The borders within Europe are open again and travel is possible again. Even if many nations were successful in the fight against Corona – holidaymakers should know the current situation in the respective country before they travel. We show what it currently looks like in the most popular holiday countries.
Since the borders within Europe are open again and the Federal Foreign Office lifted its travel warning for 27 European countries on June 15th, Germans' desire to travel has increased again. But the corona virus, which has haunted us like a biblical plague since the beginning of the year, is not yet out of the world. So vacationers should get precise information about the situation on site before getting in the car or booking a flight. Because this can change quickly.
In all of our favorite countries there are new infections every day – in some countries now under ten, but in others still in the three-digit or even four-digit range. We took a close look at the Germans' favorite destinations in Europe and show what the current infection situation looks like – and where you should be careful.
Spain: Amazingly low death toll in former hotspot
Spain was one of the worst corona-affected countries in Europe, with almost 250,000 infected and an extremely high number of victims, which is more than 28,000. It is therefore rather surprising that the country is once again opening up to tourism: Since June 21, holidaymakers have been able to enter the country without having to undertake a two-week quarantine.
The reason: The number of new infections has dropped sharply – and is below 50 cases per 100,000 inhabitants – also in the main areas of infection Castile, Leon, Madrid and Catalonia. According to the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), the number of new infections on Monday across the country was 333 (as of June 22).
Since the country is heavily dependent on tourism (it accounts for 14 percent of the total economy), there are assumptions that the official figures from Spain may not be entirely correct. The Ministry of Health has only published deaths once a week since May and allegedly does not include all cases. That's why the numbers suddenly fell so sharply, the Financial Times reported.
Italy: Low infection rates across the country
Italy was hit even worse than Spain with a total of more than 34,000 deaths – and more than 238,000 registered cases. But the situation has improved enormously: According to the ECDC, the number of newly infected people registered on Monday is only 224 nationwide and 24 deaths (as of June 22).
The focus of infection continues to be in Lombardy, Piedmont, Emilia Romagna and Veneto. Even if restaurants, museums, cinemas and opera houses are open again, according to the Federal Foreign Office, the state of emergency is still valid until July 31.
Nevertheless, Italy has been open to tourists since June 3 – entry is also possible without a quarantine requirement. Because just like Spain, Italy also needs holidaymakers in the country: the tourism industry is urgently dependent on the income generated by holidaymakers. With around seven million holidaymakers, Germany has the most foreign guests in the Mediterranean state. The loss of revenue in tourism has so far amounted to around 20 billion euros.
France: More and more easing – holidaymakers can enter
The Grand Nation was also badly hit by Corona – with over 160,000 infected and over 29,000 dead. However, according to the Federal Foreign Office, France is now little affected: the "orange" warning level only applies to the overseas regions of Mayotte and Guyana, and the rest of the country is classified as "green". According to the ECDC, the number of new cases reported on Monday is 284 and seven deaths (as of June 22).
Since June 15th, entry from all EU countries with the exception of Spain has been possible again. France will, however, remain in control of the EU's internal borders until the end of October.
Tourist accommodation such as campsites or holiday homes are open to holidaymakers again. The restaurants across the country are also welcoming guests again. In the capital city, which was hit hard by the virus, restaurants and cafés are allowed to open completely again; before, entertainment was only permitted on the outdoor terraces. Leisure activities are again increasingly possible, all beaches and parks are accessible again. Large museums and monuments can also welcome visitors again.
From Wednesday, tourists can also visit the Eiffel Tower again. The opening of Paris Orly Airport has also been announced for Friday. All stations of the Paris Metro are open again.
Austria: Everything under control with the neighbors
Holidays in Austria are also possible again. The country has lifted all entry restrictions to its neighboring countries since June 4, with the exception of Italy. For German tourists, it is particularly important that controls on the border to Italy, for example on the Brenner Pass, be omitted.
In Austria itself, public life has continued to normalize. Since June 15th, the wearing of mouth and nose protection is only compulsory in buses and trains, in pharmacies, medical practices and clinics as well as for employees in some service professions. The reported new infections are very low and, according to the ECDC, were 38 cases and two deaths on Monday (as of June 22).
Croatia: Only 18 new infections in the country, no deaths
The heavily tourism-dependent country on the Adriatic Sea with its long coast and many islands has weathered the Corona crisis well and, thanks to an early and severe lockdown, has had low infection and death rates. Therefore, entry is again possible for German citizens – without quarantine. Vacationers only have to enter their contact details.
The infection rate in the country is still low – according to the ECDC, there were only 18 new infections on Monday and no deaths (as of June 22). So far, the focus has been on the capital city of Zagreb and Central Dalmatia.
Greece: Attention, immigrants still have to do corona tests
Similar to Croatia, Greece got through the first phase of the pandemic well thanks to an early and severe lockdown. That is why the country advertises itself as a safe travel destination and lets German tourists back into the country. Even if there is no quarantine, travelers will have to expect sporadic corona tests in the future.
The Federal Foreign Office points out that although the measure is free of charge, holidaymakers must remain in isolation 24 hours before the results are available. At present, all travelers entering Thessaloniki Airport have to carry out a corona test.
Only from July 1, 2020 will the other international airports in Greece be allowed to fly directly from Germany again. Tests for Sars-CoV-2 are then only carried out on a random basis. It is not yet known whether a 24-hour self-isolation will be mandatory until the test result is available.
According to the ECDC, Greece had a total of only 3,266 infected and 190 dead. The number of newly infected people was ten on Monday (as of June 22).
Portugal: Warning, the curve is going up again
Portugal was not nearly as badly affected by Corona compared to Spain. According to the ECDC, the number of total infections was over 39,000 and the death toll was 1,530. On Monday, 292 new infections and two deaths were reported (as of June 22). However, the curve in the country is moving up again. The cities of Porto and Lisbon, including the surrounding area, are hardest hit.
Entry to Portugal by air is already possible, but only by land for those who are resident in the country. But that is likely to change at the end of the month. If you want to go to Madeira or the Azores, you have to get a test or submit test results that are not older than 48 hours.
Public life was resumed in almost all areas, albeit with corresponding capacity or time constraints. Restrictions can still be expected for hotels and campsites. Restaurants are open, bars and discos remain closed until further notice.
Turkey: Warning, travel warning and risk area
Turkey also wants to boost tourism again and lifted the entry ban for German citizens on June 11th. However, the Federal Foreign Office initially maintains its travel warning until August 31 and classifies the country as a corona risk area.
If you want to take a vacation there, you must expect health examinations upon arrival and that a corona test will be carried out if there are signs of infection. In addition, vacationers must return to Germany in quarantine unless they submit a negative corona test that is no older than 48 hours.
Tourism is also one of the most important economic sectors for Turkey. According to official figures, more than five million Germans went on vacation in Turkey last year. Ankara has been promoting German tourists for some time, for whom the holiday resort of Antalya is particularly popular.
The country has so far had more than 187,000 and 4950 deaths from total infections. According to the ECDC, 1192 new cases and 23 deaths were recorded on Monday (as of June 22).
With material from dpa and KNA