Latest update on COVID-19 travel restrictions to Schengen area for April 2021

As vaccination campaigns are introduced throughout the world, traveling during coronavirus continues to be complicated by entry bans and other restrictions meant to contain the spread of the virus. As individual European countries during the COVID-19 pandemic continue to impose domestic restrictions on residents, the EU travel zone known as the Schengen area has attempted to implement coordinated policies on travel for those crossing borders in Europe (i.e. travelling within the zone). In addition, the European Commission has sought to apply a consistent criteria for non-Schengen citizens and residents who seek to enter the Schengen border from abroad. If you are planning on traveling to one of the 26-Schengen countries from outside of the Schengen area, you should familiarize yourself with the latest update on COVID-19 EU entry requirements. These can include mandatory testing, quarantines, and even entry bans for travelers arriving from certain countries deemed “high risk”. Today’s blog will therefore address the latest COVID-19 entry restrictions in Europe. Read on for the latest updates on COVID-19 EU entry requirements, including the most recent Europe travel restrictions affecting would-be travelers to the zone. 

EU Travel Zone

• The Schengen area consists of 26 European countries, the majority of which are EU member states. 
• Grounded in the principle of freedom of movement, with the goal of facilitating the flow of residents and citizens throughout the zone, the Schengen area has attempted to manage the COVID-19 pandemic without infringing on the rights of the residents and citizens of its Member States.  
• In general, the Schengen states agree collectively on the entry requirements for the zone. This means that the entry requirements for the zone apply equally to all of the countries involved. States whose citizens need a visa to enter one Schengen Member State will need a visa to enter all of the other countries in the area too. 
• Because of the area’s universal entry requirements, crossing borders in Europe does not generally require the presentation of one’s travel documents. Once you are approved for a Schengen visa, you may travel throughout the Schengen area indiscriminately. 
• Similarly, the Schengen states attempted to apply a coordinated approach to travel restrictions throughout the ongoing pandemic. For example, in January of this year, the European Council released a list of seven countries whose nationals should gradually be allowed into general Schengen area. However, it was up to each Member State to individually decide when and how to specifically apply this recommended entry policy. 
• Current COVID-19 entry restrictions in Europe include pre-flight testing, post-entry testing and quarantines. The majority of Schengen countries require travelers to present negative covid-tests prior to boarding flights, and most also insist that arriving travelers quarantine post-arrival. However, there are discrepancies in how and under what conditions these entry requirements are applied. 

Latest Update on COVID-19 EU Entry

• At the moment, the EU has broadly imposed a non-essential travel ban on non-EU/Schengen citizens and residents, with the exception of those from the following countries: 
  • Australia
  • New Zealand
  • Rwanda
  • Singapore
  • South Korea
  • Thailand
  • China 
• At the moment therefore, the majority of the Schengen area is upholding bans on the entry of residents of non-Schengen/non-EU countries not on the above list who are travelling for non-essential purposes. 
• Therefore, if you are not a resident of the Schengen area/EU and you are also not from one of the above countries, you will likely be denied entry into the general Schengen area (and/or be subject to additional Europe travel restrictions) unless you are traveling for an urgent or essential reason or otherwise fall into an exemption category (such as if you are a health worker). 
• Different countries have different definitions of what is meant by “essential” travel. If you believe your reason for travel falls under the general category of “essential,” you should make sure the country you intend on traveling to shares your interpretation of the term. Otherwise, you could be denied entry to the Schengen border. 
• Below you can find the latest updates on COVID-19 EU entry for some of the top travel destinations in the Schengen area. 
  • France
    • Has currently banned all non-essential travel from non-EU/Schengen countries, with the exception of Australia, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, United Kingdom.
    • Third country-nationals who are undertaking essential travel to the country are subject to the following restrictions: 
      • Must show evidence of a negative Covid test taken within 72 hrs. of arrival in the country. 
      • PCR test upon arrival. 
      • Quarantine for a week upon arrival.
  • Germany
    • Currently allows the unrestricted entry of residents of the following non-EU/Schengen countries: Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand. 
    • Residents of other non-EU/Schengen countries may travel to Germany only if their reason for doing so is classified as “urgent”.
    • In addition, Germany has an even stricter travel ban in place on those traveling from areas on this list, which are deemed “high risk”. Those permitted entry from high-risk areas must provide evidence of a negative Covid test and register through the online Digital Entry Restriction form. 
    • In general, everyone who enters Germany will be subject to the following restrictions: 
      • Must show evidence of a negative covid test taken within 48 hrs. of arriving in the country. 
      • Additionally, those who are entering the country from a high risk-area must quarantine post-arrival for a minimum of 10 days. 
  • Italy
    • Has currently banned all non-essential travel from non-EU/Schengen countries, with the exception of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Rwanda, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand.
    • Most third-country nationals of non-Schengen/EU countries not on the above list are banned from traveling to Italy except for essential reasons. 
    • All travelers entering the country must fill out this form and present it at the airport.
    • All travelers entering the country must present a negative COVID-19 test, taken within 48 hours of arriving in the country. 
    • In addition, any travelers arriving to Italy are subject to five day or 14-day quarantine, depending on where they are arriving from. 
  • Spain
    • At the moment, Spain broadly restricts non-essential travel from non/Schengen non-EU countries, with the exception of the following states: Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Rwanda, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand.
    • Anyone arriving from a non-Schengen/non-EU country that is not on the above list who is granted permission to travel to Spain must quarantine for 10 days upon arrival (please note quarantine can be cut short in the event that a negative Covid test is received self-isolation. 
    • Anyone arriving from those same countries must also present evidence of a negative COVID test prior to entering the country.
  • The Netherlands
    • Holland strongly discourages traveling during coronavirus. The country currently bans non-essential travelers from non-EU/non-Schengen countries, meaning that only travelers who fall into one of the exception categories on this list are allowed to enter the Netherlands from third-party countries.
    • If you are travelling for an essential reason but you are not arriving from one of the following “safe countries” (Australia, New Zealand, Rwanda, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand) you will need to receive a negative PCR test within 24 hours of departing for the Netherlands. 
    • Anyone arriving from a country not listed above must also quarantine for a minimum of 10 days in Holland upon arrival (please note that self-isolation periods can be cut short in the event a negative Covid test is received after the 5^th day in quarantine. 
    • Please note that people arriving from safe countries are exempt from testing and quarantine restricts pre-departure and post-arrival.

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Please note that the above information regarding European countries during the COVID-19 epidemic is subject to change. if you are planning on traveling to the Schengen area, make sure you check back for the latest update on COVID-19 EU entry.