The days of frantically hoping your COVID test would be negative some 48 or 24 hours before your flight or train are luckily mostly behind us.
But the worry you’ll catch the virus is still very present — especially as colder temperatures make us more vulnerable to catching viruses.
So what should you do if you catch COVID while travelling? With restrictions removed in most countries, it’s hard to know the right thing to do.
So here’s everything you need to know if you catch COVID while in Europe, including where you can buy COVID tests and how long you need to self-isolate for.
Entry rules and remaining travel restrictions for every country in Europe are available here.
France: COVID testing, masks and self-isolation rules
France got rid of its COVID-related travel restrictions back in August. This means travellers arriving in the country — mainland or overseas — do not have to present a COVID certificate or complete any document testifying to not having the virus, irrespective of their country of origin.
According to the French government, proof of a compelling reason for travel is no longer required and travellers no longer need to present a sworn declaration saying they are not infected with COVID or take an antigen test upon arrival.
The French health ministry has also scrapped the obligation to wear face masks. Mask-wearing is no longer required in public buildings or on public transport like trains, buses, ships, boats and planes.
Wearing a mask remains compulsory from the age of six for anyone going into a hospital, whether they are vaccinated or not.
If you test positive for coronavirus while in France, self-isolation rules differ depending on your vaccination status and if you have had COVID before.
If you’re fully vaccinated or if you’ve had COVID-19 in the last four months, you must self-isolate for seven days from the first day of symptoms, or seven days from the date of the positive test result. If you get a negative PCR or antigen test result (supervised, not self-administered) on day five and you have not displayed any symptoms in the previous 48 hours, you can end your quarantine.
These isolation rules also apply to children under the age of 12, regardless of their vaccination status.
If you are unvaccinated or partially vaccinated or have not contracted COVID in the past four months, you must self-isolate for 10 days. This can be reduced to seven by receiving a negative PCR or antigen test result. You must also show no symptoms for 48 hours.
In France, COVID tests are available in most pharmacies and in testing centres.
Germany: Masks, COVID testing and self-isolation rules
There are currently no entry restrictions for those wishing to visit Germany, except for visitors travelling from China. Travellers do not need to show proof of vaccination or a negative test.
FFP2 face masks are currently obligatory on public transport, in hospitals and in medical centres.
If you develop COVID symptoms while travelling in Germany you should contact a doctor or call the hotline on 116 117.
If you get a positive result from a self-test, you should follow up with a certified rapid antigen test or PCR test. If you test positive, you must self-isolate for at least five days. After this, you may leave quarantine as soon as you test negative for the virus.
At-home tests can be purchased from supermarkets and pharmacies and certified tests are available at testing centres.
Greece: Self-isolation rules, mask-wearing and where to buy tests
Greece scrapped all COVID restrictions for entering the country in May.
Masks are not required out and about or in restaurants anymore, but are still mandatory in healthcare settings — including hospitals, care facilities for the elderly and pharmacies — and on urban public transport, taxis and indoor spaces on boats.
Travellers used to have to self-isolate for 5 days if they catch COVID-19 in Greece, but this is no longer the case since the government announced that there are no rooms left in quarantine hotels.
Greek pharmacies give out free COVID tests — but you are only entitled to one free kit per week (four per month).
Italy: Self-isolation rules, where to buy tests and where you have to wear a mask
COVID restrictions have been lifted in Italy, and the country no longer requires any proof of vaccination, a negative test result or a COVID recovery certificate to let travellers in, whether they are vaccinated or not.
FFP2 face masks are no longer mandatory on public transport, such as planes, trains and buses, but they are still obligatory when visiting a hospital or a care home, which also requires proof of having received a booster dose and a negative test, or proof of vaccination and a negative test or a COVID recovery certificate and a negative test.
Italy has some of the strictest quarantine rules in Europe.
If you have symptoms or think you may have contracted COVID, the Italian health ministry advises visitors to self-isolate where you are staying and contact a doctor, Italy’s nationwide COVID hotline (1500), or a regional helpline.
They will assist travellers in arranging an emergency test. Visitors should not go to a pharmacy or medical centre.
Those without symptoms can take tests in Italy’s airports, pharmacies, labs and testing centres.
If you test positive, you must self-isolate for a minimum of seven days if fully vaccinated and boosted, or if you recovered from COVID in the last 120 days.
If not, the isolation period is extended to 10 days. In both cases, you must have no symptoms (apart from loss of taste or smell) for three days before being able to leave self-isolation.
You are also required to test negative for COVID with a molecular (PCR) or rapid antigen test on the final day of isolation to be released. If you continue to test positive, you can leave quarantine after 21 days.
Portugal: Testing, self-isolation and mask rules
Travellers arriving in Portugal from abroad are no longer required to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test to enter the country
Wearing a mask is mandatory only in hospitals and other health facilities, while it’s recommended — but not legally required — by anyone above the age of 10 in closed indoors spaces and big gatherings, public transport and taxis, and pharmacies.
If you test positive while in Portugal you no longer need to self-isolate.
You can buy COVID tests in supermarkets in Portugal.
If you require medical advice while in isolation, you can contact the healthcare helplines or 112 in an emergency.
Spain: Self-isolation, testing and rules on masks
Since October, there haven’t been any restrictions on entering Spain. Travellers from inside and outside the EU are not required to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test.
Spain’s coronavirus regulations are relatively relaxed though it is still compulsory to wear a mask on public transport and in medical settings.
If you develop symptoms or test positive for COVID, you are recommended to avoid crowded spaces and large events for 10 days, reduce social interaction and wear a face mask.
There is no requirement to self-isolate but you should inform those that you come into contact with that you have COVID.
Those with severe COVID symptoms or who are categorised as high risk (those aged 60 or older, pregnant or immunosuppressed) must self-isolate for seven days.
In Spain, rapid lateral flow tests — known as ‘pruebas de antígenos’ — are available in pharmacies for free.
UK: Testing, self-isolation and mask rules
Travellers arriving in the UK are not required to take a coronavirus test or show proof of vaccination.
The UK has scrapped nearly all COVID restrictions. Visitors who have symptoms or contract COVID are not required to self-isolate. However, health authorities recommend you avoid contact with other people for five days. Those aged 18 and under should stay at home for three days.
COVID tests are no longer free in the UK apart from for care home residents or NHS staff. However, they can be purchased from pharmacies.