News & Advice

A Complete Guide to Where Americans Can Travel in Europe

Although the U.S. is no longer on the European Union's Safe Travel List, many countries are still allowing American tourists to enter.
Scenic summer view of color buildings of Nyhavn in Copehnagen Denmark
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For Americans, the rules surrounding travel to Europe have no doubt been confusing. Over the summer, amid rising vaccination rates, a number of European countries reopened their borders to U.S. travelers once again. But recently, as the Delta variant has ripped through America, the European Union decided to remove the United States from its safe travel list.

That means that E.U. officials have advised countries that are members of the bloc to restrict non-essential travel from the United States. However, each European nation is free to make its own entry rules for tourists, with many still allowing fully vaccinated travelers from America to enter. So a European vacation could still be possible this fall, depending on where you're interested in traveling.

Whichever destination you have your eye on—whether it's for that first post-vaccination trip or to reunite with family—the most important thing is to read up on the destination's current COVID-19 situation and local travel restrictions, to ensure that any visit you plan is safe, considered, and respectful of those who call the country home. Read on for the current travel restrictions for 32 countries in Europe. (And remember to check back for updates.)

This article has been updated with new information since its original publish date. Additional reporting by Julia Buckley.

Austria

As of September 15, the U.S. is no longer in Austria’s low-risk category. However, fully vaccinated travelers and anyone who has recently recovered from COVID-19 won’t need to quarantine or complete any pre-registration documents. For those who’ve recently recovered, documentation can be a recovery certificate or proof of positive antibodies less than 90 days old.

Unvaccinated individuals can still travel to Austria, but they must pre-register and quarantine for 10 days upon entry. Quarantine can be shortened if you receive a negative COVID test no less than five days after entry.

The only travelers exempt from these guidelines are those traveling through Austria for business, Austrians, and those who are there for a layover of less than 24 hours. Find more information on Austria entry requirements here.

Croatia

Croatia has been open to U.S. travelers since July. However, the nation has implemented requirements for entry, including a pre-registration form, which can be found here. U.S. travelers must also present one of the following upon arrival for entry into Croatia:

  • a negative PCR test taken 72 hours before departure or an antigen test taken 48 hours before departure
  • proof of vaccination
  • proof of recovery from COVID-19

Tourists also have the option of performing a PCR test upon arrival and quarantining until they receive a negative result, or simply quarantining for 10 days.

There are quite a few categories of travelers who are exempt from showing extra documentation—like proof of vaccination or negative tests—including anyone arriving on the country's "Digital Nomad" visa.

Croatia has been open to travelers since July 2020.

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Within the country, bars and restaurants with outdoor spaces have been open since February, with some indoor dining allowed. Most museums are closed, and open venues that are hosting larger crowds may require proof of a negative test of vaccination, according to the U.S. embassy

Czech Republic

As of August 23, travelers from the U.S. are now considered “Very High Risk.” Vaccinated travelers are allowed to enter with a Personal Locator Form and proof of vaccination, while non-vaccinated travelers must arrive with proof of a negative PCR test taken within three days of arrival, or a negative antigen test taken within 24 hours of departure.

Travelers must show proof that they meet the above requirements in order to enter public spaces including restaurants, transportation, and stores. Face masks are required wherever social distancing isn’t possible, and in crowded public spaces.

Find more information on Czech travel here.

Denmark

Fully vaccinated visitors are exempt from quarantine and testing requirements. Unvaccinated U.S. travelers need a “worthy purpose” for entry, and must show proof. Most of these are work or education related. To find out if you qualify, here is a list from the Danish government. Unvaccinated travelers must also take a COVID test upon arrival at the airport. 

The Danish government recommends that you print out its guidelines and carry them with you at all times. 

France is currently welcoming vaccinated American travelers. 

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France

As of September 12, unvaccinated Americans are discouraged from traveling to France, and they must have a compelling reason for visiting. Fully vaccinated Americans are still permitted, as well as their minor children, as long as they provide proof of vaccinations and a sworn statement saying that they haven’t been in contact with anyone who has COVID-19. Only Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, and Johnson & Johnson are vaccines accepted by the French government. No quarantine or testing is necessary.

Unvaccinated travelers must self-quarantine for seven days then take a PCR test at the end of the isolation period. They will also need a sworn statement saying that they do not have COVID symptoms and haven’t been in contact with anyone with a confirmed case. Children under 11 are exempt from testing.

