Downloadable travel requirements database: COVID-19 border protocols travelling for tourism in Europe and in destination measures  (version published 9 May 2022)

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16 May 2022 | Austria has removed the border entry requirement for covid certification (vaccine/recovery/test) for all persons arriving from all countries.

9 May 2022 | The latest version of our travel requirements database is published above following Malta removing country colour classification. Entry to Malta is now permitted from any country with either a vaccination, recovery or test certificate (information on certificates accepted). Children below the age of 6 are exempt from requiring certification. All other countries have been reviewed and no changes from previous version published on 5 May.

5 May 2022 | The latest version of our travel requirements database is published above which includes requirements for non-vaccinated children. New government webpages have also been added where relevant. 13 EU member states currently have restrictions/requirements for border entry (Germany, Italy and mainland Portugal are to review before 31 May).

 

Summary (all countries in the EU/EFTA/UK reviewed 9 May – except Austria 16 May)

The information below is intended as a guide and no responsibility is accepted for reliance on it. Please see government webpages in our database above to check the latest and verify this information.

  • EU/EFTA member states that have removed all COVID-19 border entry protocols (no entry restriction or requirement to show certification or complete PLF) as well as certification requirements in-destination:
    • From Intra-EU/EFTA – Estonia (UK included), Luxembourg, Netherlands
    • From all countries worldwide – Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland
    • Madeira has removed all border entry protocols from all countries worldwide.
  • All countries within the UK have removed all COVID-19 border entry protocols (no entry restriction or requirement to show certification or complete PLF) as well as certification requirements in-destination.
  • From the 12 EU member states which currently require vaccine certification to be shown for border entry (exemptions may apply):
    • All member states have lifted the requirement for a pre/post arrival test for persons recognised as vaccinated (which may differ between member states). Persons administered with an EMA approved vaccine during their primary series with a vaccine certificate readable by the EU DCC gateway is accepted by all member states.
      • Random testing may still occur on arrival into Cyprus
    • Member states not accepting all WHO approved vaccines:
      • France (unless with Pfizer BioNTech / Moderna booster dose)
      • Germany
      • Italy (unless with EMA approved booster dose within timeframe)
      • Luxembourg
    • All member states except Germany have the same vaccine validity period (270 days) since completing primary series for border entry.
      • In some member states the primary series does not expire for persons under the age of 18. This includes Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, Malta, Spain.
      • In Germany there is no expiry date for primary series but 2 doses of all accepted vaccines are required to be recognised as vaccinated (including Janssen) unless meet the requirement for vaccine and recovery combination. From 1 October 2022, persons will currently require 3 doses or vaccine and recovery combination.
    • Estonia is the only member state to have currently set an expiry date for the booster dose (365 days).
    • All member states have the same age start date for certification requirements (from age 12) except:
      • Finland – born before 2007
      • Italy and Malta – from age 6
      • Luxembourg – from age 12 years and 2 months
      • Netherlands – from age 18 (children not accompanied by fully vaccinated adult from age 12)
  • EU/EFTA member states which require PLF/other forms to be completed:
    • Belgium (n/a for EU / EFTA / non-EU countries on EU white list)
    • France (n/a for ‘green’ countries)
      • paper Sworn Statement arriving by all modes of transport
      • or alternatively when arriving by air can choose to complete digital EU PLF
    • Netherlands
      • Vaccine declaration form for vaccinated arriving from non-EU (excluding EFTA)
    • Spain arriving by air (n/a for persons with EU DCC or non-EU certification connected to EU DCC gateway)
  • EU/EFTA member states which require vaccine, recovery, or test certification to enter certain facilities in-destination (excluding healthcare):
    • Cyprus (vaccine validity period of primary series is less than for border entry – 210 days for persons aged 18+)
    • Germany – Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania federal state for fitness and spa facilities
    • Madeira

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Media statements 

1 December 2021 | ETOA and Tourism Manifesto partners call for a traveller-centred approach for border restrictions, and more co-ordination within EU. Latest position paper here.

22 November 2021 | Joint statement issued by European travel sector on the urgent need for a more coordinated approach to travel restrictions available here.

  • For an overview of domestic and cross-border travel allowed/restricted and services open in destination:
    Re-Open EU for EU27 and EFTA countries
    United Kingdom
    UNWTO/IATA Destination Tracker for countries worldwide
    Sherpa for countries worldwide
    Government webpages should also be monitored as the final decision on border entry and issuing travel advisories/warnings remain matters of national competence (EEA, Switzerland, UK and some long haul source markets for Europe can be found below).
  • Information on the Package Travel Directive can be found in the European Union section.
  • Trade association and business operational guidelines to take into account specific circumstances can be found in our Operational Guidelines page (links to overall government health guidelines below) 
  • ETOA’s webinar programme can be found in our Coronavirus Hub.
  • For opinion and research please see our Insight hub.

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ETOA is working hard to ensure European tourism receives the attention it needs during the crisis, to support our members day-to-day, to share information and resources, and to work towards a strong recovery. This page is updated as destinations and government bodies issue new information.

