10 Countries You Can Enter With Proof of Recovery From COVID-19

Categories: Travel

With each passing day, more and more people are testing positive for the Omicron variant.

As an eternal optimist, I can’t help but think how recovering from COVID-19 can make travel easier for a lot of people.

The mainstream media doesn’t talk about this much but there are several countries around the world that allow travelers to enter just by showing proof of recovery. I have long referred to COVID-19 recovery as the “Golden Ticket” to traveling during the pandemic.

When you have proof of recovery, there are several places you can go where you do not need to be vaccinated or worry about the timing and cost of taking a COVID-19 test.

I compiled a list below of countries accepting US travelers with proof of recovery. This list is based on data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) as of Jan 9, 2022.

Underlying Assumptions

Before we jump into it, I want to mention a few caveats:

  • This is not necessarily an exhaustive list of countries accepting proof of recovery to enter.
  • I created this list from the perspective of a US citizen or resident traveling from the US by air. Requirements for entering a country by land or sea may be different.
  • You may have unique or extenuating circumstances that could affect your travel requirements. For example, you might not be allowed entry at all if you’ve been in Botswana or South Africa in the previous 14 days due to the Omicron variant.
  • Entry requirements are subject to change relatively quickly. Therefore, I always recommend travelers cross-reference requirements to multiple sources (like airlines, airports, and/or the US Embassy) to ensure accuracy.
  • Countries can differ on the definition of proof of recovery. Some accept your positive test as proof of recovery as long as at least 10 days has elapsed but other countries want to see a letter from a doctor stating you have fully recovered. My recommendation is to have BOTH forms of documentation for maximum flexibility.

Countries Accepting Proof of Recovery

Here is a list of 10 countries you can enter RIGHT NOW with proof of recovery:

  1. Croatia. Croatia makes it very easy visit and enjoy their country. They accept proof of recovery from the prior 365 days to enter. Incidentally, it also happens to be one of my favorite destinations in the world!
  2. Bosnia and Herzegovina. Next door to Croatia, you will find the beautiful country of Bosnia & Herzegovina. They allow entry with proof of recovery from the prior 180 days.
  3. Serbia. Serbia is another Balkan country on the list that borders both Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. They allow entry with proof of recovery from the prior 180 days.
  4. Albania. Located just north of Greece along the Adriatic Sea, Albania accepts proof of recovery from the prior 180 days.
  5. Slovenia. Sandwiched between Italy and Croatia, the beautiful country of Slovenia is in the Schengen Area of Europe and allows US citizens entry with proof of recovery from the prior 180 days.
  6. Hungary. Another Schengen country bordering Croatia and Slovenia, Hungary accepts proof of recovery from the prior 180 days.
  7. Ireland. The ‘Emerald Island’ allows travelers to enter with proof of recovery from the prior 180 days.
  8. Iceland. If you’re interested in heading north to the beautiful island-country of Iceland (queue the Northern Lights), they welcome you with proof of recovery from the prior 180 days. Incidentally, Iceland also accepts positive proof of antibodies to enter as well.
  9. Turkey. The diverse and beautiful country of Turkey accepts proof of recovery from the prior 180 days to enter.
  10. Denmark. If a Nordic country is what you’re looking for, check out Denmark. This Schengen country allows entry with proof of recovery from the prior 180 days.

Proof of recovery and…

The countries noted above allow you entry with just your proof of recovery. However, there are some countries that allow you entry with proof of recovery along with something else.

For example, you can enter Austria with proof of recovery but you also need to provide a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 72 hours of your arrival.

Therefore, it’s important to research and stay current on all the entry requirements (and fine print) of your destination.

Conclusion

I hope you find this article helpful, and it helps you focus on places to more easily go if you’ve recently recovered from COVID-19.

In the end, it is a personal decision on where and when to travel is a personal decision but this is how I analyze situations and make decisions.

Please contact me if you have any questions or if there is anything I can help you with related to your travel plans.