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.
Albania
Feb 15 2022 Flag carrier Air Albania and several other airlines are operating international flights through Tirana International Airport (TIA/LATI). Destinations include Belgrade Berlin Frankfurt Istanbul Milan and Vienna. Maritime and overland border crossings with Montenegro Kosovo North Macedonia and Greece are open to entry. Restrictions imposed by some neighbouring countries remain in effect. Entry from South Africa Angola Kenya Zambia Botswana and Senegal was banned for three weeks from 3 December 2021: it was not immediately clear if authorities renewed the ban. Returning Albanian citizens must quarantine for 14 days. Before travel All arriving travellers must show proof of a negative test recovery or vaccination against COVID-19. The test must be a PCR test taken within 72 hours or a rapid antigen test taken within 48 hours before arrival. Transiting passengers must also show proof of a negative test recovery or vaccination against COVID-19. The test must be a PCR test taken within 72 hours or a rapid antigen test taken within 48 hours before arrival. There is no national contact tracing app. Albanian nationals who fail to present valid COVID-19 documentation must self-quarantine for 10 days. Albanian nationals returning from South Africa Angola Kenya Zambia Botswana and Senegal must self-quarantine for 14 days. A face mask must be worn in all indoor public spaces including public transport and Tirana International Airport. An overnight curfew is in effect. A nightly curfew is in effect from 23:00-06:00 local time. During curfew hours movement outside the home will be permitted only for work health and other exceptional cases and restaurants and cafes will be permitted to provide delivery service only. A permit must be obtained for movement during curfew hours on the e-Albania government portal (e-albania.al/). Public transport and taxis are operating normally. Gatherings of more than 50 people are banned. While officials have not reverted to a hard lockdown that had been imposed during the early stages of the pandemic a nightly curfew and other sanitary measures remain in effect. Following a renewed increase in new infections officials extended curfew hours and tightened restrictions on international travel in September 2021.
Belarus
Feb 20 2022 Flag carrier Belavia cancelled flights on most European routes until further notice due to international sanctions imposed in response to the forced landing of a Vilnius-bound passenger jet by Belarusian authorities in May 2021. The airline operates flights to destinations in the Middle East and some countries in the former Soviet Union including Russia. Nationals of Afghanistan Iraq Syria and Yemen cannot board Belavia flights from Turkey or Dubai to Belarus. The European Union (EU) banned Belarusian airlines from using EU airspace or airports while Lufthansa airBaltic SAS and several other European carriers suspended operations through Belarusian airspace. Belarusian airlines are also banned from entering the UK airspace. Foreign nationals are permitted to enter by air only. Travel by land and water is not permitted. Transit by land is only permitted for Russian nationals. Before travel Unvaccinated foreign nationals must present a medical certificate of a negative PCR test result that is no older than three days before entry. The certificate must be issued in English Belarusian or Russian. Residents of Belarus and transiting passengers are exempt from testing. There is no national contact tracing app. No travellers are currently required to quarantine. A mask-wearing mandate on underground and overground trains as well as planes and water transport remain in effect. Nationals and residents of Belarus are banned from leaving the country indefinitely. Exiting the country is permitted once every three months for education for work or with documents confirming temporary or permanent residence in another country. Foreign nationals who are subject to quarantine cannot exit Belarus before the end of the seven-day period. A mask-wearing mandate is in effect on trains and planes. International travel to Belarus is restricted due to foreign sanctions against the country. Shops restaurants cafes and hotels are open. COVID-19 infections remain high however sporting events restaurants houses of worship schools public transport and non-essential businesses have been allowed to operate with minimal restrictions. Restrictions on international travel to the country remain in effect.
