Entry restrictions are falling away in more and more countries. Travelers no longer need proof of vaccination, recovery or tests for check-in and security checks at the airport. In many cases, entry forms no longer have to be filled out in advance.
The corona numbers are stabilizing in the EU area. More and more holiday countries are therefore relaxing the protective measures. The background is that despite the high number of cases, the hospitalization rates are at a low level. Many of those affected have a mild course or are even symptom-free. The healthcare systems are therefore not reaching their overload limits.
Many EU countries are therefore significantly reducing the corona measures. This also affects the planned summer vacation.
Which document will be mostly phased out?
In the spring, the member states of the European Union spoke out in favor of simplified entry and exit within the EU. According to a recommendation by the Commission, entry forms should no longer exist.
Denmark, Finland, Sweden and Germany had already followed this requirement in March 2022. Great Britain and Northern Ireland followed. In the meantime, Switzerland, Greece, Spain, Turkey, Cyprus and Portugal have also removed the so-called PLF (Passenger Locator Form) as an entry criterion. Now the strict Mediterranean island of Malta follows. In the popular holiday country, the document is to be abolished from May 2nd.
The entry form is still valid in Italy. In the holiday area, however, only random checks are carried out. Most corona measures were abolished at the end of March.
Immigration form was important but led to chaos
In the past, there were always longer queues at the airports and train stations when entering and leaving the country because checking the entry forms took a long time. On average, travelers had to be at the check-in counter three hours before departure in order to be able to have their documents checked in good time.
For many EU countries, holidaymakers had to fill out the entry form at least 24 hours before departure. The authorities in the holiday country should be able to use the information to track possible chains of infection more quickly.
Travelers not only had to provide their personal data such as name, place of birth and origin, but also an address in the holiday destination. In the event of an outbreak of infection, the vacationers affected were asked to take a corona test.
What documents do I need for the upcoming summer vacation?
Within the EU, ID documents and proof of vaccination, recovery and tests should be sufficient when traveling. The 3G rule should apply to travel in the EU until at least July 2023. The EU member states agreed on this at the beginning of the year. However, it is unclear whether this will also apply in summer.
The regulation currently only applies to a few holiday countries, including Malta. The 3G rule at the airport is currently optional and not mandated by the EU Commission. Many holiday countries only ask for the identity document of the traveler at the airport or at the train station.
FOCUS Online advises: Take the proof with you on vacation anyway. If you want to stay abroad in the summer, you should still make sure that the proof of recovery or vaccination is valid and at least save the documents digitally on your smartphone. In the event of a hotspot outbreak, travelers can easily leave the holiday country.