Some European countries are beginning to gradually reopen their borders this week in an effort to kickstart the tourism season; however, rules are far from coordinated.
France, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, Greece and the Netherlands eased travel restrictions and opened their borders to tourists from most nations within the European Union on 15 June. They join countries like Italy, Cyprus, and Croatia, which have already begun to welcome foreign visitors as the continent starts to emerge from the coronavirus crisis.
Nevertheless, restrictions on European travel are still in place elsewhere. For example, Spain is keeping its borders closed to selected countries until 21 June, and Denmark is essentially closed to most visitors until at least September. If you’re planning to travel soon, here’s what you need to know.
A Comprehensive Overview of Travel Restrictions
Austria
Austria opened its borders to travellers from 31 European countries on 16 June; however, quarantine restrictions remain in place for travellers from Portugal, Sweden, Spain, or the UK who do not submit a COVID-19 test.
Belgium
As of 15 June, Belgium opened its borders to all EU member states and Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, and the UK. There are no quarantine requirements.
Bulgaria
Bulgaria is open to travellers from the EU, as well as the UK, Bosnia, Serbia, and Montenegro. People arriving from Belgium, Portugal, Sweden, the Netherlands, and the UK face a mandatory 14-day quarantine.
Croatia
Travellers from Austria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Germany, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia are allowed in. Nationals of other EU countries will need to show a valid reason, such as accommodation booking. Croatia remains closed to travellers from outside of Europe.
Cyprus
Cyprus has divided countries into two categories, A and B, based on coronavirus infection rates. Countries in category A have been allowed to travel to Cyprus since 8 June. From 20 June, countries from category B will be permitted to enter. An entry ban on citizens from the UK, Ireland, France, Spain, and Italy remains in place until 1 July.
Czech Republic
From 15 June, the Czech Republic implemented a traffic light system, allowing people arriving from low-risk countries (marked green) to enter without any issues. Those from medium-risk (orange) or high-risk (red) countries will be denied access. The UK is classified as medium-risk, while Portugal and Sweden are regarded as high-risk. You can find the full list here.
Denmark
Denmark has opened its land borders to visitors from Germany and Norway, allowing tourists from Iceland only if they can prove they are staying in the country for at least six nights. Consequently, the border will remain closed to citizens from elsewhere until at least September.
Estonia
Estonia opened its borders to visitors from 24 low-risk European countries on 1 June without quarantine requirements. Travellers arriving from elsewhere in Europe must quarantine or present a certificate proving they have tested negative for COVID-19. The list is available here and is revisited every Friday.
Finland
Finland eased restrictions on visitors from Norway, Denmark, Iceland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania; however, it remains closed to other countries until 14 July.
France
Borders are open to most European countries, but travellers from the UK must self-isolate for 14 days.
Germany
Germany reopened all borders on 15 June; nonetheless, an entry ban remains in place on travellers from outside of Europe.
Greece
Flights to most countries resumed recently, except those deemed high-risk by the EU’s aviation safety agency, EASA. Travellers from France, the UK, the US, and Belgium face mandatory tests and quarantines, whereas travellers from low-risk countries outside Europe such as Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, China, Lebanon, and Israel are permitted to travel to Greece.
Hungary
Hungary has partially opened its borders to citizens from Austria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Germany, Slovakia, Serbia, and Slovenia. Travellers from elsewhere are banned until further notice.
Iceland
Iceland opened its borders on 15 June; however, visitors are required to undergo a COVID-19 test on arrival and download a contact tracing app. An entry ban remains for countries outside Europe.
Ireland
Ireland has kept its borders more or less open throughout lockdown; nonetheless, a 14-day quarantine applies to most visitors, except for those arriving across the border from Northern Ireland.
Italy
Italy’s borders have been open since 3 June to all EU and Schengen area member states, as well as the UK. There are no quarantine requirements unless travellers arrived from a third country outside Europe.
Latvia
Latvia has waived quarantine restrictions on travellers arriving from European countries where infection rates are low. Additionally, people who spent at least 14 days in Latvia or Lithuania before their arrival are also exempt. The list is updated every Friday.
Lithuania
Lithuania has opened its borders to travellers arriving from 24 European countries without a 14-day quarantine requirement. The list of countries permitted entry into Lithuania is revised every Monday.
Luxembourg
Luxembourg has no restrictions for arrivals from other European countries.
Malta
Tourists from most EU and Schengen countries can visit from 1 July, with exceptions. Specifically, entry from Sweden, the UK, and high-risk areas in Italy, Poland, Spain, and France is banned until further notice.
Netherlands
The Netherlands has removed entry and quarantine restrictions on arrivals from the EU and other Schengen countries, with the exception of Sweden and the UK.
Norway
Norway is welcoming visitors from neighbouring Nordic countries, except Sweden, and will review travel restrictions again on 20 July.
Poland
Poland’s borders are open to travellers from other EU countries without quarantine requirements.
Portugal
Portugal resumed international air travel this month with European countries and those farther afield, including the US. There is no quarantine requirement for arrivals.
Romania
Travellers from the EU, as well as Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Iceland, and Norway are allowed to travel to Romania.
Slovakia
Slovakia’s borders are open to citizens from most European countries, apart from those deemed high-risk, such as Sweden and the UK.
Slovenia
Slovenia’s borders are open to citizens from most European countries; however, a two-week quarantine period is required for arrivals from Sweden, the UK, and non-EU countries including Russia.
Spain
From 21 June, Spain will allow travellers from the Schengen area to visit, with travellers from other European countries welcomed from 1 July.
Sweden
Sweden will lift travel restrictions on Belgium, Croatia, France, Greece, Luxembourg, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, and Switzerland on 30 June. Non-essential travel warnings are still in place against the rest of Europe for now.
Switzerland
All restrictions have been lifted, and no quarantine is required for those arriving from EU countries, as well as Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and the UK.
United Kingdom
The UK’s borders remained open, but since early June, a mandatory two-week quarantine period is required for all arrivals, apart from those coming from Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Guernsey.
