Coronavirus and travel: everything you need to know

Advice for consumers in Europe

The European Consumer Centre Network  provides advice and assistance to citizens on consumers’ rights on cross-border issues. This includes hotel or travel bookings affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Information on resolving consumer disputes is also available here.

EU consumer law does not regulate the conditions for, and the consequences of, cancellation of events or individual services (sports and cultural events, car rentals, accommodation arrangements, etc.). Therefore, your rights as a consumer depend on the respective national contract law and the type and terms of your contract, including the stated cancellation policy of the service provider (e.g. refundable or non-refundable booking).

Standard contract terms used by traders have to be transparent and must not unfairly limit the rights of consumers under the relevant national contract law.

For your rights regarding package tours, see the Information on the Package Travel Directive, and for stand-alone air, rail, sea and bus/coach services see the relevant Guidelines.

Spain

People from EU or Schengen countries can enter Spain, as can those on the EU-approved list of third countries. As of November 19 this includes China. All visitors have to undergo health checks on arrival.

However under the government rules, from November 23 all those from countries classed as «high-risk» must present a negative COVID-19 test dating from the previous 72 hours.

The list is reviewed every 15 days. As of November 19 it includes all or most regions from the EU’s 27 countries, including neighbouring Portugal and France, as well as the UK, Norway and some three dozen third countries.

Can I still apply for a visa to Denmark?

Visa operations are limited due to the current restrictions on entry into Denmark. You can hand in a visa application if Statens Serum Institut (SSI) categorises your country of residence as ‘open’. Visit this page for information on country status. 
If Statens Serum Institut (SSI) categorises your country of residence as a ‘quarantine country’, you can hand in a visa application if you have a worthy purpose for entering Denmark and the relevant Danish mission has the capacity to receive the application. Read more about what constitutes a worthy purpose on the website of the Danish Police. Please contact the relevant Danish mission (Find us abroad) if you wish to hand in a visa application. 
Denmark is in some countries represented by other Schengen countries who handle visa applications on behalf of Denmark. However, these agreements are temporarily suspended. Hence, it is not possible to hand in a visa application to Denmark through another Schengen country.

Italy

An Italian government decree on measures to combat the coronavirus issued on November 3, and valid until December 3, includes international travel rules.

It identifies six groups of countries. Most EU countries are on list B, and are subject to no restrictions other than the need for passengers to fill out a self-declaration form.

Those arriving from List C countries — Belgium, France, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Spain and the UK — must present evidence of having taken a swab test with a negative result 72 hours prior to arriving in Italy or undergo one at the airport of entry or within 48 hours of arrival at a health clinic.

Beyond the EU-approved list of third countries, arrivals are restricted or banned.

Healthcare in Italy

If you need medical advice or believe you have symptoms of coronavirus you should contact your local GP, your local ASL (Azienda Sanitaria Locale) or one of the regional numbers listed on the Italian Ministry of Health website before visiting a health centre.

In some Italian regions, you may be required to take a coronavirus test if you spend 48 hours or two consecutive nights in a hospital for any reason. If you test positive, you will be required to quarantine, which may last from 10 days to 3 weeks.

In the case of an emergency you should call Italy’s 112 emergency number. English speaking operators are available.

For contact details for English speaking doctors, visit our list of healthcare providers.

Your emotional and mental wellbeing is important. Read guidance on how to look after your mental wellbeing and mental health.

View Health for further details on healthcare in Italy.

See also the guidance on healthcare if you’re waiting to return to the UK.

Russia

Russia has partially opened up its borders since grounding most international flights and introducing entry restrictions for foreigners back in March.

Since then it has restored air travel with some countries — including from Europe, Belarus, Serbia, Switzerland, Turkey and the UK. Approved countries outside Europe include South Korea, Japan and Cuba.

EU citizens living in the UK must have proof of UK residency. Foreigners from these countries are allowed to enter if they provide a negative virus test.

People from EU countries can only enter for authorised reasons such as work, family, transit or Russian residency.

