If you're planning to travel with children don't get caught out by the vaccination requirements and other restrictions that are still in place in some countries.
ADVERTISEMENTWith much of the world opening up again after COVID-19, it's now easier and cheaper to go on holiday. But a major stumbling block for those travelling with children are the vaccination requirements.
Many countries have waived rules for under-18s or under-12s who are travelling with a fully vaccinated adult.
But there are a number of countries that have imposed bans, quarantine or other rules on unvaccinated children and teenagers.
Here's our roundup of the latest requirements for travelling with under 18s.
This article is regularly updated.
What are the rules for travelling with children to England?
There's good news if you want to visit England. From November 22 all under 18s arriving in England will be treated as fully vaccinated at the border.
The rules, which currently only apply to children resident in the UK, or in a country with an approved vaccination, will apply to all children, and will no longer depend on their place of residence.
This means that children aged 17 and under will be exempt from quarantine on arrival in England (whether they are vaccinated or not), and will be exempt from day 8 testing.
Children aged 5 to 17 years will not have to take a COVID-19 test before travelling to England but do still need to take a lateral flow test on or before day 2 after arrival (arrival day is day 0). Children aged 4 and under do not have to take any COVID-19 travel tests.
Different rules may apply for those arriving in Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
More information here.
Countries with quarantine requirements for children
Some countries, such as Canada, Germany and the Netherlands are imposing a quarantine on teenagers who are not double-jabbed.
Quarantine rules for children travelling to Canada
Canada requires unvaccinated children aged 12-17 to quarantine for 14 days on arrival, whether or not they are accompanied by a vaccinated adult.
They must also take a molecular test within 72 hours of the scheduled departure time of your flight to Canada, take an arrival test at the border, or receive a self-swab kit. You will also get a kit to use on day-8 of your mandatory quarantine.
If you are fully vaccinated and accompanying an unvaccinated child under 12, they will not have to quarantine, but will have to take the pre-entry, arrival and Day-8 tests. Unless they have evidence of having a positive COVID-19 test taken 14 to 180 days prior to arrival in Canada. Under fives do not have to take tests.
Unvaccinated children also won't be able to go to amusement parks or sporting events and they cannot use buses, subways, trains or other transport. They must also wear a mask and physically distance when in contact with non-household members.
Check the FCDO for the latest guidance.
Quarantine rules for children travelling to Germany
12-year-olds and under who are not fully vaccinated can enter Germany without a negative COVID-19 test but they must be travelling with at least one fully vaccinated adult. They will have to quarantine for five days on arrival.
ADVERTISEMENTUK travellers aged 12-17 who have not received two vaccine doses are not allowed to enter unless there is an “urgent need”.
Travellers aged twelve years or older coming from an area of variant concern must have a negative COVID-19 test result. Proof of full vaccination or proof of recovery is not sufficient.
From any other country, children under 18 must have a negative COVID-19 test result, proof of a full COVID-19 vaccination or proof of recovery from an infection.
More information here.
Quarantine rules for children travelling to the Netherlands
13-year-olds and over who are not double-jabbed must isolate for 10 days, even if they are travelling with a fully vaccinated adult. There is an option to 'test to release' after five days.
ADVERTISEMENTChildren aged 12 and over must have a negative PCR test result taken within 48 hours before arrival or a negative antigen test taken no more than 24 hours before arrival, whether they are vaccinated or not.
Children aged 12 and under do not have to quarantine, regardless of vaccination status.
More information here.
Quarantine rules for children travelling to Belgium
Teenagers aged 12 or over who are not fully vaccinated must quarantine for 10 days on arrival. A negative test on day seven means you can be released.
More information here.
ADVERTISEMENTQuarantine rules for children travelling to Poland
Unvaccinated teenagers aged 13 or older must quarantine for seven days on arrival, even if they are travelling with fully vaccinated adults.
More information here.
Countries that require children to be vaccinated
Malta
Malta requires 12 to 18-year-olds to be fully vaccinated before arrival. Children up to the age of 11 can travel with a vaccinated parent or guardian.
Those aged five to 11 must show a negative PCR test carried out within 72 hours of travel.
More information here.
ADVERTISEMENTThailand
12 to 18-year-olds must be fully vaccinated to visit Thailand. Children under 12 can travel if not fully vaccinated, as long as they are travelling with a fully immunised adult.
More information here.
Israel
Children cannot visit Israel unless they are fully vaccinated.
More information here.
Slovakia
Under 18's from the UK must be fully vaccinated. If visiting from a green list country vaccination is not required.
ADVERTISEMENTMore information here.
Countries that only require COVID-19 tests
France
All children aged 12 and over who are not fully vaccinated must have proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken either 72 or 24 hours before departure, depending on which country they are travelling from.
Under 12's do not need proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test to enter the country.
Everyone, including children aged 12-17, needs to have a “Pass Sanitaire” to enter a range of venues.
This can be gained by having proof of full vaccination, a recent negative COVID-19 test or proof of recovery from COVID-19.
ADVERTISEMENTMore information here
Countries such as Switzerland, Greece, Germany, Austria and Cyprus also require such passes to enter certain venues.
Cyprus
Children aged 12 who are not fully vaccinated will need proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within 3 days (72 hours) before travel, and on arrival.
Children under the age of 12 are exempt from testing.
All categories of travellers arriving by air must complete a Cyprus Flight Pass before their journey. You can track developments through the Republic of Cyprus Information Office.
ADVERTISEMENTUSA
The US reopened to fully vaccinated travellers on November 8. Under-18s don't need to be double-jabbed to enter, but all visitors from the age of two must have a supervised COVID-19 test, which can be a lateral flow test or a PCR test.
Fully vaccinated travellers can take a test up to three days before travel, but unvaccinated travellers, including children, must take their test no more than one day before they fly.
See the rules in full here.
