There are 2 different categories of COVID-19 test:

Viral test: detects whether an individual is infected at the time of the test. The most common type of accepted test for travel is PCR.
Antibody test: detects whether an individual has been infected in the past

Travel information if you’re vaccinated:

https://www.afar.com/magazine/travelers-with-covid-vaccines-can-visit-these-countries

 

WHICH TYPE OF COVID-19 TEST IS REQUIRED TO TRAVEL TO EUROPE?

To travel, a viral test is needed as it is important to know whether someone is currently carrying the virus. Within the viral category there are then 2 types of test:

  • Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT): detect genetic material and are usually more accurate but results can take longer
  • Antigen test: detect viral proteins and are generally less sensitive, but results are available more quickly.
  • PCR testing for travel to Europe are the most widely accepted given their increased sensitivity and ability to pick up even small amounts of the virus.

For country specifics:

Sweden, Netherlands, France, Italy, Belgium, Austria, Germany, Spain, Denmark, Switzerland, Finland

Reference: https://www.etiasvisa.com/etias-news/pcr-covid-testing-travel-europe

 

United Kingdom

Effective August 2, vaccinated Americans can enter England, Scotland, and Wales without a mandatory quarantine, the British government announced on July 28.

https://www.afar.com/magazine/travelers-with-covid-vaccines-can-visit-these-countries

Hawaii

Hawaii has ended its pre-travel testing and quarantine requirement for domestic travelers if they’ve been fully vaccinated for Covid-19 in the United States.

Reference:

https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/hawaii-travel-covid-19-need-to-know/index.html

Asia

Singapore – PCR test
Japan – Japan’s borders are currently closed to most travelers, including travelers from the U.S.

Reference: https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/japan-travel-covid-19/index.html

China – nucleic acid and IgM antibody tests

Reference:

https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/china-travel-covid-19/index.html

South Korea – COVID test

Reference:  https://www.cntraveler.com/story/asia-reopening-guide-coronavirus

Canada 

COVID-19 test & molecular test
Reference: https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid/travel-restrictions/flying-canada-checklist/covid-19-testing-travellers-coming-into-canada

Australia 

COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test
Reference: https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au/before-i-travel

New Zealand 

PCR test (including RT-PCR), or LAMP, or Antigen test (they may also be referred to as viral antigen tests).
Reference: https://covid19.govt.nz/travel/international-travel-and-transit/travel-to-new-zealand/pre-departure-testing-for-arrivals-into-new-zealand/what-to-do-before-you-travel-pre-departure-testing/

India – Partially restricted

https://in.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/