Turkey to open up to British holidaymakers without need for vaccine certificates

UK travellers will be able to go on holiday to Turkey this summer as soon as the UK government lifts restrictions on international travel. Having been vaccinated against Covid 19 will not be a condition of entry for a Turkey holiday. The Turkish authorities will however require passengers to present a negative PCR test.

Turkey is one the more popular short haul destinations from the UK with over 2.5 million British visitors travelling to the Mediterranean destination before the pandemic. Turkish authorities are implementing measures to protect tourists when they visit the country. Staff at hotels and other front-line workers from the tourism sector are being prioritised in a a national vaccination programme.

Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, Culture and tourism minister, said: “We are looking forward to welcoming British tourists with open arms, as we did safely last summer. We have world-class border processes in place for ensuring travel will be low-risk throughout Turkey. We are working with the British authorities to ensure these necessary processes are world-class and as up-to-date as possible. We will not require vaccination passports from international travellers when entering the country.”

A new tourism certification programme will offer testing facilities for travellers enabling them to obtain test results, if still required in the UK, prior to their return journey. The test which cost about €30 will also be offered at various international airports in Turkey.

The Turkish authorities will also facilitate an insurance policy starting at €15 to cover Covid related costs such as emergency care, medical treatment and medicine that visitors may incur in private or state-run hospitals as a result of them becoming infected with the virus whilst on holiday. An accommodation Support Insurance package will cover the costs of any additional lodging that may become necessary.