Europe is officially open! The European Union has advised its members to lift travel restrictions that have barred travelers from the US, and individual nations have dropped quarantine requirements and other limitations for vaccinated travelers. Here's what you need to know.
By Tarah Jean & Ambria Lancaster
Editor’s Note:
Not sure about travel and the “new normal?” Let us help you through the process.
Americans are finally traveling again and many are choosing destinations “across the pond.” International travel has its challenges these days but the number of people heading to Europe is impressive. We suppose it’s the American spirit!
Vaccination rates in Europe are climbing. More countries are safely opening their borders and Americans are among the first in line. Countries in Europe such as France, Spain, Greece, Croatia and so on are accepting travelers one after the other.
The UK is a different story. As of the beginning of July, COVID-19 travel restrictions there remain in place. We expect that will change before the end of the summer, so travelers can start planning a visit sooner rather than later. We'll add the UK to this list once England opens to Americans without quarantine requirements.
We have composed a list of countries that have opened their borders to U.S. travelers. Some of these countries accept U.S. travelers who have not received the vaccine yet. However, the guidelines provided are based on vaccinated travelers.
The vaccination is one of many required precautions that European countries are putting in place. Doing this ensures that travelers are being welcomed back as safely as possible. So, don’t let new policies be the reason you have to stay home.
Just remember your checklist (below), passport, shots, masks and proof of vaccination!
**Tarah Jean is an undergraduate student at Florida State University studying Editing, Writing and Media. She is also an intern with Heintz Media Group assigned to the TravelAnne editorial team.
** Ambria Lancaster is an undergraduate student at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock studying Professional and Technical Writing. She is also an intern with Heintz Media Group assigned to the TravelAnne editorial team.
European Travel Requirements by Country
Editor’s Note:
When you’re ready to travel, we’re here to help.
UK Travel Requirements
European (EU) Travel Requirements by Country
Departure:
Travelers who have been in the U.S. for the past 10 days before travel are allowed to enter Austria
Travelers are not required to quarantine or have proof of negative COVID-19 test results
Travelers must present a vaccination certificate/card/passport
This includes a pdf from an electronic vaccine passport, either on your phone or as a hard copy
Travelers who do not have proof must use the provided official health certificate to certify vaccination
Travelers must register on the digital pre-travel clearance (PTC) form within 72 hours before arrival in Austria
Must also show PTC form in digital or hard copy on arrival
Masks must be worn in most indoor settings
The FFP2 mask is required in public transportation, cable cars, and all shops
Return:
Must have an original printed or electronic negative COVID-19 viral test result
NAAT: RT-PCR, RT-LAMP, TMA, NEAR, HDA, or Antigen: Rapid
The test must be performed within 3 days before the first scheduled departure time in the flight itinerary
Must complete a travel declaration form before arrival
Will be provided by the airline at check-in
Not required to wear masks in most settings
Masks may still be required in certain situations
Croatia Back to Top
Departure:
You can enter if you are a:
Citizens of EU/EEA member states as well as members of their families;
Healthcare workers, health researchers, and caregivers for the elderly;
Passengers in transit, with the obligation to leave the Republic of Croatia within 12 hours from entering;
Traveling for study
Traveling for necessary personal/family or business reasons, or who have other economic interest
Persons who travel for tourist reasons and have a certificate of paid accommodation in a hotel, camp, private renter or rented vessel, and another form of tourist accommodation or are owners of houses or vessels in the Republic of Croatia.
If you are fully vaccinated, you don’t need to have a negative COVID-19 test result before arriving in Croatia and you aren’t required to quarantine unless connecting through another EU country that requires it
Masks are mandatory in public.
Return:
ALL travelers must have a negative (printed or electronic) COVID-19 viral test result within 3 days before the first scheduled departure time.
Accepted tests: NAAT: RT-PCR, RT-LAMP, TMA, NEAR, HDA, or Antigen: Rapid
Mandatory that travellers fill out the travel declaration form.
Quarantine is recommended, but not mandatory to enter the US. However, specific states do have quarantine requirements.
Masks are not mandatory in most settings.
Doesn’t apply to those 5 or younger
Denmark Back to Top
Departure:
Fully vaccinated travelers are exempt from testing prior to arrival as long as vaccinated at least 14 days prior to travel
Must have proof of vaccination.
Must fill out the health declaration form for Greenland.
Must wear masks in public.
