Which Countries Allow Visitors Who Have Been Vaccinated?

Last update: July 28, 2021

The widespread availability of Covid-19 vaccines has given world travelers the first glimmer of hope since early 2020.

Some nations have already announced plans to drop quarantine requirements for tourists who can prove they have been immunized.

That doesn't mean borders will be wide open. Even countries that allow vaccinated visitors might still require visas or might forbid nonessential travel—though such restrictions could be dropped in time. Also, unvaccinated children will not be permitted in most cases.

Additionally, there may be other restrictions depending on your origin country or the passport you're traveling with—some countries are still observing lockdowns and regional travel bans. And you might still be required to provided additional documentation about your medical status. 

That's more easily said than done, because there is no international standard for proof of immunization. It's up to each traveler to provide proof in the form demanded at each destination, to comply with all requests for ancillary documentation, and to obey any virus-related restrictions that are in place during a visit. 

Many countries are open to non-vaccinated visitors as long as a mandatory quarantine period is observed, but the Centers for Disease Control in the United States is still not recommending international travel, even for its vaccinated citizens.

Still, the ever-growing list below is a great starting point. In one fashion or another, the places on this list have announced that they're accepting vaccinated visitors—or that they intend to. 
 

Anguilla

As of July 1, all visitors who are eligible for vaccination are required to be. Before entry, they must show proof as well as a negative Covid-19 test result between three and five days before entry. Unvaccinated tourists will not be admitted. 

More info: Anguilla Tourist Board

Austria

As of June 24, vaccinated U.S. visitors may enter the country without quarantine provided they have only been in countries on Austria's safe list (Anlage A/Annex A) in the preceding 10 days.

Bahamas

Tourists who upload proof of vaccination before arrival will be exempt from Covid-19 tests. Their only entry formality is to obtain a Bahamas Travel Health Visa within five days of travel

Barbados

Fully vaccinated travelers will be given a Covid-19 test upon arrival and will not be required to quarantine as long as it returns a negative result. That means they may not be be quarantined, or they may be quarantined for up to two days depending the timing of the test result.

Belize

Belize now allows visitors from any nation who have completed their vaccinations at least two weeks before arrival. All visitors must first download and complete the Belize Health App and all must submit a negative Covid-19 test result, regardless of vaccination status.

More info: Belize Tourism Board

British Virgin Islands

Fully vaccinated travelers will be given a Covid-19 test upon arrival and will not be required to quarantine as long as it returns a negative result.

More info: Ministry of Health & Social Development

Canada

Starting Aug. 9, Americans may visit Canada for non-essential travel as long as they upload proof of vaccination to ArriveCAN ahead of their trip. They must bring their original vaccination card and a negative Covid-19 test result no older than 72 hours. A second test may be required after entry. Unvaccinated kids may enter freely with their vaccinated parents, but unvaccinated adults are subject to quarantine for up to two weeks. Visitors from other countries will be admitted starting in September.

More info: Government of Canada

Canary Islands

Tourists may visit without quarantine provided they have been fully vaccinated no more than eight months before their arrival. 

Croatia

Tourists may visit without quarantine provided at least two weeks have elapsed since receiving their final vaccination dose. Residents of countries outside Europe must also show proof that their accommodation reservations have been paid in full.

Cyprus

Vaccinated visitors from Britain and other European countries will be welcomed beginning May 1, 2021. As of now, many nationalities, including Americans, will not be admitted.

More info: Visit Cyprus

Czech Republic (Czechia)

As of June 22, people from the United States are freely admitted. Further details are avaiable from the Czech Ministry of the Interior.

More info: CzechTourism

Ecuador

Ecuador's largest daily newspaper, El Universo (Spanish language) reports that visitors with proof of vaccination may now explore the country, including the Galápagos Islands. (Nonvaccinated visitors must show proof of a negative Covid-19 test that is no older than 72 hours.) 

More info: Ministry of Tourism

Estonia

Estonia is allowing visitors who have received the vaccine within the last six months. Also welcome are visitors who have been diagnosed with Covid-19 and have recovered within the last six months.

More info: Ministry of Foreign Affairs

France

Vaccinated visitors are not required to quarantine, however, upon arrival they must negative PCR test no older than 72 hours, or a negative antigenic test of no older than 48 hours. Some sectors of the country remain closed.

More info: Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs

French Polynesia (Tahiti)

Vaccinated visitors are admitted as long as they have been inside the United States for the previous 30 days. However, if they bring children who have not been vaccinated, they must submit to a 10-day quarantine with their children.

More info: Government of French Polynesia

Germany

As of June 20, Americans are allowed to visit Germany for any reason. Proof of vaccination, proof of recovery from COVID-19, or negative test result is still required for entry via air travel. Cellphone photos of documents are not sufficient. 

Georgia

Starting February 1, the country began admitting visitors who completed their courses of vaccination. Further proof of a negative Covid-19 test is not required, however, visitors may not have visited India in the prior 14 days.

More info: Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Grenada

Fully vaccinated travelers will be required to test for Covid-19 before arrival and test again upon arrival. They will not be required to quarantine as long as it returns a negative result.

Greece

On May 14, Greece opened to all travelers who have been vaccinated, can prove they have antibodies, or present a negative PCR test. Visitors may also be asked to show their proof as they board domestic flights and ferries, particularly for the Greek Islands. Unvaccinated people are banned from all indoor restaurants, bars, clubs, and entertainment venues.

More info: Greek National Tourism Organisation

Guatemala

All passengers arriving in Guatemala must present evidence of either a negative Covid-19 test within 72 hours of arrival or  a Covid-19 vaccine course completed at least two weeks before arrival. There are some restrictions; visitors who have been to South Africa or the United Kingdom in the past 14 days will not be admitted.

