After two long pandemic years, many vacationers are looking forward to a much more relaxed travel year with many loosening. Anyone who has been vaccinated or has recovered does not usually need to present an additional test when entering the EU – not even on the plane. Most EU countries apply 3G upon arrival. PCR or rapid tests are only required as proof from unvaccinated people. Outside the EU, however, travelers often still have to show negative tests or, as in Thailand, have to be tested on site.
Since Corona is not over yet and the number of infections is still high in many holiday destinations, the risk of infection on site cannot be ruled out. But what happens if I suddenly feel positive in the holiday destination? Which rules then apply depends on the respective country. We provide an overview of popular local and long-distance destinations.
Austria: Five days of domestic quarantine in the hotel
In Austria, a positive rapid test must be confirmed with a PCR test. Those who are positive remain in “home quarantine” in their accommodation. This ends automatically from the fifth day if those affected are symptom-free for 48 hours.
After that, holidaymakers are not allowed to walk around freely: because there is a so-called traffic restriction for another five days. Those affected are not allowed to visit places where FFP2 masks are not worn continuously, such as in restaurants. This restriction can only be ended with a negative PCR test. The responsible public health officer decides whether it is possible to leave by private car.
Attention, the isolation rules may vary in the individual federal states. In Vienna, for example, positive people have to isolate themselves for ten days.
Switzerland: No obligation to isolate people who are corona positive
In Switzerland, the last nationwide corona measures were lifted at the beginning of April. Corona positives have therefore no longer had to isolate themselves since the beginning of the month. However, the authorities advise voluntary isolation if symptoms occur. In the country, there is no need to show proof of vaccination or recovery, nor do masks have to be worn.
France: Seven days of isolation for vaccinated people
Anyone who has been vaccinated must be in isolation for seven days if the test is positive, but can test free after five days. Those who are not vaccinated must be isolated for ten days. The first opportunity to test yourself is after seven days.
Italy: Seven days for vaccinated, ten for unvaccinated
If travelers test positive for Sars-CoV-2 during their stay in Italy, they are subject to the Italian quarantine regulations. The quarantine must not be interrupted without prior approval from the health authorities.
Anyone who tests positive in Italy but has been vaccinated and has already recovered must be in quarantine for seven days. Those who have not been vaccinated or have been vaccinated more than 120 days ago must be in quarantine for ten days.
Greece: At least five days of isolation
In individual cases, the Greek authorities can carry out a corona test upon entry. If the result is positive, you will be isolated for at least five days at a location determined by the authorities. According to the Federal Foreign Office, the allocation may take some time. Only those who have a four or five-star hotel that has certain quarantine rooms that meet the requirements of the Greek civil protection authorities can move into their hotel or stay there.
Spain: No isolation after positive omicron result
Anyone who gets Corona during their vacation in Spain no longer has to worry too much. Because if you test positive, you no longer have to be in isolation at home. However, this rule only applies to people under the age of 60 who do not develop severe symptoms.
Portugal: Seven days of isolation if the test is positive
Vaccinated and recovered people can enter without a test – unvaccinated people need a PCR test that is no more than 72 hours old or a rapid test that is not older than 24 hours. In the event of a corona infection, the domestic quarantine requirement in Portugal is seven days and five days in Madeira. Anyone who has no symptoms can participate in community life there again on the sixth day and does not need a test.
Turkey: Seven days of isolation if the test result is positive
Anyone who tests positive must isolate themselves in Turkey for seven days – with a negative test result only five. Recovered and boosted contacts do not need to isolate if the booster is less than three months old.
Thailand: Ten to 14 days of isolation if the result is positive
Thailand is open to tourist entry for fully vaccinated individuals, but the procedure is not entirely straightforward. Although it is not necessary to present a negative test result in advance, the authorities require a chargeable PCR test on the first day of arrival and an antigen test on the fifth day.
Tourists have to spend the first night in a quarantine hotel until the test result is available. A list of approved quarantine hotels is published by the thai embassy in Berlin. Unvaccinated people can also enter the country, but must spend ten days in quarantine.
If you test positive in Thailand, those affected have to go to a state quarantine hotel at their own expense, which can be very high. Isolation usually lasts 10 to 14 days. Therefore, the Thai government requires proof of health insurance that includes Covid-19 and has coverage of US$ 20,000.
Indonesia: Five days of isolation in Bali with a positive result
Holidays are also possible again in Indonesia with the popular holiday island of Bali. Upon entry, travelers require proof of vaccination (from 18 years of age) and a PCR test that is not older than 48 hours. Those who are not vaccinated must spend five days at their own expense in an isolation hotel specified by the Indonesian government. On the fourth day, a PCR test is carried out at your own expense.
If the test result is positive, holidaymakers must go to a government-specified isolation hotel at their own expense or, in the case of more severe symptoms, to a Covid 19 hospital. In Bali, the isolation period for a positive test is five days. International health insurance, which also covers Covid-19, is absolutely necessary upon entry.
Maldives: Up to 14 days of isolation if the test result is positive
The Maldives no longer require a test upon entry, but will conduct temperature measurements and random tests upon arrival. Those who are positive spend the quarantine either in the booked resort or in a quarantine facility of the Maldivian government – at their own expense. The isolation period is between three and 14 days. Taking out international health insurance, which also covers Covid-19, is therefore strongly recommended.
* The Corona rules in the individual countries can change quickly, so always check carefully before booking.