Europe Travel Ban: US, Israel on More EU Red Lists
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Europe Travel Ban: US, Israel on More EU Red Lists

Europe travel America Israel on Belgium's Red list
Belgium too has added America and Israel to its red list so only vaccinated travelers can enter. Photo by Alex Vasey.

With the new Europe travel ban on the US and Israel, more EU countries are adding them to their red lists – from Belgium and the Netherlands to Lithuania.

This means quarantines or no travel for unvaccinated travelers. But also tests – even quarantine in the case of the Netherlands – for vaccinated travelers.

For sure, more countries are moving to tighten restrictions. Not all. Indeed, many say they don’t plan to change the rules, at least not for now.

Also, most are largely targeting unvaccinated travelers, in line with the EU recommendation. It leaves it open for countries to spare vaccinated from new rules as they choose.

The EU’s safe list has now been updated with citizens of 18 countries still able to travel to Europe freely. Though China is based on reciprocity, which hasn’t come.

The US, Israel, Kosovo, Lebanon, Montenegro, and the Republic of North Macedonia came off the list.

Italy The First To Toughen Rules For Americans, Israelis

Italy was the first to clamp down after the new Europe travel ban on the US and others. Both for unvaccinated and vaccinated travelers. But the rules for the unvaccinated are stricter. A 5-day self-isolation makes travel almost impossible. Or, it certainly will put a spanner in the works of the Italy vacation. Unvaccinated travelers must also test at the end of that 5 days.

Vaccinated Americans and Israelis now face the added requirement of testing pre-flight plus showing a Covid vaccination certificate. In fact, all travelers now require the Italy Green Pass to travel. But also, once in the country, to enter public places, from bars and restaurants to cinemas.

Europe’s leading tourist destinations largely remain open to all Americans and Israelis. But there are more hurdles even for vaccinated travelers in countries like Italy – and now, Belgium and the Netherlands too (read on).

Europe Travel Ban America Israel Now On More Red Lists

Netherlands canals Europe Travel America Israel on Netherlands Red list
Europe Travel Ban: US and Israel are now on the Netherlands red or ‘very high risk’ list meaning quarantine for all travelers including vaccinated Americans. Photo by Adrien Olichon.

A handful of countries in Western and Eastern Europe are putting the US and Israel back on their red lists.

Note, quarantine requirements for the unvaccinated were already in place in some places such as Germany. So that is nothing new.

Here’s A List Of Where Unvaccinated – Even Vaccinated – Travelers Face Restrictions:

  • BELGIUM the US is now officially a red country. No entry for unvaccinated Americans. As for Israelis.
  • BULGARIA with the US as a red zone from September 1, travel is banned for Americans bar some exceptions
  • THE CZECH REPUBLIC 5-days self isolation for unvaccinated travelers + tests
  • ESTONIA As the US Embassy in Estonia says: “Unvaccinated travelers are subject to a 10- day self-isolation period.” This can be shortened by taking a second COVID test after six days.
  • GERMANY vaccinated American and Israeli travelers still enjoy restriction-free travel. But Germany says it will depend on officials in each state whether unvaccinated travelers get in with tests.
  • ICELAND For unvaccinated Americans, says Iceland Air, there’s a Covid-19 test upon arrival at the airport, followed by 5 days of quarantine, then a second test.
  • ITALY 5-day self-isolation for unvaccinated Americans
  • LATVIA Digital EU certificate for vaccinated. Tests & 10-days of quarantine for unvaccinated
  • MALTA US on red list, 14-day quarantine for unvaccinated travelers
  • LITHUANIA – 10 day quarantine for unvaccinated – US now on red list  
  • IRELAND says it won’t get tough on vaccinated Americans and Israeli travelers, for now. But any non-EU traveler – vaccinated or not – who can’t show proof of either vaccination or a negative test must hotel quarantine for 10 days.
  • THE NETHERLANDS Another country where the US and Israel are now – as of September 4 – on the red or ‘very high risk’ list. This means all travelers, vaccinated or not, now face 10- days self-quarantine. A complete travel ban is in place for unvaccinated travelers. As the government says, “this quarantine requirement applies even if you have proof of vaccination or proof of recovery. If you get tested on day 5 you might be able to shorten the quarantine period.”

2 Comments

    1. Tamara Thiessen

      Hi Mark thank you! I’m so sorry I just did something awful and cut the list of bottom (I shouldn’t be editing on Android app in bed at 2am!) I’ve tried to patch up and will post the list of restriction free places including France as a separate story tomorrow am. The story still holds regarding the red list countries! But just in case you were wondering 🤔

Be in touch!