Around the start of the summer vacations, traveling within Europe has become much easier. You can read here which Corona rules apply to Austrians entering popular vacation destinations such as Greece, Spain, Croatia or other countries.
Like Austria, many countries have recently relaxed their entry restrictions. Nevertheless, there are still different requirements for entry in the states. The EU-wide “green passport” is intended to bring a certain degree of standardization here. The digital Covid certificate will be recognized in all 27 EU countries as well as Switzerland, Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein from July 1.
Proof of green passport: tested, recovered, vaccinated
The EU digital Covid certificate is proof that a person has been vaccinated against Covid-19, has tested negative for Corona or has recovered from a Corona infection. The so-called “green passport” regulates that every vaccinated person receives a vaccination certificate. The vaccine used does not matter. EU countries must accept vaccines that have been approved in the EU, but can extend the validity to other vaccines. They also decide for themselves when one is considered vaccinated.
Both PCR and rapid antigen tests are approved as tests. A person is considered recovered 180 days after a positive Coronatest result. Antibody tests are not currently recognized. In Austria, the Green Passport is available with cell phone signature or citizen card at https://www.gesundheit.gv.at/. For questions, the AGES hotline is available at 0800 555 621.
There are still divergent regulations in the various countries regarding entry: For example, the duration of the validity of test results is regulated differently, as is the age of minors for whom a test is required. There are also differences in the time from which a vaccination is recognized. In most cases, this is 14 days after a full immunization (second dose or first dose of the Janssen vaccine from Johnson & Johnson). In addition, registration prior to travel is mandatory in many countries. Only a few countries still impose an additional quarantine requirement after entry or prohibit tourist entry altogether.
Vacation travel abroad: entry regulations are constantly changing
Since the regulations are constantly and rapidly changing, it is advisable to inform yourself before traveling: Detailed information on testing and quarantine requirements of the individual countries can be found on the EU page Reopen Europa (Reopening the EU) at https://reopen.europa.eu/de. Up-to-date travel information for the various countries can also be found on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs page. The entry regulations for Austria are again listed on the homepage of the Ministry of Health. Information is also provided by transport and travel companies. Information on the EU-wide Covid certificate.
Overview of entry regulations as of July 8, 2021.
ENTRY TO AUSTRIA FROM COUNTRIES WITH LOW EPIDEMIOLOGICAL RISK WITH 3G DETECTION:
Albania, Andorra, Australia, Belgium, Bulgaria, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Brunei, Canada, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Principality of Liechtenstein, Greece, Hong Kong, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kosovo, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macau, Qatar, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, New Zealand, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Czech Republic, Hungary, USA, Vatican City, Vietnam and Cyprus.
These countries do not require registration and quarantine. Individuals must still carry proof of low epidemiological risk (3-G rule) upon entry. If no proof is available, registration must be carried out and a test must be carried out immediately, but in any case within 24 hours of entry.
ENTRY FROM VIRUS VARIANT AREAS TO AUSTRIA:
Currently, Great Britain, Brazil, India, Russia, South Africa as well as Botswana, Eswatini, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Uruguay are considered virus variant areas. Entry from these countries is generally prohibited. However, Austrians, EU and EEA citizens, among others, are exempted. When entering the country from the risk countries, they must carry a negative result of a Covid test, register and immediately enter a ten-day quarantine. They cannot end the quarantine until the fifth day at the earliest with a negative test. Vaccination does not change this, according to the Ministry of Health. The quarantine obligation is waived for travel for professional purposes and for travel in the overriding interest of Austria, especially in the field of culture and sports, for example, for supervisors and coaches.
Registration is done with the so-called Pre-Travel Clearance Form.
ENTRY FROM ALL OTHER COUNTRIES TO AUSTRIA: For all other countries, which are therefore neither virus variant areas nor countries with a low epidemiological risk according to the Ministry of Health, proof of a low epidemiological risk (negative test, vaccination, proof of recovery) must still be submitted. In addition, registration and quarantine are mandatory.
Exceptions apply to regular commuters, cross-border school and study visits, for family purposes, or to visit domestic partners. Also, for persons who are fully immunized (two vaccine doses or one vaccine dose for recovered persons), the registration and quarantine requirement is waived 14 days after the last vaccine dose required for this purpose. Likewise, this applies to minors 12 years of age and older if they enter the country accompanied by a fully vaccinated adult.
