EU travel rules: This now applies to those who have recovered, those who have been vaccinated and those who have not

Finally being able to travel freely again – that’s what everyone wants after two years of the pandemic. The EU also wants to create the conditions for this to be a little more uncomplicated and has a uniform set of rules worked out. Because until now, something else has applied everywhere in the European member states: So completely unmanageable for travelers.

According to the new EU recommendation, however, all EU citizens who also have a valid EU Covid certificate should be able to travel without restrictions in the future. This means: Both the obligation to test and the obligation to quarantine do not apply to holders of this certificate. In order to receive a valid certificate, vaccinated, genesis and unvaccinated must meet the following criteria:

1. Criteria for vaccinated persons

Anyone who has been vaccinated with a vaccine approved in the EU is considered vaccinated. In addition:

  • The last dose of the basic immunization (two vaccinations) must be at least 14 days ago.
  • The last dose of the primary immunization must not have been more than 270 days ago.
  • In order for the vaccination certificate to remain valid, a booster vaccination must be given within 270 days of the second vaccination. The new EU rules do not specify how long the booster vaccination is valid, as there is not yet sufficient scientific knowledge.

2. Criteria for those who have recovered

People who have been infected no more than six months ago are considered to have recovered. In order to receive a valid Covid certificate, you therefore need proof of recovery, which shows that the first positive test result is not older than 180 days.

In Germany, the convalescent status has only been valid for three months since January 15th.

3. Criteria for unvaccinated

Unvaccinated people also receive an EU certificate if they meet the following criteria:

  • You must provide a negative PCR test not older than 72 hours
  • or an antigen test not older than 24 hours.

4. Exceptions

The following persons do not require an EU certificate:

  • children under the age of twelve
  • Cross-border commuters or commuters
  • People traveling for medical purposes
  • sailors
  • Long-distance drivers or employees in the transport sector

5. People without EU certificate

People who travel without an EU certificate must expect that a country will refuse entry or require a test within 24 hours of arrival.

Epidemiological map is intended to serve as a guide for EU countries

In order to determine whether the rules can be tightened again or relaxed, the EU proposes that the member states use the assessments of the European Center for Disease Control (ECDC) and a map that is updated every 14 days as a guide. This shows the risk of infection in a country, taking into account the vaccination and test rate, using the colors green, orange, red and dark red.

If a country is shown in dark red because of a high rate of infection, stricter measures should be taken regarding entry and exit and unnecessary travel should be discouraged, according to the EU recommendation. For people who come from these areas without proof of vaccination and recovery, a test should also be required before departure and a quarantine on the return journey.

Current travel regulations in Germany and neighboring countries

At the moment, different entry requirements still apply in the European member states. Austria, for example, currently still requires proof of vaccination or genetics plus a negative PCR test for entry. Only those who have been boosted are exempt from this. Italy also wants to have a negative test result from vaccinated and recovered people – either in the form of a PCR test that is not older than 48 hours or a rapid antigen test that is not older than 24 hours. France, on the other hand, lets vaccinated people into the country without a test. Only unvaccinated people must show a negative PCR or antigen test that is not older than 24 hours. In order to finally create uniform solutions, the EU Council hopes that the member states will also implement the recommendations.

In order to enter or return to Germany, people over the age of six must either have a negative test result, have been vaccinated or have recovered. The following criteria currently apply:

  • Recovered: The positive test must have been at least 28 days and not older than 90 days. The duration of the recovered status was reduced from six months to 90 days because, according to the RKI, the scientific evidence indicates that unvaccinated people who have had an infection have reduced and even more temporary protection against renewed infection with the omicron variant compared to the delta variant.
  • Vaccinated: Anyone who has received two doses of the vaccines approved in the EU and whose second dose was at least 14 days ago is considered vaccinated. No information is available on the booster vaccination.
  • Tested: A negative test result not older than 48 hours at the time of entry (PCR, LAMP, TMA or rapid antigen test)

Attention, anyone returning from a virus variant area must present a PCR test and be in quarantine for 14 days, regardless of vaccination or gene status.

source site-37