Whitsun holidays: You can already travel to these European countries now

The third corona wave seems to have broken in Germany and some other European countries. So the prospects for holidays within Europe are not that bad. Although the federal government still advises against traveling abroad, the number of infections remains high in some cases. But in many holiday countries the first steps in opening up are emerging. And: Fully vaccinated people can enter some countries such as Croatia and Greece again without a negative Corona test.

Click on the world map and find out which countries can currently be entered for tourist purposes. By clicking on “More Info” you can also find out which measures apply on site and whether hotels and restaurants are open:

Austria: Entry from Bavaria without quarantine possible since Wednesday

Tourism in Austria is to be revived at Whitsun. According to the plan, next to cultural, leisure facilities and gastronomy, hotels should finally start operating again from May 19. In order to keep the infection rate under control, the country relies on the so-called “Three G strategy”, which stands for vaccinated, recovered or tested.

From next Wednesday it should be possible to travel to Austria from Bavaria again – for example to go shopping or visit relatives. This was said by the Bavarian Prime Minister Markus Söder after a conversation with Austria’s Chancellor Sebastian Kurz on Tuesday. So far, there is still a registration and a ten-day quarantine obligation upon entry, which should therefore be omitted.

Reading tip: Is Corona over now? Experts answer all questions

Croatia: Entry possible with proof of vaccination

In Croatia, many hotels and restaurants are already open again, so that vacation is possible. Cafés and restaurants are also open outside. However, travelers must meet one of the following criteria when entering the country:

• Either they have to present a negative PCR or antigen test that is not older than 48 hours when crossing the border
• or proof of vaccination that proves that the second vaccination was given at least 14 days ago
• or proof of a Covid 19 illness that was at least eleven days ago, but not more than 180 days ago
• or proof of Covid-19 recovery and a primary vaccination that was eleven days ago, but not more than five months.
• It is also possible to carry out a test on arrival, but self-isolation is then necessary until the test result is received.

Attention: Since the RKI has classified Croatia as a high incidence area since April 11, holidaymakers must go into a ten-day quarantine on their return trip to Germany, which can only be ended after the fifth day with a negative test result. Since May 9th, this rule no longer applies to those who have been completely vaccinated and recovered.

Italy: No more quarantine on entry from mid-May

Italy currently requires a negative corona test or rapid test that is not older than 48 hours when entering the country. In addition, a five-day quarantine obligation applies to all travelers from EU member states.

But this regulation should fall as early as mid-May. At least that is what Italy’s Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio announced. Together with the Minister of Health, he plans to abolish the “mini-quarantine” for EU citizens who have tested negative, vaccinated or have recovered from Covid-19. The exact regulations and dates for the new regulations have not yet been legally established.

Another good news: Since Monday there are no more red zones in Italy, in which there are particularly strict Corona rules.

Spain: Many holiday regions apart from Mallorca are still risk areas

Since Mallorca is no longer considered a corona risk area, tourism on the island is slowly flourishing again. In addition to filling out an online form, holidaymakers must present a test (PCR, TMA or LAMP) that is not older than 72 hours upon entry. This regulation also applies to mainland Spain.

However, the RKI classifies some popular holiday regions in the country as risk areas: among them

• Andalusia
• the canaries
• Catalonia
• the Basque Country and
• Madrid.

Although hotels are open in many places under strict hygiene requirements, depending on the region there are still some restrictions such as night curfews – on Mallorca, for example, between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. Some restaurants and other gastronomic establishments are still closed or only open to a limited extent (outdoor catering).

Greece: Entry for fully vaccinated persons without proof of test

From May 15, Hellas wants to fully open itself to tourism again. Only a few weeks ago, the seven-day quarantine regulation for EU citizens and travelers from numerous other countries was lifted. In addition to an online registration, it is now sufficient to submit a negative PCR test that is not older than 72 hours. And: if you can prove a complete vaccination, you don’t need a test. Hotels and restaurants are already allowed to open – the latter, however, only outside until a maximum of 10.45 p.m.

Since the country still has more than 2000 corona infections and dozen deaths per day (Athens is the hardest hit), Greece has been a risk area since March 7, according to the RKI. In good time before the holiday season, the government is accelerating the vaccination program: within the next few weeks, island residents should also have more opportunities to get vaccinated – and the numbers will fall.

Portugal: Whitsun vacation is not yet possible for Germans

Good news from Portugal: According to the RKI, the popular Algarve holiday region is no longer a risk area. This eliminates quarantine for travelers when they return to Germany. Only the autonomous islands of Madeira and the Azores are considered risk areas. The state of emergency in the country has been lifted, hotels are largely open, restaurants, cafes and cultural institutions are also allowed to open until 10.30 p.m. on weekends.

Nevertheless: Entry for vacationers from Germany is currently not possible. Unnecessary tourist trips from countries with a 14-day incidence of over 150 are still not permitted by the government in Lisbon. This regulation is initially valid until May 16.

France: Entry possible, but high incidence area

Although France wants to continue to control its internal EU borders until October 21, entry is still possible from Germany and all EU countries. Travelers must present a negative PCR test that cannot be older than 72 hours. In addition, they must provide a declaration that they are free of Covid-19 symptoms (Self-declaration) submit.

Although the French are increasingly loosening their lockdown, there are still many restrictions in the country: For example, there is a nationwide curfew from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. Hotels are allowed to open under hygienic conditions, but restaurants remain closed, but are expected to open outdoor catering from May 19.

Attention, France (including all overseas departments) has been a high incidence area since March 28th.