The European Union has added the United States to its list of entry countries.
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IIt has been 15 months – 458 days to be precise – since the majority of Americans were denied entry to Europe due to the pandemic, a period of restricted transatlantic travel that lasted much longer than many could have imagined. But on June 18, the United States was accepted into the EU list of countries admitted to the country.
What does the move mean for US travelers planning to travel to Europe? It matters in that it gives EU countries (that have not yet done so) the green light to lift restrictions on US travelers. Being on this list also opens up travel opportunities for unvaccinated US travelers, not just vaccinated ones. On May 20, the heads of state and government of the European Union had already agreed on this Measures to enable fully vaccinated visitors to join the 27-nation bloc.
Once countries like the United States reach certain epidemiological benchmarks (e.g., no more than 75 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 population), they can be considered for the list of approved countries, lifting restrictions on non-essential travel can be independent of the vaccination status.
In reality, in the weeks leading up to this announcement, several European countries had already started opening up to the Americans, including France, Greece, Iceland, Portugal, Spain, and Italy. Some, like France, required US travelers to be vaccinated; others, like Portugal, did not require vaccination.
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The European Council, which made the recommendation, has demanded throughout the pandemic that member countries act in a “coordinated” manner. However, its recommendations are not legally binding and every country in Europe has the final say on what exactly its requirements are and will be for travelers entering its borders.
But now that the United States is on the approved travel list, it is likely that European Union countries that have not yet announced their plans to readmit US travelers will do so.
Such an example? Germany, which has followed the recommendations of the European Council, has already announced which, from June 20, will allow travelers on the new approved list of countries to have “unlimited entry”. So far, the USA was considered an “international risk area” by Germany, travelers from the USA had to prove a negative COVID-19-PCR upon entry and then quarantine for up to 10 days. As of June 20, US travelers will be required to provide either a negative COVID-19 test result, proof of vaccination, or proof of recovery from COVID-19 and will not be required to be quarantined.
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We could also see some countries adapting their requirements. For example, on June 18, the day the European Council made its recommendation, France moved the United States to its “green list“Of countries open to unvaccinated travelers as long as they submit a negative COVID-19 PCR or antigen test performed within 72 years of boarding. Previously, the United States was on the “orange list” of countries in France, and only vaccinated vacationers were allowed in from the United States with a negative COVID-19 PCR or antigen test.
Before the easing of the restrictions, travelers from the US and other countries not on the list were only allowed to enter Europe if they were EU citizens, residents, or were traveling for essential reasons, such as work, study or a family emergency – with very few additional exceptions. The more than one year travel ban from the USA to Europe not only severely hampered the formerly flourishing tourism industry in Europe, but also separated loved ones for months.
As mentioned above, the recommendations of the European Council are non-binding and European countries can implement entry requirements at their own discretion. US travelers ready and willing to travel to Europe should confirm the rules and restrictions for each individual country they intend to visit.
The extensive ones are an excellent source for this COVID-19 travel information and Country-specific informationwhich are usually updated regularly. We often check these references with each country’s foreign ministry, which usually sets and publishes entry regulations.
US travelers should be aware that all international passengers aged two and over flying into the US (including returning US citizens and permanent residents) must prove a negative COVID-19 Test within three days prior to boarding the US
The CDC has too detailed travel recommendations during the pandemic for both vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers.
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The full list of countries and territories now on the European Council’s approved travel list (June 18 additions are marked with an asterisk):
- Albania*
- Australia
- Hong Kong*
- China (subject to reciprocity)
- Israel
- Japan
- Lebanon*
- Macau *
- New Zealand
- North Macedonia *
- Rwanda
- Serbia*
- Singapore
- South Korea
- Taiwan*
- Thailand
- United States of America*
>> Next: You are vaccinated. What now? Our Complete Guide to Vaccinated Travel
