COVID-19 TRAVEL UPDATES – Ep1 DESTINATION EUROPE

Traveling around the world continues to be highly affected by the novel Coronavirus and contradictory information isn’t helping. Sadly, 2020 will be this messed up, travel wise anyway. This is a complete and daily reviewed article on COVID-19 travel updates and advice, a first episode: Destination Europe.

I don’t recommend travelling abroad for numerous reasons, health being the most important.  But, if you insist on doing it, at least here’s what you need to know before even considering booking. The following info applies  to all tourists in general and British tourists in particular.

If you are interested in a certain region, please check the related articles below, updated in real time.

DESTINATION THE CARRIBEAN

DESTINATION NORTH, CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA

DESTINATION ASIA

DESTINATION SOUTH PACIFIC

DESTINATION AFRICA

Now let’s see how we really stand!

Travel restrictions  to/from Europe, the Caribbean, North America, Central and South America, Asia, The Pacific islands and Africa

Unfortunately, with new COVID-19 cases rising everyday, things change on a regular basis, so please check this article daily for the latest updates.

This is the up to date information on October 14, 2020.

DESTINATION EUROPE – travel updates

This article is the first in a series of six. It contains all data we currently have concerning travel around the world during the COVID-19 pandemic from and to Europe.

“During the COVID-19 pandemic, it is more important than ever to get travel insurance and check it provides sufficient cover” – British Government advised.

The questions keep on rising rising:

Can we travel during the coronavirus pandemic?

Where should I spend my holiday in 2020?

Where can I find coronavirus travel updates and advice?

I travel from UK – which countries are open and which are closed at the moment? 

Do I need to self isolate when I return to UK? If so, from which countries?

First, let’s see the countries and territories with no self isolation requirement on arrival in England, as you can find them on https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-travel-corridors#history:

• Akrotiri and Dhekelia
• Anguilla
• Antigua and Barbuda
• Aruba
• Australia
• Austria
• Barbados
• Bermuda
• Bonaire, St Eustatius and Saba
• British Antarctic Territory
• British Indian Ocean Territory
• British Virgin Islands
• Cayman Islands
• the Channel Islands
• Croatia
• Curaçao
• Cyprus
• Czech Republic
• Denmark
• Dominica
• Estonia  – added 28 July – you need to self isolate only if you arrived from Estonia before 28 July.
• Falkland Islands
• Faroe Islands
• Fiji
• Finland
• French Polynesia
• Gibraltar
• Germany
• Greece
• Greenland
• Grenada
• Guadeloupe
• Hong Kong
• Hungary
• Iceland
• Ireland
• the Isle of Man
• Italy
• Jamaica
• Japan
• Latvia  – added 28 July – you need to self isolate only if you arrived from Latvia before 28 July.
• Liechtenstein
• Lithuania
• Macao (Macau)
• Mauritius
• Monaco
• Montserrat
• New Caledonia
• New Zealand
• Norway
• Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie and Oeno Islands
• Poland
• Reunion
• San Marino
• Seychelles
• Slovakia – added 28 July – you need to self isolate only if you arrived from Slovakia before 28 July.
• Slovenia – added 28 July – you need to self isolate only if you arrived from Slovenia before 28 July.
• South Korea
• South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
• St Barthélemy
• St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha
• St Kitts and Nevis
• St Lucia
• St Pierre and Miquelon
• St Vincent and the Grenadines – added 28 July – you need to self isolate only if you arrived from St Vincent and the Grenadines before 28 July.
• Switzerland
• Taiwan
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Turkey
• Turks and Caicos Islands
• Vatican City State
• Vietnam

This list may be added to following further discussions between the UK and international partners.

The problem is many of the above countries have their borders still closed., hence, you need to be fully aware of the following restrictions:

EUROPE – countries with entry restrictions

Andorra -FCO advises for all but essential travel to this country.

Denmark – only visitors traveling with worthy purpose  are allowed to enter Denmark or the Faroe Islands. The FCO now advises against all travel to Denmark. Both Greenland and the Faroe Islands are still on the exempt list Travelers transiting Danemark on their return to the UK need to self-isolate 

Finland – travel restrictions apply to UK travelers. Borders remain closed to foreign nationals, except for residents and a few other categories. Finland is now on the UK government’s quarantine exemption list.

Georgia –  borders closed for UK travelers and most other foreign visitors.

Hungary – closed to most foreign travelers. Visitors returning from Hungary  need to self-isolate for 14 days.  Permission to enter only if they have a permanent residence permit or are travelling with Hungarian family members. 

Moldova – The UK is now on Moldova’s red list. No UK visitors are allowed to enter unless they are exempt. 

EUROPE – countries open to travelers

Albania – all land borders are now open, except for those with Montenegro.

Armenia –borders are open to foreign nationals but a 14 days self isolation on arrival is required. A negative COVID-19 test result may attract early leaving from quarantine.

