Water rats, hikers and big city fans can do a lot this summer. With fewer new infections, European countries are happy to receive tourists. But where do which rules apply?
Berlin – While Germany was recently shaken by storms, the summer vacation is just around the corner for many – especially since the big holidays in some federal states have already started. The corona situation in Europe is currently quite relaxed. But in some countries, the delta variant of the virus is particularly rampant. An overview:
Baltic States
Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have greatly relaxed their long, strict corona rules. Public life has largely returned to normal. There are also corona requirements in many areas – some with privileges for people who have been proven to be vaccinated and for genesis. At the same time, an increasing spread of the particularly contagious Delta variant and a slowdown in vaccinations can be observed. Anyone entering from Germany or other EU countries must register. Non-vaccinated people have to show a negative corona test in Latvia and Lithuania. Conversely, Germany classifies the Baltic states as risk areas. If you can show a negative test, you don’t have to isolate yourself.
Belgium
In the country with 11.5 million inhabitants, the corona situation is getting better and better. Most recently, around 45 people per 100,000 inhabitants became infected within two weeks. More than 60 percent of the population are vaccinated at least once. The catering trade is allowed to open both inside and outside with limited capacity. Hotels or amusement parks also receive guests under certain conditions. Entrants from Germany are not subject to any test or quarantine requirements, the same applies to the return journey by land. There is also relief for those who have been vaccinated and those who have recovered from regions with more infections.
Bulgaria
From a German point of view, the holiday destination on the Black Sea is no longer considered a risk area. Bulgaria’s seaside resorts are also open to foreign holidaymakers again, but many large hotels are still largely empty. Vaccinated, tested and recovered from Covid-19 travelers from EU countries are allowed to enter without quarantine. German tourists do not have to be in isolation when they return from Bulgaria. The vaccination quota is very low for just under 14 percent of the population with first vaccination and a good 11 percent fully vaccinated in an EU comparison. Vaccinated tourists have no privileges. Cafes and restaurants, shopping and fitness centers, discos and casinos are open under certain conditions. Theaters, cinemas and museums can also be visited. A mask is required in supermarkets, pharmacies and banks as well as in churches and public transport.
Denmark
Denmark classifies Germany as a green country, so Germans can go on holiday in Denmark again – even if they have not yet been vaccinated. However, travelers must show a negative corona test at the border. There are very few restrictions within Denmark: shops, restaurants and pubs are open, as are gyms, museums and cinemas. You don’t have to wear a mask anymore, apart from the bus, train or metro. In many places, however, you have to present your Corona passport, with which you can prove negative tests, vaccinations and survived infections. Around 56 percent of the population have received their first dose of vaccine, 32 percent are fully vaccinated.
France
Shops, cinemas, swimming pools – in France many facilities with hygiene regulations are open. There is no longer a night curfew, and there is no general mask requirement outside. The number of new infections per 100,000 people within a week was recently around 18. Half of the French population is vaccinated at least once. For travelers from Germany and other countries, an up-to-date quick test is sufficient to enter the country. People can also enter the country with proof of vaccination. Those who travel back to Germany from France by land do not have to observe any entry restrictions. A negative test, vaccination certificate or proof of recovery must be presented when traveling by air.
Greece
In view of the declining number of cases, Greece has now abolished most of the corona requirements. As of this week, there is no longer any obligation to wear masks outdoors, and the nocturnal exit ban has also been lifted. In addition, there should be advantages for vaccinated people from mid-July. Visitors to Greece must enter their details on the website https://travel.gov.gr/#/ before entering the country and receive a QR code for tracking. In addition, they must present a negative rapid test on entry or be fully vaccinated. This also applies to children from the age of twelve. Greece is no longer a risk area. A negative test or proof of vaccination is therefore sufficient for the return journey to Germany by plane.
