EU COVID-19 travel restrictions and updates

• Travelling within the EU has mostly returned to pre-pandemic health standards.
• A few EU COVID travel restrictions remain in place: read on to learn more.

To keep the people secure, EU Member States have decided to undertake a number of measures, including shared European entrance criteria.

In Europe, tourists are now welcome. Travelers must, however, remain current on the newest standards.

This page contains more information regarding the remaining COVID restrictions for travel to Europe.

WHICH COVID VACCINES ARE APPROVED BY THE EUROPEAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION?

So far, the European Medical Association (EMA) has authorised four vaccinations for use in the EU:

• Comirnaty (Pfizer-BioNTech)
• Spikevax (Moderna)
• Vaxzevria (AstraZeneca)
• Janssen (Johnson & Johnson)

Individual member nations may also opt to accept travellers who have received a World Health Organization-approved emergency vaccination, such as Covishield or Sinopharm.

According to the revised standards, all EU Member States should shortly reopen to WHO-vaccinated travellers.

PROOF OF VACCINATION FOR TRAVELLING TO THE EU FROM A THIRD COUNTRY

If the EU decides to relax testing and quarantine rules for vaccinated travellers, they should accept credentials akin to the EU Digital COVID Certificate.

The EU Digital COVID Certificate is valid across Europe. Furthermore, numerous third-country vaccination passports are being issued.

Member states have their own policies, and some may still compel vaccinated travellers to undergo testing and/or quarantine upon arrival.

EU EMERGENCY BRAKE

The European Commission has devised an emergency brake that will allow member countries to temporarily and urgently limit travel.

This might be employed if the epidemiological situation in a third nation suddenly worsens or if a variety of concern is discovered there.

The interim limits will be reconsidered every two weeks in such circumstances.

TRAVEL WITHIN THE EU DURING COVID-19

With the introduction of the EU Digital COVID Certificate, many European travellers’ freedom of movement has been restored.

The European Commission recently extended the use of the EUDCC across Europe for COVID travel restrictions and some local limitations until June 2023.

Some limits and extra procedures, however, remain in effect. Before travelling to another European country, EU citizens and residents should examine what they need to do.

The rules are based on their most recent travel history and immunisation status.

VALIDITY OF EU VACCINATION CERTIFICATES

The Commission has proposed a uniform acceptance time of 9 months for the EU Digital COVID certificate.

Immunization certificates provided fewer than 9 months following the final dose of the main vaccination regimen should be accepted by EU nations.

This timeline includes the delivery of booster dosages after 6 months, plus an extra 3 months.

FAMILY TRAVEL TO EUROPE

Children should be excused from quarantine if their parents do not need to self-isolate because they have been vaccinated, for example.

A pre-departure test should not be required of minors under the age of six.

New limits should be made known to the public at least 24 hours before they go into effect.

Before departing, travellers should double-check the most recent information.

CURRENT TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS PER EUROPEAN UNION MEMBER STATE

Several ETIAS nations and EU member states are beginning to open their borders to COVID-19 vaccination recipients and visitors from safe countries.

Despite the fact that the European Union has colour categorization and a safe list, several nations have developed their own risk classification.

New guidelines enacted in 2022 attempt to avoid divergence approaches and promote a more coordinated approach.

The specifics for each European nation and their admission criteria are shown below.

TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS IN AUSTRIA DURING COVID-19

On May 16, 2022, Austria abolished all COVID-19 limitations.

Passengers entering Austria no longer need to fill out a pre-travel clearance form.

COVID-19 TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS IN BELGIUM

There are no COVID-19 limitations in Belgium. On May 23, 2022, all insurance were terminated.

COVID ENTRY RESTRICTIONS FOR BULGARIA

On May 1, 2022, Bulgaria abolished all COVID-19 regulations.

CROATIA ENTRY RESTRICTIONS FOR COVID-19

Croatia has no COVID-19 limitations. On May 1, 2022, all requirements were removed.

CZECH REPUBLIC COVID TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

There are no further admission criteria for the Czech Republic. Passengers without COVID-19 papers are permitted to enter.

DENMARK TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS DURING COVID-19

For people coming in Denmark, there are no COVID-19 entrance requirements.

TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS IN ESTONIA DURING COVID-19

There are no COVID-19 limitations on travel to Estonia as of June 16, 2022.

COVID-19 TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS IN FINLAND

Passengers entering in Finland are not subject to COVID-19 limitations.

COVID ENTRY RESTRICTIONS FOR FRANCE

France removed all COVID criteria for arriving travellers on August 1: evidence of vaccination, recovery, or test results are no longer required to enter the country.

GERMANY ENTRY RESTRICTIONS FOR COVID-19

All COVID-19 limitations have been abolished in Germany. Visitors are not required to present any further documentation.

GREECE COVID TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

Since 1 May 2022, there have been no COVID-19 restrictions on travel to Greece.

HUNGARY TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS DURING COVID-19

Hungary’s COVID-19 limitations were withdrawn on March 7, 2022.

TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS IN ICELAND DURING COVID-19

On February 25, 2022, Iceland abolished all COVID-19 limitations.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS IN IRELAND FOR COVID-19

Ireland has eliminated all travel restrictions as of March 6, 2022.

ITALY’S COVID-19 TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS

Italy will eliminate all COVID-19 obligations on June 1, 2022.

COVID ENTRY RESTRICTIONS FOR LATVIA

Passengers entering Latvia do not require any COVID-19 paperwork.

COVID-19 TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS IN LIECHTENSTEIN

International travellers are not subject to COVID-19 limitations while entering Liechtenstein.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS IN LITHUANIA FOR COVID-19

All arrivals are welcome to enter Lithuania without any additional prerequisites.

LUXEMBOURG ENTRY RESTRICTIONS FOR COVID

No extra entrance restrictions apply to EU and Schengen nationals and travellers arriving from Luxembourg.

All other visitors must have a COVID-19 vaccination certificate or confirmation of recovery.

MALTA TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS DURING COVID-19

Malta lifted all COVID entry restrictions for visitors on July 25.

COVID ENTRY RESTRICTIONS FOR THE NETHERLANDS

Passengers and citizens from the EU and Schengen nations do not encounter any extra COVID-19 limitations while entering the Netherlands.

All other entrants must have a COVID-19 immunisation certificate demonstrating complete vaccination or confirmation of recovery.

NORWAY ENTRY RESTRICTIONS FOR COVID-19

On March 2, 2022, Norway lifted all admission criteria.

POLAND TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS DURING COVID-19

Since March 28, 2022, there have been no COVID-19 restrictions on entering Poland.

PORTUGAL’S COVID-19 TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS

Travellers entering Portugal no longer need to provide confirmation of COVID vaccination or test results.

COVID TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS IN SLOVAKIA

Visitors entering Slovakia from non-EU or Schengen countries, as well as other safe nations, must have a negative COVID-19 PCR test result.

SLOVENIA RESTRICTIONS ON TRAVEL FOR COVID-19

Passengers landing in Slovenia face no COVID-19 restrictions.

COVID-19 TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS IN SPAIN

Passengers entering Spain (excluding minors under the age of 12 and those in transit) from non-EU or Schengen countries must have a valid EUDCC or the Spanish travel health certificate SpTH QR.

COVID ENTRY RESTRICTIONS FOR SWEDEN

No COVID-19 limitations apply to all travellers entering Sweden.

SWITZERLAND TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS DURING COVID-19

There are presently no COVID-19 entrance restrictions for arriving travellers in Switzerland.