND
The validity period of vaccination certificates in Switzerland has been shortened to 270 days, meaning that you will need a booster jab beyond this time period to be classified as “fully vaccinated”. bag.admin.ch