Current Covid entry requirements of popular vacation countries
ENTRY TO EU AND EEA COUNTRIES: 3-G PROOF WITH THE EU DIGITAL COVID CERTIFICATE
Belgium: Austria is considered a “green zone” without mandatory quarantine upon test proof. In return, one must not have been in a “red zone” (quarantine obligation) in the 14 days prior to entry. Children under twelve years of age are exempt from the test obligation. One is considered vaccinated two weeks after full immunization. One must also complete a registration form upon entry.
Bulgaria: Proof of vaccination (valid 14 days after full immunization) or a negative test (PCR not older than 72 hours or antigen test not older than 48 hours). Children under five years of age are exempt from testing or quarantine requirements. Completion of a declaration is mandatory.
Denmark: Denmark classifies Austria as a “green” country. Requirement is negative Covid 19 test, not older than 48 hours. In addition, all must take a second test (antigen or PCR) no later than 24 hours after entry. Fully vaccinated persons and convalescents are exempt from the testing requirement. No test is required for children under twelve years of age.
Germany: Antigen test not older than 48 hours or PCR test not older than 72 hours or proof of vaccination at least 14 days after complete vaccination or convalescent certificate. Children under six years of age are exempt from testing requirements.
Estonia: Persons traveling from Austria are exempt from the quarantine requirement as well as the requirement to present a negative test result. The EU digital Covid certificate applies.
Finland: Proof of vaccination or recovery is required for tourist stays. Full Covid 19 vaccination plus 14 days or six months of past Covid 19 disease applies. All other travelers not living in Finland should take a Coronatest less than 72 hours prior to arrival in Finland.
France: Upon entry, presentation of proof of vaccination or negative PCR/antigen test result (not older than 72 hours) and an affidavit of freedom from symptoms is mandatory. Proof of vaccination is valid from two weeks after the second dose of vaccine or from four weeks after the single dose of Johnson&Johnson vaccine. Children under age eleven are not required to be tested.
Greece: Required for travelers to Greece are either a PCR test no older than 72 hours, an antigen test no older than 48 hours, a vaccination certificate (14 days after complete vaccination), or proof of recovery. The Austrian yellow vaccination certificate is accepted. Upon arrival, a rapid test can be performed, in case of a positive test, a 14-day quarantine is imposed. Registration is mandatory for all entrants at least 24 hours prior to entry. Testing is not required for children under twelve years of age.
Ireland: Travelers to Ireland must have a completed Passenger Location Form and a negative PCR test no older than 72 hours at the time of entry. Children between the ages of seven and 18 who have not been vaccinated must also have a negative PCR test. However, mandatory hotel quarantine no longer applies to those entering the country from Austria.
Italy: 3-G detection is mandatory upon entry: PCR or antigen tests no older than 48 hours, proof of vaccination at least 14 days after the end of the required vaccination cycle, or proof of infection six months prior. Persons entering the country must register electronically in advance. Children under the age of six are exempt from testing.
Croatia: Entry into Croatia is generally possible; the State Department also recommends travel registration prior to entry. When classifying countries, Croatia follows the EU health agency (ECDC). Austria is “green” here. Proof of vaccination is required from 22 days after the first dose, proof of recovery (up to 180 days) and testing (PCR up to 72 hours, antigen up to 48 hours ago). Children under twelve years of age do not need to be tested.
Latvia: entry with vaccination certificate valid for 15 days after full immunization, or with proof of recovery or negative PCR test performed within 72 hours prior to arrival. Regulations do not apply to children under twelve.
Lithuania: Entry with vaccination certificate valid 14 days after full immunization, or with proof of recovery or negative PCR test conducted within 72 hours prior to arrival. Minors under 16 years of age are exempt from the proof requirement.
Luxembourg: Entry into Luxembourg is generally permitted. However, persons six years of age and older must present either a vaccination certificate attesting to full vaccination coverage, a certificate of recovery (for infections within the last six months), or a negative test result (PCR tests less than 72 hours and rapid antigen test performed less than 48 hours prior to flight) when entering by air.
Malta allows entry of Austrians with PCR tests not older than 72 hours or proof of vaccination. All travelers 5 years and older are subject to this requirement.
