European travel restrictions: Nonessential travel curbed

Amid the coronavirus pandemic, many countries worldwide continue to restrict entry and most travel remains discouraged. DW Travel offers a brief recap of what rules apply in the EU — and how to get the latest info.

The European Union

Several European Union nations are extending or re-imposing lockdown measures ― and with them travel and entry requirements ― as a third wave of the pandemic sweeps the continent. Contagious new variants of the coronavirus, particularly the B117 mutation first discovered in Britain, are spreading rapidly in at least 27 European countries. According to the World Health Organization, the B117 now dominates in Germany, Italy, Denmark, Ireland, France, the Netherlands, Spain and Portugal.

Since January EU leaders have been discussing restricting nonessential trips across the bloc's internal borders to contain the spread of the coronavirus, after mutant strains emerged from the UK, South Africa and Brazil. Since January 24, any traveler arriving from outside the EU — possible only for those with essential reasons — must have a test for COVID-19 before departure. To combat the virulent UK strain, the EU has already blocked all but freight shipments or travelers on essential trips from entering the bloc from the UK.

Detailed information is available on the European Commission website.

Complete information and resources for each of the individual 27 EU member states is also available on the EU's Reopen EU website.

However, each EU country maintains its own standards for deciding whether and how citizens of third countries may enter if they are already in an EU or Schengen country. Each EU member state also decides and implements its own further measures to curb the spread of the pandemic, such as quarantines upon entry from another region or country. Local regulations also differ widely on various social distancing measures, curfews and mask-wearing requirements.

Understanding the EU coronavirus traffic light system

In order to provide travelers in Europe with a better overview of the COVID infection situation and possible restrictions, the EU has introduced a coronavirus traffic light system , according to which the EU is divided into green, orange and red zones. In addition, there is the color gray for regions from which not enough data are available. Currently, red dominates the continent.

If you still have to travel, the EU Commission's Re-open EU App can also help. It provides up-to-date information on the health situation, safety precautions, and travel restrictions for all EU countries and members states of the border-free Schengen area, which includes Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.

Please note: The information listed here is not exhaustive, serves as a reference only and is subject to change at any time. All travelers to and within Europe, the EU and the Schengen Area are strongly advised to keep informed with the official guidance and regulations of local, state and national authorities of the relevant countries.

Will vaccinations make vacations possible again?

On February 25, the EU decided to introduce a uniform vaccination certificate for travelers by the summer. Especially traditional vacation countries like Greece are pinning high hopes on the vaccination cards. The Greek and Cypriot governments have also already concluded a bilateral agreement with Israel, according to which from April all Israeli nationals will be able to enter the country without any problems if they show Israel's recently-introduced "green pass," which provides proof that the bearer has been vaccinated. Malta is also in talks to this effect with Israel.

Sweden and Denmark have announced the creation of electronic vaccination certificates, which will be used primarily when traveling abroad. In Estonia, on the other hand, entrants are already exempt from the general quarantine requirement if they present proof of vaccination. The same applies in Poland, where an app is being developed specifically for this purpose.

Europe's five most-visited countries: Germany, France, UK, Italy, and Spain

Germany, along with France, Spain, Italy and the United Kingdom, is among the world's 10 most-visited countries, according to the UN World Tourism Organization. Travel to France, Spain, Italy and the United Kingdom remain heavily restricted. Germany

Nationwide measures to curb the coronavirus apply and the German government is appealing urgently to all citizens and residents to refrain from nonessential travel within the country and also abroad.

Anyone entering Germany by airplane needs to take a coronavirus test in advance. Only those with a negative test will be allowed to fly into the country. The rule applies irrespective of the pandemic status in the country of departure. Coinciding with increased testing, Germany has also announced tighter border controls. The Interior Ministry has said anyone crossing the border into Germany should expect to be checked.

Tourism in Germany remains prohibited for the time being. Hotels are not allowed to offer overnight stays for tourist purposes, tourist visas are only granted in exceptional cases. Travel within the country is only possible for certain essential reasons, for example business trips, and is made more difficult by ever-changing regulations that must be observed.

