EU Travel Restrictions Update: Which Countries Can Visit?
The European Union has recently updated its list of third countries whose citizens are allowed to travel to the bloc, while again omitting nations struggling to control the pandemic. Notably, the and remain on this list.
Latest Travel Recommendations
As of August 8, EU officials have revised the list of countries from which travel restrictions might be lifted. The updated list includes nations with similar or lower levels of COVID-19 infection rates compared to EU countries, and where the response to the pandemic is considered robust. The approved countries are:
Travel Ban Context
The EU has maintained a broad travel ban since mid-March for countries outside its territory. However, since June, travel restrictions have begun to ease in regions where COVID-19 situations have improved. Consequently, member states gradually opened their borders as part of a coordinated effort to support summer tourism.
The list of safe countries is under constant review, being monitored every two weeks to adapt to changes worldwide. The initial list was first updated on July 16, with a subsequent revision on July 30. Importantly, countries like , , and were initially included but were later removed due to increased infection rates.
Considerations for Travelers
As the situation evolves, China might be added to the approved list if it chooses to lift its reciprocal travel ban on EU countries. Although the UK has exited the EU, its citizens are still permitted to travel within the bloc as EU travelers during the Brexit transition period.
Furthermore, the travel ban does provide exceptions for individuals whose travel serves “an essential function or need.” These include healthcare professionals, diplomats, seasonal agricultural workers, and students. US travelers are permitted to fly to Ireland and the UK since both countries are outside of the Schengen Area, although they must adhere to a mandatory 14-day quarantine upon arrival.
Ultimately, the authority to permit or deny entry rests with each member state, as recommendations remain non-mandatory. Some nations, such as , are welcoming citizens from select non-EU states, including visitors from the US.
This article was first published on June 29 and updated on August 10, 2020.