Return:
ALL Must have a negative (printed or electronic) COVID-19 viral test result. Must be performed within 3 days before initial departure time. (NAAT: RT-PCR, RT-LAMP, TMA, NEAR, HDA, or Antigen: Rapid)
Quarantine recommended, but not required to enter the US. However, specific states do require quarantine.
Must have a negative COVID-19 test result.
Must fill out the travel declaration form.
Masks are not mandatory in most settings.
Doesn’t apply to those 2 or younger
France Back to Top
Departure:
Mandatory proof of vaccination required
Must have a negative COVID-19 test result and documented proof
If you’re fully vaccinated you do not need a negative test.
PCR test taken within 72 hours before departure OR antigen test taken within 48 hours before departure
Must wear masks in enclosed public places and on public transport
Not required to quarantine on arrival in France
Return:
Must have an original printed or electronic negative COVID-19 viral test result
NAAT: RT-PCR, RT-LAMP, TMA, NEAR, HDA, or Antigen: Rapid
The test must be performed within 3 days before the first scheduled departure time in the flight itinerary
Not required to wear masks in most settings
Must fill out travel declaration form.
Germany Back to Top
Departure:
Travelers do not need to have negative COVID-19 test results if they do not have a travel history in select countries in the past 10 days before traveling to Germany
Select countries: Botswana, Brazil, Eswatini, India, Isle of Man, Jersey, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, South Africa, United Kingdom, Uruguay, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Travelers are not required to quarantine on arrival if they have been in the U.S. 10 days before traveling to Germany
Must have proof of vaccination
Travelers must have received their last vaccine dose no less than 14 days before their travel date
Masks are mandatory in public spaces
Return:
Must have an original printed or electronic negative COVID-19 viral test result
NAAT: RT-PCR, RT-LAMP, TMA, NEAR, HDA, or Antigen: Rapid
The test must be performed within 3 days before the first scheduled departure time in the flight itinerary
Must complete a travel attestation form before arrival
Will be provided by the airline at check-in
Not required to wear masks in most settings
Masks may still be required in certain situations
Greece Back to Top
Pre-Departure:
Fill out the Passenger Locator Form (PLF) no later than 11:59pm of the day before arriving.
No PCR test if fully vaccinated
Need vaccination certificate showing that you have been vaccinated at least 14 days before date of travel
All certificates must include critical information in english, german, french, italian, spanish, russian, and the person’s full name must match the one on their passport..
Departure:
All travelers are subject to a random health screening regardless of test results upon arrival. The screening is mandatory. If one refuses to be screened, authorities reserve the right to not allow entry.
Mandatory isolation if a traveller tests positive for SARS CoV-2, their companions will also be required to quarantine for a maximum of 10 days. Expenses covered by Greek state.
Masks are mandatory in public
Return:
ALL travellers must have a negative (printed or electronic) COVID-19 viral test result. (NAAT: RT-PCR, RT-LAMP, TMA, NEAR, HDA, or Antigen: Rapid)
Test must be performed within 3 days prior to the first departure time.
Mandatory travel declaration form.
Foreign travellers must spend a full 14 days outside of specified countries before they can travel to the US.
Quarantine isn’t required, but is recommended when entering back into the US. However, specific states have mandatory quarantine regulations for international travellers.
Italy Back to Top
Departure:
Travelers who do not have a travel history in Bangladesh, Brazil, India, United Kingdom, Gibraltar or Sri Lanka during the 14 days prior to their arrival are allowed to enter Italy
If vaccinated US travelers no longer have to have a COVID PCR test before arrival but must show their vaccinated certificate.
Children 6 years and older (accompanied by a parent/caregiver are required to take a pre-departure COVID-19 test.
Must present a completed health declaration form prior to arrival for Puglia
Must fill in the digital Passenger Locator Form before entering
Must have proof of vaccination.
Must wear masks in enclosed public places
Return:
Must have an original printed or electronic negative COVID-19 viral test result
NAAT: RT-PCR, RT-LAMP, TMA, NEAR, HDA, or Antigen: Rapid
The test must be performed within 3 days before the first scheduled departure time in the flight itinerary
Must complete a travel attestation form before arrival
Will be provided by the airline at check-in
Not required to wear masks in most settings
Masks may still be required in certain situations
Portugal Back to Top
Departure:
Must have negative COVID-19 results if you plan to enter the country
Acceptable tests: NAAT, RT-PCR, NEAR, TMA, LAMP, HDA, CRISPR, SDA
You can also have an TRAg test (antigen) taken within 24 hours before departure.
Antigen tests must have be approved by the European Union Health Committee.