Throughout Germany a lockdown has been in effect since mid-December. This means that restaurants are closed as well as theater and concert stages and recreational facilities. In addition, distance and hygiene rules apply. Medical masks — surgical masks or FFP2 respirators, which also protect the wearer — must be worn in stores and on buses and trains, and simple fabric masks are no longer sufficient. In places with a particularly high incidence, where the sevenday incidence rate exceeds 100 new infections per 100,000 inhabitants over three consecutive days, measures such as a nighttime curfew from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. and limits on social contacts apply.

Entry conditions from highrisk areas

Germany has instituted a new classification system that divides geographical regions into risk

areas, high-incidence areas and virus variant areas. Arrivals from high-risk areas must register o n l i n e a t www.einreiseanmeldung.de.

A COVID test must be done within 48 hours and an immediate ten-day quarantine is required regardless of the test result — which can be terminated with another negative test on the fifth day at the earliest. PCR, LAMP, TMA, and rapid antigen tests are accepted. Antibody tests are not accepted.

Classification into high-incidence and virus-variant areas brings new rules. Since January 24, states that exceed an incidence value of 200 have been considered high-incidence areas. More than 20 states have already been classified as such, a large proportion of them in Europe, including France, the Netherlands, Poland, Estonia, Montenegro and Hungary.

People entering the country from high-incidence areas must present a negative test result before they can even enter the country. Only then are they allowed to board an aircraft. The same applies to buses, trains and ferries. Regardless of the test result, a ten-day mandatory quarantine period applies in Germany.

As of January 30 a transportation ban has been in effect for all flights, trains, buses and ships from countries where the new variants of the coronavirus have spread. The countries impacted by the ban include Brazil and South Africa.

There are several exceptions to the travel restrictions, including: people who have the right to reside in Germany and those who are transporting goods, as well as urgent medical transports and travel due to "urgent humanitarian reasons."

In addition, there are the quarantine rules set individually by the 16 German states. Travelers are therefore well advised to inform themselves accordingly.

Read more: FAQs for travelers to Germany during the pandemic

France

The world's top tourism destination country by arrivals, France has banned all travel with countries outside the European Union, due to a continuously high infection rate and new mutations of the coronavirus. Exceptions will only be made for a good reason. Complete information is available on the French Foreign Ministry website. Upon entry into France, a negative PCR test must be presented, which must not be older than 72 hours. Travelers must also fill out a declaration stating, for example, that they have no COVID-19 symptoms. According to the Interior Ministry, travelers from Europe may also enter France without "compelling reasons."

The situation in France is still tense, and the country continues to be considered a high-incidence area. Nevertheless, the measures within the country have been relaxed. People are now once again allowed to travel more than ten kilometers from their homes without good reason. There is a nighttime curfew from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m., which is to be pushed back to 9 p.m. as of May 19. Outdoor areas of restaurants as well as stores and cultural institutions will then also be allowed to reopen. United Kingdom

In order to prevent the spread of new coronavirus variants, the UK obliges entrants from countries on its "red list" of highrisk countries to quarantine in hotels for ten days. The countries affected are those classified by Great Britain as virus-variant areas, such as South Africa, all South American countries, and the United Arab Emirates. The arrivals must book a 10-day stay from an approved list of hotels where they have to remain in their room and are provided with three meals a day. Security teams at the hotels monitor compliance. Passengers have to pay for their own stay in isolation.

Travel for tourist purposes is not permitted in and to Great Britain and Northern Ireland. In principle, people travelling to the UK must show proof of a negative COVID-19 test (PCR, LAMP or antigen test) before setting off. This may be taken up to three days before their journey begins. This regulation applies to England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. All travelers entering the UK, regardless of departure country or nationality, must complete a passenger locator form.

The British mainland is easing lockdown measures with the goal of ending all restrictions on public life by June 21. Britons are able to gather outdoors in groups of up to six people. The "stay at home" rule was also relaxed, but the government advises caution and asks that people continue to work from home if possible. Outdoor restaurants, hairdressers and also gyms, swimming pools, libraries, zoos and amusement parks are also allowed to receive visitors. Domestic travel is permitted. In principle, there is a requirement to wear a mask on public transport, in taxis and in supermarkets. In England, a traffic light system is reportedly to be introduced in the next few months, setting out the rules for travel abroad. For example, red-rated countries will continue to be banned from travel, while people will be able to travel to green countries without barriers. For travel to yellow-rated countries, strict testing and quarantine rules are likely to continue to apply. According to previous plans, mid-May is considered the earliest date for a change in the current regulation.

