The autumn holidays are approaching. Whether it’s a hiking tour or a city trip: Those who travel must continue to expect restrictions in the corona pandemic. What applies where in Europe?
Berlin – In the first federal states, the autumn holidays are just around the corner. Many would like relaxation, little adventures or simply a change of scenery – but what about Corona? An overview of the current rules in popular holiday countries.
France
In France, restaurants, cultural establishments and sports facilities are open. However, proof of vaccination, test or recovery is required for entry, also for the outdoor areas. Such proof is also a prerequisite for trips by coach or long-distance train. With immediate effect, the 3G rules also apply to children aged 12 years and over two months. While adults have to show a digital health pass with the relevant evidence in a mobile phone app, children and adolescents are also allowed to present a paper document. Entry from Europe is possible with proof of vaccination or a negative PCR or rapid test; proof must also be provided for the return journey to Germany. Corona tests are no longer free for foreigners. The number of infections has been falling in France for weeks. Only in the Provence-Alpes-Côte-d’Azur region did more than 100 people per 100,000 become infected within a week.
Switzerland
In many places Switzerland requires a corona certificate that proves vaccination, recovery or a negative test. Anyone who has not been vaccinated or has recovered must present a negative antigen or PCR test upon entry – regardless of whether they want to cross the border by plane, car, bicycle or on foot. In addition, all tourists must fill out an entry form with contact details. Those who have not been vaccinated, recovered or tested negative (3G) can no longer enter the restaurant. The EU certificate is recognized. The number of infections has been falling for weeks, but they are significantly higher than in Germany.
Austria
The 3G rule still applies to entry into the southern neighboring country. In hotels, restaurants and cultural institutions too, you have to be able to prove that you have been fully vaccinated, recovered or tested. FFP2 masks must be worn in shops and public transport. Anyone who travels to Austria unvaccinated must therefore regularly take a rapid antigen test or PCR test (valid for 24 hours or 72 hours). The 3G rule applies to children aged 12 and over. In Vienna, children have to be tested from the age of 6. The seven-day incidence is about twice as high as in Germany.
Denmark
Germany’s northernmost neighbor lifted all applicable corona restrictions on September 10. Even before that, life felt almost free of restrictions, and there has been no mask requirement for a long time. So nothing stands in the way of an autumn holiday in a holiday home on the North Sea coast or a city trip to Copenhagen. Only when entering the country should you find out what the Danes expect from holidaymakers. As a traveler from Germany, you currently have to show a corona test. This does not apply to children, vaccinated and convalescent people.
Netherlands
Many measures have already been lifted or relaxed in the Netherlands. The 1.5 meter rule no longer applies. To do this, you have to prove with a Corona passport that you have been vaccinated, tested or recovered before visiting restaurants, cultural and sporting events. The same applies to entry from Germany. The digital proof of the EU is recognized. Masks are only required for buses, trains and airports.
Great Britain
While the British live largely carefree, the corona requirements for travelers remain high. Fully vaccinated people from Germany do not have to do an antigen test before departure from October 4th. However, a PCR test is still required no later than the second day after arrival, and costs at least 50 pounds (58 euros) per person. Pubs, theaters and other attractions are open. The number of new infections is currently stagnating at more than 30,000 per day, the seven-day incidence recently rose to 350. The 3G rule applies to the return journey to Germany. From this Friday on, a passport is also required for entry into Great Britain, the identity card is no longer sufficient.
Italy
The infection situation in Italy is relaxed, in no region do the numbers of corona cases or hospital occupations give cause for concern. Rome is very satisfied with the progress in vaccination: Almost 80 percent of people over the age of twelve are vaccinated. The so-called “Green Pass” is crucial for locals and guests – this also includes the EU Corona vaccination certificate issued in Germany: The pass is required for practically all indoor activities – bars, restaurants, museums, sports events, trains. A digital registration as well as a vaccination, convalescence or a test is required for entry. You don’t have to go into quarantine.
Malta
Malta has one of the lowest infection rates and one of the highest vaccination rates in the EU. A digital registration and proof of vaccination, convalescence or a test are required to enter the country. If you cannot show this, you have to pay an official quarantine hotel 14 days after entering the country and pay 100 euros per night. Facilities such as shops, service providers, cinemas and theaters are open. From October 9th, restaurants and bars will be allowed to turn down guests without a vaccination certificate – if they do, the government will reward them with staying open longer, moving tables closer together and serving people at the bar.
Spain and Portugal
In Spain and Portugal, the two holiday destinations popular with Germans, the corona pandemic is currently relaxed. The seven-day incidence in Spain is 27.5, which is lower than in Germany. 77.7 percent of the population are fully vaccinated against Corona. In Portugal, the 14-day incidence was 111, the health system was no longer under particular pressure, and the percentage of people who were fully vaccinated is 84 percent higher than in most other countries.
In view of this positive development, most of the restrictions have now been lifted in both countries. However, it is still mandatory to wear a mask in public indoor spaces as well as in local traffic. Outdoors only if the minimum distance – in Spain 1.5 meters, in Portugal two meters – from people who do not live in the same household cannot be maintained.
Here and there there may still be restrictions on the utilization of the interior spaces of restaurants. In Spain in particular, there are still differences between individual regions. For example, you can dance again in discos on the popular holiday island of Mallorca from October 8th, but in the tourist metropolis of Barcelona this is only allowed on the dance floors of the outdoor clubs.
When entering the country, however, electronic travel registrations must still be completed for both countries. And everyone over the age of 12 must provide proof of vaccination or health history. Anyone who does not have this is obliged to show a negative PCR or antigen test.
Greece and Cyprus
Before entering Greece, visitors enter their details on a website (travel.gov.gr) and receive a QR code for tracking. They must also have a recent negative rapid test or be fully vaccinated. This also applies to children from the age of twelve.
Cyprus ranks Germany in the red, i.e. severely affected, category. For all travelers, this means that they have to be vaccinated, recovered or tested negative and then still have to do another corona test at the airport in Cyprus and pay for it themselves. In addition, the “Cyprus Flight Pass” must be applied for on a website (cyprusflightpass.gov.cy) at least 48 hours before entry and must always be carried with you during your vacation.
Croatia
Tourists are required to provide a certificate proving that they have been vaccinated, recovered or tested. Hotels receive guests without restrictions. Restaurants and cafés are also allowed to serve in their interior areas, but only at the tables between which there must be a gap. Only a certain number of people are allowed to attend public meetings. dpa
