Travel hotspot rules as Europe gears up to welcome tourists

Spain opened its borders to all vaccinated travelers on Monday as the rest of Europe prepares to welcome tourists after Covid-19 lockdowns and travel restrictions that essentially sank last year’s summer travel season. Here’s a summary of the current rules for some of Europe’s tourist hotspots.

European tourism struggled last year as coronavirus lockdowns, curfews and hotel and restaurant restrictions threatened the livelihoods of many in the industry and frustrated would-be travelers.

The summer of 2020 saw a sharp decline in European cross-border travel, leaving the continent’s beaches, towns and monuments eerily deserted.

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This year is gearing up to be different: Covid-19 is far from being eradicated, but virus tests are widely available, the rollout of vaccinations across the EU has accelerated and the bloc will launch an EU travel pass – in digital and paper form – to enable cross-border travel from 1 July.

Some major destinations, such as Italy, are already reporting an increase in bookings, while Spain started welcoming vaccinated visitors on Monday and hopes to reach 70 percent of pre-pandemic tourism levels this year.

Tourists from countries outside the bloc – including the UK since Brexit – are still facing obstacles at EU borders, with European governments saying they must avoid another wave of infections, even as they cautiously reopen to tourists.

“We must reconcile freedom of mobility with the need for security,” said French Tourism Minister Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne, echoing a sentiment felt across the EU.

Here’s a summary of the current rules in some of Europe’s tourist hotspots.

France

France, the world’s top tourist destination, has announced a color-coded map showing entry protocols for the summer travel season, with restrictions lifted for EU residents and “green” countries such as Australia, South Korea, Israel, Japan, Lebanon, New Zealand and Singapore.

From 1 July, France will also recognize the European travel pass.

In “orange” zones, including Britain, North America and most of Asia and Africa, even vaccinated travelers to France will be required to present a negative Covid-19 test taken within the last 72 hours (or 48 hours for a negative antigen test). But they no longer have to go into quarantine or have a compelling reason (motifs imperieux) for their visit.

However, for unvaccinated people coming from “orange” zones, only essential travel will be allowed and a seven-day self-quarantine will be imposed in addition to the above requirements for a Covid-19 test.

>> Click here to view the French Government travel requirements (PDF, in French)

Visitors from 16 countries are strictly limited, including India, Turkey, South Africa and much of South America, including Brazil.

Masks will remain mandatory indoors and out, but curfew rules will be lifted on June 30.

>> France reopens to foreign tourists, but under conditions

Spain

Spain dropped the requirement for EU arrivals to produce a recent negative PCR test on Monday (June 7).

Anyone who has been vaccinated can now enter the country, regardless of their place of origin. The approved vaccines are those approved by the European drug regulatory agency – Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson – as well as two Chinese vaccines approved by the World Health Organization, Sinopharm and Sinovac.

The authorities accept official certificates as proof that the visitors have been vaccinated at least 14 days before the trip or that they have overcome a Covid-19 infection in the last six months.

The certificates can be in Spanish, English, French or German — or their equivalent translations into Spanish, the government order said.

Spain is still banning non-essential travelers from Brazil, India and South Africa, where virus variants remain a major concern.

Masks remain mandatory, even outdoors, except on beaches, as long as people keep at least 1.5 meters away from each other. Walking on the beach still requires a mask.

Both the Madrid and Catalonia region (including Barcelona) have lifted their curfews, with bars and restaurants allowed to stay open until 1am in Madrid and midnight in Catalonia.

Spain says it is ready for the EU travel pass, but is not yet connected to the system.

Italy

Arrivals from the EU, Britain and Israel must present a negative Covid-19 test less than 48 hours old and complete a health form, but do not have to go into quarantine.

Travelers from Australia, South Korea, Rwanda, Thailand, Canada and the US must show a negative test, quarantine for 10 days and then take another test.

Italy is off limits to tourists from Brazil, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

Face masks are still mandatory, although people may be allowed to take them off from July when they are outside.

A curfew remains in effect between midnight and 5 a.m. and no more than four people per table are allowed in bars and restaurants.

Portugal

Portugal’s southern Algarve coast is a favorite destination for tourists from Britain, with bookings having increased since the country reopened to European tourists last month.

All arrivals from EU countries, the Schengen area and the UK require a negative PCR test less than 72 hours old to enter Portugal. The same rules apply for arrivals from Australia, South Korea, Israel, New Zealand, Rwanda, Singapore, Thailand and China.

Everyone else needs a compelling reason to enter Portugal.

Arrivals from South Africa, Brazil and India will have to self-isolate on arrival.

Social distancing and the wearing of masks are mandatory, and special rules apply to beaches and swimming pools, with a minimum distance of 3 meters between umbrellas.

Portugal is expected to apply for the EU travel pass on July 1.

Greece

The Greek government hopes to reach about half of its pre-pandemic tourist revenues this summer, which, if confirmed, would double last year’s figures.

Arrivals from EU countries and the Schengen area are allowed to enter Greece, as well as residents of Canada, the US, Israel, China, Thailand, Russia and Saudi Arabia. But they are required to fill out a form and provide proof of vaccination or a PCR test of less than 72 hours, or a certificate of immunity after infection.

Masks remain mandatory both inside and outside.

Nightclubs and indoor cultural venues will remain closed, while the maximum number of people per table in restaurants is six.

UK

Traveling to Britain is made difficult for most of the world by strict restrictions on arrivals, expensive quarantine requirements and expensive Covid-19 testing.

The efforts of the tourism sector are mainly aimed at domestic holidaymakers. Arrivals from Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands can enter freely.

Travelers from a handful of “green” countries — including Australia, New Zealand and Iceland — are most likely to vacation in Britain. While they must produce a negative Covid-19 test and also pay for a new test to be done on day two after arrival, quarantine is not necessary if that second test turns out to be negative.

( Jowharwith AFP and AP)