Want to Travel to Europe This Summer? Here’s What You Need to Know
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Can Americans travel to Europe? That question, for U.S.-bound culture seekers, has been top of mind since, well, mid March 2020, when international borders closed down for the foreseeable future. But last week good news finally arrived: The European Union is set to reopen its borders to vaccinated Americans for the busy summer travel season.
It’s both a hopeful signal of the pandemic’s gradual ebb and exciting news for travelers and host countries alike. In 2019, more than 17 million Americans traveled to Europe. Reopening borders will bring not just an influx of tourists but also an economic upswing, especially for those countries whose economies rely heavily on hospitality.
But before you start packing your bags for a Euro trip, there are a few things you need to know. Below, we break down what, exactly, you can expect if you want to travel to Europe this summer.
When will European countries reopen?
There’s no set or universal date. Right now, the E.U. has just recommended that member states “ease some of the current restrictions” for those who have been vaccinated ahead of the summer tourist season. According to Reuters, the European Union will clarify opening dates and entry requirements in the next week or so.
But restrictions will likely differ from country to country: President Emmanuel Macron of France, for example, has said tourists can once again enter France on June 9.
And some countries have been open for a few weeks or months now. Greece began letting in vaccinated travelers—or those who presented a recent negative PCR test within three days—on May 14. Italy announced all U.S. travelers on a “COVID-tested flight” could visit the country beginning May 17. Iceland, Cyprus, and Montenegro have enacted similar requirements.
How do I prove I’m vaccinated?
Two words: vaccine passport. Not sure what that is? Read our explainer here. But a brief summary: It’s a Q.R. code that shows your vaccination record, either via your smartphone (akin to a mobile boarding pass in your Apple Wallet) or a printout. Already airlines like JetBlue and Lufthansa are using the technology to check proof of immunization—most of them through a service called CommonPass.
The E.U. is also expected to launch on July 1 a digital COVID-19 certificate, which is a vaccine passport that allows international travel within its continental bloc.
Will there be any restrictions?
As much as we’d all like things to return to normal, you’ll still see some signs of pandemic times. Expect to wear masks in indoor settings and to practice social distancing. “Masks may or may not need to be worn. Physical distancing may remain in place, so it might take longer to get an elevator to access your hotel room. The reality is that we’ve given up a number of liberties during the pandemic, and they’re not going to all come flooding back at once just because borders are reopening,” Misty Belles, managing director of luxury travel company Virtuoso, tells Vogue. “Flexibility and an open mindset are going to be key to enjoying the overall experience.” In France, for example, an 11 p.m. curfew will exist until June 30, and indoor dining remains at 50%.
Hotels too may look and feel different than pre-pandemic times.
“Lobbies will likely look different, with furnishing spaced farther apart or even nonexistent. Aspects of check-in and checkout that can be automated or touchless without losing the feel of hospitality may be implemented. However, most hotels are sprucing up or innovating their outdoor spaces to ensure guests have plenty of places to enjoy that are inviting while also making them feel comfortable,” says Belles.
A silver lining? Many hotels took advantage of their guestless year by undertaking renovations or reexamining their service methods. “The guests’ upcoming Europe experiences will be even more enhanced, ultrapersonalized, and especially joyful,” Nathaniel Most, director of sales and marketing at La Réserve hotels, tells Vogue.
When can I book?
Again, it depends on where you’re going. But some eager tourists have already started.
“I haven’t experienced such a high volume of requests and bookings since late 2019,” Most says. “We have several requests and reservations from Americans for June 9 already.”
Most, if not all, tourist attractions will be open again by mid July: The Eiffel Tower restarts tours on July 16, whereas some museums, like Florence’s Uffizi Gallery, reopened in May.
Around that time, international flight restrictions will also start to ease across the continent. Previously, if you wanted to fly to most places in Europe, you needed a special exemption—and a negative COVID test—to even board. Then, upon arrival, you needed to quarantine for 14 days.