Great Britain
The highly contagious Delta variant is driving up the number of cases in the United Kingdom, the incidence for seven days was most recently around 157. However, the number of hospital admissions and deaths is increasing significantly less than in previous waves – a success of the advanced vaccination campaign . More than 62 percent of British adults are fully vaccinated, and just under 85 percent have received a dose. The British government is relying on this protective effect and is planning far-reaching easing for England in mid-July. Then, despite the high number of cases, night clubs could also open and contact restrictions fall. In June, the easing was initially postponed – similar to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
There are still high hurdles for people entering from Europe: In most cases, a five to ten-day quarantine is necessary – in high-risk countries even at your own expense in the hotel. In any case, you need a negative test before entering the country, and expensive PCR tests must be carried out on the second and eighth day after entering the country. So far there are no exceptions for vaccinated people. The federal government has again classified Great Britain as a virus variant area because of the delta variant, so that after entering Germany from the island there is a 14-day quarantine obligation.
Ireland
Ireland has also postponed planned easing due to the increasing spread of the delta variant. The indoor catering, which was originally supposed to open completely at the beginning of July, will now initially only be accessible to vaccinated and convalescent people. In other areas, too, there is already more freedom for fully vaccinated people on the island: For example, looser provisions for appointments or quarantine rules apply to them.
Unnecessary trips to Ireland are still not recommended. Entrants must show a negative PCR test and go into quarantine. For travelers from countries with particularly high numbers of corona cases or dangerous variants, there is also mandatory isolation in the hotel.
Italy
Particularly loose corona rules apply to all of Italy. The government has put an end to the requirement to wear masks outdoors. People only have to wear the protection if they cannot keep the minimum distance, travel by bus or train or are indoors. More than a third of people are fully vaccinated against Covid-19. Anyone traveling to the country should fill out a digital entry form (https://app.euplf.eu). Italy uses the so-called green passport for entry. This digital certificate is given to people who are vaccinated against Covid-19, who can prove a negative test or a recovery. If you travel to Germany by land, you do not have to observe any restrictions.
Croatia
The popular holiday destination changed its entry regulations on Thursday without prior notice. The border officials require the new, EU-wide valid Corona certificate (“Green Passport”) from all travelers, regardless of where they come from. The Croatian police said that the certificates issued by the individual countries that prove that the person concerned has been vaccinated, recovered or tested are also accepted. The hotels receive guests without restrictions. Restaurants are allowed to receive guests inside, with the exception of cafes without food, which are only allowed to serve outside.
Luxembourg
There are currently no restrictions on entering Luxembourg. Only air travelers have to present a negative corona test (PCR or rapid test). Vaccination or recovery proof also apply. Hotels and restaurants are open. In the outdoor dining area, guests can take a seat without a test; inside, groups of five or more must prove that they have all tested negative, vaccinated or recovered. The culture and sports area is open. There are no conditions to be met when returning to Germany, as Luxembourg ceased to be a risk area on Sunday.
Malta
In the smallest EU country, corona vaccinated people are allowed to move outdoors without mouth and nose protection when they are traveling alone or in pairs. The mask requirement applies everywhere, except on beaches. Malta runs one of the strictest protective mask courses in EU comparison. The number of cases is consistently low, with no more than six reported new infections per day. About 60 percent of the population are fully vaccinated against Covid-19. Bars, restaurants and cinemas are open. If you travel to Malta from Germany, you either need the so-called Green Pass or a negative PCR test.
Netherlands
Public life is almost normal. Museums, theaters, zoos and cinemas are open. This also applies to restaurants and shops. In principle, masks no longer have to be worn – exceptions apply to buses and trains and airports. The basic rule is the distance of 1.5 meters. In discos and nightclubs or at festivals and concerts, where the safety distance cannot be kept, visitors are required to give a negative test result or proof of vaccination. During the European Football Championship, pubs are allowed to show games on video screens. Germans can visit the country without restrictions, and there are no longer any requirements when returning to Germany – with the exception of air travelers.
Norway
Norway still requires tests and quarantine from non-vaccinated people from most European countries, including Germans. That will likely change shortly. By Friday at the latest, the government wants to announce whether Germany will be classified as a green country. That would mean that Germans can go on vacation to Norway again from July 5th. However, you have to be tested and registered upon entry. The shops and restaurants are open almost everywhere without restriction. Mouth and nose protection must be worn on buses and trains. The number of new infections is low and around half of the population has received at least one dose of vaccine.