We recognise that the immediate priority is commercial survival so that travel and tourism can play a vital part in the recovery, adding jobs to the economy faster than any other sector. That requires urgent and continued government help. Next, business needs information so it can plan and prioritise effectively.

Tourism in Europe will survive and thrive, and it may be very different. Recovery will take place with renewed respect for how interdependent our world has become. How we look after and share what we most value – communities, cities, countryside and culture – will drive policy, and stimulate new products and services.

Policy makers and the private sector must collaborate to build a resilient and sustainable future for the industry. ETOA and its members will be at the heart of it.

What are we doing?

PR and Lobbying at EU and national level for urgent financial support

      • Cash-flow is King: flexibility needed to help business cope
      • Crisis support must be simple to access and delivered quickly
      • Initiatives to stimulate recovery must be well-targeted to deliver maximum impact
      • ETOA is regularly asked for comment and expert insight

Industry engagement

      • We hold frequent meetings via video-conference with representative groups of members in various destinations and contact members direct.
      • We maintain dialogue with policy makers, DMOs and key attractions, including those holding large pre-payments.
      • We aggregate actual business impact and current priorities per market to support targeted lobbying activity.
      • We stay in close touch with our network in origin markets, monitoring for signs of recovery and consumer trends.

Information and resources

      • We are available for guidance and support. If we don’t have the answer we may know someone who does. Please email coronavirus@etoa.org to request a call-back.
      • We have a programme of webinars focusing on crisis impact, support and recovery plans for origin markets and destinations.
      • We contribute member insight and market intelligence to a range of webinars and policy meetings with industry stakeholders and other institutions.
      • We monitor official information and resources and publish links to government financial support, travel restrictions and health information (see below).

Multinational Bodies and Associations

European Union

European Council and European Commission homepages on travel during the COVID-19 pandemic

Travel information 

  • Re-Open EU map for the latest information on domestic and cross-border travel allowed/restricted, services open in destination (e.g. attractions, hospitality) and health and safety guidance provided by EU27 and EFTA member states:
    • Schengen area:
      • EU – Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia,  Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden
      • Non-EU – Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland
    • EU non-Schengen:
      •  Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus and Romania (apply Schengen rules at their external border for non-EU nationals but time in these countries does not count towards time in Schengen area)
      •  Ireland
  • Travel to the EU from non-EU countries 
    • Since 1 July 2020 the European Council has recommended to member states (and EFTA states) that travel restrictions should be lifted for tourism purposes from some non-EU countries. The recommended (‘White’) list is reviewed fortnightly and can be found on the European Council’s travel and transport page and on the Re-Open EU map.
    • The EU recommend that fully vaccinated travellers from non-White list countries should also be allowed (including their children who are excluded from vaccination due to age) except when a temporary emergency break has been applied due to a variant of concern. Travel for essential reasons, non-EU nationals long term resident in the EU and passengers in transit should also be permitted (full exemptions).
    • Please note, not all EU member states are adopting this recommendation in full and final decision on border entry remains a matter of national competence. Please see Re-Open EU map for guidance on border entry requirements and also check national government webpages.


Health credentials

  • European Commission proposal on “Digital Green Certificate” for use and acceptance by EU member states for travellers to display a vaccination certificate, a test certificate or certificate of recovery should it be required by a member state (implementation date anticipated in June 2021).
  • Where member states accept proof of vaccination to waive certain public health restrictions such as testing or quarantine, they would be required to accept, under the same conditions, vaccination certificates issued under the Digital Green Certificate system. This obligation would be limited to vaccines that have received EU-wide marketing authorisation, but member states can decide to accept other vaccines in addition.


Package Travel and Passenger rights


European Commission strategy and guidelines


European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC)

OECD

United Nations

International Air Transport Association (IATA)

Border restrictions map (Destination Tracker) per country and which persons are permitted to enter.

NECSTouR

Homepage on COVID-19 including examples of good practice by tourism boards

Network of European Museum Organisations (NEMO)

European destinations and source markets

Austria

Tourism Boards on COVID-19

Belgium

Tourism Boards on COVID-19

Bulgaria

Croatia

Tourism Boards on COVID-19

Cyprus

Tourism Boards on COVID-19

Denmark

Tourism Boards and Agencies on COVID-19

Finland

Tourism Boards on COVID-19

France

National

Regional

Tourism Boards on COVID-19

Greece

Tourism Boards on COVID-19

Hungary

Tourism Boards on COVID-19

Iceland

Tourism Boards on COVID-19

Ireland

Tourism Boards on COVID-19

Italy

Tourism Boards on COVID-19

ETOA referral

  • ETOA’s Italian lawyer can support member companies if they have queries:  Avv. Dino Costanza

Latvia

Liechtenstein

Tourism Boards on COVID-19

Malta

Tourism Boards on COVID-19

Norway

Tourism Boards on COVID-19

Poland

Tourism Boards on COVID-19

Romania

Slovakia

Sweden

United Kingdom


Business Support 

Business Financial Support


Tourism Boards on COVID-19

Long-haul source markets for Europe

India

USA

Disclaimer: While best efforts have been made to verify the accuracy of the information, the information displayed on this page should be used as guidance only.