More info: Ministry of Health (Ministerio de Salud)

Iceland

Iceland now allows visitors who have completed their vaccination doses, but not for vaccine formulations from China or Russia. Click here to see the most current list of allowed vaccines. 

More info: Visit Iceland

Ireland

As of July 19, tourists may enter Ireland without quarantining provided they have obtained a EU Digital COVID Certificate (DCC) that shows they have been vaccinated, they have recovered from Covid-19 or, they have a recent negative test result.

More info: Government of Ireland

Israel

Although Israel had previously announced its intentions to admit vaccinated tourists earlier, it has delayed that plan until August 2021 at the soonest. No date has been announced.

More info: Ministry of Tourism

Italy

As of June 18, Italy welcomes American visitors who can prove they completed their vaccination course at least two weeks prior. Tourists must present a Green Certificate and a European Digital Passenger Locator Form (dPLF). There are also allowances for people who can prove they recovered from Covid-19 in the past 180 days and for those who present recent negative test results.

Lebanon

As of January 11, Lebanon dispensed with its quarantine requirement for arriving visitors who have been vaccinated. However, that must be supplemented with a negative Covid-19 test no older than 96 hours.

More info: U.S. Embassy in Lebanon  

Lithuania

Visitors who can prove they have been vaccinated by producing a valid certificate are permitted to enter without isolation requirements.  

More info: Lithuania Ministry of Health

Maldives

Vaccinated travelers may avoid quarantine, but their unvaccinated children will be required to test for the virus. Visitors may be restricted to designated islands by the country's Health Protection Agency.

More info: Ministry of Tourism

Mauritius

Officials from this tropical island nation located in the Indian Ocean have announced that vaccinated visitors will soon be permitted to enter the country without quarantining. So far, a start date has not been determined. Mauritius offers free Covid-19 vaccination to international visitors who qualify for its Premium Visa, which is good for stays of up to a year.

More info: Mauritius Tourism Promotion Agency

Montenegro

Visitors who can prove they completed their vaccinations at least seven days before arrival may enter. Children may show a negative Covid-19 test, except for children under the age of 5, who are exempt.

More info: Ministry of Health (Ministarstvo zdravlja)

Nepal

Vaccinated visitors must test upon arrival. 

More info: Nepal Tourism Board

Poland

On December 28, 2020, Poland announced that individuals who have been vaccinated are exempt from quarantine; however, the country adjoins several EU member nations that have not issued similar proclamations.

More info: Republic of Poland

Portugal

Americans are freely admitted as long as they provide a RT-PCR Test (or similar NAAT test) taken no more than 72 hours before boarding, or a rapid antigen test 48 hours before boarding (children under 12 excluded). They must also furnish a EU Digital COVID Certificate and a Passenger Locator Card.

More info: Turismo de Portugal

Romania

Romania will accept vaccinated visitors if at least 10 days have passed since the final dose. An advance visa is still required for many tourists.

More info: Ministry of Foreign Affairs

St. Lucia

Visitors with proof of completed vaccination are free to roam most parts of the island upon arrival; nonvaccinated visitors are restricted to Covid-approved hotels.

More info: Saint Lucia Tourism Authority

Seychelles

This island getaway in the Indian Ocean opened borders to vaccinated travelers in January. But effective March 25, visitors only need to provide negative Covid-19 test results that are no older than 72 hours. There will be no vaccination or quarantine requirement. Recent visitors to South Africa will not be admitted.

More info: Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Tourism https://www.slovenia.info/en/plan-your-trip/all-you-need-to-know-for-a-healthy-and-safe-vacation-in-slovenia

Slovenia

This partly Alpine country on the Adriatic Sea between Italy and Croatia now allows vaccinated visitors to skip quarantine. Rules vary according to the vaccine that was administered, so to be on the safe side, wait at least three weeks after completing vaccination before travel.

More info: Slovenian Tourist Board 

Spain

Visistors from the United States are freely admitted provided they have not visited another country prior to their arrival (other than connecting flights). Other visitors are excluded from quarantine if they obtain a QR code that proves they have been vaccinated at least 14 days before arrival. Some vaccinated visitors may be asked to undergo a Covid-19 test upon arrival as a precaution. U.S. children under age 6 are exempt, but children age 6 and up require their own vaccination certificate or negative results from a Covid-19 test taken within 48 hours. 

More info: Travel Safe España

Switzerland

As of June 28, vaccinated American tourists may visit Switzerland (pictured above) without quarantine or viral tests. Before arrival, they must complete the online paperwork requested by the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH).
More info: Switzerland Tourism

Thailand

On July 1, the country of Thailand plans to open the resort island of Phuket to international tourists who have been vaccinated. No quarantine will be required, and if the reopening is successful, other areas may follow. However, a recent surge in infections is threatening this plan.

More info: Royal Thai Embassy, Washington, D.C. 

United Kingdom

On July 28, U.K. Secretary of State for Transport tweeted that as of August 2, vaccinated Americans and Europeans are allowed to visit without quarantining. "The changes will apply to fully vaxxed people with an FDA or EMA vaccine Syringe—they’ll still need to do the usual pre-departure test before arrival and take a PCR test on day 2 of returning to the England." The rule applies to new arrivals in England but not to arrivals in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland.  Unvaccinated visitors must still quarantine for 10 days at their own expense.

More info: Gov.UK

United States

Hawaii plans to be the first U.S. state to allow quarantine-free visits by people with proof of vaccination. Details have not yet been finalized, but authorities reportedly hope to start the program by the summer. Until then, a negative Covid-19 test is required before entry to bypass quarantine.

More info: Hawaii Tourism Authority

Photo at top of page: Bran Castle, Romania