EU Travel: Which Countries Open To Americans, Vaccinated Or Not? Country-By-Country For December

It is the worst possible timing. Just as Europe is in the grip of what France is calling the cinquième vague of Covid-19 (the fifth wave) battling the Delta variant, the WHO officially declared there to be a new variant of concern and named it Omicron.

The New York Times summed it up succinctly: “the discovery of the Omicron variant adds further pressure to an already buckling continent” and leads to a new crisis in pandemic management across the bloc:

• The European Commission president, Ursula van der Leyen called on the EU bloc to make vaccinations mandatory for its citizens–Greece and Austria have declared that intention and Germany is considering it. Van der Leyen said that although 77% of adults in the EU were vaccinated, one third still wasn’t, meaning 150 million people and “that is a lot.” She said that the EU should “potentially think about mandatory vaccination within the European Union.”
• Part of the issue is in the discrepancy in vaccination rates across the EU bloc. Portugal and Malta have incredibly high vaccination rates at 87% and 86% of residents vaccinated respectively–some of the highest in the world–whilst Romania has only 38% and Bulgaria only 25% vaccinated.
• A major fuel has been the return of unvaccinated schoolchildren to the classroom, which has caused rates to spike and the fact that many EU countries vaccinated their populations in spring and summer, so without boosters, people’s immunity is reducing on a weekly basis. The colder weather and the fact that people are staying inside more, will also contribute to increased infection rates, as it did in 2020.

Here is the guide to which EU countries are currently accepting U.S. travelers (as at the beginning of December), what travelers need in order to enter, and if they need to be vaccinated. As ever, these rules are in flux and liable to change from the time a trip is booked to the departure date, particularly for unvaccinated U.S. passengers (which might impact on insurance policies)–this has never been more true as the world holds its breath to see if the new Covid-19 variant Omicron poses a threat or is simply a small blip on the pandemic landscape.

Austria (EU)

A temporary lockdown is in effect from 22 November until 12 December and so all non-essential travel is currently banned for tourist reasons.

Belgium (EU)

Vaccinated–U.S. travelers are allowed. Passengers can arrive with a negative test result (PCR taken no more than 72 hours prior to arrival or a negative RAT test no more than 24 hours prior to arrival) and not need to go into quarantine. Or they can decide to take a Covid-19 test upon arrival and go into quarantine until results come back from tests taken on day 1 or 2 and they must test again on day 7. Passengers also need to fill out a Passenger Locator Form in the 48 hours before they arrive.

Unvaccinated–U.S. travelers are not allowed for non-essential travel.

Bulgaria (EU)

Vaccinated–U.S. travelers allowed. Everyone must either show a valid EU Digital Covid Certificate, have proof of a negative PCR/antigen test result or enter a ten-day quarantine.

Unvaccinated–U.S. travelers allowed. Everyone must either show a valid EU Digital Covid Certificate, have proof of a negative PCR/antigen test result or enter a ten-day quarantine.

The U.S. is currently classified as an orange country.

Croatia (EU)

Vaccinated–U.S. travelers allowed, providing the inoculation happened in the past 365 days (or if they can prove they have had Covid-19 in the 11 to 365 days before arrival).

Unvaccinated–U.S. travelers allowed, with proof of a negative test result taken no more than 72 (PCR) or 48 (antigen) hours before arrival at the Croatian border. Or they can get tested at the border and head into quarantine, or they can choose not to get tested and enter a ten-day quarantine for the duration.

Everyone arriving for tourist reasons must also show proof of paid accommodation for the entirety of their stay upon arrival, vaccinated or not. This is non negotiable.

Cyprus (EU)

Vaccinated–U.S. travelers allowed, for anyone who has been vaccinated with an EU-approved vaccine and also the Sputnik (Gam-COVID-Vac) or the Sinopharm (BBIBP COVID-19) vaccine and anyone who can prove to have had Covid-19 in the past 180 days. Proof can be uploaded into the Cyprus Flight Pass up to 48 hours before arrival.

Unvaccinated–U.S. travelers allowed with a negative PCR Covid-19 test result taken no more than 72 hours before departure and they will need to take another test upon arrival, at their own expense. Children under 12 are exempt from testing.

The Czech Republic (EU)

Vaccinated–U.S. travelers allowed. Anyone showing proof of vaccination or having had Covid-19 in the past 180 days or children aged 6-12 do not need to test or self-isolate. Arrivals must just fill in the Passenger Locator Form.

Unvaccinated–U.S. travelers allowed but with testing. The U.S. is now classified as very-high risk, meaning that passengers must arrive with a negative PCR test result, and must take a PCR test after arrival.

Denmark (EU)

Vaccinated–U.S. travelers allowed if they can prove they have legal permanent residence or a residence permit in an EU/Schengen/OECD country.

Unvaccinated–U.S. travelers allowed but must take a test within 24 hours of arrival and self-isolate for 10 days after arriving in Denmark. People may ‘test out’ of quarantine on day 6 with a negative PCR test result.

Estonia (EU)

Vaccinated–U.S. travelers allowed with a vaccine passport, a copy of the passport, or an officially verified excerpt from a database in a foreign country in either the Latin or Cyrillic alphabet.

Unvaccinated–U.S. travelers not allowed, except if visiting for work, studying, family reasons, or under a special permit. They would also need to provide a negative test result and enter a ten-day quarantine.

Finland (EU)

Vaccinated–U.S. travelers allowed (or anyone who has had Covid-19 can enter).

Unvaccinated–U.S. travelers not allowed, as outside of the EU/Schengen area, there is a non-essential travel ban in place (with the exception of EU safe list countries).

Finland has one of the easiest posters to understand (of any country in the world) depicting who can and who can’t currently visit the country.

France (EU)

Vaccinated–U.S. travelers allowed with a negative test result (PCR, although some antigen tests are allowed) and taken no more than 48 hours before arrival. All visitors must also sign a statement to say that, to the best of their knowledge, they do not have Covid-19.

Unvaccinated–U.S. travelers not allowed for non-essential travel, as the U.S. is currently on the orange list.

Germany (EU)

Vaccinated–U.S. travelers allowed after filling in the Digital Registration On Entry.

Unvaccinated–U.S. travelers not allowed for non-essential reasons. 

Greece (EU)

Vaccinated–U.S. travelers allowed without any testing (as well as those people who can prove they had Covid-19 in the past 30-180 days).

Unvaccinated–U.S. travelers allowed but must have taken a Covid-19 PCR test and received a negative result no more than 72 hours before departure or a negative RAT test result taken no more than 48 hours before arrival.

Hungary (EU)

Vaccinated–U.S. travelers allowed with an EU Digital Covid Certificate. If they don’t have an EUDCC, they must have a negative PCR test result taken no more than 72 hours before arrival.

Unvaccinated–U.S. travelers allowed (as there are aren’t any restrictions for passengers arriving into Hungary) with a negative PCR test result taken no more than 72hrs before arrival in an EU, OECD, NATO member state or Russia, China, the UAE, Bahrain, or a Turkic Council member state (Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkey, Uzbekistan).

Iceland (Schengen)

Vaccinated–U.S. travelers allowed and most passengers must have a negative test taken within 72 hours of departure. Passengers recovered from Covid-19 who have proof of a positive PCR test taken 14 to 180 days prior to the flight do not have to supply a negative test.

Unvaccinated–U.S. travelers allowed (if they can prove they are true U.S. residents) but only with a negative PCR test result, taken no more than 72 hours before departure (antigen tests are not allowed) and they then must enter a five-day quarantine.

All travelers need to pre-register before arriving.

Ireland (EU)

Vaccinated–U.S. travelers allowed, with either an antigen test result, taken no more than 48 hours before arrival or a PCR test result taken no more than 72 hours before arrival.

Unvaccinated–U.S. travelers allowed with a negative PCR Covid-19 test result taken within 72 hours before arrival.

All U.S. visitors must fill out a Passenger Locator Form.

Italy (EU)

Vaccinated–U.S. travelers allowed with a negative Covid-19 test result, taken no more than 72 hours before arrival (antigen or PCR).

Unvaccinated–U.S. travelers allowed with a negative Covid-19 test result and must enter a five-day quarantine, even if the Covid-19 test result is negative. At the end of the five-day quarantine, they are also required to take an antigen or PCR test to leave self-isolation.

Latvia (EU)

Vaccinated–U.S. travelers allowed as Latvia recognises CDC vaccination certificates. U.S. travelers will receive a short-term vaccination certificate valid for 30 days, which allows access to public events etc.

Unvaccinated–U.S. travelers not allowed for non-essential travel. If travel is essential, travelers from the U.S. must be in possession of a negative Covid-19 PCR test taken in the last 72 hours before arrival, they enter a ten-day quarantine and take a further test 24 hours after arrival.

Lithuania (EU)

Vaccinated–U.S. travelers allowed.

