Entry Policies Due to Covid-19 for Europe
From almost the start of the pandemic, the COVID-19 cases and deaths in Europe soon exceeded those in other regions of the world. Each country in Europe is under very different regulations and has been impacted by the pandemic in a different way.
Italy is one of the areas which was highlighted during the pandemic and quickly became one of the regions of greatest concern in Europe. Every country in Europe has had at least one death during the past year, with the exception of the Vatican City.
When planning a trip to Europe, keep up to date with the local news, as lockdowns are a common occurrence in many countries in this region. Countries with the highest number of cases in the region include Italy, Spain, the UK, France, and Russia.
When it comes to traveling to Europe, you'll want to treat each country individually in regards to restrictions. Each government has very different requirements and regulations in place to protect its citizens and healthcare systems.
If you are required to transit through another European country, ensure this is possible at the time of your trip this year.
You may need to consider an alternative route for travel. While many people love to travel to multiple countries in one trip to Europe, this may not be as straightforward as it was prior to the pandemic due to quarantine restrictions in some countries.
Requirements for entry will vary from country to country, and it's likely that you'll need to complete a health declaration or show a negative COVID-19 test to enter anywhere in Europe. Many countries keep ever-changing lists that indicate who is and isn't welcome into the country at the current time.
Be sure to be aware of these lists, as restrictions often vary depending on the country you are traveling from. Some countries will have different requirements for visitors from certain countries, and completely different rules and regulations govern each country.
Your health and safety should always be your number one concern when traveling to Europe this year, so keep yourself safe by following the entry requirements listed below.
Belarus
Belarus has not established entry restrictions, but travelers arriving from red zone countries must be isolated for 10 days. The list is available in Russian.
Belgium
The Belgian government has banned all non-essential travel to and from Belgium from January 27 to March 1. There are some exceptions for urgent family or professional reasons.
Bulgaria
Bulgaria has reopened borders to travelers from most European countries. All travelers must present a medical certificate attesting to a negative PCR result issued within 72 hours prior to arrival.
Croatia
Croatia has opened travel to visitors from the European Union and the United Kingdom. Non-EU citizens can apply online for an entry permit.
Denmark
Travelers must present a medical proof attesting to a negative COVID-19 PCR result issued within twenty four hours prior to arrival, and are subject to mandatory testing and isolation upon arrival.
Estonia
Travelers may enter Estonia if they do not show symptoms of COVID-19. Those arriving from countries with a positive case rate greater than 15 per 100 000 population in the past fourteen days should be quarantined for 14 days.
Greece
Greece has opened borders to travelers from the EU, Schengen zone, UK, Australia, Israel, South Korea, New Zealand, Russia, Thailand, and UAE.
Hungary
Hungary has restricted entry to most foreign travelers since Sept. 1, except for Hungarian citizens and residents and military, diplomatic, humanitarian, transit, and foreign flights, as well as foreign nationals attending or participating in some sporting events.
Ireland
Ireland has required travelers over the age of 16 to fill out a COVID-19 passenger locator form prior to arrival since August 26.
Latvia
Latvia has restricted entry to all travelers except Latvian, Estonian, and Lithuanian nationals, permanent residents and travelers who are EEA nationals traveling from the EEA or other countries on the green list published by the EU.
Lithuania
Lithuania requires travelers to complete a questionnaire, present a medical certificate attesting to a negative COVID-19 test result obtained within 24 hours prior to arrival and isolate themselves for ten days.
Luxembourg
Luxembourg has restricted entry to all travelers arriving from outside the EU who are not citizens of the EU or Schengen zone and their family members. All travelers must prove a negative COVID-19 PCR or antigen test result issued within 72 hours before the flight. Upon arrival, all travelers arriving from countries outside the EU or Schengen zone must be tested.
Montenegro
Montenegro allows entry at all border crossings to Montenegrin and foreign nationals without proof of a COVID-19 test result. Travelers arriving from the United Kingdom must present a medical certificate showing a negative COVID-19 PCR test result issued within seventy two hours prior to arrival.
Netherlands
The Netherlands has started accepting tourist arrivals from EU and Schengen countries. Travelers arriving from countries not in the EU safe country list and to which the EU travel ban to the Netherlands does not apply must prove a negative result for COVID-19 on PCR issued within 72 hours prior to arrival, as well as complete and sign a negative result declaration. Some travelers must be isolated for ten days.
North Macedonia
North Macedonia has resumed commercial flights. At this time there are no restrictions on entry to North Macedonia. There is a curfew in effect from April 6-20 from 20:00 to 05:00. Public Health authorities continue to assess the situation at the epidemiological level to decide what further measures may be necessary.
Poland
Poland allows entry to travelers from the EU, Norway, Switzerland, Georgia, Japan, Canada, Thailand, New Zealand, South Korea, Tunisia, and Australia.
Romania
Romania has restricted entry for all travelers who are not citizens of Romania, EEA, or Switzerland.
Russia
Russia has begun removing some restrictions on international flights from some countries. International travelers must present a medical certificate attesting to a negative COVID-19 PCR test result issued within 72 hours prior to arrival.
Sweden
Sweden has restricted entry to all foreign travelers not traveling from countries outside the EEA.