Heathrow and Gatwick: Latest travel rules for Croatia, Czech Republic, Austria and Hungary

After months of a dreary British winter and with the easing of Covid restrictions across Europe, many of us will finally be looking to go abroad to experience a different culture or to soak up the winter sun. Travel is usually easy if you are fully vaccinated, especially if you have had your booster shot.
But entry requirements still vary by country, so if you’re thinking of traveling to Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary or Austria, here’s everything you need to know about the Covid measures needed to enter those countries.
READ MORE: Heathrow Airport hammered by Covid as 1.3m passengers cancel vacations
(Image: Getty)
Croatia
You can visit Croatia‘s beautiful beaches without needing to be tested or quarantined if you have been fully vaccinated within the last 270 days. Fourteen days should have passed since your second dose.
If you are fully immunized you will need to show proof of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of entry or a rapid antigen test taken within 24 hours of entry.
If you are not fully vaccinated but have tested positive for Covid, you will need to present proof of recovery from the virus more than 11 days before arrival but no more than 180 days before. If you received a dose and recovered from the virus, the single dose must have been administered within eight months of catching the virus, within the last 270 days, and at least 14 days must have passed.
If you choose to wait until you arrive in Croatia to take the test, you will need to self-quarantine until you receive a negative test result. PCR tests are available at most Croatian airports. The tests cost around 700 Croatian kunas and the results are usually available within 48 hours.
If you are not fully vaccinated but have tested positive for COVID-19, you can enter Croatia.
Czech Republic

(Image: Beata Zawrzel/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
If you are fully vaccinated and have received a booster dose, you can enter without having to be tested. If you have been fully vaccinated but have not had your booster, you will need a negative PCR test result before departure. Persons of Czech nationality or residence are exempt from the testing requirements.
If you are not fully vaccinated, you can only enter the country for essential reasons such as medical care or if you have a residence permit. On arrival, you must take a PCR test 5-7 days after arrival and wear a standard FFP2 or higher face mask when leaving your accommodation until you receive your result.
All arrivals must also complete a passenger locator form.
Austria
You must be fully vaccinated or recently recovered from Covid to enter Austria. You must also present a negative PCR test within 72 hours of entering the country, unless you received a booster shot 120 days or more after your second dose or recovered from the virus within the last 180 days and received two doses of a shot. .
If you refuse to test and have not been boosted, you must complete a pre-travel authorization form and quarantine until you receive a negative PCR result. If you are not fully vaccinated and cannot prove that you have recently recovered within the last 180 days, you cannot enter Austria.
Exemptions include residents of Austria or an EU/EEA country, pregnant women, regular commuters or for family purposes.

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Hungary
UK travelers to Hungary do not have to show proof of a negative test if they were fully vaccinated more than 14 days before arrival.
If you are not fully vaccinated, a negative PCR test within 72 hours of entering the country is required.
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