Countries That Accept Proof of Recovery For Entry

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Last Updated 3 years ago

So, you’ve recently recovered from the virus and you want to know where you can travel with your ‘proof of recovery’ certificate or your old positive test result? We’ve got you.

Travel to 90% of countries in 2021 requires testing for entry, a hoop travelers have never had to jump through in the past. While many are happy to perform an antigen or PCR test in order to gain entry to a country, this presents a problem for people who’ve had the virus, as recent recovery can lead to false positives, leaving travelers stranded or stuck in costly quarantines.

Scientific data has recently been released this year suggesting that people who’ve recently recovered from the virus have temporary immunity and are considered safe to travel without testing. Many countries have amended their entry requirements to recognize the safety of recently recovered passengers.

Below we have a list of countries that will accept proof of recovery from the virus to enter without testing.  We also have lists of countries that will accept rapid antigen tests for entry, or proof of vaccination for entry.

What kind of ‘proof’ is required to show I’m recovered?

The way nations define ‘recovered from Covid’ varies quite a bit. Some countries want to see proof of your original test, showing a positive result. Other nations don’t need to see the positive test, but instead, want a medical certificate from a doctor saying you had the virus but have now fully recovered. Some countries want both of those documents.

The same is true with the timing of the documents. For nations that want to see a previous positive test, most want at least 10-14 days to have passed since the positive result was given, which would technically mean you’ve now recovered.

For countries that want to see a recovery certificate from a doctor, most dictate the certificate cannot be older than 3-6 months, as little is known about immunity past this window.

Countries That Accept Proof of Recovery

This list is dynamic. It can change very frequently, so double-check the current rules before you head to the airport. In addition, if you know of a country that allows proof of recovery for entry that is not listed, comment below so we can add it.

Positive Test Result

Canada is still very closed off to all tourists, but Canadian residents/citizens or essential travelers can now show proof of recovery to skip the pre-flight PCR testing, arrival testing, and the 3-day hotel quarantine. Travelers will need to show proof of a positive PCR, RT-PCR, NAAT or RNA test issued between 14-90 days before arrival.  
U.S. residents are permitted to enter for tourism as of August 9, 2021 and can also show proof of recovery.

Croatia

Positive Test Results -or- Medical Certificate

Croatia is allowing passengers to choose which way they would like to prove their past infection, with a test result or certificate. The positive test result must be a PCR or Antigen test issued at least 12 days old, but not older than 180 days before arrival. Passengers can also show a medical recovery certificate issued by a doctor within the same 12-180 day timeframe.
Croatia is open to tourism to all nations.

Denmark

Positive Test Results

Denmark will allow citizens/residents and the shortlist of approved EU+ nations to enter with proof of a positive PCR test. The test needs to be at least 14 days old, but not older than 180 days.

Ecuador

Medical Certificate

Ecuador is very vague on this point, they just state “A Covid-19 recovery certificate” can be used instead of testing. They don’t offer any time frame but going on the world standards, certificates likely can’t be older than 180 days maximum.
Ecuador is open for tourism from all countries

Finland

Medical Certificate

Finland is allowing citizens and some EU+ travelers to enter using a recovery medical certificate instead of antigen or PCR pre-flight testing. The certificate needs to show the passenger has fully recovered and had a past positive result no longer than 6 months before arrival.

France

Positive Test Result

France will accept a positive antigen or PCR test result, issued between 11 days and 6 months before entry.
France is open to most tourists worldwide

Germany

Positive Test Result

Entry into Germany is possible for those previously recovered, and only a copy of the old positive test is needed. The test can be PCR, LAMP, or TMA and can be 28 days old up to 6 months old.

Greece

Positive Test Result and Medical Certificate

Travelers into Greece will not have to show a negative test or proof of vaccination if they can show proof of recovery. This can be done in two ways. Either a medical certificate within 9 months that's been issued from a doctor, health authority, or a certified lab – or – a positive PCR test issued between 2 months to 9 months.
Greece is open to most tourists

Guatemala

Medical Certificate

Passengers with a Covid-19 recovery certificate issued at least 10-days after the positive result, no older than 3 months before arrival.
Guatemala is open to all tourists

Haiti

Positive Test Result and Medical Certificate

Passengers into Haiti can skip the 72-hour PCR requirement if they can show proof of recovery. Both a past positive test result, as well as a medical recovery certificate directly from the doctor who treated them is needed. No timelines on how old the certificate can be were found, but we’ve not seen any worldwide over 180 days.
Haiti is open for tourists from all nations

Hungary

Positive Test Result and Medical Certificate

Hungary is still very closed off to most of the world, but residents, citizens, and a small list of essential travelers can enter, without quarantine, if they can show past infection. Passengers will need to provide 2 things: proof of a positive test taken within 6 months of arrival, as well as a medical recovery certificate issued by a doctor.  

