Whether at the seaside in Croatia or in the Austrian mountains: the federal government decided to lift the worldwide travel warning for 27 European countries from June 15th. Whether the summer vacation can really take place also depends on the regulations of the vacation countries. The Federal Foreign Office (AA) has summarized these in travel advice.
For four countries still have travel warnings. Spain, Norway and Finland have yet to lift their entry restrictions for foreigners. In Spain this is planned for June 21, in Finland the entry ban is valid until July 14, in Norway for the time being indefinitely. In Sweden, the number of new infections is still too high to remove the travel warning.
From Travel to the UK, Ireland and Malta is on the website of the Federal Foreign Office "strongly discouraged"The reason: In these three countries, a two-week quarantine is still required after entry.
For more than 160 countries outside the European Union, the federal government extended the travel warning for tourists until August 31. Exceptions can be made for individual countries in which the spread of the virus is sufficiently contained.
Spain: Travel warning is valid until June 21st
For the time being, the Federal Foreign Office is warning against unnecessary, especially tourist trips to Spain because there are entry restrictions for foreigners until June 21. Now you can plan your summer vacation on the Costa del Sol or on the Costa Blanca. After a sharp drop in the number of new corona infections, the borders are open to citizens from Schengen countries again from June 21. The 14-day quarantine obligation after entry that previously applied to foreigners will then also no longer apply.
After Mallorca and the other Balearic Islands, the first of up to 10,900 holidaymakers from Germany set off on Monday: They do a kind of test run for summer vacation in Corona times.
Norway: Travel warning is still valid until July 20
Entry from Germany is not yet easily possible. A ten-day quarantine applies. Whether the summer vacation in the Norwegian fjords works is therefore not clear. The Federal Foreign Office also warns against unnecessary tourist trips to the country.
Since Monday, the Norwegians have allowed trips to and from the rest of Scandinavia with the exception of the Swedish mainland, as Prime Minister Erna Solberg announced on Friday. Looking at countries with similarly positive corona developments as Germany, however, she said: "We cannot open everything at once. We have to proceed step by step." The procedure was to be checked by July 20.
Finland: Travel warning still applies
The country is open to travelers from the Baltic States and most of Scandinavia. Border controls for road, air and ferry traffic to Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Denmark and Iceland were lifted on June 15th. This does not apply to Finland's most important neighboring country, Sweden, which currently still has to cope with relatively high corona numbers.
The entry for tourists from Germany is not yet allowed. Therefore, a travel warning from the Federal Foreign Office continues to apply.
Sweden: Travel warning still applies, but borders are open
The warning is maintained because "Sweden has exceeded the newly infected number of fewer than 50 cases per 100,000 inhabitants cumulatively in the last 7 days," according to the Federal Foreign Office. However, the borders are open to EU citizens.
Sweden has responded to the pandemic with much more relaxed measures than the rest of Europe and is still struggling with comparatively high corona numbers. In the meantime, some planes are flying from Germany to Stockholm again, the ferry connections from Kiel, Rostock or Travemünde are mostly used anyway. And within Sweden it has been allowed to drive from A to B for an unlimited number of days.
Great Britain: strongly discouraged from vacation travel
Anyone entering the UK must go to quarantine for two weeks after arrival. Hence the AA's recommendation not to travel. Airlines and travel agencies fear even more losses due to the regulation. Travelers from Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands are exempt from quarantine.
With the new regulation, the British government wants to prevent a second wave of pandemics. However, it is examining a loosening. The 14-day self-isolation could therefore in future not apply to connections with countries that have the Corona crisis well under control. According to British media, such "airlifts" could already be introduced in July.
Malta: strongly discouraged from vacation trips
According to the AA, Malta is affected relatively little by Covid-19. Until at least June 30, however, it applies to immigrants that they must undergo a 14-day quarantine.
Ireland: strongly discouraged from vacation travel
Ireland also has a 14-day quarantine requirement for all travelers. In addition, freedom of movement within the country is severely restricted. Restaurants, pubs and cafes will also remain closed until the end of June. A vacation in Ireland therefore makes little sense at the moment.
It is still unclear when entry will be possible again without restrictions. The Federal Foreign Office therefore advises against travel there.
Austria: Travel advice
The country has lifted all entry restrictions to its neighboring countries, with the exception of Italy, since June 4. 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 current number of infections is very low.
