With many countries of the EU easing travel restrictions, it is now possible for travelers and holidaymakers to resume their travels to European destinations. For a safely secured stay, Hespress EN offers a recap of your Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
Q: Who should be allowed to travel into the EU?
A: According to the European Concilium, the categories of persons who should be allowed to travel into the EU under certain conditions are the following:
• Vaccinated persons, including EU citizens with EU digital COVID certificate, and non-EU citizens with jabs from vaccines approved by European Medicine Agency (EMA) and World Health Organization (WHO).
• Essential travelers, including:
– healthcare and elderly-care professionals, health researchers.
– frontier workers, seasonal workers in agriculture, transport personnel, and seafarers.
– highly qualified workers if their employment is necessary and the work cannot be postponed or performed abroad.
– diplomats, staff of international organizations, military personnel, and humanitarian aid workers.
– passengers in transit.
– passengers traveling for imperative family reasons.
– persons in need of international protection or traveling for other humanitarian reasons.
– persons traveling for the purpose of the study.
• Non-essential travelers from countries on the following list: Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Chile, China (subject to confirmation of reciprocity), Colombia, Jordan, Kuwait, Namibia, New Zealand, Qatar, Peru, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Uruguay.
The list was updated on 28 October 20221 and is reviewed every two weeks.
Q: What are the vaccines approved by EU member states?
A: It is important to note that each country decides itself regarding vaccination requirements. Now, a total of 29 EU and European Economic Area (EEA) countries recognize all the vaccines approved by the EMA, meaning all travelers who have completed their vaccination with Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca (Covishield), and Johnson & Johnson jabs are considered as fully vaccinated when entering these countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
However, apart from the vaccines that EMA has approved, several EU countries do as well recognize other vaccines that make part of the World Health Organization (WHO) including the Chinese vaccines Sinopharm and Sinovac.
The countries that accept both are Austria, Albania, Armenia, Cyprus, Georgia, Greece, Iceland, Macedonia, Netherlands, Serbia, Spain, Sweden, Finland, Switzerland, while Hungary accepts only Sinopharm but not Sinovac.
Q: Do I need to carry a PCR test before traveling?
A: Yes. In addition to the vaccine pass all persons traveling from any country for an essential or non-essential reason should have tested negative for COVID-19 in a PCR test taken no more than 72 hours before. However, it is noteworthy to mention that each country has its own demands and restrictions.
Some member states may require self-isolation or quarantine for a period of up to 14 days, as well as further COVID-19 testing as needed during the same period.
EU countries and their demands
Spain
Spain currently counts as the safest EU destination amid the pandemic, according to the latest update of maps by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).
The map published by ECDC shows the majority of Spain’s territory colored green including Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria, Basque Country, La Rioja, Castile and Leon, Extremadura, and Andalusia, noting that Spain is the first European country to approve the Chinese Sinopharm vaccine.
France
France allows fully vaccinated travelers to enter its territory without restrictions, however, proof of vaccination is required alongside filling out an entry form stating the traveler has no COVID-19 symptoms.
Unvaccinated individuals arriving from France’s green list countries must present a negative PCR or antigen test, or proof of recovery from COVID-19. While those classified as orange may enter only for important purposes with an obligation of taking tests and a 10- or 7-days quarantine.
Italy
Italy was the first country in Europe who has registered COVID-19 cases suffering severe consciences. The country’s infection rates have seen stabilization in 2021, however, the state of emergency is now prolonged until December.
While EU and Schengen zone arrivals must present proof of either full vaccination, COVID-19 recovery, or a negative PCR test, travelers from other parts of the world undergo a complicated system of testing and quarantining.
In the beginning pandemic, Italy classified the country itself into four color-coded zones: white, yellow, orange, and red, the darker the color gets the more dangerous the region needs. Currently, all regions of Italy apart from Sicily fall into the white, low-risk zone, where people can move freely.
Required documents and vaccine requirements might differ from a member state to another, however, mask-wearing and distancing remain mandatory in enclosed public places, crowded outdoor areas, and public transportation in every European country.
For a well-planned journey, it is strongly advised to check the country’s entry rules before departing.
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