Last Updated: 29th July 2021
With the travel restrictions of the past 16 months impacting travel abroad for ivf treatment, cross border tourism for fertility treatment is starting to gather pace again as Covid-19 travel restrictions from the UK ease. Every year thousands of people travel from the UK to Europe to undertake fertility treatment. The Coronavirus pandemic has placed an enormous strain on travel globally and restricted many peoples’ fertility treatment plans too.
Based on The Fertility Tourism Survey 2020 by Andrew Coutts of the International Fertility Company and its 527 respondents across the UK and Europe, people considered the following destinations for fertility treatment:
Spain – 23%
Cyprus – 15.2%
Greece – 14.4%
Czech Republic – 14.3%
UK – 7.8%
USA – 7%
Ukraine – 4.8%
Difficulties have occurred largely due to the uncertain and changeable nature of the travel and quarantine restrictions put in place by both the UK and destination countries due to Covid-19. Popular countries for fertility treatment abroad like Greece, Spain and Italy have all been affected. We are going to look at how some of the travel restrictions are currently affecting you if you are looking to travel to these parts of Europe.
There was great hope when the ‘air bridge’ or travel corridor system was introduced last July that people would be able to travel between two countries without having to quarantine on arrival or when they returned home. Suddenly this reciprocal arrangement between countries made it possible to attempt treatments such as IVF with donor eggs in Greece.
This felt like a life line for so many desperate to travel abroad. The reality was that as soon as air bridges opened, if infection rates changed they might also close with short notice leaving travellers stranded in their destination country. Whilst some people did manage to travel to Europe for fertility treatments many were put off by the additional measures.
The UK Government made it possible for those looking to understand their travel restrictions easily by creating a ‘Red, Amber, Green” travel list of countries and rules. Each country is included on either the red, amber or green list. The aim being to instruct us what to do when you arrive in England from any country.
People have been encouraged not to travel to countries on the ‘Red list’ as on their return to England they may face quarantine for 10 days in Covid-19 managed hotel. The aim of the hotel stay is to stop the spread of Covid-19 infection. However, the costs of a mandatory hotel stay and the Covid-19 testing has to be paid for by the person travelling.
Since 19th July the ‘Amber list’ of countries has been updated and at the time of writing this article includes travel to Greece, Spain and Italy. Whether you are considering IVF in Athens or treatment with donor eggs in Spain it is important to carefully consider these restrictions when planning your travel.
Whilst Italy still requires a short period of quarantine if travelling from the UK, if you are undertaking IVF in Greece at Ark IVF or another clinic or treatment with donor eggs in Spain you can now do this easily without too much disruption and some careful planning.
A recent change has been that if you are fully vaccinated and have had your final jab 14 days before travelling you only require a Covid-19 test to be taken 2 days after arrival back to England and no quarantine is required. If you are anxious about whether to have the Covid-19 vaccination whilst undertaking fertility treatment listen to our podcast ‘Covid -19 – Fertility, Pregnancy and Vaccination’.
We have created an easy to follow guide below for these popular destinations to help you quickly access the information you require to travel safely. All uk.gov links are regularly updated and so you guarantee the very latest information.
Vaccination, Testing & Quarantine Rules
🇬🇷 Travelling to Greece for IVF
Arrivals from the UK
Everyone over 12 years must show EITHER
(1) A negative Covid-19 PCR test within 72 hours of travel. OR
(2) A negative Covid-19 rapid antigen (lateral flow) test within 48 hrs of travel. OR
(3) Proof of vaccination 14 days prior to arrival.
ALL travellers must complete and sign an Passenger Locator Form no more than 48 hrs before arrival
Departing for the UK
On arrival:
(1) Quarantine at home or in the place you are staying for 10 days.
(2) Take a COVID-19 test on or before day 2 and on or after day 8
Before travel:
(1) Take a Covid-19 test within 3 days.
(2) Book and pay for UK Covid-19 tests on arrival
(3) Complete a Passenger Locator Form
If fully vaccinated (final dose given 14 days before travel):
You do not need to quarantine or take a Day 8 test. You must still take a day 2 test.
🇪🇸 Travelling to Spain for IVF
Arrivals from the UK
Everyone over 12 years must show EITHER
(1) A negative Covid-19 PCR test within 72 hours of travel OR
(2) Proof of vaccination 14 days prior to arrival.
Note: Covid-19 rapid antigen (lateral flow) tests are not accepted
ALL travellers must complete and sign an health declaration form no more than 48 hrs before arrival
Departing for the UK
On arrival:
(1) Quarantine at home or in the place you are staying for 10 days.
(2) Take a COVID-19 test on or before day 2 and on or after day 8
Before travel:
(1) Take a Covid-19 test within 3 days.
(2) Book and pay for UK Covid-19 tests on arrival
(3) Complete a Passenger Locator Form
If fully vaccinated (final dose given 14 days before travel):
You do not need to quarantine or take a Day 8 test. You must still take a day 2 test.
🇮🇹 Travelling to Italy for IVF
Arrivals from the UK
Everyone over 6 years must show EITHER
(1) A negative Covid-19 PCR test OR
(2) A negative Covid-19 rapid antigen (lateral flow) test within 48 hrs of travel. AND
Self-isolate for 5 days, at the end of which you must repeat the Covid-19 test for release from quarantine.
ALL travellers must complete and sign an online digital form no more than 48 hrs before arrival
ALL travellers must call the COVID-19 helpline for the region you are travelling within 48 hours of arrival, to inform them of your visit.
Departing for the UK
On arrival:
(1) Quarantine at home or in the place you are staying for 10 days.
(2) Take a COVID-19 test on or before day 2 and on or after day 8
Before travel:
(1) Take a Covid-19 test within 3 days.
(2) Book and pay for UK Covid-19 tests on arrival
(3) Complete a Passenger Locator Form
If fully vaccinated (final dose given 14 days before travel):
You do not need to quarantine or take a Day 8 test. You must still take a day 2 test.