Italy: travel advice
The AA's situation in Italy, which has had many casualties, has now improved. Regional priorities are Lombardy, followed by Piedmont, Emilia-Romagna and Veneto. Overall, tourism is slowly starting up again. Hotels report bookings again – even if everything is far from being open.
After around three months with corona restrictions, there has been freedom of travel since June 3. The country opened its borders to vacationers from the other 26 EU countries as well as other countries such as Great Britain, Norway and Switzerland. Virus quarantine is no longer required. Cinemas, theaters and opera houses should also open on Monday.
Travelers who want to drive via Austria to the Mediterranean country and back must currently drive through without a stop on the way back.
Switzerland: travel advice
Hotels, restaurants, museums, cable cars and other tourist facilities have been testing the operation with local guests with hygiene and distance regulations for several weeks. Because the number of infections has fallen sharply since April, not only guests from Germany and other neighboring countries, but also from all over the EU and several other countries have been allowed to enter since Monday.
Mouth and nose protection is recommended where it can get crowded, e.g. in cable cars, buses or on the train, but masks are not mandatory. Many large summer festivals such as the Montreux jazz festival, the film festival in Locarno or the large festival of classical music in Lucerne are canceled. However, because the restriction of visitor numbers is becoming increasingly relaxed, many organizers are now planning smaller cultural festivals.
France: travel advice
Entry from EU and Schengen countries – with the exception of Spain – as well as Great Britain and Northern Ireland has again been possible without a special travel reason since Monday. In France, tourist accommodations such as campsites or holiday homes have reopened for vacationers. In Paris it will last until the end of June.
The restaurants across the country have been welcoming guests again since last week. Because Paris was hit very hard by the virus, it is only allowed to drink and eat there on the terraces. Leisure activities are now possible again, all beaches and parks are accessible again. Large museums and monuments can also welcome visitors again. The Eiffel Tower in Paris, which has been closed since mid-March, is to be reopened from June 25th.
Portugal: Travel advice
If you have a vacation in the second half of June or are planning a weekend trip and definitely want to go to the Iberian Peninsula, you can travel to Portugal. The country wants to open its borders to foreign tourism on June 15th. Thanks to an early response and strict measures, the country on the Atlantic was much less affected by Covid-19 than Spain, for example.
The AA names the north, the city of Porto and the greater Lisbon area as regional focal points with the most new infections.
Greece: Travel advice
Athens has announced that travelers from 29 countries can travel to Greece without a quarantine from Monday, including Germany. The situation is to be examined again on July 1; then further states could be added.
Initially, there should only be flights from abroad to Athens and Thessaloniki. From July 1st, the regional airports are also to be opened for flights from abroad. A corona check will be carried out randomly at the Greek airports after landing from abroad, Athens said.
The islands of the Aegean and Ionian Sea have been prepared for the holiday start for foreign tourists. A total of 687 doctors and nurses were hired on the islands.
Netherlands: Travel advice
The Holland vacation is possible again – but not without restrictions. Vacation accommodations should be reserved in advance, according to official notices for foreign tourists. Bungalow parks gradually open and holiday homes are rented out again.
Since June 1, they can be shared by several families. Showers and toilets have been available on campsites and holiday parks since Monday; so far this was only planned for July 1st. The museums have been welcoming visitors again since June 1st – provided they register online beforehand.
Belgium: Travel advice
Like several European countries, Belgium returns to normal travel a bit in the middle of the month. The country has been opening its borders to travelers from 31 European countries since Monday.
For a long time now, Belgians have been able to receive visits from relatives from abroad. They are also allowed to go to relatives or to shop in neighboring countries such as Germany or the Netherlands. In the meantime, restaurants, cafés and bars have started operating again.
Denmark: Travel advice
Denmark was one of the first countries in Europe to close its borders in the struggle against Corona on March 14th. Since then, tourists and other foreigners without a specific reason for entry have not been able to enter the country. Denmark opened its borders to tourists from Germany, Iceland and Norway on Monday at least. The condition is that you have booked at least six nights.
Anyone who owns a summer house in Denmark as a German or wants to visit his partner in the country has been allowed to return since the end of May. Since Monday residents of Schleswig-Holstein have been allowed to travel across the border to Denmark without a valid reason for entry.
