New Zealand has reopened its borders two years ahead of schedule since they were first closed to travellers.
From 2 May, vaccinated travellers from the UK, France, Germany, the US and around 60 other countries/territories will be able to visit without quarantine — two months ahead of schedule.
Australia will become the first country to benefit from quarantine-free travel to New Zealand, welcoming vaccinated tourists from April 13.
Vaccinated visitors from New Zealand’s visa-free list will be able to return from 2 May. All European countries and territories are on this list, excluding: Albania, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia. Ukraine and Russia are also missing from the full list.
This means citizens from the UK, France and the US do not need to apply for a visa before travelling to New Zealand. However, you must apply for NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority) in advance so that UK citizens can visit for up to 3 or 6 months.
Visitors will be required to take a Covid test before departure. Current testing rules require a negative PCR test to be performed within 48 hours prior to departure or a rapid antigen test to be performed no more than 24 hours prior to departure for New Zealand.
Those who have received visas but are not on the visa waiver list will also be eligible to enter the country on May 2.