Summer vacation is drawing near. As vaccinations increase, several European Union countries are moving more quickly to open their borders and prepare to accept tourists who have been injected with the COVID-19 vaccine.
However, tourists who have received an injection of the COVID-19 vaccine still have to be patient to determine their vacation destinations in Europe this summer. This is because the new European Union COVID-19 Digital Certificate will take effect from July 1, to facilitate travel in Europe.
European countries have recently approved recommendations to allow travelers who have been injected with full doses of the vaccine from abroad to enter. However, the current reality is that member countries are still implementing different restrictive policies.
With policies differing from country to country, here are a number of countries that have opened their doors to tourism and a breakdown of some of the rules that apply to vaccinated travelers across Europe.
1. France
France, a favorite destination for international travelers, will reopen to fully vaccinated travelers from around the world from 9 June. Under the new rules, vaccinated people traveling from the EU and France’s “green” list countries, including South Korea, Japan and Israel, can avoid the COVID-19 test requirement altogether. Unvaccinated travelers from the above countries can enter by showing a negative COVID-19 test result.
Meanwhile, travelers vaccinated from France’s “orange” list, such as the US, UK and most countries in Africa and Asia, no longer need an urgent reason to travel. These visitors will be released from quarantine but will still have to show a negative COVID-19 test.
France recognizes all vaccines approved by the European Drug Administration (EMA) and considers travelers to be fully vaccinated two weeks after the last dose of a Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, or AstraZeneca injection, and four weeks after a single injection of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
Unvaccinated people from these countries will only be allowed into France for essential reasons such as attending a funeral or urgent medical treatment. The same goes for France’s “red” list which includes South African countries, Bangladesh, Chile and Colombia. All arriving from the red zone must undergo quarantine for at least seven days.
2. Spain
Spain has opened its borders to vaccinated travelers from many countries around the world on June 7. People entering Spain from areas they deem “at risk” can circumvent the quarantine requirements by showing complete proof of vaccination by injection approved by the EMA or the World Health Organization (WHO) at least 14 days prior to arrival, proof of recovery from COVID-19, or a COVID test result. -19 negative.
Spain’s decision to allow travelers from the UK free entry, regardless of vaccination status, has sparked controversy in Europe, while most EU citizens must have proof of vaccination or a COVID-19 test.
Spain is also still imposing travel restrictions from India.
3. Germany
Most travel to Germany from outside the EU and the Schengen Area is still limited to urgent travel only. However, Germany has started receiving COVID-19 certificates in certain cases.
While passengers arriving by plane would normally have to undergo a COVID-19 test prior to departure, those who can now provide proof of vaccination are exempt from the rule. Travelers who have spent time in what Germany considers a “risk area” must remain in quarantine. Quarantine can be avoided or “ended prematurely” if proof of vaccination is submitted to the German entry portal, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) said. All EU approved vaccines are accepted there.
Passengers who have been in a country Germany classifies as an “area of concern” – such as the UK, Botswana, Nepal or Mozambique on June 4 – cannot leave quarantine early, even if they have been vaccinated.
4. Greece
Greece allows travelers from about 50 countries, including the US, Canada, Russia, China and all European Union countries to enter the country. Travelers must have a vaccination certificate, negative PCR test, or proof of recovery from COVID-19. The Greek government has so far only accepted travelers who had been injected with vaccines from Pfizer-BioNtech, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Novavax, Johnson & Johnson, Sinovac, Sputnik V, Casino Biologics and Sinopharm.
Greek authorities assume people are fully vaccinated 14 days after their last dose was given and all travelers can still undergo randomized rapid tests at airports. All arrivals must complete the passenger location form at least 24 hours prior to arrival.
5. Cyprus
On May 25, Cyprus announced that it would open its borders to tourists from dozens of countries including all EU states and European economies (EEA), Canada, Egypt, Serbia, UK and US. The country has a traffic light system under which tourists from “orange” or “red” countries must take a COVID-19 test. However, those fully vaccinated by showing a valid vaccination certificate are fully exempt, regardless of the color code of their country of origin.
Cyprus receives all vaccines approved for use in the EU as well as Sputnik V and Sinopharm vaccines. Unlike many other countries, Cyprus considers travelers “fully vaccinated” as soon as they receive their last dose of COVID-19 vaccine, although a two-week delay applies to those who receive a vaccine shot from Johnson & Johnson. All travelers must apply for a “Cyprus Flight Pass” before departing for Cyprus.
6. Croatia
Passengers arriving from EU countries that are color coded orange, red or maroon on the European Center for COVID-19 Disease Control map can travel to Croatia if they have an EU-approved vaccination certificate or have been injected with the Sputnik V vaccine. , it is necessary to pay attention to the delay period that applies to the type of vaccine and the number of doses given.
Croatia also accepts evidence of COVID-19 recovery or a negative COVID-19 test as an alternative. Travelers from outside the EU can enter on roughly the same terms as long as they have confirmation of paid accommodation in Croatia. There are no pandemic-related restrictions for travelers arriving from countries that the EU recommends lifting the ban on non-essential travel. However, passengers from South Africa, Brazil and India must be quarantined, regardless of vaccination status.