Germany

Germany has also classified the U.S. as a high-risk area, and it will require visitors to be fully vaccinated. That includes individuals who were in the U.S. less than 10 days before traveling to Germany. For unvaccinated travelers, they will need to provide a reason justifying why they need to enter the country. Any U.S. travelers, regardless of vaccination status, are required to register upon entry. Everyone must carry proof of vaccination or proof of recovery. Unvaccinated individuals may also be subject to quarantine pending a negative test after arrival.

Greece

Greece hasn’t changed its policies since reopening for U.S. tourists in April. Travelers must complete a Passenger Locator Form no later than the day before they arrive in the country. Travelers are exempt from testing if they provide proof of vaccination. Unvaccinated individuals must show a negative PCR test taken 72 hours before arrival, or a negative antigen test taken 48 hours before arrival. You can also be admitted if you had COVID less than 180 days prior to arrival (and you must have proof of recovery).

There are currently no curfews, but public transportation is limited. Proof of vaccination or recovery/negative test are required for indoor dining.

Iceland

Fully vaccinated travelers as well as those who have a certificate of recovery from COVID-19 are required to present a negative COVID-19 test (PCR or rapid antigen) taken no more than 72 hours before departure. Unvaccinated visitors to Iceland must take a PCR test within 72 hours of departure, then take another upon arrival. (Rapid antigen tests are not accepted for unvaccinated travelers.) They are then required to quarantine for five days, before taking another PCR test. 

Ireland

All visitors into Ireland must fill out the Passenger Locator Form prior to arrival, and need a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of their arrival. Vaccinated travelers and those who’ve had COVID within the last 180 may forgo the 14-day quarantine period required for all other travelers.

Italy

Italy is open to fully vaccinated American travelers and those who can present recovery from COVID within the past six months. All travelers must also have a negative PCR or antigen test within 72 hours of travel. Proof of vaccination requires that travelers are fully vaccinated with a European Medicines Agency (EMA)-recognized vaccine, which include Pfizer-BioNtech, Moderna, Johnson and Johnson, and AstraZeneca; Vaccine records can be shown via the E.U. Digital Green Certificate (download the Immuni app to get one), which is also necessary for most activities in the country. The U.S. Embassy in Italy says that U.S. travelers can also show their white vaccination card from the CDC. All travelers must complete a self-declaration form prior to entry.

In addition to presenting a negative test within 72 hours of departure, unvaccinated travelers must quarantine for five days then perform another PCR or antigen test at the end of the quarantine period. Children under the age of six are exempt from the testing requirement. Masks are required in any spaces where social distancing isn’t feasible.

The Netherlands

The Netherlands has designated the U.S. as a “high-risk” travel area. Only tourists who are fully vaccinated can enter the country, though, under the E.U. rules, some other travelers—like students or researchers—are also allowed to enter. (The full list of travelers allowed to enter the Netherlands can be found here.) All travelers must present a negative COVID-19 PCR test or negative antigen test performed within 24 hours prior to departure for entry to the Netherlands. As of September 22, fully vaccinated tourists no longer need to quarantine upon arrival, but everyone needs to complete a quarantine declaration form, even those who are fully vaccinated and exempt from the isolation period. The declaration can be completed online or printed. Masks are required in designated areas, and those who don’t abide will be fined 95 euros.

Portugal

Mainland Portugal's borders are now open to travelers from some countries, including the U.S. Before boarding a flight to Portugal, American travelers are required to show either a negative test (either rapid antigen taken within 48 hours, or a PCR test taken with 72 hours), or an E.U. Digital COVID certificate proving that you have been vaccinated, recently received a negative test result, or have recovered from COVID. Children under 12 do not need to present a test. All passengers must fill out a Passenger Locator Card before departure.

For travelers heading to islands of the Azores and Madeira, there is also an alternative option to take a free test upon arrival and wait in isolation for 12 to 24 hours for a negative result—or, in Madeira, perform voluntary isolation for 14 days at a home or hotel. Visitors to the Azores who plan to stay longer than seven days are required to take additional tests on the sixth and twelfth days of their stay. In addition to the Passenger Locator Card, Azores visitors must fill out a local questionnaire; Madeira visitors must register on the region's website.

Throughout the country, restaurants, cafes, and pastry shops are operating, but must close at 1 a.m. Alcoholic beverage sales are restricted, with a 9 p.m. cutoff in shops including supermarkets. Hotels are accepting guests, with “Clean & Safe” hygiene and safety measures outlined by the government.