Plan for your travel: checklist

Developments in the coronavirus pandemic remain uncertain around the world. No travel is risk-free, and many countries have closed their borders to UK travellers due to the new variant of the virus.

Those in a , should not travel abroad. You can only travel internationally where you first have a legally permitted reason to leave home.

You should check the guidance for your personal circumstances before deciding whether you can travel internationally.

If you are legally permitted to travel abroad and are planning travel in the future, even if you are returning to a place you’ve visited before, follow this checklist.

Before you travel

• follow all the current rules for where you live, including if they restrict international travel. In the UK, there are different restrictions in place in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

• find out about any entry restrictions, screening or quarantine requirements on arrival that might affect you. Check ‘entry requirements’ in our travel advice and contact the UK-based embassy of the country you’re travelling to for more information

• if you need to take a COVID-19 test to facilitate travelling to another country, you should not use the NHS testing service. Instead, you should arrange to take a private test

• read the safer air travel guidance on sensible precautions and steps to take if you’re flying. Consider your own circumstances and health, and remember you will need to on flights in England and Scotland. See also the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) guidance 

• check with your accommodation provider for information about availability and the safety measures they have put in place 

• read the advice of local authorities and follow all local health measures in place during your journey and in your destination. Local measures and travel restrictions may change before you arrive or during your stay. Check the travel advice page for your destination and check with your transport provider for more information 

• get travel insurance, and make sure you are content with the level of cover it provides. If you already have travel insurance check it is valid and provides appropriate cover 

• check your cancellation rights. Speak to your tour operator, transport and accommodation providers if you have any questions 

When you’re abroad

• continue to follow any updates to our travel advice for your destination

• be prepared to comply with measures to manage localised outbreaks such as border closures, movement restrictions or quarantine rules. These could be brought in at short notice

• if you test positive for coronavirus you are likely to need to get treatment locally and stay there until you have recovered. If you are required to quarantine or self-isolate by local authorities, you should expect to do so in the country

• you may need to stay longer than you intended. Plan ahead for any delays to your return home and the financial implications or practical arrangements you may need to make

• you should liaise closely with your travel company or airline to ensure you are aware of any changes to schedules. Plan for the risks of disruption and local domestic measures affecting your travel when arranging your return to the UK

• if you will be returning to the UK, prepare for your return journey by completing the passenger locator form

When you return

• you will need to follow the rules for entering the UK. You must show proof of a completed passenger locator form at the UK border. You can complete it up to 48 hours before you enter the UK, and should do so before arrival. Failing to complete the form is a criminal offence

• you may have to self-isolate for the first 10 days you’re in the UK. See the guidance on self-isolation for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

• you may not have to self-isolate when you arrive from some countries and territories known as ‘travel corridors’. View the latest guidance and list of travel corridors for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

• see the list of people who are exempt from the English border rules

• if you need to self-isolate, you may be able to pay for a COVID-19 test to find out if you can reduce your self-isolation period

The Netherlands

Borders are open but people are strongly advised not to travel to the Netherlands unless strictly necessary.

The government rules say nationals and residents of EU and Schengen countries as well as the UK can enter, but need to check whether they are from a list of countries which means they should self-quarantine for 10 days. As of November 10 the UK is on this list.

Citizens and residents of countries on the EU-approved list can also enter. For those coming from other countries, entry is restricted to listed exemptions — which include nationals and residents of countries such as Norway and Switzerland.

Consular assistance for EU citizens abroad

Under EU law, citizens are entitled to seek help from the embassy or consulate of any EU country other than their own if they find themselves in a situation where they need assistance outside the EU, with no available embassy or consulate from their own Member State.

The European Commission and the European External Action Service help in bringing home stranded EU citizens from all over the world, while Member States issue advice about how to handle the travel restrictions. EU citizens in need of assistance outside the EU are encouraged to contact their Member State.

Overstay caused by travel restrictions

In the context of the coronavirus outbreak, visa holders present in the Schengen area who could not leave before the expiry date of their short-stay visa have had their visa extended up to a maximum stay of 90/180 days by the designated Member States’ authorities. If the visa holders were compelled to stay beyond the extended period of 90/180 days, a national long-stay visa or a temporary residence permit should have been issued by the national authorities.