If you’d rather get an earlier start on things, Delta is now allowing leisure flyers to book tickets as long as they have a negative COVID test before boarding and after landing.
What you need to know about traveling to Europe this summer
(CNN) — In non-pandemic summers, both continental Europe and the United Kingdom draw crowds of tourists from around the world. Last summer, they couldn’t get there. This summer many should be able to, though the tangle of entry requirements will vary by country and could change quickly.
Here’s a guide to help you determine where and when you can vacation this summer in the 27 member countries of the European Union and in non-EU European countries.
When will I be able to go?
This will vary by country visited and the traveler’s home country. Throughout Europe and the United Kingdom, conditions of and requirements for entry differ from country to country, as does timing. The EU is trying to create more universal requirements for tourism, but each country retains sovereign powers to controls its borders in an emergency.
There are currently nine countries on the EU’s “White List,” a list of countries whose citizens are permitted to do non-essential travel (such as vacation travel) to the European Union. As of June 3, when the last list was released, countries on the White List were Australia, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Rwanda, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand and China. This list is expected to be updated shortly and could include the United States.
Umbrellas on a beach at Agia Pelagia on the Greek island of Crete were ready for tourists on May 14, 2021. Greece has eased restrictions for some international visitors while EU-wide policies are still being finalized.
On May 20, the EU also adopted a “roadmap,” or recommendation that would allow vaccinated travelers from outside the EU to go to Europe; details are expected to be finalized by the end of June. The roadmap will give each country an “emergency brake” mechanism that would close borders if there were a new Covid-19 outbreak, either in the traveler’s destination or home country.
While EU-wide policies are still being finalized, a number of European countries have opened or will shortly open their borders to non-European travelers under certain conditions; these include Greece, France, Italy, Spain, Turkey and Iceland.
Meanwhile, England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales — the four countries of the United Kingdom, which is no longer part of the EU — have each established its own criteria for tourist travel, reviewed every three weeks. These criteria involve a red, amber and green system that could entail a quarantine and various tests, depending on the traveler’s home country.
What proof will be required to show I’ve been fully and properly vaccinated?
In May the EU adopted the concept of an “EU Digital Covid Certificate” for its own citizens, proposing that it be in place by July 1. This would digitally prove that the certificate holder had been fully vaccinated with an EU-approved vaccine (AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, Moderna or Pfizer), had recovered from Covid-19, or had tested negative for it.
Although it is hoped Americans will eventually be able to digitally provide the same information when they travel to Europe, in order to gain entry there, it is unclear when and how this will happen, in part because the US government has not established a similar digital system. Currently, it appears Americans may be able to provide alternative types of proof, such as their paper vaccination card, for EU travel.
A supermoon sets behind the Eiffel Tower in Paris on April 27, 2021. France has also eased restrictions for some overseas visitors.
Will I need a Covid-19 test?
A Covid-19 test requirement will depend entirely on where you’re going. For example, as of now, England requires some visitors to test both before and after arrival. Italy now lets passengers on special “Covid-tested flights” from the US, Canada, Japan and the United Arab Emirates visit; passengers on these flights must test for Covid-19 before departure and on arrival in Italy, as well as on departure from Italy.
Anyone age 2 and older flying back into the United States will need a test within three days of their flight’s departure or prove they’ve recovered from Covid-19.
Can I book now, before the rules are finalized?
You certainly can, though thoroughly research cancellation and refund policies of any airline, hotel, tour operator or attraction you are considering before you book, in case anything changes — in your health or in the pandemic situation in your country or the country you are visiting — that would prompt you to cancel your trip.
Jennifer Tombaugh, president of Tauck, a Connecticut-based tour operator that specializes in travel to Europe, says travelers can “absolutely book now, though they should make sure they have a very good understanding of cancellation fees and any other restrictions. The bottom line is that it’s very important that you read the fine print, understand what payment is required when, what is refundable and what is not. A knowledgeable, plugged-in tour operator or travel agent can help you with this.”
How quickly will destinations get booked up, once any new rules are announced?
This will depend on the destination and if it is already accepting tourists, for example, from other European countries, the United States or Asia.
Greece, which has been letting certain tourists in since mid-April, is a popular destination that will probably get booked quickly. So is Portugal, which ended a ban on British tourists earlier this month (May).
It will probably be easier to book a vacation in a major European or British city, where many hotel rooms will likely be available, than in a small resort town with limited lodging options.
People visit the Sagrada Familia basilica in Barcelona on May 29, 2021. Spain plans to broaden entry to vaccinated travelers in June.
How difficult will it be to book a reasonably priced flight to Europe?
Terry Dale, president and chief executive of the United States Tour Operators Association, suggests “booking now — if you’re serious, get a placeholder.”
Both he and Eduardo Santander, executive director and chief executive of the European Travel Commission, a nonprofit organization that represents European national tourist offices, expect there might be a shortage of capacity on flights to Europe, since travel there has been in such flux, and it is not easy for carriers to respond quickly to increases in demand.
However, Craig Jenks, an expert on the transatlantic airline market, believes if you “book closer in, there will be opportunities” somewhere, due to imbalances between demand and supply. He suggests monitoring flights on websites like Google, Expedia and Travelocity.
Will I be able to cancel, if there’s a renewed shutdown or other unforeseen event?
That will depend entirely on the travel supplier — such as an airline, hotel or tour operator — you’ve booked. Although most airlines have been very flexible about not enforcing cancellation or rebooking fees during the pandemic and some have even eliminated certain change fees, it’s not clear how long their flexibility will last, if air travel demand continues to strengthen.
Travel agents encourage the purchase of trip insurance: Some policies are now available that provide coverage for pandemic-related disruptions, such as Covid-related cancellation, Covid medical coverage, and additional accommodation or transportation.
Will I be able to visit more than one country in Europe, whether I am traveling by land or on some sort of cruise ship?
This situation is in flux, as vaccine programs are rolled out, allowing borders to open, and as new variants are discovered, which close borders down. When the EU reaches agreement on standards for reopening and employs the Digital Covid Certificate, intra-European travel should be relatively easy and possible.
But, as of now, for example, Americans can go to Greece without quarantining, but they cannot visit Germany or the Netherlands. If you are working with a tour operator or a cruise line, it will have the latest information on intra-European travel.
Will I have to be tested or quarantine when I return to my home country?
That will depend entirely on the regulations of your home country. As mentioned, almost all air travelers entering the US are required to test before arrival or prove they’ve recovered from Covid.
What are the best sources of information to help me plan my trip?
Reopen.Europa.EU is a website maintained by the EU that provides an overview of the health situation in European countries and information on various restrictions in place, including quarantine and testing requirements for travelers, and on mobile coronavirus contact tracing and warning apps.
The Sherpa website is a Toronto-based, independent resource that offers the latest information on travel documentation and requirements worldwide.
The website of the European Travel Commission offers links to specific Covid information for its members’ countries. Also check the website of any airlines you are considering booking for their latest requirements.
Tom Jenkins, chief executive of ETOA, the trade association for European tour operators, believes major European cities have been pummeled by the pandemic and therefore will be evolving. “The service economy of Europe is adapting to huge changes in demand. Yet now is a great time to go there. Michelangelo’s ‘David’ and da Vinci’s ‘Mona Lisa’ didn’t catch Covid and they are feeling very lonely.”
“It will be an exciting and wild time,” predicts Tombaugh. “Expect the unexpected and have a good sense of humor to make the most of the new world of travel we are all discovering.”
Top photo: Balos beach and its lagoon on the island of Crete on May 13, 2021. Photo by Louisa Gouliamaki/AFP via Getty Images
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Travelling to Europe in Summer 2021 Amid COVID-19
Whether you enjoy beautiful coasts like Greece’s Caldera, Italy’s Amalfi, Spain’s Ibiza and Majorca, or cultural and classic destinations such as Louvre Museum in France and Brandenburg Gate in Germany, Europe is a diverse destination that one must visit.
