Following the EU's decision to remove the U.S. from its green list of countries for safe travel, several more European countries have updated their entry requirements for Americans. It’s not all bad news, though.
France, Spain, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and other EU countries have announced tighter restrictions for American tourists, in some cases, regardless of whether they are fully vaccinated. Greece has decided to remain open.
France will only accept fully vaccinated U.S. visitors as of 12SEP 2021. Non-vaccinated travellers can only visit for essential reasons, and will need to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test and a seven-day quarantine.
Spain has announced that it will require proof of vaccination as of 06SEP for non-essential tourism, according to the U.S. Embassy and Consulate in Spain and Andorra. The embassy also said that U.S. citizens must present a QR code generated through the Spain Travel Health portal, obtained through the website or by downloading the app, upon arrival to the country. This applies to all coming from the U.S., even if they stopped at another country before Spain.
Denmark is banning unvaccinated tourists from the U.S. Previously, all U.S. tourists could enter by showing a negative test or proof of recovery, but now only unvaccinated travelers can enter Denmark for a "a worthy purpose" such as work, school or legal matters as well as a negative COVID-19 test. Unvaccinated travellers deemed "worthy" to enter must still quarantine. Fully vaccinated U.S. travellers to Denmark are still exempt from testing and quarantine requirements.
Sweden announced that as of 06SEP, travellers from the U.S. would be barred from entering the country regardless of vaccination status. "Effective 06SEP, Sweden has removed the United States from its list of countries whose residents are exempted from its entry ban," the U.S. Embassy in Sweden said on its website. "U.S. citizens who reside in an exempted country are still exempt from the entry ban."
Norway has barred U.S. citizens from entering unless they are visiting family. "Unless the traveler qualifies for a travel exception such as close family members and persons in an established relationship with a resident of Norway," the U.S. Embassy in Norway said on its website.
Belgium will require U.S. residents to show proof of vaccination for non-essential travel. "U.S. residents may travel from the United States to Belgium without an Essential Travel Certificate if they can present a valid vaccination certificate," the U.S. Embassy in Belgium said on its website. "Travelers from the United States who cannot present a valid vaccination certificate will not be permitted to travel to Belgium for non-essential reasons unless they hold an EU citizenship or residency."
The Netherlands categorized the U.S. as “a very high-risk area" as of 04SEP. Travellers from the U.S. will be required to be fully vaccinated to enter and will still have to undergo a mandatory quarantine with select exemptions. "As of 06SEP 2021, such travelers also must present a negative COVID-19 PCR test OR a negative antigen test performed within 24 hours prior to departure for entry to the Netherlands," the U.S. Embassy and Consulate in the Netherlands said.
One loophole that’s allowing the many river cruises originating in Amsterdam to continue to operate: it only applies to Americans who have been in NL for over 12 hours, so river cruises are transferring pax and departing the country on the same day to fulfill the new requirements of American arrivals.
Switzerland will only permit fully vaccinated Americans and Canadians for entry as of 13SEP. The country has also announced its Swiss COVID certificate which also comes into effect on 13SEP, which provides access to “public indoor” activities.
Germany has already added the U.S. to its "high-risk" list in mid-AUG, before the E.U. announcement. As of 15AUG, all travellers who recently spent time in the U.S. must be fully vaccinated to arrive in Germany, or present an "important reason" for entering. Unvaccinated travellers or those unable to show proof of recovery must self-isolate for 10 days upon arrival, but this period can be cut down to five days with proof of a negative test.
Open Jaw also recently reported that Italy will require all travellers regardless of vaccination status who have spent the past 14 days in the U.S., to present a negative COVID-19 test taken 72 hours before arrival. Children under the age of 6 are exempt from this requirement. Unvaccinated arrivals must also quarantine for five days upon arrival, among other requirements.
Bulgaria announced that it would move the U.S. to its "red zone" category to prohibit travel from Americans regardless of vaccination status as the country faces its fourth wave of COVID-19, also reported by Open Jaw.
In better news, Greece has announced that it will remain open to U.S. travellers through OCT 2021, the end of tourist season. The Greek Ministry of Tourism Press Office also noted that it may allow U.S. visitors to the country after OCT as long as “the situation with the Covid-19 pandemic will allow such a process.”
The EU’s decision to remove the U.S. from its “green list” of safe countries for travel is non-binding, which means that every member state can set their own restrictions for travel. As a result, the various EU members have set their own restrictions.
IATA noted that this approach was a “mess,” and said the EU should attempt to create a harmonized method for travel.
“It’s essential that European states come together on COVID-19 travel procedures. How can passengers travel with confidence when the rules are so different in each country within the European Union?” questioned Rafael Schvartzman, IATA’s Regional Vice President for Europe.
While Americans may be feeling the effects of the ban, at this point, Canada is still on the EU’s evolving green list.
