7 Countries Canadians Can Travel To Right Now Without Having To Quarantine Upon Arrival
Skip the hotel and head straight to the beach. ✈️
There are quite a few places where Canadians can travel without quarantine being required upon arrival, and travellers can bypass isolation by being fully vaccinated, having a negative test result or having been previously infected with COVID-19.
Along with being able to go without self-isolation when travelling abroad, you might be able to skip quarantine when you return to Canada if you meet the country's new requirements.
While the federal government is still strongly advising against non-essential travel, restrictions are beginning to loosen up all across the world. With that in mind, here are seven spots in Europe, the Caribbean and South America that don't require you to quarantine when you travel there.
Italy
If you're travelling to Italy from Canada, you must fill out a digital Passenger Locator Form before you enter the country.
To be able to skip quarantine, you can present a "COVID Certificate" that's issued by your local public health authority here in Canada to your airline or any authorized person.
That certificate has to show proof that you have either been fully vaccinated with a COVID-19 vaccine authorized by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) at least 14 days earlier, received a negative result from a test that in the 48 hours before your arrival, or recovered from COVID-19 and are no longer in the self-isolation period
A certificate that follows Italian and European Union rules will allow travellers from Canada to enter Italy without having to quarantine or get a test.
France
Canada is a green list country according to France so there are no mobility restrictions when you travel from here to France. That means no quarantine or self-isolation is required when you land in the country.
If you're fully vaccinated, you must show proof of your vaccination status and submit a sworn statement declaring that you don't have COVID-19 symptoms and haven't been in contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19.
If you're not vaccinated, you must show the transport company and border control authorities a negative PCR or antigenic test that was taken no more than 72 hours before your departure. You also need a sworn statement that says you don't have symptoms and haven't been in contact with someone who tested positive.
After France opened its borders to Canadians, an official urged Canada to do the same and said there could be "consequences" if that doesn't happen.
Greece
Greece no longer requires travellers to quarantine upon arrival. However, there are some conditions that need to be met if you want to be allowed to enter the country.
You have to have a vaccination certificate issued by the proper authority in Canada, either a negative PCR test done up to 72 hours before travelling or a negative antigen rapid test done up to 48 hours before travelling, or proof that you had COVID-19 in the previous 30 to 180 days (which can be a positive test result or a medical certificate).
Also, all visitors must complete a Passenger Locator Form at least 24 hours before travelling to Greece. Then, upon arrival, targeted testing can be performed if necessary.
The Bahamas
Anyone travelling to The Bahamas who is fully vaccinated and had their final dose at least two weeks prior is exempt from COVID-19 testing requirements for entry, but unvaccinated travellers must have a negative result from a PCR test taken no more than five days before the date of arrival.
Everyone travelling to The Bahamas is required to apply for a Bahamas Travel Health Visa, and you're not required to quarantine upon arrival once your visa is approved.
Iceland
If you're travelling to Iceland, restrictions do not apply if you can provide proof of vaccination or proof of a prior COVID-19 infection.
To be exempt from travel restrictions, testing and quarantine requirements based on vaccination status, you must be fully vaccinated with a World Health Organization/EMA approved vaccine having received the final dose of the vaccine was more than 14 days ago.
You have to pre-register before arriving in Iceland and then show proof of vaccination or prior COVID-19 infection upon arrival at the border.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica doesn't require negative test results as a requirement to enter the country and it doesn't have any quarantine orders in place.
If you want to travel there, you'll have to fill out a health pass within 72 hours before your departure and get travel insurance regardless of your vaccination status.
Austria
Canada is on Austria's list of safe countries and because of that, Canadian travellers don't have to quarantine when they enter the country if they can show proof of vaccination, a negative test or a previous COVID-19 infection.
Austria considers you "vaccinated" beginning on the 22nd day after your first dose and that lasts for 90 days from the vaccination date. After you get a second dose, that extends for another 270 days. For single-dose vaccines, you're considered vaccinated from the 22nd day after receiving the dose and for 270 days from the vaccination date.
Negative PCR test results can be no older than 72 hours and that's reduced to 48 hours for an antigen test. You can enter Austria for 180 days following a COVID-19 infection.
Before you get going, check out our Responsible Travel Guide so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your adventure.
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