Member States are encouraged to waive administrative sanctions or penalties on third-country nationals who during the period of travel restrictions were unable to leave their territory due to travel restrictions. Overstays due to the temporary travel restrictions should not be taken into account during the processing of future visa applications.

Nationals of visa-waived third countries who have remained in the Schengen area beyond the permitted 90-day stay

For nationals of visa-waived third-countries who are compelled to stay beyond the extended 90/180 days, the competent national authorities should extend the validity of the authorisations for legal stay, issue a new one or take other appropriate measures that ensure a continued right to stay on their territory. Information is available on the websites of Member States’ national authorities.

Expired travel documents due to an unexpectedly extended stay abroad

How to conduct yourself when in Germany?

Mouth and nose must be covered aboard any public Transport, in stores and busy outdoor places, where the minimum distance to others cannot be kept at all times.

If travellers develop symptoms associated with COVID-19 (coughing, a runny nose, sore throat or fever) they should get in touch by phone with a doctor or contact the hotline 116 117. Often travel guides or hotels can also help in such cases. Travellers should keep the contact details of their home country’s embassy or consulate in Germany in case they need to contact them.

Information by the Federal Ministry of Health in english can be found here.

Extensive information in English and other languages on current regulations is available here.

A short overview on what to do to help protect yourself and others is available here:

Watch out for local regulations

Measures for fighting the spread of COVID-19 are subject to local regulation. This may include quarantine measures in the case of a confirmed infection.

The international advice on reducing the spread of COVID-19 should be followed. This includes washing hands regularly and thoroughly with soap for 20-30 seconds, sneezing into the elbow or the quick disposal of handkerchieves or tissues, keeping a distance from other people and avoiding shaking hands. Further information and details can be found on the World Health Organization’s Website.

Where possible, travel should be reduced and public transport avoided to further reduce the risk of infection.

Finland

The Finnish Border Guard has published new information regarding incoming travellers valid from November 9.

It puts countries into different categories. Those where border controls are returning to normal include those on the EU’s list of recommended open countries. Entries under «category 1» restrictions include most European countries, limited mainly to work related or essential travel. «Category 2» countries include Russia, Turkey and the United States and restrictions limit entries to essential travel.

Prior coronavirus testing becomes mandatory from November 23 from high-incidence countries.

Finnish nationals, residents and their families are free to enter the country, as can EU and Schengen transit passengers.

When we’ll travel again

Over the spring and summer, some destinations took the first steps toward reopening their cities to travelers: countries in Asia and several islands in the Caribbean encouraged tourism with entry requirements; museums including the Louvre and the Prado welcomed back visitors with reduced capacities that make for a more enjoyable experience; domestically, national parks like the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone also opened back up, as did Disney World, with changes, of course, (though some Disney fans aren’t ready to return).

But come fall and winter, the predicted second wave has forced recently reopened restaurants, offices, and entire countries to close again, with North America and Europe hit especially hard. Countries including Germany and Belgium are seeing case counts far worse than in spring. Parisians, who have entered a second lockdown, tell us that it feels different this time around. 

This new spike, just in time for the holiday season, has forced travelers to confront challenging ethical questions. Is it responsible to travel home for the holidays? Is it okay to fly if I’m only taking a short trip? Our new Ethical Traveler column has answers. For those who do to travel this season, we’ve asked medical experts your most pressing air travel questions—from how to make sure your family sits together to whether first class is safer than economy right now. (Plus, the best face masks, and face shields, for travel—and what to do if your seatmate won’t wear one.) We’ve also covered the airports and airlines giving free COVID-19 tests this holiday season, like New York’s LaGuardia and United Airlines, on the New York to London route. Before you head out, make sure to read our holiday travel checklist, so you can be best prepared for your journey and any potential hiccups—like last-minute flight schedule changes—along the way. Don’t forget to read up on domestic travel restrictions if you’re crossing state lines.

