With conditions, tests and proof of vaccination, vacations can be taken in almost all of Europe in 2021.
Vacation destinations Italy, Turkey and Mallorca: how a vacation with the delta variant proceeds
Duesseldorf The desire of humans to travel is unbroken, it says with the German travel federation (DRV). "Especially for trips at short notice still in the summer vacations 2021, we continue to record a very high demand," says Ralph Schiller, head of the travel group FTI. Concerns about delta variant have not yet had an impact on booking behavior, according to the German travel industry.
Only recently, Health Minister Jens Spahn and RKI head Lothar Wieler had asked people to refrain from traveling abroad if possible. Due to the strong spread of the delta variant, Portugal and Russia, for example, have now been classified as virus variant areas. This means that, with a few exceptions, there is a ban on transport from these countries, as well as strict quarantine rules for those who enter nevertheless.
The Foreign Office divides into three categories that are relevant for entry from the various areas to Germany:
- Risk area: Entry requires a negative Covid 19 test result or proof of vaccination or recovery from infection. Evidence must be available no later than 48 hours after entry.
- Virus variant area: Necessary is a negative Covid 19 test result. Proof must be provided before entering the country and, if necessary, must also be presented to the airline before travel begins.
- High incidence area: When travelers enter via airplane, they need a negative Covid 19 test result, proof of a full Covid 19 vaccination or proof of recovery from infection. Proof is required prior to entry and must be shown to the airline prior to travel.
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Starting from August the category "risk area" is cancelled, that decided the Foreign Office. From then on, states will only be classified as virus variant area and high incidence area.
Delta variant currently dominates in many EU countries. But what is the current situation in Mallorca? How safe is the Baltic Sea? And how does entry into Italy work?? A look at the most popular vacation countries for Germans shows that there are bureaucratic hurdles almost everywhere when entering the country.
When entering the country or at the airport check-in, travelers must prove that they are not infected. This can be done through proof of full vaccination, recovery or a negative test that is no more than 48 hours old. Complete vaccination can also be proven with the so-called green certificate, a digital EU certificate.
For contact tracing in many countries, such as Turkey or Croatia, an online registration is necessary in advance, where the duration and place of stay must be specified. They then receive a registration number, which is checked at the airport or at the border. If one does not have a registration number, this information is required at the airport or at the latest when entering the country at the border, which can lead to long waiting times.
Travel warnings for the popular vacation countries are currently few from the Foreign Office. But this can change quickly. Therefore, it is always a good idea to check the authorities’ websites shortly before starting your trip. The incidence data refer to the 20. July 2021, are updated weekly and may therefore differ from the daily updated values.
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The Corona situation in the most popular vacation countries of the Germans
Vacations in Germany – North Sea, Baltic Sea and Bavaria are almost back to normal
Even before the pandemic, Germans preferred to travel within Germany, according to the market study Consumption and Media Analysis (Vuma). In 2017 to 2020, more than ten percent of Germans recovered at the North Sea and Baltic Sea. Another five percent spent their vacation in Bavaria. The Corona Protection Ordinance applies here in principle. Since the incidence is currently 6.5 nationwide (as of 13.7.2021), the regulations of the respective federal states apply.
Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania:
With an incidence of 3.7, the state on the Baltic Sea currently has the lowest infection rate in Germany. Those who want to stay overnight here must bring a current negative Corona test with them. Vaccinated and recovered people can go on vacation without testing. Restaurants, swimming pools, saunas and other recreational facilities are also open again. Masks are compulsory in retail outlets or for services close to the body, such as in hairdressing salons.
Schleswig-Holstein:
With an incidence of 9.5, the same rules apply here as in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. Here, too, an overnight stay with a negative test, proof of vaccination or proof of recovery is possible without any problems. Leisure and cultural facilities are open again, must adhere to hygiene requirements and have a follow-up obligation. To go to the restaurant, for cultural and recreational activities tourists do not need a test.
Bavaria:
Bavaria has a 7-day incidence of 11. For tourists, this means hotels receive guests who have either tested negative, have a vaccination or can prove they have recovered. Restaurants, gyms, thermal baths, theaters and operas are open under certain conditions. Only bars are allowed to cater exclusively in the outdoor area.