Azerbaijan – travel to Azerbaijan remains very limited. No hand luggage will be allowed on incoming flights except for small items such as handbags, briefcases etc. All passengers travelling to/from Azerbaijan will require a negative COVID-19 test. The test itself could be taken more than 48 hours before the flight but the negative test certificate result must be issued within 48 hours before the flight in order to be accepted. Travelers with a negative test result do not need to self-isolate.

Austria –The FCO now advises against all but essential travel to Austria. Visitors returning to the UK need to self isolate for 14 days but those entering Austria do not need to either self isolate or test for COVID 19. 

Azores– visitors need to complete this form, 72 hours before the journey. Then they will be given a QR code to be shown to health authorities on arrival. A proof of a negative COVID-19 test no older than 72 hours is mandatory as well as a new test on arrival and self-isolate until the results. In case of a stay longer than a week, another test 6 days after the first one is required.

Belarus – open to UK tourists but need to self isolate unless they present a medical certificate showing a negative COVID-19 test result, issued no later than 48 hours before entry.

Belgium – The FCO now advises against all but essential travel to Belgium. Borders are now open to travelers to/from EU, UK included. Visitors must fill in the Passenger Locator Form. Travelers entering Belgium from high risk regions will be required to self-isolate for 14 days (find the complete list here).

Bosnia and Herzegovina – UK travelers can enter if they have a negative COVID-19 (PCR) test result no older than 48 hours.

Bulgaria – has lifted the travel ban on UK travelers. No self isolation on arrival is required either.

Croatia – borders are open to UK travelers who need to fill in this form to announce their visit and to help speed up processes at the airport. The FCO now advises against all but essential travel to Croatia. Visitors returning to the UK may have to self-isolate for 14 days.

Cyprus– borders are open to UK visitors with a proof of a negative PCR test result on arrival, 72 hours before travel. All travelers must complete a Cyprus Flight Pass before the trip, uploading proof of a negative test result within 24 hours of their departure, except for children under 12.  Cyprus is now on the UK government’s quarantine exemption list. 

Czech Republic –The FCO now advises against all but essential travel to the Czech Republic. Travelers returning to the UK  need to self-isolate for 14 days.  However, UK visitors can enter the Czech Republic without needing to quarantine.

Denmark– no more quarantine required on arrival for UK visitors. Denmark is now  open to UK travelers and on the UK government’s quarantine exemption list. 

Estonia -UK visitors need to self-isolate for 14 days on their arrival.. Taking a test could reduce the time in quarantine. Estonia is exempt from the FCO advice against all non-essential travel. 

France –The UK FCO now advises against all but essential travel to France. UK visitors returning from France will have to self-isolate for 14 days. However, entering France does not require to quarantine. Moreover, visitors need to sign a  déclaration sur l’honneur confirming they have no COVID-19 symptoms and haven’t been in contact with any confirmed cases.

Germany – has lifted all travel restrictions for UK travelers, except for those coming from high risk areas (regions with many confirmed cases), in which case they need get into quarantine on arrival. A negative COVID-19 test result, no older than 72 hours, can reduce the self-isolation time frame. Germany is now on the UK government’s quarantine exemption list. 

Greece – borders are open to UK travelers from the UK. However, entering from Scotland will require to self-isolate. Be aware that returning to England from Crete, Lesvos, Mykonos, Tinos, Santorini, Serifos and Zakynthos requires self isolation. The same is on return to Wales from Antiparos, Crete, Lesvos, Mykonos, Paros and Zante. Travelers need to fill in this form, 24 hours before the journey. On arrival, you may be given a COVID-19 test, with mandatory self-isolation until the test result.  Any visitor  may be asked to undergo a test, especially those coming from a country outside of the EU (including the UK). Greece is on the UK government’s quarantine exemption list.

Iceland – is now open to tourists. All passengers can choose to be tested for COVID-19 twice (first test on arrival and a second test 6 days later, with self isolation until the results of the later test) or to self-isolate for 14 days.  Filling out a pre-registration form before departure is required.  Iceland is now on the UK government’s quarantine exemption list. 

Ireland – visitors will have to restrict their movement for 14 days, which means staying at home and avoiding contact with other people as much as possible. Ireland is exempt from the FCO advice against all non-essential international travel.

Italy – is open to tourists and there is no quarantine for travelers entering from UK. However, a  self-declaration form  must be completed before the journey. On arrival, Sardinia requires a COVID 19 negative test result no older than 48 hours.  Italy is now on the UK government’s quarantine exemption list.

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Jersey’s borders are now open. Travelers must complete this form before arrival, for contact tracing purposes.

Latvia – flights between UK and Latvia are now opperating again. A contact form must be completed on arrival. UK travelers need to self-isolate for 10 days on arrival.