Iceland: Travel advice
The island in the North Atlantic, which is heavily dependent on tourism, has been offering holidaymakers the opportunity to be tested directly on arrival in Corona. The Icelandic government wants to give international tourists an alternative to the 14-day quarantine that has been mandatory since April.
Icelandic travelers can also show that they are corona free by presenting health documents at the airport. Children are exempt from the tests.
Turkey: Rice warning is valid until August 31st – hope for early lifting
For Turkey as a non-EU country, the AA travel warning applies until August 31. However, the country is hoping for tourists again from mid-June and for the travel warning to be lifted earlier. Airports and hotels are already preparing for foreign tourists. The facilities must adhere to numerous guidelines, such as a safety margin on beaches, only pre-packed towels at the pool, and thermal imaging cameras are used in airports and hotels.
The government has developed a certification program in which restaurateurs and hotels can volunteer. German companies such as Tüv Süd also provide inspectors.
Cyprus: Travel advice
Cyprus has opened its airports to tourists from some countries. Vacationers from Germany and twelve other countries can fly to the island without a quarantine requirement. There is only one condition for entry: by June 20, guests must undergo a corona test before entering. Thereafter, tourists and other travelers from Germany, Austria, Malta, Greece, Israel, Bulgaria, Finland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Lithuania, Norway, Denmark and Hungary are free to enter.
If travelers suffer from the consequences of a coronavirus infection during their stay in Cyprus, the government of the island republic wants to pay the costs.
Croatia: Travel advice
The country heavily dependent on tourism on the Adriatic Sea with its long coast and the many islands can hardly wait for the European borders to finally open up. Croatia once again allows citizens to enter the country without justification. The easing also affects the citizens of nine other EU countries: Austria, Slovenia, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Hungary, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia.
In future, travelers from these countries will only have to explain where they will be at the border and how they can be reached. This should enable them to be found when there are new corona infections in their environment.
Slovenia: Travel advice
The EU country between the Alps and the Adriatic has allowed travelers from Germany and 16 other European countries to enter the country without restrictions since 8 June. If you want to go on holiday there, you don't even have to show a booking confirmation. In addition, citizens from these and other countries can travel through the small country in transit.
Slovenia serves as a transit country for holidaymakers from Germany who travel to Croatia in their own car. It itself has a 46-kilometer section on the Adriatic Sea with a well-developed tourist infrastructure. All hotels have been open again since June 1st.
Czech Republic: Travel advice
The country of castles and palaces has already opened its borders to citizens from Germany, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary. Since Monday this has been valid for citizens of almost all EU countries, Switzerland and Liechtenstein.
The entry ban remains for travelers residing in Belgium, Portugal, Great Britain, Sweden and the Polish Silesian Voivodeship. These territories are considered to be risk areas for coronavirus infection. Prague's old town, which has been deserted for months, is gradually filling up with life again. Multi-day hotel guests reward the capital with free cultural vouchers.
Bulgaria: Travel advice
The holiday country on the Black Sea is gearing up for a summer season under corona requirements. Germans have been allowed to enter Bulgaria again without quarantine since June 1. Bulgaria is one of the countries that are relatively unaffected by the coronavirus pandemic.
On the long bathing beaches, the deck chairs are already spaced apart. Dispensers with disinfectants and isolation rooms for coronavirus cases should be standard. In the Balkans, restaurants, cafés, museums, cinemas, fitness centers and shopping malls are open again.
Poland: Travel advice
The country reopened its borders with all neighboring EU countries on June 13th. Immigrants from EU countries and Poland no longer have to quarantine for 14 days. From this Tuesday (June 16) flights to EU countries are also to be resumed.
Hotels, shopping centers, restaurants and cafés are now open again. The same applies to hairdressing salons and beauty salons. Swimming pools and gyms can also start operating again.
Egypt: partial travel warning
Not Europe, but a popular travel destination for Europeans. At holiday resorts such as Hurghada and Sharm el Sheikh, normality is to gradually return – that is the hope. Hotels have been allowed to reopen to local holidaymakers since June 1 at 50 percent occupancy. The borders are still tight for holidaymakers from abroad. The AA currently advises against unnecessary trips to Egypt.
By the way: According to a survey commissioned by the "ARD Extra" program, 50 percent of those surveyed who have already thought about vacation plans want to stay at home this year.