Italy

The country still maintains its state of emergency, and entry from abroad remains heavily restricted. Complete information is available at the Italian Foreign Ministry website. Entry from most of Europe is allowed in principle but persons arriving from these countries must provide a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 48 hours upon entry, undergo a five-day quarantine, and present another negative test after five days. This regulation runs until mid-May. Then a national "green vaccination passport" is to be introduced in order to be able to travel freely within the country.

Italy is gradually easing the restrictions within the country where a traffic light system is in place. Where infection numbers are moderate, restaurants and bars are allowed to serve at tables outside in the evening. A curfew continues to apply from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.

Museums and cinemas in the yellow zones with a low risk of infection have already opened. From June 1, people are also to be allowed to sit inside in bars again. Italy is targeting June 2 for the official start of the summer season. Exactly what the regulations will be for people entering the country in June, including those who have been vaccinated, is not yet clear.

Spain

Entry from EU and Schengen-associated states is possible in principle. However, mandatory testing is still required for entry from high-risk countries (including Germany). The country's official tourism website provides complete information and resources.

Most recently the seven-day incidence has been significantly lower, coming in at 87. In some vacation regions such as Valencia (around 17) or the Balearic Islands (just under 28) including Mallorca, the situation is even more relaxed.

In the various regions, strict restrictions still apply in some cases, but almost all of them will end on May 9 with the expiry of the six-month coronavirus state of alert. Several regions, meanwhile, want to maintain especially the nighttime curfew. In addition, among other things, the mandatory wearing of masks, even outdoors, is to continue for the time being.

Find more information here.

Recent travel restrictions in selected countries across the EU

Austria

Austria continues border controls with all neighboring countries to contain the spread of the virus. Every traveler trying to cross the border has to present a negative coronavirus test.

The German government has declared the whole of Austria a risk area, with the exception of the Kleinwalsertal valley and the municipality of Jungholz, with a combined population of just over 5,000. Both exclaves can only be reached by road from Germany. Because Austria is still a risk area from a German perspective, a negative test and at least five days of quarantine are required when returning from there.

In the rest of Austria there has been an easing of coronavirus restrictions domestically, with schools, museums and stores reopening. Visitors and customers must wear medical masks, and a negative COVID-19 test is required for visits to hairdressers. The nighttime curfew from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. remains unchanged. On May 19, restaurants, hotels, stages and sports facilities will be allowed to reopen. As a protective measure, tests on admission are planned. Events will be permitted outside with up to 3,000 people and inside with up to 1,500.

The opening steps are also intended to remove the quarantine for holidaymakers. Those who are vaccinated, have been tested or have recovered from COVID-19 will then be allowed into the country. The government also plans to institute a policy that people who have received their first vaccination three weeks prior to their arrival will no longer be required to present a negative test.

Find more information here. The Netherlands

The Dutch government "strongly advises" against all travel to the country unless it is strictly necessary. People traveling to the Netherlands not only need a negative result of a PCR test taken within 72 hours of arrival in Holland, but also need a negative result of an antigen rapid test, or LAMP (loop mediated isothermal amplification) test taken within 4 hours before departure to the Netherlands. Furthermore, all travelers are expected to quarantine for 10 days upon arrival in Holland. After five days of quarantine, you can choose to get tested for coronavirus. If you test negative, the quarantine is lifted.

Find more information here . The Netherlands has ended a controversial nighttime curfew and allowed cafes to serve customers outdoors as part of an easing of coronavirus restrictions. Cafes will be allowed to operate outside only between 12 and 6 p.m. with a maximum of 50 people. Households will be allowed to have two guests, as opposed to the current limit on one.

