List of Europe countries that are gradually easing travel restrictions
Amidst the COVID-19 outbreak, almost every country across the globe had imposed restrictions to contain it. Now, countries across Europe have started to ease lockdown measures, and are gearing up to resume both domestic and international travels.
On Monday, parts of Spain and Italy, in view of low Coronavirus infection rates, began to ease lockdown measures, and opened restaurants, bars, museums, and non-essential shops. Also, on May 16, Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte signed a decree that stated foreign tourism will be allowed to resume from June 3. Likewise, Belgium, Portugal, Poland, and Denmark are also reopening shops, restaurants and bars, and some attractions, however, with limited capacity and ensuring health and safety measures are in place.
Here’s a list of European countries that are gradually easing lockdown and travel restrictions.
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Austria - Cross-border travel will be allowed primarily with neighbouring countries. Reportedly, borders are due to open with Switzerland, Germany, Czech Republic, Liechtenstein, Hungary, and Slovenia on June 15. Vienna, Salzburg, and Innsbruck airports are operational, but with limited services until 31 May, at the earliest. Bars and restaurants are open, whereas hotels will open from 29 May. Masks mandatory in shops and on public transports. No large events until June. Health certificate necessary for entry, and those without certificate, must self-isolate for 14 days. Testing facility available at Vienna airport for €190.
Belgium – International travel likely to be open from June 15. Public transport is operating, where masks are mandatory. Museums open from May 18, whereas some tourist attractions, cafes, restaurants will start to reopen from June 8 onward. Currently, all travellers arriving in Belgium must self-isolate for 14 days. If, from mid-June, the EU’s external borders reopen, Belgium travel is likely on cards even for non-European holidaymakers, if their national travel rules permit.
Bulgaria – Some direct flights are operating between London and Sofia for essential travel. Some hotels, markets, restaurants, bars, national parks are also open.
Croatia - Some border crossings on major routes are open for limited traffic. No date announced for borders reopening to other tourists. Some international and domestic flights operating and transit permitted. Parks, shops, museums, hotels and outdoor restaurants and bars are open, and some public transport is operating.
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Cyprus – Cyprus wants to be open for tourists by July, and will begin resuming operations of seaports and airports in stages, i.e., between June 9 and July 13. Further, open-air cinemas, theatres, hotels, and shopping malls reopen. However, no policy regarding tourist arrivals has been released yet. Beaches and museums will likely reopen from 1 June, whereas outdoor play areas, parks, historical and archaeological sites are set to reopen from 21 May.
Czech Republic – No dates revealed yet for border reopening. As of now, no indication regarding when inbound tourism will resume in the country, but Czechia like many European countries will likely give green light first to leisure visits from neighbours. Shops, pubs, outdoor restaurants, and museums are open, whereas, outdoor campsites, hotels, and other accommodation will reopen from 25 May.
Denmark – As per the Danish Government, it will decide on travel advice and border control by 1 June. Parks, shops, and some hotels are open; public transport is also operating. Bars and restaurants are set to reopen from 18 May. Cinemas, theatres, and sports facilities are due to reopen after 8 June.
Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania – Currently, travellers from within the ‘travel bubble’ of Baltic countries are allowed entry.
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Finland – No date announced yet for border opening. Shops are open, whereas bars, restaurants, and cultural institutions are set to open from 1 June. Hotels and ski resorts remain closed.
France – Borders due to reopen. Public transport running more frequently. Restaurants and bars are likely to reopen from June 2, whereas some parks, large museums, and beaches will stay closed till June 1. A health certificate stating he does not have Coronavirus will be required by a traveller to enter the country till at least July, or else will have to opt for an alternative of 14 days’ self-isolation.
Germany – Borders yet to open. Limited flights allowed only for essential travel. Some shops have reopened, whereas hotels are due to open on May 25. Large events are likely to be possible after August.
Greece - Borders to reopen for international tourists from July 1. Some indirect international flights are operating, and direct flights with the United Kingdom are due to resume from June 1. Currently, all travellers arriving must self-isolate for 14 days on arrival. Throughout June, cafes, malls, restaurants, hotels, cinemas, amusement parks, and other sports facilities will start to open gradually. Large gatherings, including sporting events and festivals, are unlikely to return this summer.
Hungary - Borders set to open with Austria from June 15. Limited flights are operating. Further, in Budapest, parks, shops, and outdoor bars and restaurants are open. Masks are mandatory across the country.