7-day incidence: 10,9
Proportion Delta in percent: 67 percent
Entry advice of the German Foreign Office: No risk area
Vacation in Italy – vacationers from Germany can enter again without quarantine
About eight percent of Germans prefer to travel to Italy. Even though the Corona situation was particularly bad here, tourism is now starting up again. Holidaymakers from Germany can enter Italy without having to go into quarantine. However, this is conditional on a complete vaccination at least 14 days ago or a negative corona test (PCR or antigen rapid test), which must not be older than 48 hours. Also the proof of a survived Corona illness is valid. Children under six years of age are exempt from mandatory testing.
The "green certificate", the European vaccination certificate, serves as proof of testing. This must be in Italian, English, Spanish or French, and can be digital or hard copy. The trip must also be registered via an online form. Link to form can be found here: EU Digital Passenger Locator Form. A separate form is required for entry into the autonomous province of Bolzano South Tyrol.
Because of the spreading delta variant, all travelers who have been in the U.K. in the two weeks prior to entry must present a negative test and be in isolation for five days after arrival. This also applies to persons who have already been vaccinated and those who have recovered from the virus. Completely banned from entry and transit are those who have been in Brazil, India, Bangladesh or Sri Lanka in the past 14 days.
Those who only travel through Italy in their own car can do so for up to 36 hours without a Covid certificate. The rules are also relaxed for business travelers: commuters and cross-border commuters for other professional reasons can enter without a certificate if they stay in Italy for less than 120 hours. Nevertheless, the entry must always be reported to the competent Italian health office.
7-day incidence: 28,7
Percentage of delta: 55
Entry advice from the German Foreign Office: No travel warning, risk area
Vacation in Spain – No mask obligation outdoors and entry without Corona proof
All travelers must fill out a form online to receive a QR code to show upon entry. The rules are identical for tourists and business travelers. Spain defines certain areas in Europe as risk areas.
Only those entering from such an area must prove that they have been vaccinated, recovered or tested negative for the corona virus. The negative PCR or antigen test must be no more than 48 hours old. Children under the age of twelve are exempt from compulsory testing. Germany is currently not considered a risk country, which is why there is no need to provide proof here. Those entering Spain by car via a risk area in France need a negative Corona test. However, there are no controls at the border.
With regard to the delta variant, the Spanish Ministry of Tourism only says that they are watching it closely and reserve the right to impose further restrictions should they become necessary. In Spain, infections have fallen sharply, which is why masks are no longer mandatory outdoors, as long as the distance of 1.50 meters to other people is maintained. Spain also allows entry to travelers from some third countries if they are vaccinated with one of the vaccines approved by the European Medicines Agency (Ema).
Mallorca, Ibiza and Formentera:
On the entire Balearic Islands the night curfew is lifted. There are restrictions on the opening hours of restaurants and stores. The number of people in gatherings both in public and private spaces is limited. The same entry rules apply as in Spain.
Canary Islands:
For visitors traveling to the Canary Islands from abroad, the entry regulations for Spain outlined above apply.
7-day incidence: 407,9
Percentage Delta: 64
Entry advice from the German Foreign Office: Travel warning for the regions of Andalusia, Cantabria, Catalonia, Navarra, La Rioja, the Basque Country and the exclave of Ceuta, risk area
Vacation in Turkey – entry possible, but not recommended
Many cases of delta infection have been confirmed in Turkey. 75 percent of all infections are now due to this. Entry rules have not yet been adjusted. But with delta-risk areas such as Britain and Russia among the main destinations among Turkey tourists, German authorities warn against vacationing in the country.
Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, on the other hand, is heavily promoting Europeans to vacation on the Turkish Riviera again. Undocumented visitors to Turkey are exempt from the current nighttime and Sunday exit restrictions.
Entry into Turkey, for private or business reasons, is generally allowed. For entry, travelers six years of age and older must present a PCR test no more than 72 hours old or an antigen test no more than 48 hours old. Those vaccinated or recovered must provide official proof.
All air travelers older than six years must complete an electronic form from the Turkish Ministry of Health 72 hours prior to travel. The control takes place at entry or at check-in. They are then given a permit code ("HES code"), which they must show during checks in the country.
The code can be used to track the movements and contacts of citizens. When visiting a restaurant or shopping center, the code is scanned and at the same time registered who is in the vicinity.
7-day incidence: 59,8
Percentage Delta: 75
Entry warning from the German Foreign Office: Non-essential tourist travel to Turkey is currently discouraged.
