Autumn holidays: which corona restrictions apply in Europe?

The autumn holidays have already started in some federal states. Those who travel must continue to expect restrictions in the corona pandemic. What applies where in Europe?

Autumn invites you to travel. But if you want to go on holiday in other European countries, you should take a close look at the current Corona rules. There are restrictions in some places.

France

Whether theater or club, museum or restaurant – access in France is only possible with proof of vaccination, test or recovery. This also applies to the outdoor areas. Such proof is also required for long-distance journeys by bus and train. Anyone entering mainland France from Europe needs proof of vaccination or a negative PCR or rapid test. In addition, travelers must have a Declaration to be symptom-free hand over. Proof is also required for the return journey to Germany. Corona tests are no longer free for foreigners in France. The number of infections in the country continues to decline. Most recently, the seven-day incidence nationwide was about 43.

Netherlands

In the Netherlands, many measures have already been lifted or relaxed so that life is almost normal again. For example, the 1.5 meter rule no longer applies. But before visiting restaurants, cultural and sporting events you have to prove with a Corona passport that you have been vaccinated, tested or recovered. The same applies to entry from Germany. The digital proof of the EU is recognized. Masks are only required for buses, trains and airports.

Denmark

Germany’s northernmost neighbor pulled the teeth out of the pandemic with high vaccination rates and lifted all corona restrictions in the country on September 10. Life in Denmark felt almost like it used to be, and there was no mask requirement for a long time. So nothing stands in the way of an autumn holiday in a holiday home on the Danish North Sea coast or a city trip to Copenhagen. The once very strict entry rules have also become looser and are being reduced further: Vaccinated, recovered and negatively tested holidaymakers from Germany can enter without restrictions. The corona-related border controls by the police will end on October 25.

Croatia

Tourists are required to provide a certificate proving that they have been vaccinated, recovered or tested. Hotels receive guests without restrictions. Restaurants and cafés are also allowed to serve in their interior areas, but only at the tables that are spaced apart. Only a certain number of people are allowed to attend public meetings. The number of infections has recently increased. From a German point of view, however, the country – in contrast to neighboring and transit country Slovenia – is not a high-risk area.

Great Britain

Visitors from Germany often shake their heads in Great Britain: Full pubs, museums, discos and theaters – in the largest part of England no vaccination certificate is required. New infections are stagnating at a very high level, with between 30,000 and 40,000 cases being reported every day. The government nevertheless relies on personal responsibility and the very high vaccination rate: 78.6 percent of those over twelve are fully vaccinated. There are actually only strict rules for entering the country. Even fully vaccinated people must book an expensive PCR test (at least 50 pounds / 58 euros) in advance and do it no later than the second day after arrival. Presumably in time for the start of the British autumn break on October 22nd, only a cheaper quick test should then be necessary. The 3G rule applies to the return journey to Germany.

Switzerland

In the interiors of restaurants and bars as well as cultural and leisure facilities, guests must show a corona certificate that proves a vaccination, recovery or a negative test. This also applies to zoos, indoor swimming pools or casinos, and for everyone over the age of 16. The EU certificate is recognized. No evidence is required in the outdoor areas of restaurants.

Anyone who has not been vaccinated or recovered must present a negative antigen or PCR test upon entry – regardless of whether they cross the border by plane or car. In addition, all those entering the country have to enter their contact details digitally. Anyone who has not done that and is caught must pay a fine of 100 francs (around 93 euros). The number of newly reported corona infections has been falling for a few weeks, but – as has been the case since the beginning of the pandemic – it is higher than in Germany.

Austria

Contrary to the original expectations of the experts, the corona situation remains stable. A few weeks before the start of the winter season, the rules of conduct have been announced, but the tourism industry does not yet have any detailed requirements. In general, it can be expected that the 3G rule will apply in many cases. You have to be tested, recovered or vaccinated as soon as you arrive. People who have been vaccinated have it easier in everyday life: they only have to wear FFP2 masks in supermarkets and public transport. For unvaccinated people, the mask requirement also applies in all other shops and cultural institutions. Only in Vienna are the requirements stricter.

Italy

The corona situation in Italy has remained at a relaxed level for weeks. The infection numbers do not give cause for concern, experts are already daring predictions about an end to the Covid period. They attribute this primarily to the good vaccination progress – in Italy, 85 percent of people over the age of twelve have been vaccinated at least once. The central tool against the spread of corona is the “Green Pass”, i.e. proof of vaccination, recovery or a negative test. Children under the age of twelve do not yet need to have a passport.

Tourists need the passport – the EU certificate common in Germany applies – to enter museums, cinemas, sports facilities, discos and restaurants, for example. Long-distance trains, cable cars and ferries also require the pass. When entering the country, all adults and children from the age of six must fill out an online registration form and provide proof of vaccination, recovery or a Covid test.


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Greece and Cyprus

Before entering Greece, visitors enter their details on a website (travel.gov.gr) and receive a QR code for tracking. They must also have a recent negative rapid test or be fully vaccinated. This also applies to children from the age of twelve. Cyprus ranks Germany in the red, i.e. severely affected, category. This means for all immigrants who have not been proven to have been vaccinated or recovered that they have to take a test both before and after arrival and have to pay for it themselves. In addition, the “Cyprus Flight Pass” must be applied for on a website (“cyprusflightpass.gov.cy”) at least 48 hours prior to entry and must always be carried with you during your vacation.

Spain and Portugal

In the two popular holiday countries Spain and Portugal, almost all corona restrictions have now been lifted. A digital entry form must still be filled out for entry. And anyone over twelve years old and not fully vaccinated or recovered from Corona must have a negative test. But in the countries themselves it is almost like before Corona.

In Spain there is still a mask requirement in public interiors and on buses and trains, outdoors only if a minimum distance of 1.5 meters cannot be maintained. In Portugal, the mask is only required in public transport, in old people’s homes, hospitals, as well as in theaters, cinemas and shopping centers. The mask may be taken off in retail stores, restaurants and outdoors.

The nightlife is also largely unrestricted. For bars, clubs and discos, however, the 3G rule applies in both countries, i.e. only those who have been vaccinated, recovered or tested are allowed to come. In Spain the seven-day incidence was recently only around 20, in Portugal it was 40.

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DPA

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