Belgium
Feb 21 2022 As of 18 February the measures based on the barometer are under code orange. Face masks are mandatory in all public spaces and a health pass is required for access to public venues. The state of emergency is in force until 28 April. Restaurants and other hospitality establishments will no longer be required to close by 00:00 and nightclubs are allowed to reopen as of 18 February. Public events are allowed up to 80 percent capacity or more if properly ventilated. A Covid Safe Ticket remains mandatory for entry to restaurants as well as public events of at least 50 attendees indoors and 100 attendees outdoors. Covid Pass is required for some domestic activities: As of 18 February the Covid Safe Ticket must be presented for entry to restaurants as well as public events of at least 50 attendees indoors and 100 attendees outdoors. In both Brussels and Wallonia the age requirement for the health pass is 16 and above. However for high risk locations including hospitals mass events or retirement homes the age requirement is at 12 years old and above. Covid Pass availability: A Health Pass (Covid Safe Ticket) measure is in place for those who have been vaccinated against COVID-19 recovered from a previous infection or recently tested negative for the virus. The pass can be obtained from the CovidSafeBE app. Effective 1 March those vaccinated over 150 days ago will no longer count as fully vaccinated for domestic purposes without a booster shot. Brussels Airlines is primarily operating flights on international routes through Brussels Airport (BRU/EBBR). International flights are also available at Brussels South Charleroi Airport (CRL/EBCI). Non-essential travel is banned from non-European Union (EU)/Schengen Area countries except for fully vaccinated travellers. Travellers from white list countries - Bahrain Chile Colombia Kuwait Peru Rwanda and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Hong Kong Indonesia Macau New Zealand Qatar Saudi Arabia South Korea Taiwan and Uruguay - are exempt from the ban. Transit from a non-Schengen country through Belgium to another Schengen country is only permitted for EU/Schengen nationals and for essential travel. Before travel Unvaccinated travellers from quot:Red zonequot: EU/Schengen countries and quot:Red zonequot: white list countries must present a negative PCR or antigen test no older than 72 or 36 hours prior to arrival. The result must be in Dutch French German or English. Consult the Belgian government website (www.info-coronavirus.be/en/colour-codes-by-country/) for a list of regions and countries by colour code. Transiting air passengers are generally exempt from testing provided that they remain in the transit zone of the airport. However travellers will be asked to present a negative test before arrival if the test is required for travel to their final destination. All travellers arriving from a country outside the European Union (EU) or Schengen area must present a negative PCR or antigen test no older than 72 or 36 hours prior to arrival regardless of vaccination status in order to enter the country. Upon arrival Unvaccinated travellers arriving from EU or quot:white listquot: countries in the quot:red zonequot: must take a COVID-19 test on day 1. Travellers with proof of vaccination or recovery are exempt along with travellers who are not staying in the country for longer than 48 hours. Travellers from other quot:red zonequot: non-EU/Schengen countries must take a COVID-19 test on day 1 regardless of vaccination status excluding travellers that are fully vaccinated arriving from the United Kingdom. After arrival Travellers arriving from quot:red zonequot: EU/Schengen countries or white list quot:red zonequot: non-EU/Schengen countries without valid proof of recovery or vaccination must take a PCR test on day 7. All travellers arriving from other quot:red zonequot: or quot:very high-riskquot: non-EU/Schengen countries must take a PCR test on day 7 regardless of vaccination status excluding travellers who are fully vaccinated from the UK. Unvaccinated travellers from quot:very high-riskquot: EU/Schengen countries must take a PCR test on day 7. Coronalert is an optional contact tracing app. Unvaccinated travellers arriving from all red zone countries must quarantine for up to 10 days. The quarantine period can be cut short by receiving a negative result from a COVID-19 test taken on day 7. Travellers arriving from green and orange countries are exempt from quarantine. Visitors whose stay abroad was less than 48 hours or whose stay in Belgium is shorter than 48 hours are exempt from mandatory testing and quarantine. Face masks must be worn in all public spaces including public transport shops shopping centres and spaces where the Covid Safe Ticket is required. Face masks must be worn at all events both indoors and outdoors. Children under the age of 6 are exempt. The requirement to wear face masks also applies to Brussels Airlines Thalys and Eurostar passengers. In Brussels wearing face masks is also mandatory in certain outdoor spaces including rue Neuve and outdoor markets. While a ban on exiting the country was lifted travel outside the European Union (EU) is discouraged. Health officials in Belgium confirmed on 4 February 2020 that a Belgian national repatriated from the epicentre of the outbreak in China tested positive for the virus. Following multiple waves of COVID-19 cases authorities lifted the countrywide nightly curfew in May 2021 and gradually eased other restrictions on travel social contact and non-essential establishments. Starting 28 January COVID-19 restrictions will be based on a barometer colour-coded system in which society sectors will be labelled yellow orange or red based on the level of pressure on healthcare. The Consultation Committee will meet every fortnight to re-evaluate the colour code.