Netherlands: Travelers from Austria can enter the Netherlands test- and quarantine-free with the digital EU Corona Certificate. If entering by air, a health declaration must be completed.
Norway: Entry for vaccinated (complete vaccination) and recovered (validity six months) is possible without testing and quarantine. Otherwise, travel registration is required no earlier than 72 hours prior to and testing upon entry is required for travelers from “green” countries, which currently includes Austria. Children under the age of 18 who do not have a green passport must enter quarantine. This can be terminated with a negative PCR test.
Poland: Entry from EU or EEA countries follows the 3G rule: that is, a PCR or antigen test no more than 48 hours old, a complete vaccination with an EU-approved vaccine at least two weeks ago, or proven Covid-19 disease within the past six months. Children under twelve years of age traveling with their vaccinated or tested parents are exempt from testing and quarantine requirements.
Portugal: Upon entry, mandatory testing is required a maximum of 72 hours (PCR test) or 48 hours (rapid antigen test) prior to boarding a flight to Portugal. In addition, pre-registration is required prior to departure. For Madeira and the Azores, the testing requirement is waived for convalescents. Children under the age of twelve are also exempt from the testing requirement. Caution is advised when returning via Germany. Because Germany has classified Portugal as a virus-variant area, the State Department recommends taking a different route.
Romania: Coming from Austria, entry is permitted without restriction. The prerequisite is that those entering the country have not stayed in any country classified as a yellow or red zone within the last 14 days. Austria is currently green.
Sweden: There is an entry ban for foreign citizens who cannot present a vaccination certificate, a negative test result or proof of recovery. The coronary test must not be older than 48 hours. A second test five days after arrival is recommended. Travelers under the age of 18 are exempt from the above requirements.
Switzerland: For travelers from Austria, entry without quarantine is possible. However, if travel is by air, non-vaccinated and non-recovered persons are required to present a negative PCR test or antigen test. An entry form must be completed. Fully immunized persons are considered vaccinated persons. Persons are considered recovered six months from the 11th day after confirmation of infection.
Slovakia: Prerequisite for entry from Austria is a registration as well as the 3-G proof. A person is considered vaccinated at least 21 days until 90 days after the first vaccination. For recovered persons, the period is 180 days, and a form must also be filled out as confirmation that the infection has been overcome. For testing, PCR tests are accepted, not older than 72 hours, or antigen tests, not older than 24 hours. Persons up to 18 years of age do not need any of these proofs.
Slovenia: Persons residing in Austria who can prove that they have been in Austria continuously for the last five days prior to entry may enter without further requirements. However, similar to Austria, the 3-G rule applies in accommodations and restaurants. Slovenia makes a difference with regard to vaccines: The full immunization with Comirnaty from BioNTech/Pfizer must be at least seven days ago. With Moderna, it is 14 days. With Vaxzevria from AstraZeneca, one vaccination dose is sufficient if at least 21 days have passed since then. For Johnson & Johnson, 14 days.
Spain: Online registration is required when entering from Austria. In addition, a vaccination certificate or a negative Covid 19 test (PCR test or antigen test), a recovery certificate or a Digital Covid Certificate of the EU must be presented. For the vaccination certificate, the date of the second vaccination must be at least 14 days ago. The coronal test must not be older than 48 hours. Children under 12 are exempt from testing.
Czech Republic classifies Austria as green, which means there are no entry restrictions, PCR test and quarantine are not required. Proof of vaccination is valid for 22 days after the first dose. In case of recovery, the period is 180 days. A PCR test is valid for 72 hours, and an antigen test is valid for 48 hours. Children under six years of age are exempt from testing requirements.
Hungary: Entry into Hungary from Austria has been allowed since June 23 without detection or quarantine requirements. Previously, hotels, restaurants and spas were required to show a Hungarian immunization passport – this is now to be largely lifted. For participation in festivals, concerts or bar visits, the obligation still exists.
Cyprus requires electronic registration a maximum of 48 hours before travel. Vaccinated persons can enter the Republic of Cyprus without further restrictions. Unvaccinated persons may also enter the country without restrictions, but must have stayed in Austria for at least two weeks beforehand. Randomly ordered tests are possible upon arrival in Cyprus. Refusal of the test results in an entry ban.
— source: APA/vienna.at/picture: pixabay.com
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