COVID tourism & yachting rules/regs around the Med (updated 1-Jul)

The travel and yachting situation around the Mediterranean region is fluid, with countries and regions adjusting measures frequently. The guide below should be taken as information only and you are advised to consult with a local agent before planning your visit. This information is drawn from a network of agencies, as well as official sources. If you have new updates that we should include, please send us an email to palma@estelayachting.net

SPAIN

Travel

Spain is open to flights from:

  • EU/EEA countries, subject either to vaccination* or a negative antigen test***  
  • Countries worldwide**, subject to complete vaccination*
  • United Kingdom, subject to complete vaccination or PCR/TMA/LAMP/NEAR test (antigen is NOT accepted). Balearic Islands only are green-listed by the UK from 04:00 on 30-Jun (no quarantine required upon return to the UK)
  • USA, without vaccination or COVID test
  • Australia, China, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan and Rwanda, subject to a negative PCR test

Minors travelling with vaccinated adults may also arrive in Spain, though do require a negative COVID test and must, like adults, complete a Passenger Locator Form. Children under 12 years are exempt from testing and locator form.

For visitors from within the EU/EEA area, Spain now accepts either a NAAT test or an antigen test, though the validity of test results is reduced to 48 hours (reduced from 72 hours) from the time of issue. A COVID recovery certificate is also accepted for arrivals from the EU/EEA area.

*Vaccinated with EMA/WHO-approved vaccines only, which currently excludes Sputnik V
**Except Brazil, India and South Africa
*** Except most of Germany, most of Italy, Austria, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Finland, Poland, Romania, Bulgaria and Malta, who are NOT required to show any COVID status

Yachting

  • Spanish waters are open for cruising without restrictions; from the Balearic Islands, to Melilla, the peninsula and the Canary Islands
  • In Spain, only the Balearics and Canary Islands maintain port controls, requiring pre-arrival health declarations and PCR/antigen tests (<48hrs), or on board upon arrival, for ALL aboard. Arrivals must await results before disembarking (Maritime Health Declaration for all vessels; Personal Health Declaration for arrivals by sea)
  • On board, the temporary limit of 10 guests has been removed. Maximum numbers are again governed by the yacht’s licensed capacity and standard maritime regulations

On-shore hospitality restrictions

The Balearics last de-escalated on 19-Jun, so the following regulations are now in effect:

  • No night-time curfew
  • Outdoor bar/restaurant terraces may open until 02:00h seven days a week. Interiors open at up to 50% capacity
  • Mixing of households is permitted without limitation, though overall restrictions on group/table sizes remain (12 outside, 6 inside)
  • No masks required outdoors

ITALY

Italy is open to arrivals from:

  • List C Countries, with COVID-19 Green Certificate (completed vaccination, recovered certificate, or any negative swab test <48hrs)
  • USA, Canada and Japan COVID-19 Green Certificate
  • Arrivals from UAE via designated ‘COVID-tested’ flights only
  • From the UK, negative swab test is required, plus 5 days’ quarantine on arrival, followed by second test 

Restrictions for arrivals from Brazil, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka remain in place until 30-Jul

Many regional restrictions apply, while Italy operates its own country list system that determines entry criteria. Check here for the latest restrictions to enter Italy from your area and consult your local agent for any restrictions that may apply at your intended destination.

Sardinia is now a ‘White Zone’:

  • No curfew
  • Restaurants open outdoors and indoors
  • Leisure and entertainment facilities open
  • Nightclubs open only for bar service

FRANCE, CORSICA & MONACO

FRANCE

France is open to tourism arrivals from:

  • ‘Green’ countries, including the EU/Schengen, USA, Canada, Australia, South Korea, Israel, Japan, Lebanon, New Zealand, Singapore, either with a negative PCR/antigen test, or completed vaccination certificate 
  • ‘Orange’ countries — comprising most countries not in Europe, LatAm, South African and India — only if fully vaccinated and bearing a negative PCR <72hrs or antigen test <48hrs

‘Red’ list countries include Bahrain, Brazil, Chile, India, Pakistan, Russia, South Africa, Turkey and Uruguay, requiring an ‘essential reason’ for travel, plus a period of self-isolation 

On shore restrictions (Alpes Maritime region):

  • Hospitality open, max 6 people per table
  • Maximum group size 10 people

Yachting restrictions:

  • Mooring in coastal areas is prohibited for yachts of >24m, due to new posidonia protection measures