Spain

Americans are allowed to visit Spain for tourism purposes if they are able to provide proof of vaccination. Unvaccinated travelers are not permitted, with the exception of essential travel. Also, visitors are required to present a QR code generated through the government's health portal for entry. The country is requiring face masks in all public spaces, including crowded outdoor areas.

Spain is open to American travelers with proof of vaccination.

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Switzerland

Switzerland is now open to U.S. citizens with proof of full vaccination, a recent negative COVID test, or proof of recovery from COVID. Unvaccinated travelers who have been in a country with a “variant of concern” in the last 10 days before entering Switzerland, who have not recovered from COVID in the last six months, must complete a mandatory 10-day quarantine upon arrival (there is an option to shorten this on day seven; details here). All travelers, including children, are required to fill out an entry form before arrival.

As of June 26, nightclubs are open, though they must require COVID certificates for entry. Events are also taking place, with compulsory COVID certificate checks for any event over 1,000 people. Masks are no longer required outdoors, and restaurants are open for indoor and outdoor dining.

Turkey

Turkey's government is currently welcoming international travelers, with U.S. visitors required to show a negative PCR test, proof of full vaccination, or recent recovery from COVID upon arrival. All travelers who have been in countries where variants have been prevalent—Brazil, India, South Africa—within the last 14 days must submit a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours, and undergo a mandatory 14-day quarantine, regardless of vaccination status.

The United Kingdom

The U.S. is currently on England’s “Amber List” of countries, meaning that upon arrival, U.S. tourists must show a negative COVID-19 test taken three days before departure; pre-book another COVID test to be taken in England on or before day two of their trip; and complete a passenger locator form, which can be done online 48 hours before arrival in England. Those who are not fully vaccinated must quarantine for 10 days and get tested on or before day two, then again on or after day eight.

Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland also have the same entry rules for fully vaccinated travelers from “Amber List” countries: They must show a negative test taken three days before departure; complete a passenger locator form; and take another test on day two of their trip.

From 4 a.m. on October 4, 2021, England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland will all get rid of their current red, amber, green traffic light system and just have a single red list of high-risk countries. After October 4, fully vaccinated travelers will not need to take a pre-departure test if they are traveling to England, Wales or Northern Ireland; Scotland will still require a negative test upon arrival.

Other countries

As of September 6, travelers to Albania from the U.S. must have a vaccine passport, a negative PCR test taken less than 72 hours before travel, or proof that they’ve recovered from COVID within the last six months. The country has imposed a curfew from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. Noncompliance can result in up to a $7,000 fine. Cyprus is currently open to American travelers, who must complete a Cyprus Flight Pass questionnaire and declaration form 24 hours prior to departure, in addition to taking a PCR test within 72 hours of departure (all vaccinated travelers are exempt from these entry requirements). Malta is open to vaccinated travelers, but vaccination cards must be approved through the VeriFly app. Unvaccinated travelers must submit themselves to 14-day quarantine in a government-selected hotel at the traveler's cost upon arrival.

Romania is open to U.S. citizens, who are exempt from the 14-day quarantine requirement if able to show proof of a negative test, vaccination, or recent recovery from COVID. Serbia is open to U.S. citizens with proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 48 hours. The only travelers exempt from testing have received the COVID-19 vaccines within Serbia. Ukraine is currently open to vaccinated travelers (CDC cards are considered acceptable proof), or those able to show a negative PCR or antigen test taken within 72 hours of entering the country; proof of medical insurance is also required, and mask wearing is mandatory. Unvaccinated travelers staying for more than three days must download the Vdoma app and undergo self-isolation for 10 days.

Finland is now open to vaccinated Americans, and they do not need to provide a negative PCR test. Unvaccinated travelers are only allowed for essential travel purposes, and they must provide a negative test. As of August 8, Americans can visit Hungary with a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of arrival. Poland is open to Americans, though travel is discouraged. A seven-day quarantine is necessary, then a negative test is required. Sweden has added U.S. travelers to its banned list, regardless of vaccination status. Only essential travel is permitted.

Belgium allows Americans who have a valid vaccination certificate. You must test upon arrival, and again seven days into your stay. Unvaccinated travelers must quarantine for 10 days and complete a passenger locator form. Norway is closed to all U.S. travelers, except family members and/or partners of Norway residents.

We’re reporting on how COVID-19 impacts travel on a daily basis. Find our latest coronavirus coverage here, or visit our complete guide to COVID-19 and travel.