Vacation in Greece – For German tourists, a rapid test or proof of vaccination is sufficient
Greek epidemiologists expect the delta variant to dominate new infections by the end of August. "Unvaccinated are at risk," warns authority chief Panagiotis Arkoumaneas, "To get through summer, we need to get vaccinated". Currently, 52 percent of the population in Greece has received an initial vaccination, and 45 percent is fully vaccinated.
Despite the advance of the delta variant, Greece has relaxed entry requirements. The obligation to register electronically in the portal travel.gov.gr 24 hours before entry continues to exist.
However, those coming from Germany no longer have to take a PCR test. A quick test or proof of vaccination is sufficient. Upon entry, Greece, like Cyprus, also accepts vaccinations with the Russian vaccine Sputnik, which is not approved in the EU.
7-Day Incidence: 175,3
Delta share in percent: k.A.
Entry warning issued by the German Foreign Office: No travel warning, risk area
Vacation in Croatia – hygiene rules as in Germany
German vacationers can enter Croatia without presenting a vaccination certificate, convalescent certificate or test if they have an EU digital COVID certificate. Upon entry, travelers’ contact information is registered for the duration of their stay in Croatia. If you do not want to wait at the airport, you can also submit your contact details and the duration of your stay online in advance. The online form is also available in German.
In Croatia, similar hygiene rules apply as in Germany: keep your distance and wear a mouth-nose protection in stores, means of transport and outdoors, if the distance cannot be maintained there. Cafes are only open outdoors, while restaurants are also open indoors.
7-day incidence: 18,8
Proportion Delta in percent: k.A.
Entry notice from the German Foreign Office: Travel warning for Zadar, risk area
Vacation in Austria – travel without quarantine, but with test or vaccination certificate
The overriding principle in Austria is the "three-G rule": anyone who wants to travel to the country must either be vaccinated, tested, or recovered from a single Covid 19 illness. This is also the requirement for a restaurant visit or a hotel stay. Children must also be tested before crossing the border if they are over ten years old.
A PCR test is valid for 72 hours, an antigen test for 48 hours. Austria has a well-developed infrastructure to renew a test. There is no longer a quarantine requirement for people entering the country from Germany. The initial vaccination must have been given 22 days ago to be recognized. After that, it is valid for a maximum of 90 days from the date of vaccination. Second vaccination is valid for 270 days from date of second vaccination. For vaccines that require only one vaccination, this applies from the age of 22. Day for 270 days from vaccination. The same applies to convalescents once vaccinated.
Business travelers and tourists must complete an entry form and present it at the border. Since 10. June, this requirement no longer applies to travelers from countries that are not considered high-risk or mutation areas. For commuters, the entry restrictions are somewhat looser than for tourists. In their case the test result is valid for seven days. Anyone who travels to Austria at least once a month is considered a commuter. Currently controlled at the border.
7-day incidence: 24,4
Percentage Delta: 16
Immigration advice from the German Foreign Office: No travel warning
Vacation in Scandinavia – Sweden, Denmark and Norway control strictly
Upon entry, a negative COVID-19 test result must be presented that is no more than 48 hours old from the time the sample was taken. PCR, LAMP and antigen tests are accepted. The test certificate must contain the following information: Name of person tested, time of specimen collection, type of test (PCR, LAMP or antigen test), test result, issuer of certificate.
Certificates are accepted in English, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish or French. Those who do not meet these requirements will be turned back at the border.
Alternatively, proof of full vaccination coverage or recovery is also possible. Those entering from a country outside the EU should also take a Corona test seven days before arrival and five days after arrival. Isolation is also recommended.
Sweden:
The number of new infections in Sweden is currently 17.3. The vaccination rate in Sweden is a little behind that in Germany. More than half of the population has received a primary vaccination. Fully vaccinated are 37 percent. Currently, parts of Sweden are classified as a risk area, German authorities have issued a travel warning.
Percentage delta: 58
Entry notice from the German Foreign Office: Tourist travel to the provinces of Kronoberg, Norrbotten and Varmland is currently discouraged.
Denmark:
The number of new infections in Denmark is currently 120 per 100.000 inhabitants.
Delta share in percent: 87
Immigration advice from the German Foreign Office: Travel warning for Hovedstaden and Faroe Islands
Norway:
The number of new infections in Norway is currently 21.5 per 100.000 inhabitants.
Percentage Delta: 50
Entry warning of the German Foreign Office: Tourist travel to Agder and Rogaland provinces is currently discouraged.