Which European Countries Opened Their Borders During The Pandemic?

Around the world, countries have begun to open their borders after weeks of closure during the coronavirus pandemic. In Europe, the situation is still uncertain, and each country is imposing its own schedule and rules for reopening its borders.

Since early July, the EU has reported that the bloc is opening its external borders to 15 countries. They are Algeria, Australia, Canada, Georgia, Japan, Montenegro, Morocco, New Zealand, Rwanda, Serbia, South Korea, Thailand, Tunisia, Uruguay, and China (subject to confirmation of reciprocity).

However, member states are not legally obligated to follow these recommendations. According to the EU, the list will be updated every two weeks.

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ALBANIA

Commercial flights reopened in Albania on June 15. All residents and European citizens can enter Albania. You can fly to Albania from Austria, Germany, Greece, Italy, Serbia, the United Kingdom, and Turkey.

AUSTRIA

It opened its borders on June 4 to Germany, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Slovakia, Slovenia, Hungary, and the Czech Republic, and Italy on June 16. Travelers from Portugal, Sweden, and the United Kingdom must self-isolate for two weeks. If you are traveling from any other country to Austria, you must present a medical certificate proving that you have a negative COVID-19 test (the certificate cannot be more than four days old).

BELGIUM

Belgium opened its borders with the EU, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Iceland, and Norway. There is no quarantine requirement or integrity certificate.

BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

It is only open to people from Croatia, Montenegro, and Serbia. Exceptions include freight drivers, residents, and diplomats.

BULGARIA

On June 1, Bulgaria’s borders were opened to Andorra, Monaco, the United Kingdom, San Marino, Serbia, and North Macedonia, as well as Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro. However, exemptions remain for Belgium, Portugal, Sweden, and the United Kingdom, which must self-isolate for 14 days.

CROATIA

It opened its borders in mid-May, without restrictions for nationals of the Czech Republic, Hungary, Austria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovenia, Germany, and Slovakia. However, on June 25, Croatia imposed quarantine on travelers from North Macedonia, Serbia, Kosovo, and Bosnia. Borders remain open for citizens of the United Kingdom and the EU without the need for quarantine.

DENMARK

Most of Denmark’s borders have reopened for EU countries. However, Denmark remains closed to Sweden and Portugal, but a list of open and closed countries is updated weekly.

FINLAND

As of June 15, Finland allowed travelers from Norway, Denmark, Iceland, Latvia, and Lithuania to enter without the need for quarantine. On July 13, travel restrictions for Germany, Italy, Austria, Greece, Switzerland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Hungary, Liechtenstein, Ireland, Cyprus, and Croatia will be lifted.

FRANCE

Travelers from EU member states can visit France starting June 15, without the need for quarantine upon arrival. However, travelers from Spain and the United Kingdom are being asked to voluntarily quarantine for 14 days.

GERMANY

On June 15, Germany lifted border restrictions for those traveling from the EU, Norway, Iceland, the United Kingdom, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland. Germany chose to extend its travel advisories for outside the EU until August 31.

ITALY

After a nationwide lockdown that took effect on March 9, Italy opened its borders on June 3 to the EU, the United Kingdom, the Schengen area, Andorra, and Monaco, as well as Vatican City and San Marino. Travelers from these countries do not need to quarantine unless they have been in a different country 14 days prior to arriving in Italy.

NETHERLANDS

Now, EU citizens, including British citizens, can enter the Netherlands. Those entering from the United Kingdom and Sweden are being asked to self-isolate for 14 days. There are still strict requirements regarding social distancing, agitation, and hand washing.

NORWAY

Travelers from EEA/Schengen countries with acceptable infection levels will be able to visit the country starting July 15. Norway’s Institute of Public Health will update a map showing areas exempt from quarantine tax on July 10. The list will be updated every two weeks. Those leaving Norway for international travel must quarantine for 10 days.

RUSSIA

On June 8, Russia partially reopened its borders. The government said that travel abroad is allowed for professional, medical, or study purposes, as well as caring for relatives. There is no date set for the resumption of international flights that were suspended at the end of March.

SPAIN

On June 21, Spain opened its borders to the United Kingdom, EU member states, and countries in the Schengen area, none of which require self-isolation. Portugal was the only exception to the rule, but the border between the two countries reopened on July 1.

SWEDEN

Sweden imposed border restrictions, but this only applies to non-essential travel from countries outside the EU/EEA, with the exception of the United Kingdom and Switzerland.

UNITED KINGDOM

As of June 8, visitors from abroad were required to quarantine for 14 days. Countries exempt from this measure include those traveling from the Isle of Man, Channel Islands, and Ireland. As of July 3, the United Kingdom announced plans to remove its quarantine rule for several countries it considered low risk, including France, Spain, Germany, and Italy. On July 10, this took effect, meaning that people traveling from these countries will not need to self-isolate for 14 days.