With the help of the EU-wide Covid Certificate, most borders within the Union have remained open in spite of increasing infection numbers. Nevertheless, most countries still apply different rules when it comes to application of the document.
In France, for instance, the CovidCheck became mandatory for all cultural and recreational activities as of 21 July. The rule applies to both indoor and outdoor events where more than 50 people gather, starting at the age of 18. Next week, the French government will go even further and introduce the measure for bars, cafés, restaurants, as well as transportation methods like trains and planes.
Authorities will further extend the rule down to 12-year-olds, which will come into force on 30 August, meaning later than initially planned. Local officials will also be allowed to require the CovidCheck mechanism in shopping malls.
At the moment, people travelling from the Grand Duchy also need a valid Certificate to enter France, which means either having received the final vaccine jab more than seven days prior to travelling, a negative PCR test no older than 72 hours, or a negative antigen test no older than 48 hours. On top of that, people have to fill out a form to confirm that they have not been in contact with an infected person 24 hours prior to travelling.
Austria already chose to open its hospitality and cultural sectors on 1 July by making the Covid Certificate a mandatory requirement right from the start.
In Italy, the mechanism will be further implemented as of next week, affecting bars, restaurants, museums, as well as sport events. The country will officially remain in a state of emergency until the end of the year and local rules vary depending on infection numbers. Children below the age of six are exempt from all rules.
For the time being, the Covid Certificate is only necessary when entering the country via air travel. Nevertheless, discussions around mandatory testing procedures for unvaccinated people are currently being held on both state and country level.
People travelling form so-called “high incidence areas”, as well as “virus variant areas”, will also have to quarantine after entering the country. At the moment, the Grand Duchy is exempt from these procedures.
Starting next Monday, mandatory quarantine rules for fully vaccinated travellers from the United States and EU will be dropped. According to BBC reports, fully vaccinated travellers arriving from an amber list country within the EU or the US will no longer need to quarantine. Previously, this exception only applied to those who had received their vaccination in the UK. There is however an exception for travellers from France, who face tougher rules and, while on the amber list, will still need to quarantine.
They will still need to take either a lateral flow (rapid) or PCR test prior to departure, however, as well as a PCR test on the second day after their arrival. Those aged under 18 will be exempt from isolating, but may require a test depending on their age.
For travellers from countries classified as “red”, no changes are to be expected at the moment.
For trips shorter than 48 hours, people travelling to Belgium do not have to follow any rules. However, given that the Grand Duchy is currently classified as “red”, travellers above the age of twelve will have be vaccinated at least two weeks prior to departure, recovered, or negatively tested if they intend to stay longer than two days. Furthermore, people have to register their trip with local authorities.
In the Netherlands, the Covid Certificate is required for all travellers above the age of thirteen. In Switzerland, the mechanism applies to everyone above the age of 16.
In Spain, the Certificate applies to travellers above the age of twelve. Recreational activities are however not tied to the mechanism. Travelling to Portugal needs to be registered in advance with local authorities, while air travel requires the Certificate again. Hotels in Portugal will also be allowed to require a negative test. Restrictions may however vary between regions.
In Malta, only people who have been fully vaccinated for at least two weeks will be allowed in without further restrictions, a rule which applies to everyone above the age of twelve. Others will have to quarantine for two full weeks. Children between the age of five and twelve only need a negative PCR test. There are no restrictions for children below the age of five.
In Norway, unvaccinated people above the age of twelve will have to quarantine for ten days. In Iceland, the same rule applies, while people are allowed to take a test five days after arrival.
In Sweden, the Covid Certificate only applies for people above the age of 18. There are no quarantine rules.
For an updated overview of European travel restrictions, please consult the following link before making a trip abroad:
