After examining higher vaccination rates and deciding that severe travel constraints are no longer effective in stemming the outbreak of COVID-19, EU countries and Schengen Area nations have agreed to loosen their entrance regulations.
While some EU nations agreed to repeal all COVID-19 regulations, others elected to adopt less harsh requirements, according to SchengenVisaInfo.com.
This article will tell you about some countries’ entrance regulations currently in effect.
Belgium
Belgian officials earlier indicated that beginning February 18, the nation’s entrance criteria would be based on tourists’ status instead of the country from which they are traveling.
Foreign visitors who have been wholly vaccinated or have recovered from the COVID-19 illness are not required to follow any additional entrance requirements. They only need to show a valid immunization or recuperation permit.
A vaccine pass must have been issued during the past 270 days, and a recovery pass must have been granted within the last 180 days. Vaccination passes that show the possessor has had a booster vaccination are also acceptable.
In contrast, Belgian officials have stated that unvaccinated and unrecovered tourists are subject to tougher requirements.
Unvaccinated and unrecovered EU/Schengen zone and third-world countries visitors must have a PCR or fast antigen test before entering Belgium. Tests for fast antigens and PCR must be conducted 72 hours before entry, and PCR must be completed within 24 hours of entry.
Some of Belgium’s national COVID-19 limitations have already been relaxed.
Czech Republic
All EU/Schengen Area countries, as well as non-EU countries, have been placed on the red list, according to the latest update made by the Czech Ministry of Health. However, there are some exceptions:
Indonesia | Colombia | Korea | Peru | Taiwan |
Qatar | Kuwait | Macao | New Zealand | Saudi Arabia |
Rwanda | The Vatican City State | The United Arab Emirates |
If you have a valid vaccination certificate or recovery documents, you can visit and enter Czechia without having to follow any additional entry restrictions.
Czechia recognizes recovery documents that show the holder has been tested for the virus during the past 180 days (the result was positive), as well as immunization certificates that show the holder had its final vaccine dosage in the last 270 days.
Foreigners who have already gotten an extra vaccine dosage have a vaccination pass that is good indefinitely. Everyone over 12 is required to provide identification upon admittance.
Cyprus
The Cypriot officials just recently modified their admission requirements. They indicated that admission regulations would now be based on passengers’ immunization and healing status.
EU/Schengen Area countries or any other third-world countries that are already formally linked to the EU DCC can issue EU Digital COVID Vaccination or Recovery Certificates to travelers who have been vaccinated or recovered.
This implies that only vaccination and recuperation permits provided by certain third-world countries’ authorities are accepted upon arrival in Cyprus.
The officials have stated that unvaccinated and unrecovered tourists would remain to be subject to entrance requirements. The current admission regulations for unvaccinated/unrecovered visitors are determined by the nation from which they are going.
Estonia
Estonian officials implemented streamlined entry procedures for all EU/Schengen zone visitors in early February. Foreign visitors from the 27-nation bloc who have valid vaccination or recovery documents can enter Estonia without any further restrictions. Those who cannot achieve this condition must produce a negative COVID-19 test taken before arrival or undertake a test following their arrival in Estonia.
France
Like the other nations listed above, France allows any tourists with a legitimate vaccination or recovery certificate to enter without limitation. Moreover, unvaccinated and unrecovered visitors are given admission into France. Unvaccinated/recovered visitors coming from a green nation can enter France with a negative test result.
Travelers from the orange-listed nations who are unvaccinated/unrecovered are also permitted to visit France. However, they must present a negative test and a sworn affidavit referring to the lack of COVID-19 symptoms. France has maintained internal COVID-19 limitations. For example, to access public and cultural areas, everyone who was vaccinated more than four months ago must acquire a booster dose. Nonetheless, the country intends to relax the regulations.
Greece
Greece presently allows all EU/Schengen Area tourists and citizens of Australia, Canada, and the United States to enter without restrictions providing they present a valid vaccination, recovery, or test certificate.
For visitors from other nations, Greek officials have stated that they can only cross the border if they have been fully vaccinated or have recovered from the virus and take an extra pre-entry test.
Iceland
Iceland has already lifted all entrance requirements. As a result, foreign visitors from anywhere around the globe, regardless of immunization status, can visit Iceland without complying with any COVID-19 requirements.
“All COVID-19 measures at the Icelandic border have now been suspended.” This means there will be no preventative COVID-19 measures at the border, regardless of whether people are vaccinated or not. However, the Icelandic Directorate of Health announced that visa requirements have not changed in February.
Latvia
Like Italy, Latvia allows any tourists with a vaccination or recovery document or a negative test result to enter. Latvia recognizes vaccination records as long as they show that the immunization was finished with one of the EMA-approved vaccines within the past nine months.
Certificates of recovery are recognized as long as they were issued within the past 180 days. The officials have said that they accept both PCR and fast antigen testing in terms of test findings.
Luxembourg
Luxembourg’s officials have agreed to loosen entrance requirements, following the lead of many other EU/Schengen Area nations. Foreign visitors from the EU/Schengen zone are allowed to enter Luxembourg regardless of having to take any further steps if they have one of the passes included in the EU Digital COVID-19 Certificate.
In contrast, officials have stated that third-world countries’ visitors are subject to separate restrictions. For example, visitors arriving in Luxembourg from those countries must provide a valid vaccination or recovery document. “The immunization document is valid for nine months since the date the vaccination schedule is deemed complete.” According to the officials, the documentation for the booster immunization is valid for an indefinite period. Recovery certificates, on the other side, are valid for 180 days.
Netherlands
The Dutch government has just recently changed its admission requirements. According to the new rules, passengers from the EU/Schengen zone must fill out a form called health declaration and produce a vaccine or recovery certificate. Arrivals from foreign nations are subject to tougher regulations. Non-EU visitors must provide a valid vaccination recovery document as well as a negative test result obtained before their admission. The Dutch do not accept recovery certificates given by foreign countries; thus, they may only enter with a vaccination pass.
Poland
The Polish officials continue to enforce entrance requirements based on the nation of origin of the traveler. Visitors from the EU/Schengen Zone, along with visitors from Turkey, are able to enter Poland if they produce a vaccine or recovery proof, as well as COVID-19 test results (negative).
Non-EU passengers, on the other hand, are subject to tighter regulations. Foreign visitors from third-world countries must produce a COVID-19 test result obtained prior to admission, even if they have finished their immunization protocol or are virus-free.
Slovakia
Slovak officials declared earlier this month that the government’s traffic-light system would be phased out. This implies that visitors can enter Slovakia as long as they have a valid vaccination confirmation.
Furthermore, the authorities have declared that they would henceforth recognize recovery passes. “Those who overcame COVID-19 more than 180 days ago would have the same circumstances as the vaccinated after coming to Slovakia,” the Ministry of Interior of Slovakia underlined. The government has stated that unvaccinated and unrecovered tourists are subject to the self-isolation regulation.
Spain
Spain allows all EU/Schengen Area visitors who have a legitimate EU Digital COVID Pass to enter Spain. Furthermore, tourists on the EU’s safe list are welcome to visit Spain as long as they satisfy the entrance conditions. Here are the countries on the EU’s safe list:
China | Uruguay | South Korea | Kuwait | Qatar |
Saudi Arabia | The UAE | Bahrain | New Zealand | Rwanda |
Indonesia | Colombia | Chile | Peru | China (including Hong Kong and Macao) |
Everyone over 18 is eligible to enter. Those under 12 are free from the admission restrictions, while those who are between 12 and 18 must provide a negative test result obtained within 72 hours of arrival.
Switzerland
Switzerland, like the other nations, chose to reduce its admission requirements. Nonetheless, the government still requires all visitors to comply with COVID-19 entrance requirements. Foreign visitors from any country are welcome to visit and stay in Switzerland as long as they have a valid vaccination permit.
“At the moment, there is no test or quarantine requirement for entering Switzerland, and people arriving do not need to complete an entrance (passenger locator) form,” Swiss officials stated.
Let’s sum up …
With the Omicron variant subsiding risk, many countries have adjusted their COVID-19 rules and mandates. In addition, these countries have considered changes in their guest-welcoming policies to revive their tourism industries.
In the 1st part of our article, we took a look at some 14 countries where adjustments are made. To learn more about tourist-welcoming nations, check the second part of our article.
If you have any questions, write them in the comment section and let us help you by answering them.