Just like other parts of the world, the COVID-19 pandemic hit the European countries hard and forced them to close all of their external borders in order to protect public health by halting the further spread of the Coronavirus within the countries, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports.
On March 17, 2020, the European Commission’s President Ursula von der Leyen, together with the President of EU Council Charles Michael, announced that the EU bodies had decided to close the EU’s external borders for non-essential travel to the EU for 30 days, but this lasted until June 30, 2020.
However, as the epidemiological situation inside and outside European countries started to improve, Member States decided to abolish such measures and gradually began to lift the restrictions for EU travellers and several third countries that have been registering low infection rates.
Such lifting of restrictions was further supported by the introduction of the EU Digital COVID-19 Passport, which started being effective on July 1, after the EU Commission considered it to be an efficient way of monitoring the movement of travellers within the EU and Schengen Area countries.
EU Nationals Travelling Throughout the Block
Except for the restrictions imposed against arrivals from outside the 27-nation bloc, the new strains of the virus pushed several EU/Schengen Area countries to close their internal borders and enforce strict restrictions for any arrivals from a Coronavirus high-risk country.
However, since the pandemic situation started to improve, EU citizens were permitted to travel within the block without being subject to strict rules.
Several EU countries have been imposing restrictions on and off, but in general, restriction-free entry is allowed to all EU citizens travelling within the block. Still, it should be kept in mind that to be able to travel freely within the block, one should hold an EU Digital COVID-19 Passport.
As such all holders of the document can travel to other Member/Schengen Associated countries for non-essential purposes without having to undergo stringent restrictions, like additional testing and quarantine requirements.
The EU Digital COVID-19 Passport has been established by the EU Commission and is digital proof that a person has either:
- Been fully vaccinated against the COVID-19 disease
- Received a negative COVID-19 test result
- Recovered from the disease
“National authorities are in charge of issuing the certificate. It could, for example, be issued by test centres or health authorities, or directly via an eHealth portal. Information on how to get the certificate should be provided by the national health authorities,” the Commission noted.
In addition, the main features of the certificate are as follows:
- Can be issued in digital or paper format
- Includes a unique QR code
- A free-of-charge document provided by each country’s authorities
- Issued in national language and English
- Recognised in all EU countries
Which COVID-19 Vaccines Are Recognised In the EU
Following the European Medicines Agency (EMA) guidelines, until now, the EU Commission has only authorised four different vaccines – BioNTech/Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, and Johnson & Johnson – meaning that only persons immunised with one of these vaccines can travel within the EU restriction-free.
Nonetheless, despite the EU’s announcement, 15 European have decided to recognise the AstraZeneca/Covishield vaccine manufactured by the Serum Institute of India as a valid proof of immunity, the chief scientist at the World Health Organization (WHO) Soumya Swaminathan said.
If planning to travel within the block during summer 2021, a new tool developed by VisaGuide.World helps you to check whether the country you plan to visit recognises the vaccines you have been immunised with.
COVID-19 Situation & Vaccination Rate in EU
Generally, the COVID-19 situation in the EU is stable as most of the countries continue their vaccination campaigns.
According to the latest figures provided by vaccine producers and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), around 500 million vaccine doses have been delivered to the European countries.
Consequently, more than 404.4 million doses have been administered in the EU, suggesting that 66.3 per cent of the adult EU population has received at least one dose of the vaccine. On the other hand, approximately 49.1 per cent have been fully vaccinated.
It should be noted that the Coronavirus situation and the vaccination rate are different in each country in the EU. Thus, it is highly suggested that you check each country’s COVID-19 situation and measures before planning a trip.
As for the negative COVID-19 test result certificates, in general, European countries recognise such a document provided that a PCR test result has been taken within 72 hours of arrival or a rapid antigen test result that is not older than 48 hours at the time of entry.
