Spain and Italy maintain Covid travel restrictions for holidaymakers over the Easter holidays

A growing number of European countries are lifting all their Covid-related travel restrictions, but Spain and Italy have confirmed their travel restrictions will last at least until the end of the month.

In Spain, an extension to April 30 means Irish and other holidaymakers visiting the country over the Easter holidays will still need to show proof of vaccination, recovery or a negative test result.

Passengers who do not hold an EU Digital Covid Cert or equivalent document must complete the Spanish Health Inspection Form prior to travel.

Children under the age of 12 are exempt from this rule.

Locally, Spain requires, among other things, the wearing of masks in indoor public spaces and on public transport, including taxis, by April 20.

Many travelers and industry experts had hoped Spain could ease its restrictions in time for the popular Easter holiday.

Inbound tourism to the country appears to have picked up, however, with data from ForwardKeys showing the country’s Easter bookings are at about 90 percent of 2019 levels.

Many European countries including Ireland, Denmark, Poland, Sweden, Norway, Hungary, Iceland and Switzerland and the UK have them all Covid-related travel rules abolished.

Meanwhile, Italy’s Health Minister Roberto Speranza signed an ordinance effectively extending the country’s current Covid measures until at least April 30.

This means the country is keeping its ‘Vaccinated, Recovered, Tested’ entry rule – you must show proof to enter the country – as well as its Passenger Locator Form. Face masks remain indoors and on public transport.

Ministers say they will review the rules before the end of April expiry date.

“The end of the state of emergency does not mean that the virus is gone or that the pandemic is over,” Mr Speranza told the Italian TV chat show Che Tempo Che Fa.

“Compared to other countries, we have opted for a more step-by-step approach.

“It’s a new phase. It would be foolish to think we can handle the pandemic the same way we did a year ago.”

However, it will be lifting some of its Covid rules on-site later this month following the end of the country’s state of emergency.

Portugal will continue to require travelers aged 12 and over to fill out their Passenger Locator Card and provide proof of vaccination, recovery or a negative test result.

However, Madeira has no travel restrictions for Covid.