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Iceland - The government will likely ease restrictions on international arrivals by no later than 15 June. Borders have remained open to Schengen countries. Also, a health certificate will be required on entry, or one can opt for an alternative of 14 days’ self-isolation. Further, tourists arriving in the country will need to download the country’s tracing app. Some flights are operating, as are some taxis and buses. Social distancing must be done in public places.
Ireland - Some ferry services and flights will continue to operate between the United Kingdom and Ireland. All arrivals will be subject to 14 days’ self-isolation, and are required to provide details of accommodation while in Ireland. Public transport is allowed but limited. Some pubs and restaurants reopen from June 29, whereas museums, hotels, and galleries are to reopen from July 20.
Italy - Borders are set to reopen to tourists from June 3. Restaurants are allowed to sell takeaway food, parks are open; bars, restaurants, museums, and non-essential will reopen from today. Hotels will likely reopen from June, however, that will depend on bookings.
Luxembourg - Borders are open with Germany. Restaurants, shops, hotels are set to reopen after May 25, and masks are mandatory in all public spaces. No date announced for borders reopening yet.
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Malta - No date announced yet for borders reopening. Airport likely to reopen by the end of May. All travellers arriving must currently self-isolate for 14 days. Bars, restaurants, hotels likely to open by early June; masks mandatory in all public spaces.
Netherlands - Borders are open for tourists from Schengen countries. Some flights are operating with the United Kingdom, but one must undergo a complete health declaration. Hotels and some shops are open. Outdoor bars and restaurants, museums, cinemas, and music venues are set to open from June 1, whereas holiday parks and campsites are due to open on July 1.
Norway – Dates not announced yet for borders reopening. Some hotels, restaurants, and shops are open. Events with a gathering of up to 50 people allowed, as such music venues, some parks, galleries, and others likely to reopen from 15 June.
Poland - Borders for international tourists likely to be open from June 13. Restrictions are being lifted gradually since May 4, and travel to beaches, national parks, and cities is permitted now. International flights are likely to start operating again from May 23. As of now, all arrivals must self-isolate for 14 days. Hotels were allowed to open from 4 May, but without catering. Art galleries, museums, and shops due to open from May 18. Masks mandatory in public spaces.
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Portugal - Borders for international tourists likely to open in 2020. Public transport is allowed, but running at a reduced capacity. Bars and restaurants are permitted in many regions to open, but with limited capacity. Many hotels in Algarve are already open, whereas its beaches are set to open in June. Hon-essential travel is not allowed there, and health screenings are mandatory.
Romania – Dates not yet announced for borders reopening to non-essential travel. Hotels, museums, restaurants, and some shops are now open, and some direct flights are also set to resume. Face masks are mandatory in public spaces.
Slovakia - No date announced yet for reopening borders to non-essential travel. Some outdoor markets, shops, outdoor sports venues, outdoor tourist attractions, museums, outdoor bars and restaurants, galleries are open. Public transport and taxis are operating. Masks mandatory in public spaces.
Slovenia – It will reopen in a phased manner. Flight operations are limited; currently, all arrivals from outside the EU must provide proof of accommodation, and self-isolate for seven days. Shops, hotels, galleries, and outdoor bars and restaurants are. Taxis and some public transport are permitted; masks mandatory in public spaces. Some tourist attractions are also set to reopen.
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Spain – Dates not yet announced for border reopening yet. The country will reopen in stages. Very limited flights are operating for essential travel only. Travellers arriving in the country must self-isolate for 14 days. One can travel by car around a province, but not allowed to travel between different provinces yet. Many hotels are open, and in less affected regions, some outdoor bars and restaurants are allowed to open, but not fully operational. Museums are also allowed to open, but with a limited capacity.
Sweden - Borders are open to EU countries and UK nationals. Limited flights are also operating between Stockholm and London. Further, as Sweden never went into full lockdown, shops, hotels, restaurants, bars, and some museums are open.
Switzerland - Border crossings to and from France, Germany, and Austria are set to reopen from 15 June. Shops, hotels, restaurants, and markets are open. Masks recommended in public spaces. Theatres, cinemas, museums, ski resorts, outdoor sports with up to five people, mountain services, and other leisure activities likely to resume from June 8.
Turkey – Dates not announced for border reopening yet. Domestic flight remains suspended, international flights. Restaurants and hotels set to reopen from May 27. Face masks mandatory in public spaces. Measures across provinces vary, which might change at short notice.