Bulgaria
Feb 17 2022 Passenger flights are operating at Sofia Airport (SOF/LBSF). Countries are colour-coded green orange red or dark red for entry requirements. Travellers arriving from dark red countries must present a test performed 72 hours before entry certified by a valid EUDCC or by an equivalent document. In addition they have to show a valid proof of vaccination or recovery. Those who received a booster shot are exempt from testing. Unvaccinated travellers from dark-red countries are not allowed to travel to Bulgaria. Travellers arriving from green orange and red countries must present an EU Digital COVID Certificate or an equivalent document confirming a negative test result recovery or vaccination against COVID-19. Travellers arriving from green and orange countries without documentation must self-quarantine upon arrival for 10 days. Before travel Arriving travellers from quot:greenquot: quot:orangequot: and quot:redquot: countries must present proof of a negative test recovery or vaccination against COVID-19. PCR tests performed within 72 hours before entry and antigen tests performed within 48 hours before entry are accepted. Arriving travellers from quot:dark-redquot: countries must present proof of a negative PCR test performed within 72 hours before entry in addition to a valid proof of recovery or vaccination. Travellers who can proof they received a booster dose are exempt from testing. After arrival Bulgarian citizens and residents arriving from quot:dark-redquot:39: countries may undergo a PCR test within 72 hours of arrival to be released early from quarantine if they only present partial documentation i.e. proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test no older than 72 hours. Entry is allowed to citizens and residents if they fail to present any documentation but must self-quarantine for 10 days. ViruSafe (mhealth-hub.org/virusafe) is an optional mobile app for contact tracing available on Android and iOS devices. Travellers who arrive from green orange red and dark-red countries without documentation must quarantine for 10 days. Travellers who submit a negative test taken not earlier than 72 hours after arrival in the country can end their quarantine the day after the result is confirmed via the National Information System for Combating COVID-19. Travellers who received a booster dose are exempt from quarantine. Bulgarian citizens long-term residents and other travellers eligible to enter from dark-red countries must self-quarantine for 10 days. They may leave quarantine pending a negative PCR result. Masks must be worn in indoor spaces as well as crowded outdoor areas when a 1.5-metre minimum distance cannot be maintained. A COVID-19 certificate must be presented for indoor activities. Indoor spaces are limited to 30 percent capacity unless they are only accessible to those with a negative PCR test or proof of vaccination against COVID-19. Private gatherings are limited to 15 people indoors and 30 outdoors. Covid Pass is required for some domestic activities: Proof of a negative test recovery or vaccination against COVID-19 must be presented for indoor activities including entry to restaurants hotels fitness centres shopping centres and non-essential shops that are larger than 300 sq. metres (3229 sq. feet). Covid Pass availability: Proof of vaccination recovery or a recent negative test for COVID-19 will be accepted. The negative test must be obtained from a PCR test that was performed within 72 hours. The pass can be presented electronically through the Covid Check BG app (play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=dcc.check.bg) on Android devices. COVID-19 infections remain high as of December although authorities have maintained only partial restrictions. As of mid February vaccination rates reached 29 percent. A state of emergency is in effect until 31 March 2022.
Italy
Feb 13 2022 One of the first countries in Europe to be hit by the outbreak Italy confirmed its first COVID-19 cases in January 2020. In June 2021 all regions of the country were assessed to be low-risk (white) allowing most restrictions to be lifted however a rise in cases in the months that followed have prompted authorities to tighten restrictions over the winter period. A state of emergency is in effect until 31 March 2022. Effective 11 February the use of face masks is longer mandatory in outdoor spaces nationwide except at large gatherings and events. Face masks remain mandatory indoors for persons of five years and older with FFP2 masks required on local and long-distance public transport in theatres concert halls and cinemas and sporting events until at least 31 March. Nightclubs are open. Parties on public squares are banned. Covid Pass is required for some domestic activities: Until 31 March only proof of vaccination or recovery (super green pass) is accepted for access to museums outdoor and indoor dining cinemas theatres nightclubs and stadiums swimming pools gyms team sports spas wellness accommodation facilities fairs ski facilities cultural social and recreational venues and casinos. Those aged under 12 years of age exempt. A proof of a negative test recovery or vaccination against COVID-19 (basic green pass) is sufficient to access personal services such as hairdressing and beauty centres. From 1 February until the end of the state of emergency it is also required to access public offices postal banking and financial services and non-essential commercial activities such as shopping centres. Groceries and businesses related to health veterinary justice and personal security are exempt from the requirement. Effective 15 February-15 June all residents including foreign and European citizens aged 50 years and above must be vaccinated to access private and public workplaces. Individuals working in schools and universities are also subject to the requirement regardless their age. Visitors to the Vatican must also present a COVID-19 health pass. Covid Pass availability: The pass must show receipt of at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose recovery from an infection within the last six months or a negative COVID-19 test taken within 48 hours. Starting 6 December 2021 only proof of recovery or vaccination will be accepted at venues that are only accessible with the super green pass. Effective 1 February the validity period is reduced to six months. An additional COVID-19 vaccine dose is required after four months. Residents can obtain the the EU Digital Covid Certificate (EUDCC) as proof of vaccination recovery or a negative test for COVID-19. The certificate is accepted in both paper and electronic format. International flights are available primarily to neighbouring countries and major hubs in Europe. Flights are also available on a limited number of long-distance routes including service to the United States. There are no restrictions on entry from San Marino and Vatican City (Category A). Entry is permitted from Category C countries - EU and Schengen Area countries Andorra and Monaco - provided that arrivals only transited or stayed in countries where entry is permitted in the last 14 days. Travellers from category C countries are permitted entry regardless of their purpose of travel provided that they show a valid EUDCC obtained with proof of recovery vaccination or a negative test result. The test can be a PCR performed within the last 72 hours or an antigen test performed within the last 48 hours. Travellers from Category D countries - Argentina Australia Bahrain Canada Chile Colombia Hong Kong Indonesia Israel Japan Kuwait Macau New Zealand Peru Qatar Rwanda Saudi Arabia South Korea Taiwan Uruguay the United Arab Emirates (UAE) the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States (US) - are also permitted entry. However Category D travellers without proof of vaccination generally subject to testing and quarantine requirements. Non-essential travel from other non-EU/Schengen countries (Category E) is banned. EU nationals and long-term residents and those seeking to travel for work absolute urgency health study or return home are exempt. Before travel Non-EU arrivals - excluding UK travellers - must present a negative PCR that was taken within 72 hours before arrival or an antigen test that was taken 24 hours before arrival. UK arrivals must present a negative PCR test that was taken within 48 hours before arrival or antigen test that was taken 24 hours before arrival. Those who enter without a vaccination certificate are subject to a 5-day mandatory quarantine. Another test must be carried out on day 5. Arrivals from Canada Japan and the United States of America (USA) who hold a proof of recovery in addition to a negative test are exempt from the quarantine requirement. Italian nationals returning from leisure travel in Aruba Dominican Republic Egypt (Sharm El Sheikh or Marsa Alam only) the Maldives Mauritius Seychelles Cuba Singapore Turkey Thailand (only island of Phuket) Oman and French Polynesia must be tested within 48 hours before departure to be exempt from quarantine upon arrival in Italy. Travellers from quot:Category Cquot: countries who enter the country without a valid proof of vaccination or recovery must present a negative PCR that was taken within 72 hours before arrival or an antigen test that was taken 48 hours before arrival. Travellers who fail to present a covid test are subject to a 5-day mandatory quarantine followed by another PCR or antigen test. Upon arrival Travellers who fail to present a