Countries are increasingly demanding that travellers get a pre-departure Covid-19 test to enter destinations around the world. Some countries, however, are also giving travellers the option to get tested for free on arrival.

Here, we round up the options available around the world:

Aruba

Travellers can either get a PCR test no more than 72 hours before arrival or get tested for free upon entry to the country. They must then quarantine at their hotel or accommodation for 24 hours until they receive a negative result.

Azores and Madeira

Travellers can either show proof a PCR test no more than 72 hours before departure or get tested for free upon entry to the country. They must then quarantine at their hotel or accommodation until a negative result is received. See further information here.

Germany

Travellers from high-risk areas have to register online before travelling to Germany. On arrival, guests must travel to their accommodation and quarantine for ten days. After five days, it is possible to secure release from quarantine with a negative test. The test is not free for travellers from non-risk areas, but travellers from high-risk areas are entitled to free testing for a period of ten days after entry.

Certain groups of people can be exempted from the quarantine obligation, including those with essential business trips of up to five days if they present a negative test result upon arrival in Germany. Many German airports and major transport hubs have Covid-19 testing facilities – see further information here.

Italy

Travellers can either get a PCR or antigen test no more than 72 hours before travel or get tested for free on arrival. Some Italian airports have Covid-19 testing facilities and are offering rapid tests, with results available within an hour. If this does not apply to the airport you are flying into, you can also get a test locally but this must be within 48 hours of arrival and you will need to quarantine in your hotel or accommodation until you receive a negative result.

The UK government states that you must call the Covid-19 helpline for the region you are staying in to arrange a test, otherwise you can be fined.

Jersey

The Channel Island’s Safer Travel Testing Programme offers testing free-of-charge to all passengers. Passengers must disclose their travel history for the 14 days prior to arrival, with information on their country of departure and any other countries they have stayed in overnight within this time period. Travellers will then be subject to different testing and isolation requirements within its traffic light system – see further information here.

Ras Al Khaimah, UAE

The emirate is offering free PCR swab tests to all international visitors staying for one night or more. The Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority has partnered with RAK Hospital to offer free tests at either the hospital or RAK Medical Centre in Al Hamra Hall. Travellers will receive test results within 12-24 hours. The offer is available until the end of 2020 at the time of writing. See further information here.

Hotels, too, are offering Covid-19 tests to international arrivals, either free-of-charge or for a fee. Read our round-up here.

For an overview of which Covid-19 tests allow you to travel abroad, read our feature here.