EU travel restrictions: Everything US travelers need to know

(CNN) — It was too good to final.

While summer season noticed a lot of Europe open up to American guests, providing them the prospect to fulfill lockdown goals of eating gelato in Italy or touring the artwork museums of Paris, the season’s finish has introduced with it new restrictions, and the doorways to the continent start to shut.

The information has prompted varied European nations to replace travel restrictions for Americans, whereas some have prohibited entry to US travelers fully.

Unsurprisingly, the adjustments have prompted widespread confusion, significantly for these planning to travel to Europe within the coming months.

Here’s a have a look at the tightened guidelines and what they imply for American travelers.

Can Americans nonetheless travel to Europe?

Yes, they’ll. Only a small variety of nations have to this point restricted all nonessential arrivals from the United States. Since the EU recommendation was issued, Bulgaria, Norway and Sweden are the one ones to prohibit all entry.

However, whereas no less than one vacation spot — Greece — has dominated out imposing new curbs on travel within the close to future, it is protected to say that Americans, significantly those that are unvaccinated, are probably to face extra restrictions within the days and weeks to come.

What are the brand new EU guidelines?

Its recommendation is non-binding, nevertheless. There’s no pressure for nations to undertake this measure they usually’re free to ignore it in the event that they select.

That means there is not any blanket rule protecting the continent. Instead every vacation spot nation is at liberty to undertake or ignore the recommendation in accordance to their very own preferences.

Given how valued US guests are to Europe’s tourism economies, it is probably that any resolution to prohibit their arrival will likely be taken with appreciable reluctance.

What do the EU guidelines imply for Americans touring to Europe?

Much more crimson tape, uncertainty and analysis, that is for positive.

Ultimately it implies that touring to European nations is probably going to turn out to be tougher for Americans within the weeks forward, though not essentially not possible.

As the principles change, it is up to particular person travelers to test their eligibility to travel. Although airways may do checks earlier than departure, they will not need to so as to promote tickets.

Some nations could hold their doorways open, however tweak necessities resembling pre-departure Covid assessments, quarantine preparations or proof of vaccination.

Which nations can Americans go to in Europe?

Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Spain are presently all open to absolutely vaccinated Americans.

The restrictions in place range from nation to nation. Many locations require travelers to submit a destructive Covid take a look at on arrival, whereas some have each testing and quarantine measures in place for vaccinated guests.

France presently has no travel restrictions for absolutely vaccinated Americans, however a destructive Covid take a look at taken not more than 72 hours earlier than arrival is required earlier than they’ll enter Italy. A compulsory 10-day quarantine is ready for absolutely vaccinated US travelers visiting the Netherlands, whereas these coming into Germany should present a destructive Covid take a look at outcome earlier than being permitted to enter.

Fully vaccinated Americans are allowed to go to the United Kingdom, in addition to Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland.

However totally different testing and/or quarantine measures have been applied in every nation.

Is travel to Europe protected?

No travel through the pandemic is fully Covid-risk free, even for vaccinated travelers, and one of the simplest ways to keep protected is to stay at dwelling and reduce publicity to the virus.

That mentioned, if security protocols like masks carrying, social distancing and hand sanitizing are adhered to, there is not any motive why travelers cannot have a protected journey to Europe. Statistically, most western European nations have decrease Covid charges than the United States.

There are nonetheless Covid hotspots — Montenegro lately skilled a serious spike in instances — so it is price checking US Embassy travel recommendation on the vacation spot. Again, it is a matter of analysis.

Are extra nations going to shut their borders?

It’s not fully clear. Since a number of European nations have launched new restrictions for US travelers based mostly on the EU’s recommendation, it is potential that others will comply with swimsuit within the coming weeks.

The restrictions have come about due to the unfold of Covid’s Delta variant within the United States, with instances reaching their highest numbers in lots of months all through July and August. As numbers stay high in September, and colder months anticipated to gas the illness’s unfold, extra restrictions appear probably.

What ought to I do if I’ve booked a visit to Europe?

If you’ve got booked travel to a rustic that is still open to Americans, you should not encounter any issues offered you comply with the entire really helpful recommendation.

But if the principles have modified because you booked, many lodges and airways acknowledge the issues with Covid and restrictions and will supply refunds when you’ve booked straight. It’s price asking.

As with all travel through the pandemic, there may be nevertheless a threat that you could be wind up out of pocket.

Luis Araujo, President of the European Travel Commission, a nonprofit that promotes tourism within the continent, stresses that US travelers are nonetheless an enormous precedence for Europe regardless of the rule adjustments.

“American travelers are crucially important for Europe, and most European destinations are still open to US visitors and eager to welcome them back to our shores,” Araujo tells CNN Travel in a press release.

“That mentioned, we should settle for that we’re nonetheless residing by the fact of this ongoing pandemic and can expertise some setbacks on our means to restoration.

“Travelers from the US nonetheless have to take heed to health measures and respect guidelines at their vacation spot.”

Should I guide any future travel to Europe?

As talked about above, with any travel plans within the present pandemic, there are dangers they might have to be modified or canceled. If you are in search of an escape fully freed from bureaucratic trouble, uncertainty and stress, then maybe the reply is a simple no.

But Araujo insists US residents ought to “proceed planning their journeys to Europe,” while keeping “a watch on all the newest travel guidelines and cancellation insurance policies.”

“With current vaccination rates and safety protocols in place, safe international travel is absolutely possible, with this summer season proving that.”

Which European nations have banned unvaccinated US travelers?

Denmark, Finland, France, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, and Spain have all banned nonessential unvaccinated US travelers. Meanwhile, all nonessential American travelers are prohibited from visiting Bulgaria, Norway and Sweden, no matter their vaccination standing.

Which vaccinations are accepted in Europe?

To be thought-about as a completely vaccinated customer, travelers should have been administered with an entire dose of the vaccines accepted by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) — Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, and Janssen — two weeks earlier than their journey.

Can I travel to Europe with unvaccinated children?

The new guidelines is not going to affect youngsters who’re too younger to be vaccinated. Those below 12 can travel with vaccinated adults to European nations the place US travelers are permitted to enter. But whereas below 12s are exempt from all restrictions in some nations, others require a destructive Covid take a look at.

Those aged between 12 and 18 are topic to the identical guidelines and restrictions as grownup travelers. Again, it is price double-checking for every vacation spot in case variations on these pointers are launched.