Austria
When shopping, on public transport and in museums, you still have to wear a simple mouth and nose protection, but otherwise the mask requirement is almost everywhere omitted. In this way, the staff in restaurants and hotels can literally breathe a sigh of relief – and so can the guests. In addition, there is no longer a curfew, so even discos and night-time restaurants are allowed to reopen after a compulsory break of around one and a half years. Full stadiums, concert halls and cinemas are also permitted. But be careful: all freedoms only apply to those who have been tested, recovered or vaccinated. This also applies to entry. Testing is compulsory from the age of twelve. Anyone who drives back from Austria to Germany no longer needs to observe any special requirements. However, air travelers must submit a negative test.
Poland
In the neighboring country, shopping centers, hotels, museums and art galleries are open under certain conditions. Restaurants are allowed to serve guests in outdoor areas; indoors, this applies with 75 percent capacity. Vaccinated persons are not counted in the capacity restrictions – they can therefore count on a free hotel room or a free table in the restaurant. A maximum of 150 guests are allowed for celebrations. Masks are required indoors as well as on buses and trains. Around 28.6 million people in the 38 million population have received at least one vaccine dose.
When entering from Germany and other EU countries, a quarantine period of ten days applies. This does not apply to travelers who present a negative corona test upon entry. Fully vaccinated and recovered people are also exempt from quarantine. When entering Germany by plane, there is still the obligation to present a negative test, which is not applicable by land.
Portugal
In Portugal the situation has deteriorated significantly. The nationwide 14-day incidence, which just under a month ago was 55, rose to a good 158. This is mainly due to the delta variant. In some parts of the country, it is said to make up 80 percent of new infections. Germany therefore declared the popular holiday country to be a virus variant area. This means that only Germans or foreigners living in Germany are allowed to travel from Portugal to Germany. All returnees are subject to a 14-day quarantine obligation, which cannot be shortened. Visitors from Germany are allowed to enter, but must present a negative PCR or antigen test from the age of two. In the country with 10.3 million inhabitants, 52 percent have so far received at least one vaccination, around a third are fully vaccinated.
Romania
In the south-eastern European country, outdoor dining is open without restrictions. In the open air and therefore on beaches, distance requirements apply; mouth and nose protection must only be worn in closed public spaces. For indoor catering, the following applies: If a restaurateur only allows vaccinated guests, his restaurant may be completely occupied. Otherwise, limitations apply. Clubs, discos, amusement arcades and bars are only open to the fully vaccinated. German tourists do not need proof of vaccination or test and do not have to be in quarantine. This also applies when returning to Germany from Romania.
Sweden
Sweden has no restrictions for travelers from Germany and other EU countries, but you have to show a negative, corona test. People from the rest of Scandinavia are exempt. The Federal Foreign Office advises against traveling to the provinces of Kronoberg, Norrbotten and Värmland. There is no mask requirement in Sweden and the current restrictions are now being further relaxed. Restaurants and bars can stay open longer again, but a maximum of eight guests can sit at one table. Up to 3,000 seated spectators are permitted for open-air events such as football matches in the stadium. More than half of adults are vaccinated at least once.
Switzerland
Apart from wearing a mask indoors and keeping your distance, many things in Switzerland are now like they were before Corona. Only air travelers who have neither been vaccinated nor recovered need a negative corona test before entering the country and must provide contact details. The EU vaccination certificate is recognized and allows the public, among other things, to take part in large events with more than 1000 people. In addition, clubs or discos can also request vaccination certificates in order to spare their guests greater hygiene requirements. In some cantons, restaurants and event organizers can still limit the number of guests per table or row of seats.