Results must be in Portugese, French, English, Spanish, or Italian and presented physically or electronically.
Includes travelers in transit.
Does not apply to travellers under the age of 2
Does not apply to those who enter Portugal through Spain
Must complete Passenger Locator Form
Must complete health declaration for for Madeira
Must complete health declaration for the Azores
Must have proof of vaccination
Temperature screening upon arrival
Masks are mandatory in public
Return:
Must have a printed or electronic copy of a negative COVID-19 test result
Acceptable tests: (NAAT: RT-PCR, RT-LAMP, TMA, NEAR, HDA, or Antigen: Rapid)
Doesn’t apply to those under 2 years old.
Travellers that have recovered from COVID-19 must show a positive viral test from the preceding 90 days and a letter from their healthcare provider/public health official that clears them to no longer be isolated.
Quarantine is recommended, but not required to enter the US. However, states have their own quarantine regulations, so look there first.
ALL Must have a negative COVID-19 result unless you are under the age of 2 years old or have already tested positive.
Those who have tested positive need a positive viral test from 90 days prior to their departure flight and a letter from their healthcare provider or public health official saying they are clear to leave isolation.
Must have a travel declaration form
Netherlands Back to Top
Departure:
No negative test result or self-quarantine required
Travelers are required to fill out a mandatory health declaration form and carry it with them
Some airlines allow travelers to complete it digitally during check-in
Masks are required in indoor public spaces
Travelers must follow the basic rules of the Netherlands during their stay
Wash hands thoroughly and regularly
Stay 1.5 metres away from other people
If symptoms form that suggest having COVID-19, remain in your residential location and arrange to be tested
Return:
Must have an original printed or electronic negative COVID-19 viral test result
NAAT: RT-PCR, RT-LAMP, TMA, NEAR, HDA, or Antigen: Rapid
The test must be performed within 3 days before the first scheduled departure time in the flight itinerary
Must complete a travel declaration form before arrival
Will be provided by the airline at check-in
Not required to wear masks in most settings
Masks may still be required in certain situations
Spain Back to Top
Departure:
No proof of negative COVID-19 test required
Not required to quarantine on arrival in Spain
Recommended to download the RadarCOVID app when entering Spain
Must fill a travel form 48 hours before their arrival in Spain and present their QR code at check-in
Mandatory proof of vaccination
Travelers must have received their last dose at least 14 days before travel/up to 1 year
All travelers must pass through health screening (including temperature checks) upon arrival
Masks are mandatory in public spaces
Return:
Must have an original printed or electronic negative COVID-19 viral test result
NAAT: RT-PCR, RT-LAMP, TMA, NEAR, HDA, or Antigen: Rapid
The test must be performed within 3 days before the first scheduled departure time in the flight itinerary
Must complete a travel attestation form before arrival
Will be provided by the airline at check-in
Not required to wear masks in most settings
Masks may still be required in certain situations
Sweden Back to Top
Departure:
Travelers must have a negative COVID-19 (PCR, LAMP, TMA, or antigen) test result
Must be taken a maximum of 48 hours before arrival in Sweden
Does not apply to travelers under the age of 18
Proof of negative COVID-19 test results is required
Travelers are recommended to wear masks on public transportation
Return:
Travelers must have an original printed/electronic negative COVID-19 viral test result
The accepted testing types are NAAT: RT-PCR, RT-LAMP, TMA, NEAR, HDA, or Antigen: Rapid
Testing must be performed a maximum of 3 days before the first scheduled departure time in the flight itinerary
Does not apply to travelers under the age of 2
Masks are not required in most settings but may still be required in certain situations
Does not apply to travelers under the age of 5
Switzerland Back to Top
Departure:
Travelers are not required to quarantine upon arrival to Switzerland unless they have a travel history in India, Nepal or the UK during the past 10 days leading up to it
Travelers must have become fully vaccinated in the last 12 months before travel
Travelers must fill out an entry form before entering Switzerland
Children can be included in the form of an adult traveling with them
Travelers must wear masks on public transportation and indoor public places
Does not apply to travelers under the age of 12
Return:
Must have an original printed or electronic negative COVID-19 viral test result
NAAT: RT-PCR, RT-LAMP, TMA, NEAR, HDA, or Antigen: Rapid
The test must be performed within 3 days before the first scheduled departure time in the flight itinerary
Must complete a travel declaration form before arrival
Will be provided by the airline at check-in
Not required to wear masks in most settings
Masks may still be required in certain situations