Despite the new EU ban on US Europe travel, Americans are still welcome in Europe. Italy is the first to target unvaccinated travelers with tougher rules and a mandatory 5-day self isolation. It’s lifting that requirement for vaccinated travelers – but rules for them are tightening too. Vaccinated Americans must now show a negative Covid test as well as vaccination certificates.
These Are The New Italy Rules
According to the national Italian Tourism agency, vaccinated travelers from the US, Canada, Japan or Israel now need to follow these rules:
1. Fill in the Passenger Locator Form before entering Italy.
2. Present a Covid vaccination certificate on arrival. This “green certification” as Italy calls it must be from their national health authority. It can be either in paper or digital form and must date to longer than a fortnight.
3. Show negative Covid test proof for a molecular or antigenic swab test in the 72 hours prior to arrival in Italy.
As to the unvaccinated, they probably need to just stay at home. Unless they are prepared to isolate 5 days, then take another test.
Elsewhere, for now, everything seems business as usual in top European tourist destinations – open to Americans since June.
Holidaymakers from the United States, vaccinated and not, can still travel to most European countries. As before, with the same testing and vaccination certificate rules.
While the US is coming off the EU safe list, it’s looking increasingly likely that many countries will not take a hard line on restricting US to Europe travel. Hardly surprising after 3 months of tourism revenue flowing in.
Though it’s very early days, it seems most want to keep their doors open to American tourists. After counting on summer tourism, they will be reluctant to not cash in on Fall visits. Many of which are already booked.
“Free travel of unvaccinated Americans, for whatever purpose, still allowed,” tweeted the EU Ambassador to the United States, Stavros Lambrinidis, yesterday. As we can see with Italy, that situation has already changed.
The European Council just recommended that EU countries restrict non-essential travel of unvaccinated Americans (and others) to Europe, based on latest COVID infection-rate data.
Free travel of vaccinated Americans, for whatever purpose, still allowed. https://t.co/kibd6PiSFb— Ambassador Stavros Lambrinidis 🇪🇺 (@EUAmbUS) August 30, 2021
France, Greece, Spain – No Tough Moves Yet
In top tourism countries – France, Spain and Greece – Europe vacations continue as before for all Americans. That doesn’t mean obstacles won’t arise in time. And of course, existing rules such as vaccination certificates, or tests for the unvaccinated, remain.
Also, be prepared for mandatory vaccination rules in restaurants, bars, cinemas, etc. in France, Italy, and Greece for a start. Italy’s Green Card – a digital Covid certificate – is also a green light to such indoor venues.
Greece says it will make no changes until summer is out. Spain – where no vaccination proof or negative tests are required for Americans – will probably continue its soft approach. The US is still classified as a green ‘no risk’ country.
Other than Spain, most EU countries already had some checks in place for unvaccinated American travelers. In France, those who “are not fully vaccinated” must show a negative Covid test. And that’s still the case, for now.
Sweden Still Open To All Americans, With Tests
Others, such as Denmark, have only been open to fully vaccinated travelers since June. And that situation – updated August 30 – holds. Likewise in Austria, and proof of vaccination is required. In Sweden, Americans are still exempt from the entry ban, according to the Swedish Police Authority website. Tests are mandatory.
Countries taking a soft line on new restrictions may toughen rules over coming days and weeks. But I’m doubting it somewhat. Which begs the question. What was it all about? Keeping EU officials in jobs?
In truth, the EU possibly wanted to show some clout to the US and Biden – given the unbending ban on Europeans there.
Will this tickle – or shove – things along a bit? On the Biden ban. (Let’s face it, he now owns it.) This too, remains to be seen.
Meantime, keep checking in on the Re-Open EU website for detailed information on each country’s rules.
Interestingly – and I find this very telling, the EU’s safe travel list still includes the United States.
A technical oversight? Or just a half-hearted and mixed-message new ban that says, bring in new restrictions for non-essential travel – but don’t apply them if you don’t wish to.
** UPDATE ** The EU has nowo taken these countries off the list. But it just took a while to do so.
Thanks Tamara! Planning to visit my son, daughter-in-law and grandson in late September so this is good news!
Oh wonderful Susan! In Spain right?
Excellent update! I guess the question becomes: ‘why did the EU Commission go to the trouble to vote on more restrictive measures?’
It seems that no changes have been made to restrict travel by any member nations at this point.
Thank you!
Thanks Mark! Yes I have a little stab at that in the story. Well none other than Italy as mentioned with a quarantine for non vaccinated travellers. If others are spared by all countries all the better and some sense at last!