Iceland

Positive Test Result and/or Antibody Test

Iceland will allow approved travelers to enter without needing to provide a pre-flight PCR if they can show a positive PCR test result, issued at least 14-days before arrival. Another option is to perform an ELISA serologic antibody test that proves previous infection and recovery.
Iceland is open for worldwide vaccinated/ recovered tourists

Ireland

Medical Certificate

Ireland will allow entry with a medical certificate prooving recovery from the virus within the past 180 days.

Lithuania

Positive Test Result and Medical Certificate

EU+ passengers can enter Lithuania without testing if they can show two requirements. First is a positive antigen or PCR test no older than 180 days. Second is a medical recovery certificate showing a recovery from the virus has been made.

Montenegro

Serological Antibody Test

Passengers into Montenegro can skip the PCR test requirement if they can show proof of a positive serological -IgG antibody test, with the result being no older than 30 days before arrival.
Montenegro is allowing tourists from all countries to visit

Norway

Medical Certificate

Norway will allow approved travelers to enter without the PCR or antigen test if they can provide a medical recovery certificate. The papers need to be issued at least 14 prior to entry, but no longer than 6 months.

Paraguay

Positive Test Result

A positive test result can be shown as proof of recovery, as long as it was issued at least 14 days before arrival, and no longer than 90 days before arrival. Tests accepted include: LAMP, NAAT, and RT-PCR.
Paraguay is allowing tourists from all countries to enter

Peru

Medical Certificate

Peru states travelers who don't want to do pre-flight tests can show a medical discharge certificate, issued no more than 6 months before arrival.
Peru is allowing tourists from countries worldwide.

Romania

Positive Test Result and/or Antibody Test

Approved passengers into Romania, which currently includes EU+ travelers, can skip testing if they can show proof of a past infection. Travelers can choose – either a positive test result issued between 14-90 days of entry, or a serological antibody IgG test taken at least 14 days before arrival.

Slovenia

Positive Test Result or Medical Certificate  

Slovenia is open to EU+ travelers as well as a few essential third-party countries at this time. Those approved to enter will not have to take a PCR or quarantine if they can show proof of recovery. This can be done with a positive RAT or PCR test at least 11 days old, but not more than 6 months old. Passengers can also choose to provide proof of recovery medical certificate, also no older than 6 months before arrival.

Spain

Positive Test Result and Medical Certificate

Approved travelers can show a recovery certificate issued between 11 and 180 days to enter, along with proof of the positive NAAT test result.

Sweden

Approved countries can show proof of a negative test along with a medical certificate in lieu of testing/vaccination. A recovery certificate plus the positive NAAT test result, at least 11 days old is required.

Switzerland

Positive Test Result and Medical Certificate

EU+ nationals can enter Switzerland without testing if they can show proof of recovery. This needs to be done with two documents, both a positive test result no older than 3 months, accompanied by a recovery medical certificate.

Turkey

Positive Test Result and Medical Certificate

As of June 1, 2021, passengers from all nations (with the exception of 12 ‘variants of concern' nations) can now show proof of recent recovery from the virus instead of vaccination or the 72-hour PCR test. Proof of recovery documents includes a positive PCR test dated within 14-180 days of arrival, along with a certificate from a health professional showing the passenger has now fully recovered from the virus.

USA

Positive Test Result and Medical Certificate

Approved travelers into the U.S. won’t need to provide the 72-hour antigen test, if they can show proof of recovery instead. This includes providing both a positive test no older than 90 days and a letter/certificate issued by a doctor or local health authority stating the passenger has recovered and is cleared for travel.

Read More:

• Countries without any entry restrictions, tests or quarantines
• Countries open for American tourists in 2021
• Travel insurance that covers covid AND cruise ships in 2021
• Countries accepting vaccinated tourists
• Countries accepting rapid antigen tests

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Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.