“The EU Digital COVID Certificate should facilitate free movement inside the EU. It will not be a pre-condition to free movement, which is a fundamental right in the EU,” the Commission noted, indicating that even those who have not been immunised yet can travel freely within the EU.
EU Commission Advises Member States to Open Borders to Residents of 23 Third Countries
In May 2021, the EU Commission recommended Member States ease the restrictions on non-essential travel to the EU countries, after considering the improvements in the epidemiological situation and vacation campaigns.
“In June 2020, the Council adopted a recommendation on temporary restrictions on non-essential travel into the EU and the possible lifting of such restrictions. The recommendation was last updated on May 20, 2021, to respond to the ongoing vaccination campaigns by introducing certain waivers for vaccinated persons and easing the criteria for lifting restrictions for third countries,” the Commission’s statement reads.
The proposal of the Commission indicated that all persons from countries with a stable epidemiological situation as well as all persons who have received the recommended vaccine doses should be permitted entry to the EU.
The Commission has been continuously updating the list of epidemiologically safe non-EU countries that should be permitted entry into the 27-nation bloc for non-essential purposes, and according to the latest update made on July 15, the list includes the following third countries:
- Albania
- Armenia
- Australia
- Azerbaijan
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Brunei Darussalam
- Canada
- China, subject to confirmation of reciprocity
- Israel
- Japan
- Jordan
- Lebanon
- Montenegro
- New Zealand
- Qatar
- Republic of Moldova
- Republic of North Macedonia
- Saudi Arabia
- Serbia
- Singapore
- South Korea
- Ukraine
- United States of America
All of the above-mentioned countries have registered less than 75 COVID-19 infection cases per 100,000 inhabitants during the last 14 days, placing them on the list of safe third countries.
“Following a review under the recommendation on the gradual lifting of the temporary restrictions on non-essential travel into the EU, the Council updated the list of countries, special administrative regions and other entities and territorial authorities for which travel restrictions should be lifted. In particular, Rwanda and Thailand were removed from the list and Ukraine was added to the list,” the statement of the Council reads.
Still, the recommendation of the Commission does not restrict the EU Member States and Schengen Associated countries from imposing requirements related to the Coronavirus and testing and self-isolation measures. This means that each EU country can decide on its own restrictions, provided that they inform the other Member States and the Commission about their decisions.
Which Third Country Nationals Are Permitted Entry to Finland & Estonia?
Even though the Commission has made a call to all EU/Schengen Area countries to allow entry for all persons entering from the list of epidemiologically safe non-EU countries, Finland continues to keep more strict rules.
Only citizens of the following third countries can enter Finland restriction-free:
- Romania
- San Marino
- Vatican City
- Azerbaijan
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Brunei
- Bulgaria
- Kosovo
- Moldova
- Serbia
Similarly, Estonia does not allow entry to all 23 third countries placed on the EU’s safe list. Currently, only nationals of the following third countries can enter Estonia without restrictions:
Albania, Armenia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brunei, Canada, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kosovo, Lebanon, Moldova, Montenegro, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, South Korea, Ukraine, and the United States.
Travel Insurance – A Must When Travelling Within the EU
It is highly suggested that everyone who plans to travel within the block this summer purchases extended travel insurance that covers pandemic and epidemic situations to make sure that in case their trip gets cancelled due to the COVID-19 situation, a considerable amount of their spending can be saved.
Before purchasing travel insurance for European/Schengen Area countries, it is advised that everyone checks if it includes low deductibles for expenses and medical benefits.
Travel insurance protection can be purchased at a very reasonable price from AXA Assistance or Europ Assistance.
Source https://www.vogue.com/article/travel-to-europe-this-summer-what-to-know
Source https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/europe-travel-what-to-know-explainer-cmd/index.html
Source https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/news/travelling-to-europe-in-summer-2021-amid-covid-19/
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