If you’re choosing not to fly home, we have tips for you too. First, we can share that you’re not alone. Many of our staffers are rethinking the holiday calendar this year. Our favorite hoteliers, chefs, and world travelers tell us how they’re making an unusual holiday season feel special. We also tapped mental health experts and seasoned expats for advice on getting through the holidays alone at home.  

COVID-19 travel guidance

Following identification of a new variant of the virus, international travel from your area may be increasingly restricted because of domestic regulations. Different rules apply in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. For example, those in tier 4 areas in England will not be permitted to travel abroad apart from limited exceptions, such as work purposes.  Follow all the rules that apply to you.

Other countries have closed borders, and may restrict movement or bring in new quarantine rules with little warning. Check our advice on things to consider and be prepared to stay overseas longer than planned.

Entry restrictions

From 8 November 2020 all travellers to Germany have to register online prior to their entry on the website www.einreiseanmeldung.de , if they have stayed in a risk area within the last 10 days prior to their entry to Germany. Also they must be able to present proof of this registration when entering Germany.

If, in exceptional cases, a registration is not possible through the website mentioned above, travellers must instead fill in a substitute registration.

Substitute registration for entry to Germany in different languages

Further Information is available on an information sheet and on the website of the Federal Ministry of Health.

For Germany, travel restrictions apply for entry from a large number of countries. These are issued by the Federal Ministry of the Interior, Building and Community. Please check with the prior to your trip to find out what regulations apply specifically with regard to the country from which you plan to enter Germany.

In principle, entry is possible from:        

• EU member states
• states associated with Schengen: Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein
• the United Kingdom
• from which entry is possible due to the epidemiological situation assessment by the EU.

Entry from other countries is only possible in exceptional cases and is conditional on there being an

Travellers within Canada

As of March 30, 2020, all airline passengers in Canada will be subject to a health check prior to boarding. You won’t be able to board if you:

• show any symptoms of COVID-19
• are subject to a provincial or local public health order
• have been refused boarding in the past 14 days due to a medical reason related to COVID-19

If you weren’t allowed on a flight because you had COVID-19 symptoms, you can’t board any other flight until:

• 14 days have passed and you no longer have symptoms or
• you present a medical certificate confirming that your symptoms aren’t related to COVID-19

Travellers within Canada may be subject to additional provincial, territorial and local public health measures at your final destination. In addition, they may be exempted from provincial or territorial border restrictions within Canada if their reason for travelling within Canada is to provide support to a business that’s considered essential:

• by Public Safety Canada
• within a province or territory

Public spaces and services

Enhanced measures are in place across Italy to help prevent the spread of Coronavirus:

• A nightly curfew is in place in all regions from 2200 to 0500. You cannot leave your place of residence during this time apart from for emergency, work or health reasons. You’ll need to carry a self-declaration form explaining your reasons for travel.
• There is a strong recommendation from the Italian Government that people do not travel by public or private transport except for work, study or health reasons, or for reasons of necessity.
• Public transport is operating at 50% capacity and its use is discouraged except for essential purposes.
• Social distancing of one metre must be observed.
• The use of masks is mandatory in all public spaces, whether outdoors or indoors. You should pay close attention to signage when travelling and carry a mask with you at all times.
• Only four people can sit together at a restaurant, bar or café. These venues must close at 6pm, although they can offer takeaway service, for consumption at home, until 10pm.
• Museums, theatres, cinemas and concert venues are closed.
• Dance activity in nightclubs and open air venues has been suspended and parties are not permitted.
• Parks are open and outdoor exercise is permitted, subject to social distancing. Contact sport is banned and sports centres, swimming pools, spas and wellness centres are closed.
• Funerals are permitted to take place with limited attendance. Churches can celebrate mass, weddings and baptisms. Receptions following civil and religious ceremonies are banned.
• Conferences and trade fairs are banned, unless held online.

More stringent measures are in place in some Italian regions that have been designated ‘red zones’.