Liechtenstein – UK travelers can enter Liechtenstein. People traveling from the UK to Liechtenstein will not have to self-isolate on arrival, unless they enter from a country from a high risk category. Please check this list  before your journey. Liechtenstein is now on the UK government’s quarantine exemption list. 

Lithuania – visitors coming from the UK need to self isolate for 14 days. Also, presenting a COVID 19 negative test result, no older than 72 hours, is mandatory upon arrival. All visitors must complete a registration form before arrival. Lithuania is on the UK government’s quarantine exemption list.

Luxembourg – borders are open. However, the FCO advises against all but essential travel to Luxembourg, therefore, those returning to UK will have to self-isolate for 14 days.

Madeira – all travelers visiting Madeira must complete this form 48 before arrival. Proof of a negative test taken 72 hours before departure is required. Madeira is exempt from the FCO advice against all non-essential international travel. Travelers returning from Madeira to Scotland must self isolate for 14 days.

Malta – The UK FCO now advises against all but essential travel to Malta. UK visitors returning from Malta will have to self-isolate for 14 days.  Malta is now open to UK travelers. A paper copy of a public health form and a passenger locator form, available here, must be completed before arrival. Visitors entering from UK are exempt from the self-isolation measures on arrival.

Moldova – borders are open to visitors coming from UK and no self isolation is required. All travelers must fill in an epidemiological form on arrival.

Montenegro – borders are open to visitors coming from the UK, with no other restrictions or measures in place, but those diagnosed or suspected to be infected with coronavirus will be subject to quarantine.

Netherlands – The  FCO now advises against all but essential travel to Netherlands. UK visitors returning from the Netherlands will have to self-isolate for 14 days. However, UK visitors do not need to self-isolate on arrival to the Netherlands.  All visitors arriving/leaving the Netherlands must complete  this health screening form. 

Norway – borders are open to UK visitors but they need to self-isolate for 10 days on arrival.  Norway is now on the UK government’s quarantine exemption list.

Poland – no need to self-isolate on arrival for travelers arriving from the UK or European Union, unless there are signs/symptoms or positive test results.  Poland is on the UK government’s quarantine exemption list.

Portugal – there will be a health screening on arrival, temperature check and if it is high or showing symptoms, travelers will be referred to health authorities. You may also need to take a COVID-19 test and self-isolate at your accommodation until the results. The FCO now advises against all but essential travel to mainland Portugal. Returning to UK from mainland Portugal requires 14 days self-isolation, except from Azores and Madeira. There are no exceptions  from self-isolation on return to Scotland.

Romania – borders are open to visitors coming from UK, no self isolation needed on arrival, but flights are still limited.

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Russia – no more restrictions on flights from the UK. Borders are open to British citizens and foreign nationals with permanent residence in the UK,  providing they have a valid visa and proof of citizenship/residence. All visitors must present a negative COVID-19 test result, no older than 72 hours. In case of symptoms of COVID-19 or positive test result, 14 days self-isolation is mandatory.

San Marino – no more restrictions on entry. San Marino is on the UK government’s quarantine exemption list. 

Serbia – The FCO now advise against all but essential travel to Serbia but there are no restrictions or quarantine requirements for visitors coming from the UK. 

Slovenia – no quarantine requirements for UK travelers on arrival, but self isolation on their return to the UK is mandatory. The FCO advises against all non essential travel to Slovenia. 

Slovakia – no more quarantine on arrival for UK visitors.  Slovakia is exempt from the FCO advice against all non-essential international travel. Slovakia is on the UK government’s quarantine exemption list.

Spain – borders are open to travelers coming from all Europe.  However, the UK government has advised against travel to Spain (mainland). There are quarantine requirements on on returning from either mainland Spain or its islands. The FCO advisory against all non-essential travel has been updated to include the islands as well as  mainland Spain. Those entering Spain will need to provide contact information and any history of exposure to COVID-19, have a temperature check and undergo a visual health assessment. You will need to fill out this form before travelling to Spain. Please be aware that there are reports of substantial increases of COVID-19 in Aragon and Catalonia!

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Sweden – borders are currently open to UK nationals, with no restrictions or quarantine requirements on arrival. There are limited flights operating between London and Stockholm. Sweden is on the UK government’s quarantine exemption list.

Switzerland – entry is permitted for British nationals  and any other travelers, based on UK/EU/EFTA nationality.  The FCO now advises against all but essential travel to Switzerland  and British travelers need to self isolate for 14 days on their return to the UK. Entering Switzerland from UK is not subject to self isolation. Exceptions: entering from Gibraltar or British Virgin islands requires 10 days self isolation on arrival to Switzerland.

Turkey -borders are open to UK visitors and flights between the two countries have resumed. All passengers who meet Turkish immigration rules are allowed to enter. Passengers need to wear a face mask at all times on the flight/in the airport; before flying, they need to complete a passenger locator form. Those showing symptoms will need to take a test. Turkey is now on the UK government’s quarantine exemption list.