Slovakia
From July 9th, a mandatory quarantine applies to all unvaccinated people, from which you can test yourself freely after five days. A negative corona test on entry is currently sufficient. Fully vaccinated people are also exempt from quarantine and test obligations. In any case, tourists must register online before entering the country. Shops are open in compliance with hygiene and distance rules. Catering establishments are allowed to serve outside, in almost all counties, thanks to the low incidence, inside as well. The public is again admitted to cultural and sporting events with distance rules. More than 2 of the 5.5 million inhabitants are vaccinated at least once.
Slovenia
People who recently only stayed in Germany (with the exception of Baden-Württemberg and Saarland) can travel to Slovenia without any conditions or restrictions. Those who come from Baden-Württemberg or Saarland need proof that they have either been vaccinated, recovered or tested. For hotel stays, the rule applies that the guest must either be vaccinated, recovered or tested. The hotels are also only allowed to be partially occupied. The outdoor catering is open to everyone, there are guidelines for setting up the tables. The interiors of restaurants, casinos, discos and night clubs can only be used by vaccinated, convalescent or tested people.
Spain
The pandemic situation remains relatively relaxed, but the corona numbers are now increasing again. Above all, the possible spread of the delta variant, which is considered to be more contagious, and the increasing number of infections among younger people are causing concern. The seven-day incidence recently rose to almost 58. In the holiday regions popular with Germans such as the Balearic Islands with Mallorca or the Canary Islands, the value is again above 50, i.e. above the limit value above which Germany assumes a risk area.
Despite this development, life has almost returned to normal. The obligation to wear a mask outdoors, which had been in place for a year, has also been largely lifted. There are no longer curfews at night, and there are still some restrictions on the number of guests in restaurants, cinemas and theaters. Clubs and discos are also allowed to reopen in many cities in the country. In Mallorca and the other Balearic Islands, however, this should not happen until mid-July. Tourists from Germany can enter Germany without a test or proof of vaccination or recovery from corona disease. A good 52 percent of the country’s 47 million residents have been vaccinated at least once. There are hardly any advantages for those who have been vaccinated except when traveling to the Canary Islands, for example.
Czech Republic
Entry from Germany, Austria, Italy and some other countries is possible without any conditions. When staying overnight in the hotel, a corona vaccination certificate or a negative test must be presented – a self-test is often offered at reception. There are special registration and test obligations for tourists from high-risk areas such as Switzerland. The corona situation in the Czech Republic has improved significantly. Most recently there were seven new infections per 100,000 inhabitants within seven days. In Prague, hotel guests are rewarded with free cultural vouchers.
Turkey
If you want to travel to Turkey from Germany, you need a negative Corona rapid or PCR test. Vaccinated and convalescent persons can enter with appropriate proof. Restaurants, cafes and other guest facilities are open. The exit restrictions that had been in place for months have now been completely lifted, from which tourists were exempted anyway. It is still mandatory to wear a mask in public. According to official information, the number of new infections in the country continues to decline. In mid-April it was sometimes more than 60,000 a day, now between 5,000 and 6,000. So far, around 40 percent of the population has been vaccinated at least once.
Hungary
In the meantime, people can travel by land or water from all neighboring countries except Ukraine without any restrictions. However, German tourists can only come by plane if they have the new, EU-wide valid Corona certificate (“Green Pass”). The same applies to overnight stays in commercial accommodation – Hungary does not recognize German vaccination certificates. That could change shortly, however, when the mark of 5.5 million first vaccinations is reached in Hungary. Then the majority of the corona restrictions fall. There is no longer a need for a vaccination certificate for overnight stays in a hotel or for visiting the interiors of restaurants. The mask requirement is then lifted – with the exception of hospitals and old people’s homes.
Cyprus
Cyprus has lifted most of the corona measures. A mask no longer has to be worn outdoors, and the no-night exit ban has also been abolished. The country is no longer considered a risk area by the Federal Foreign Office. When returning by plane, all that is required is a negative test or a completed vaccination. In order to be able to move freely, tourists need the “Cyprus Flight Pass”. It is requested on the website www.visitcyprus.com before entering the country and should always be carried with you during your vacation. Guests need a negative corona test to enter the country. Alternatively, they must have a first vaccination that was at least three weeks ago. dpa