Travel to or from one of those regions should only be for work, health or emergency reasons. Bars and eateries are closed and only shops selling essential items are open. More information on regional classifications is available on the .

Regional and local authorities in Italy are empowered to adjust these measures where required, which may occur at short notice. You are strongly advised to consult the websites for the regions in which you are travelling for the latest information. You should also pay close attention to local signage.

If you are a British national resident in Italy, we advise carrying proof of your residence in Italy when transiting through airports or other transport hubs.

You can find more information on measures on the Ministry of Health website (in English) and Frequently Asked Questions on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website (in English).

When can the Danish travel advice to non-EU/Schengen countries and UK be expected to change?

For third countries, the travel advice is based on the EU’s list of countries where entry restrictions can be considered lifted. This list is updated biweekly and includes the condition that the number of new infections per 100,000 inhabitants over 14 days cannot exceed the EU average. When a country appears on the EU’s ‘open’ list, the Danish authorities will, as a precautionary measure, additionally assess whether the country can be categorised as ‘open’ based upon a specialist assessment of the COVID-19 situation in the country in question. Moreover, travel advice will only be adjusted for a country on the EU’s ‘open’ list if the country does not have any entry restrictions or quarantine requirements for travellers from Denmark and if the general security situation allows it.The Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ travel advice offers non-binding guidance on travel rules and restrictions.. It is ultimately your own decision whether you choose to travel. We advise you to be alert and stay updated on the travel advice for the country that you plan to visit, as this can change depending on both new local travel restrictions and changes in the number of weekly infections. You should always follow the local authorities’ instructions.
For all other third countries, the travel advice remains ‘orange’, which means that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs advices against all non-essential travel.

What Is a Travel Ban and What Countries Are in the Travel Ban Due to COVID-19 Restriction

So, first of all, the travel ban is a ban on visiting the country due to the high level of morbidity. In this regard, the tourism industry has changed a lot over the last 2 months. 

One of the sectors most affected by the coronavirus pandemic is tourism. Countries have closed their borders, so both carriers and hotels are left without work. And with the onset of the season, the question becomes more relevant – many are wondering if it will be possible to get out somewhere in 2020? It is hard to say when exactly countries will begin to open their borders – it depends on the course of the pandemic and the improvement of methods for combating coronavirus. The European Commission, for example, recommended that the union countries extend the restrictions on optional trips within the European Union until at least June 15th.

At the same time, several states are actively discussing one of the possible scenarios for saving the tourism industry – the creation of “corridors” between countries, the epidemiological situation in which has already begun to improve. In late April, European tourism ministers held a videoconference during which they discussed the possibility of creating such corridors to help the relevant industries survive. Now Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia have begun to implement this plan, which will open borders with each other on May 15.

Along with discussions about tourist corridors, there is also a discussion on the introduction of “health passports” – special documents that confirm the presence of antibodies to coronavirus. Such passports are discussed by authorities, for example, Germany and Chile. But even if the authorities nevertheless approve the tourist corridors with bubbles, and create immune passports, there remains one more problem – how now travelers will get to other countries. Since airline flights at the time of border closure due to a pandemic were seriously reduced, after lifting quarantine measures, we should expect at least an increase in the price of flights.

However, other measures can be expected from airlines after the end of the pandemic – even now, on still existing flights, new rules for social distance are being introduced. For example, many companies, like the American United, have stopped selling centerpieces in blocks of three seats. In addition, between flights, the crew began to disinfect all accessible surfaces.

You can also expect the introduction of a “mask mode” both on flights and at airports. So, the world’s largest airlines have already done this – Lufthansa, Air France, KLM, American Airlines, Delta, JetBlue, and others. Air France also introduced a mandatory temperature check before boarding an aircraft.

At many airports, strict social distance rules are also in force now, so passengers are required to stand in line at a distance of at least 1.8 m from each other. People are launched into the boarding ladder in small groups so that there is no crowding at the entrance to the plane itself.

However, if you bored and want to travel, unfortunately, several countries have completely closed their borders, so it’s very difficult to talk about tourism in these countries.