The nighttime curfew had led to the country's worst riots in decades. After first opting for a more relaxed lockdown, Dutch authorities brought in stricter rules in October when the number of cases soared. Infection rates there are still rising, as the country seeks to speed up its vaccination rollout. Belgium

Travel to Belgium is still discouraged, even though the country's ban on non-essential travel has expired. Arrivals from EU, Schengen area and the EU's safe list are technically allowed entry to Belgium but all countries have been colorcoded and all of these are currently red, except for 8 countries which are labelled orange: Denmark, Spain, Finland, Ireland,

Iceland, Italy, Norway and Portugal. Anyone traveling from a red country must take a PCR test before departure and it must be negative to be allowed to enter.

Arrivals travelling by plane, train, bus or boat and staying for more than 2 days have to complete a Passenger Location Form (PLF) 48 hours before arrival. Based on their answers, visitors will receive a text message if they are high risk and need to quarantine for 10 days. If they do, they must take a COVID-19 test on days 1 and day 7. If visitors do not receive a text message, they do not need to quarantine.

Belgium has begun easing some restrictions allowing schools to return. This is to be followed by businesses like hairdressers, and outdoor service at bars and restaurants reopening over the next few weeks.

Find more information here. Portugal

The situation in Portugal has improved. Only the Algarve region, the Azores and Madeira are still considered risk areas. Non-essential tourist travel to the remaining regions continues to be discouraged.

On May 1, for the first time in about five and a half months, the state of emergency was not extended. Restaurants, cafes and bars as well as cinemas, theaters and other cultural and leisure venues have since been allowed to stay open until 10:30 p.m. on weekends.

Previously, a very early curfew applied throughout Portugal on weekends, starting as early as 1 p.m. In addition, among other relaxations, the land border with Spain has been reopened. However, non-essential tourist travel from countries with a 14-day incidence above 150, which includes Germany, is still not permitted.

All passengers, whether by land or air, must present a negative PCR test carried out over the previous 72 hours. Those who have not undertaken one will have to have one done at the airport, at their own expense.

Find more information here. Greece

Since May 3, cafés, bars and taverns in Greece have been allowed to open their outdoor areas for all guests, whether vaccinated or not. However, they have to close at 10:45 p.m., and an evening curfew then applies from 11 p.m. onwards.

Travel within Greece is not possible without restrictions ─ but this requirement is to be lifted on May 15. From a German perspective, Greece is currently still considered a risk area, but the infection situation is easing. Visitors must register online before entering the country.

Upon entry, a proof of a full vaccination or a negative PCR test no more than 72 hours old must be presented. Fully vaccinated means here that the second vaccination was at least 14 days ago. There is no longer a quarantine requirement. However, tourists should

always inform themselves about their exact travel destination. For example, a local lockdown was recently imposed again on the island of Kalimnos due to high case numbers.

Greece plans to open the country to vacationers from EU countries as well as from some other states such as Great Britain and Serbia from May 14 in order to save the domestic tourism sector. According to the plan, people will be allowed to enter the country and go on vacation without having to undergo quarantine.

There will be conditions, however: for example, one must either be vaccinated or show a negative PCR test. Athens had already abolished mandatory quarantine for visitors from Israel on a bilateral level at the end of March.

Visit Greece provides a summary of all the important information. I

Find more information here. Ireland

Anyone entering Ireland must present a negative PCR test no more than 72 hours old. In addition, all entrants, including Irish citizens and residents, are required to severely restrict their movements for 14 days after entry.

The Irish government has announced a gradual relaxation of its strict Covid-19 lockdown over the next six weeks. The country has been at Level Five, its highest level of restrictions, since Christmas. On 10 May, closecontact services such as hairdressers can reopen and clickand-collect retail can resume. From the same date, people can travel outside their own county for the first time in more than four months. Up to 50 people will be allowed to attend weddings, funerals and other religious services. From 17 May, all nonessential shops are to reopen to customers. From 2 June, hotels, guest houses and self-catering accommodation will be permitted to trade. All pubs, regardless of whether they serve food, along with restaurants are set to open up for outdoor service on 7 June.

The situation in Ireland was particularly dramatic at the beginning of the year. For a time, the Republic had the highest number of new infections per capita in the world. After a temporary easing of the nationwide lockdown before Christmas, the infection figures there, fueled by the highly contagious COVID-19 variant, rose unchecked. In the meantime, the situation has eased but the infection rates remain at a high level and severe restrictions remain in place.

Find more information here .

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