CORSICA

  • Arrivals must have PCR (<72 hours) unless fully vaccinated >14 days
  • Yachts’ arrival notice and ‘Yachting Control Measure’ form  to be submitted not less than 24h prior to arrival
  • New anchorage restrictions off Bonifacio, Sant’ Amanza, leaving just 14 designated buoys

MONACO

  • Waters off Monaco are French, so same navigation rules apply
  • Arrivals from beyond the immediate region must present negative PCR tests <72hrs
  • Hospitality open to local residents, workers and hotel guests, as well as residents from Alpes Maritimes and the bordering region of Italy
  • Service seated only, max 8 people per table
  • Public gatherings, max 10 people

GREECE

  • Yachts may enter from any Schengen country, with guests, with a digital COVID19 certificate (completed vaccination, recovered certificate, or any negative swab test <72hrs)
  • Accepted vaccines: Pfizer, Moderna, AZ, Novavax, J&J, Sinovac, Sputnik, Cansino, Sinopharm
  • Passenger Locator Form must be completed at https://travel.gov. gr
  • Entry from non-EU/Schengen countries is only permitted into Schengen entry ports
  • Yachts arriving from Turkey or Albania may arrive with crew only into designated ports, and only with a digital COVID19 certificate
  • Approved third countries include the USA, Ukraine, UK, Canada, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Israel, China, Australia, NZ, Singapore, Japan, Thailand, S. Korea and Turkey. T&Cs vary from country to country, so check with your local agent for details
  • Russian nationals and residents must provide a negative COVID test taken before departure and another test upon arrival, regardless of vaccination status
  • Curfew from 00:30-05:00h
  • Hospitality open outdoors only, max 6 per table
  • Corinth canal remains closed for the foreseeable future

MALTA

  • Yachts coming from ‘amber’ safe corridor countries can enter, providing PCR tests (<72hrs)
  • Amber countries include the EU, plus Australia, Canada, China, Indonesia, Japan, Jordan, Lebanon, New Zealand, Norway, Rwanda, S. Korea, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, UAE, UK, Uruguay
  • Malta is green-listed by the UK from 04:00 on 30-Jun (no quarantine required upon return to the UK)
  • Non-essential shops and public amenities are closed, while restaurants are takeaway only
  • Groups are limited to 6 people
  • Hospitality open until 00:00h, no curfew

CROATIA

  • Yachts can enter with guests on board
  • Crew arriving on board are exempt* from arrival restrictions, though guests must provide PCR tests (<48 hrs) or positive antibody tests (<90 days) if coming from high risk countries
  • Safe countries include the EU, Australia, Israel, New Zealand, Rwanda, Singapore, S. Korea, Thailand, Hong Kong, China
  • Flight arrivals are exempt* from testing and restrictions if carrying a completed vaccination certificate dated >14 days prior (only Pfizer, Moderna, AZ, J&J). Alternatively, they should bear a COVID recovery certificate, OR a negative PCR test (<72hrs) OR negative antigen test (<48hrs), regardless of country of departure 
  • Hospitality terraces are open until 23:00h
  • No curfew

*Arrivals from Brazil, South Africa, Zanzibar and India must present a negative PCR test <48hrs and self-isolate for 14 days, or 7 days with another negative PCR result

MONTENEGRO

  • Arrivals by sea or air can enter with negative PCR <72hrs, RAT <48hrs, or positive antibody cert <30 days, or complete vaccination cert dated >7 days prior, or positive PCR test >14-90< days
  • Countries exempt from above include EU, plus Albania, Belarus, Israel, Russia, Switzerland, Ukraine
  • Yachts can enter with guests on board, no cruising restrictions
  • Hospitality open until 00:00h, max 4 per table
  • No curfew

TURKEY

  • Yachts can enter with crew and guests, with health declaration and PCR (<72 hrs). Tests to be carried out on board if pre-arrival tests are not possible
  • Arrivals from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Brazil, South Africa, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, (or have visited these in <14 days), must submit a negative PCR test <72hrs and self-isolate for 14 days in authorised accommodation. Flight restrictions for Brazil and South Africa are removed
  • Arrivals from the UK, Iran, Egypt and Singapore must present a negative PCR test <72hrs
  • Arrivals from other countries may show a vaccination certificate (>14 days) or a recovery certificate. Arrivals without these are required to produce a negative PCR test (<72hrs) or RAT (<48hrs)
  • No cruising restrictions
  • Hospitality open until 21:00h, weekdays and Saturdays only
  • Curfew at 22:00h weekdays and Saturdays, lockdown Sundays during June