Unvaccinated–U.S. travelers allowed but must show a negative PCR or antigen test result (for people aged 16 years or older) and then enter a ten-day quarantine, with the ability to ‘test out’ on day seven. The U.S. is currently on the red list, as are many other countries, including the U.K.

Everyone needs to fill out a questionnaire 48 hours before arrival.

Luxembourg (EU)

Vaccinated–U.S. travelers allowed, because Luxembourg now recognises CDC vaccine certificates.

Unvaccinated–U.S. travelers not allowed.

Malta (EU)

Vaccinated–U.S. travelers allowed. Passengers must ensure that CDC vaccination cards have been verified through the VeriFLY app to be accepted as a valid vaccination certificate. 

Unvaccinated–U.S. travelers not allowed. All travelers must be vaccinated to arrive into Malta or they have to enter a government-mandated hotel for a ten-day quarantine at their own expense. Negative Covid-19 test results will not be accepted to gain entry without a valid vaccination certificate.

The Netherlands (EU)

Vaccinated–U.S. travelers allowed, with no additional testing required.

Unvaccinated–U.S. travelers allowed, with a PCR test taken 72 hours before arrival.

Norway (Schengen)

Vaccinated–U.S. travelers not allowed. Only travelers who can show a valid EU Digital Covid Certificate can enter.

Unvaccinated–U.S. travelers not allowed.

Poland (EU)

Vaccinated–U.S. travelers allowed without quarantine.

Unvaccinated–U.S. travelers allowed but they must quarantine for 14 days (extended from 10 days from 1 December) but they can ‘test out’ after day 8 of self-isolation.

Portugal (EU)

Vaccinated–U.S. travelers allowed with a negative PCR (taken 72 hours before) or antigen (taken 48 hours before) test result.

Unvaccinated–U.S. travelers allowed with a negative PCR (taken 72 hours before) or antigen (taken 48 hours before) test result.

All U.S. visitors must fill out a Registration Form.

Romania (EU)

Vaccinated–U.S. travelers allowed. If travelers have been vaccinated at least 14 days before arrival, they do not need to quarantine, nor if they have had Covid-19 during the past 90 days.

Unvaccinated–U.S. travelers allowed but must quarantine for 14 days if they are not vaccinated, even with proof of a negative Covid-19 test result. A negative Covid-19 test result will allow travelers to be released from self-isolation after day ten.

Slovakia (EU)

Vaccinated–U.S. travelers allowed, without quarantine (but must carry proof of vaccination at all times).

Unvaccinated–U.S. travelers allowed but must quarantine for 10 days (it is possible to test out after day five).

All arrivals must register before entry into Slovakia.

Slovenia (EU)

Vaccinated–U.S. travelers allowed, and there is a long list of accepted vaccines.

Unvaccinated–U.S. travelers allowed with a negative PCR test, no older than 72 hours or a negative antigen test, no older than 48 hours.

Everyone must fill in a pre-arrival form.

Spain (EU)

Vaccinated–U.S. travelers allowed with a QR code generated through the Spanish portal.

Unvaccinated–U.S. travelers not allowed, except for a few exceptions.

Sweden (EU)

Vaccinated–U.S. travelers allowed as the U.S. is on the approved list of countries meaning that vaccine certificates issued in these countries are considered equal to the EU Digital Covid Certificate.

Unvaccinated–U.S. travelers not allowed.

Switzerland (Schengen)

Vaccinated–U.S. travelers allowed with new testing requirements. Everyone must take a Covid-19 test before entering and between days 4 and 7 after arrival (antigen or PCR).

Unvaccinated–U.S. travelers not allowed for non-essential travel.

There is a helpful tool for determining if you are currently allowed entry into Switzerland.

England (not EU or Schengen)

Vaccinated–U.S. travelers allowed with a short quarantine while waiting for negative test results. Anyone arriving into the U.K. over the age of 12 will be required to show a negative Covid-19 test result taken no more than 48 hours before departure–even if they are fully vaccinated. This can be a PCR or a lateral flow test. Upon arrival, a PCR test must be taken within 2 days. Both the pre-departure and arrival tests must be booked via private providers, adding to the cost of any trips. Whilst waiting for a result, all travelers must quarantine until a negative result is obtained.

Unvaccinated–U.S. travelers allowed with quarantine and testing. Passengers need a negative Covid-19 test before departure and they will need to self-isolate for ten days upon arriving to the U.K and test on days 2 and 8.

All arriving passengers into the U.K. must fill in a Passenger Locator Form in the 48 hours before arrival.