Although both Greece and Spain are open to international visitors, a rise in Covid-19 cases in both countries in recent weeks has resulted in authorities imposing stricter safety measures to try to curb the spread of the virus.
Here's what you need to know if you are planning a visit to either country this summer.
Greece
Greece reopened its borders to tourists on May 14, just in time for the summer season, and is already experiencing an influx of visitors.
Unfortunately, Covid-19 infections have also surged since late June, with authorities blaming carelessness at bars and restaurants, as well as the spread of the highly infectious delta variant. In response, the government has introduced new restrictions that will apply across the country, including the islands and other popular tourist destinations.
"The aim is for the end of the pandemic not to become a prelude to a new ordeal in the fall," said Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the country’s prime minister. "Therefore, starting today and quickly, we can close the last chapter of the health crisis."
Among the new restrictions expected to impact visitors to the country is a rule only allowing people who have been vaccinated into indoor spaces. “From Friday and until the end of August, all indoor areas, nightclubs and bars, cinemas and theatres, will be open exclusively with an increased, but predetermined, number of visitors who are vaccinated,” said Mitsotakis. “The digital application that will easily certify if the person has been vaccinated will also be in service. This is a practice already followed by countries such as Denmark, Germany, Austria and Luxembourg.”
UAE travellers arriving in Greece are currently required to present either a negative PCR test, taken no more than 72 hours before arrival, or a negative antigen certificate taken no more than 48 hours before arrival.
The UAE and Greece have established a travel corridor, meaning fully vaccinated travellers, including those with the Sinopharm vaccine, do not have to present a PCR test, as long as their second jab was taken at least 14 days prior to arrival. Travellers will also not need to quarantine when returning to Abu Dhabi.
All visitors must fill in a Passenger Locator Form at least one day before travelling and may be subject to random testing at the airport.
Spain
After a rapid rise in cases over the last few weeks, the Spanish tourist spots of Catalonia and Valencia have implemented new restrictions. In Catalonia, all public activities will now end at 12.30am, and people cannot congregate in groups of more than 10, either in public or private spaces. Eating and drinking in public areas will also be banned.
"We are still in a situation where we have to reduce risks,” Spain’s health emergency chief Fernando Simon said on Monday, dubbing the situation in Catalonia as “really dramatic”.
In the province of Valencia, a 1am to 6am curfew has been restored in 32 towns. Social gatherings of more than 10 people are also banned.
Spain has reopened its borders to vaccinated UAE travellers, and recognises the Sinopharm, Pfizer-BioNTech and AstraZeneca vaccines. Travellers must present a vaccination certificate proving their final dose was administered at least 14 days prior to travel. All visitors are required to fill in a Health Control Form and obtain a QR code that must be presented on arrival in Spain.
Spain is on Abu Dhabi’s Green List, meaning travellers do not need to quarantine upon their return to the UAE capital.
The biog
Born November 11, 1948
Education: BA, English Language and Literature, Cairo University
Family: Four brothers, seven sisters, two daughters, 42 and 39, two sons, 43 and 35, and 15 grandchildren
Hobbies: Reading and traveling
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Venus Williams - 5 titles (2000, 2001, 2005, 2007 and 2008)
Serena Williams - 7 titles (2002, 2003, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2015 and 2016)
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19% in UK say BBC is biased to right-wing views
19% in UK say BBC is not biased at all
Source: YouGov
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GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
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On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
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There are thousands to choose from, with the five biggest providers BlackRock’s iShares range, Vanguard, State Street Global Advisors SPDR ETFs, Deutsche Bank AWM X-trackers and Invesco PowerShares.
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogen
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Ophiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on land
Olivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour
Stormy seas
Weather warnings show that Storm Eunice is soon to make landfall. The videographer and I are scrambling to return to the other side of the Channel before it does. As we race to the port of Calais, I see miles of wire fencing topped with barbed wire all around it, a silent ‘Keep Out’ sign for those who, unlike us, aren’t lucky enough to have the right to move freely and safely across borders.
We set sail on a giant ferry whose length dwarfs the dinghies migrants use by nearly a 100 times. Despite the windy rain lashing at the portholes, we arrive safely in Dover; grateful but acutely aware of the miserable conditions the people we’ve left behind are in and of the privilege of choice.
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Winners
Ballon d’Or (Men’s)
Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain / France)
Ballon d’Or Féminin (Women’s)
Aitana Bonmatí (Barcelona / Spain)
Kopa Trophy (Best player under 21 – Men’s)
Lamine Yamal (Barcelona / Spain)
Best Young Women’s Player
Vicky López (Barcelona / Spain)
Yashin Trophy (Best Goalkeeper – Men’s)
Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City / Italy)
Best Women’s Goalkeeper
Hannah Hampton (England / Aston Villa and Chelsea)
Men’s Coach of the Year
Luis Enrique (Paris Saint-Germain)
Women’s Coach of the Year
Sarina Wiegman (England)
