With the travel rules constantly changing, we’ve decided to pull together entry and ski lift access requirements to our top destinations for UK travellers. Please keep in mind that these rules are subject to change at any time and we will do our best to keep this blog up-to-date for your benefit.
France
Entry Requirements
Fully Vaccinated Travellers
From 12 February 2022, fully vaccinated travellers from the UK no longer need to present a negative PCR or antigen test result before travel.
Fully vaccinated travellers aged 12 and over must continue to provide:
- Proof of vaccination. France will accept the UK’s proof of COVID-19 recovery and vaccination record at the border.
- A sworn statement (déclaration sur l’honneur) self-certifying you’re not suffering from COVID-19 symptoms and haven’t been in contact with confirmed cases in the 14 days prior to travel.
The same measures applied to vaccinated adults are applied to any minors (17 and under) who are travelling with them, whether vaccinated or not.
Unvaccinated Travellers
From 12 February 2022, travellers from the UK to France who are not fully vaccinated no longer need to self-isolate on arrival. Travellers who are not fully vaccinated need to provide:
- A completed international travel certificate to prove the reason for essential travel. This can be found on the French government’s website (in English). In exceptional circumstances, the French Consulate in London may be able to assist with travel for a compelling reason not listed as an ‘essential reason for travel’
- A negative PCR test result taken within 72 hours or an antigen test result taken within 48 hours pre-departure if aged 12 years and over.
- A sworn statement (déclaration sur l’honneur) self-certifying you’re not suffering from COVID-19 symptoms and haven’t been in contact with confirmed cases in the 14 days prior to travel.
Unvaccinated minors (aged 12 – 17) accompanied by unvaccinated adults or unaccompanied unvaccinated minors are subject to the same travel regulations as unvaccinated adults (PCR/antigen test less within 24 hours pre-departure, essential reason for travel, ‘sworn statement’, digital platform registration and self-isolation on arrival).
Once You’re There
Starting January 22 the new pass vaccinal comes into force, replacing the pass sanitaire for anyone aged 16 and over.
Under the new rules, skiers over the age of 16 must be fully vaccinated (with a booster if their second dose was more than seven months ago) or show a certificate of recovery (more than 11 days and less than six months old) to access bars, restaurants and public transport, including ski lifts; they will no longer be able to test to access these key services.
For unvaccinated children aged between 12 years 2 months and 15 years, to access ski lifts they will be required to have a health pass, which requires a negative lateral flow test every 24 hours – there are facilities in-resort to handle this.
Switzerland
Entry Requirements
There are no more entry requirements for travellers entering Switzerland regardless of your vaccination status.
Once You’re There
Masks remain mandatory on public transport (including cable cars, buses, funiculars, trains).
Italy
Entry requirements
Fully vaccinated passengers entering Italy from the UK:
Fill out the Passenger Locator Form prior to entering Italy.
Present a negative PCR test carried out within 72 hours prior to entry into Italy, or an antigenic test carried out within 24 hours prior to entry into Italy. In the case of arrivals from the UK and Northern Ireland and British Isles, the molecular swab must be taken in the 48 hours prior to entering Italy
Present the COVID-19 Green Certificate, or equivalent certificate, certifying the completion of the vaccination cycle.
If you are not fully vaccinated, to enter Italy from the UK you must:
Fill in the passenger locator form
Show evidence of a negative PCR test within 48 hours before entering Italy or a negative lateral flow test taken within 24 hours before entering Italy
Notify the Prevention Department of the local health authority of your entry into Italy. See COVID-19 regional telephone numbers for the contact details of local Italian health authorities
travel to your final destination in Italy by private transport only
remain in self-isolation for 5 days
Take another PCR or lateral flow test at the end of the 5 days’ self-isolation
Children aged 17 and under do not need to quarantine if they are travelling with a fully vaccinated parent and (for those over the age of 6) have a negative PCR or lateral flow test.
Children aged 5 and under are exempt from testing.
Once You’re There
Make sure you always check what colour the region you’ll be going to is in since different colours have different rules.
Since January 10 to use the public transport, to eat at a restaurant both inside or outside, to use the ski lifts, basically for any activity, except to go to the supermarket and pharmacies, you’ll need to have a Super Green Pass which is proof of vaccination (2 doses) or recovery from Covid. A negative covid test is no longer valid as a green pass.
Austria
Entry Requirements
All travellers must show either proof of full vaccination, recovery from COVID-19 in the past 180 days or a negative test to enter Austria. PCR test results are valid for 72 hours from the time of sampling; Antigen test results are valid for 24 hours. Lateral flow self-tests are not accepted.
Without a negative test result or proof of vaccination/recovery at the time of entry, you must fill in a pre-travel clearance form and enter 10-day quarantine. You can leave quarantine early with a negative PCR test result.
If you’re fully vaccinated you must show proof of this to enter Austria.
Without proof of vaccination at the time of entry, you must fill in a pre-travel clearance form and enter 10-day quarantine. You can leave quarantine early with a negative PCR test result.
Children under the age of 12 do not need proof of vaccination/recovery or a test if the adult accompanying them does not need to quarantine.
Once You’re There
FFP2 masks are mandatory, including inside cable cars.
FFP2 masks are mandatory outside and while using chair lifts when 2-m social distancing from people not living in your household is not possible
Travelling Back to the UK
If you are fully vaccinated you will only have to fill in a passenger locator form before entering England – no testing is required
If you are not fully vaccinated, before you travel to England you must:
- take a COVID-19 test – to be taken in the 2 days before you travel to England
- book and pay for a COVID-19 PCR test – to be taken after you arrive in England
- complete a UK passenger locator form – to be completed in the 48 hours before you arrive in England
You will need to enter your PCR test booking reference number in the passenger locator form.
What Happens If The Rules Suddenly Change or You Get Covid?
It is a possibility that right before you trip some rules might change or you test positive for covid, but that shouldn’t stop you from planning ahead and booking your holiday. First of all, always make sure you check the cancellation policy for any activity, transport or accommodation you are booking to make sure you understand under which circumstances you are covered and can claim a refund. Here at Maison Sport we have a vast cancellation policy which you can read here.
With regards to your flights and accommodation, we recommend taking out travel insurance and making sure it covers you in case you have to cancel due to contracting Covid or if there is a change in travel rules. Covid is part of our everyday lives now which is why many insurance companies will have some sort of coverage for trips cancelled due to covid. This is for sure the best way to make sure you will be reimbursed in case you need to cancel. The Evening Standard compared some Travel Insurance Agencies to help you choose the best one for your trip. Take a look at The Post Office Travel Insurance and you’ll find many others online too, each with their own policies.
Booking your ski holiday shouldn’t be a stressful experience. Make sure you constantly check back with this page in order to make sure no travel rules have changed and find the best insurance for your holiday on the slopes!
The Independent Instructors of Maison Sport are Waiting for You!
The information contained in this blog has been obtained from third-party sources. While taken from sources believed to be reliable, Maison Sport has not independently verified such information and makes no representations about the enduring accuracy of the information or its appropriateness for a given situation.