negative COVID-19 test that was taken before departure from quot:Category Dquot: countries must be tested upon arrival. Antigen and molecular tests are also carried out at random at airports ports and border crossings. Effective 1 February-15 March travellers are subject to an additional test that must be carried out upon arrival at the airport or within 24 hours of arrival. Travellers must self-quarantine until they get the result. After arrival Travellers who are subject to quarantine upon arrival must take a new COVID-19 test at the end of the quarantine period. Immuni (www.immuni.italia.it/) is a voluntary mobile app for contact tracing available on Android and iOS devices. Travellers who arrive from Category C and D countries without proof of vaccination and a negative test must quarantine for five days. Travellers from Canada Japan or the United States can also present proof of recovery instead of proof of vaccination to be exempt from quarantine. Travellers from other non-EU countries (Category E) and countries subject to special measures must quarantine for 10 days. Italian nationals returning from Aruba Dominican Republic Egypt (Sharm El Sheikh and Marsa Alam only) the Maldives Mauritius Seychelles Cuba Singapore Turkey Thailand (only island of Phuket) Oman and French Polynesia with proof of recovery or vaccination against COVID-19 are exempt provided that they obtain negative test results before departure and return to Italy. Arrivals from San Marino and the Vatican are exempt from quarantine. Transport workers those who are travelling for proven work health or urgency and whose stay does not exceed 120 hours those whose transit by private vehicle does not exceed 36 hours cross-border workers and healthcare workers are also exempt from quarantine. Antigen and molecular tests are carried out at random at airports ports and border crossings: those who test positive must isolate for 10 days at their accommodation or in a COVID-19 hotel. Leisure travel to countries in Category E - non-EU countries excluding Category D countries - is not permitted. Travelling to Category E countries is only permitted for work health study absolute urgency or return home. Italian nationals travelling for tourism to Aruba Dominican Republic Egypt (Sharm El Sheikh and Marsa Alam only) Maldives Mauritius Seychelles Cuba Singapore Turkey Thailand (only island of Phuket) Oman and French Polynesia are exempt from travel restrictions provided that they take a PCR or antigen test within 48 hours of departure from Italy present proof of recovery or vaccination and take another COVID-19 test within 48 hours of boarding their return flight to Italy. Effective 1 February-15 March travellers staying in these destinations for more than 7 days must undergo additional molecular or antigenic testing on site. Travellers seeking to be exempt must travel through tour operators and stay at designated accommodation facilities during their time abroad. A COVID-19 green pass is required for access to certain public venues and services including long-distance travel. Effective 10 January a super green pass is required to access all services and activities. Regions are assessed white (lowest risk) yellow (lower risk) orange (medium risk) or red (high risk) depending on the severity of the epidemiological situation. A COVID-19 super green pass is mandatory for inter-regional travel local transport and intra-regional transport. Effective 19 January the basic green pass will suffice for ferry links on the Strait of Messina between Sicily and Calabria. Passengers will be checked for the green pass before boarding. During the journey unvaccinated individuals must remain inside their vehicles. No more than two passengers are permitted inside taxis unless they are members of the same household.
North Macedonia
Feb 15 2022 Skopje (SKP/LWSK) and Ohrids St Paul Apostle (OHD/LWOH) airports are open to passenger flights. Travellers displaying COVID-19 symptoms will be denied boarding. The countrys borders are open to travellers. Before travel All arriving travellers must present proof of a negative test recovery or vaccination against COVID-19. The test must be a PCR test result no older than 72 hours prior to entry or an antigen test no older than 48 hours. Transiting travellers whose stay does not exceed five hours are exempt. Travellers arriving from India must quarantine for 14 days. Macedonian nationals who arrive without COVID-19 documentation must quarantine for seven days upon entry. The quarantine period can be shortened to five days if travellers present a negative PCR test result on day five. Face masks are mandatory on public transport inside taxis and other enclosed public spaces. While most non-essential venues and services are open a COVID-19 health pass is required for access to hospitality establishments and large events. Gatherings of more than five persons in parks and other public places and areas is banned. Covid Pass is required for some domestic activities: A COVID-19 vaccination certificate must be presented for entry to all indoor and outdoor venues regardless of size or number of people present. Weddings and similar events inside enclosed spaces will be banned. Covid Pass availability: The vaccine certificate will be available to those who have had at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. Those who were vaccinated in North Macedonia can obtain the certificate online through the Ministry of Health (vakcinacija.mk/). A health pass system is in effect for some public venues. As of mid February COVID-19 cases were steadily decreasing with a vaccination rate of at least 41 percent.