As the spread of the Omicron variant lessens, the first European countries to ease their Covid-19 entry rules for passengers travelling from the UK are Finland and Lithuania.
Finland has taken off the pre-entry testing for passengers who are fully vaccinated from outside the EU and Schengen travel area from 15 February, this means that passengers travelling from the UK will not have to present a negative covid test result on arrival in Finland.
But when arriving at the destination, passengers will have to provide proof of vaccination or recovery from the virus. The Finnish government also stated that some Covid entry rules in its border would still be present till 13 March.
The Foreign Office said in its updated advice to Finland: “You must present proof that you have been fully vaccinated to enter Finland; otherwise, you will need to demonstrate an essential or compassionate reason to enter.”
“Proof of a full series of vaccinations is valid for nine months. If you have had a booster shot, the proof of vaccination will be valid until further notice.”
“Proof of recovery from Covid-19 will not be accepted for travellers from the UK demonstrating their Covid-19 status.”
Lithuania has also eased its Covid-19 travel restrictions for travellers from the UK who can prove they are fully vaccinated, with the need to self-isolate on arrival, regardless of vaccination status, being removed.
The new entry rules state that passengers from the UK who are travelling to Lithuania have to present proof of vaccination, recovery evidence from the virus or a negative PCR test that was taken within 72 hours of arrival.
“After implementing these changes, Lithuania remains one of the most open European countries regarding international travel,” said the country’s tourism agency, which is now looking forward to a “faster recovery” in the number of visitors.
Around two million international tourists travelled to Lithuania in 2019, spending below €980 million during that same year.
