Europe: Where to go on holiday this summer and under what conditions
Written on : 28 May 2021 By : Elisa PINHEIRO
Summer is around the corner and the desire to travel after several months of confinement and severe restrictions is stronger than ever. It is still not advisable to travel outside Europe, but Europe offers many destinations for a sunny holiday. Villanovo invites you to discover where to go on holiday in Europe, despite Covid-19.
It is important to be well informed about the conditions of entry and to comply with the measures in force at the time of your trip. In addition, it is imperative to respect the barrier gestures, the wearing of masks, and social distancing.
Most countries and airlines require travellers to complete an information sheet before travelling abroad. You can download these forms from official government websites.
The Health Pass and vaccination
For some countries, the tourism sector is an important part of the economy. According to the UNWTO, in 2019, Europe received 743 million international tourists, representing 51% of the global market. France, Spain and Italy are the most visited European countries but saw a decrease in the number of tourists in 2020. The summer of 2021 is a decisive phase, but still threatened by the pandemic. To combat the epidemic, countries have taken numerous measures. While vaccination campaigns are being stepped up, governments are advocating the deployment of a health pass. This pass, which will be available in digital or paper format, will be used to facilitate travel in Europe and will centralise proof of a negative test, the Covid-19 recovery certificate or the vaccination certificate.
Greece
Greece has given the green light for the opening of the tourist season since the 15th of May. To enter the country, travellers will need a negative PCR test taken in less than 72 hours before departure (from 5 years old) or a certificate of vaccination completed at least 14 days before. Once here, you can enjoy the museums, restaurants and terraces as well as the beautiful beaches of Greece.
Please note that EU residents are not subject to the 7-day quarantine!
Spain
From the 7th of June, all vaccinated people, regardless of nationality, will be able to go on holiday to Spain. At the moment there is no further information on the conditions of entry, whether it will be necessary to present a negative PCR test or not. However, for non-vaccinated travellers it will be necessary to present a negative PCR test less than 72 hours old (from 6 years old) for any entry by sea, land or air. Mobility between communities is also permitted, however restrictions (curfews, gatherings, open establishments) may vary from one region to another, so it is important to find out more.
Conditions of access to the Spanish islands are somewhat different:
The Balearic Islands
The Balearic Islands are subject to the same restrictions as in Spain with some differences. It is only necessary to present a negative PCR test of less than 72 hours (from 6 years old) for a stay of more than 72 hours.
The Canary Islands
The rules differ depending on the island you are visiting (curfew time, assembly) but are similar. To enter the territory, you only need to present a negative PCR test less than 72 hours old (from 6 years old) and a temperature test will also be taken at the airport.
Portugal
Since 17 May, the 14-day quarantine has been lifted for European countries with a Covid-19 incidence rate of less than 500 cases per 100,000 inhabitants (which is the case for France and the UK). However, Portugal requires a negative PCR test less than 72 hours old (from 2 years of age).
Since the 1st of May, Portugal has been in a decontamination phase, with bars, restaurants and tourist sites open. The land border between Portugal and Spain is also open again.
It should be noted that among the members of the European Union, only residents of Sweden, Lithuania and Cyprus travelling to Portugal are required to undergo a 14-day quarantine for any stay of more than 48 hours.
The conditions of access to the Portuguese archipelagos are somewhat different:
Madeira
To get to the archipelago, you have several choices. You can present a negative PCR test less than 72 hours old (from 12 years old) or a certificate of vaccination completed at least 14 days before or you can choose to voluntarily confine yourself for 14 days.
The Azores
The Azores also require a negative PCR test less than 72 hours old (12 years and older) or a certificate of vaccination completed at least 14 days before. For a stay of more than 7 days, travellers will have to submit to a negative PCR test on the 6th and 12th day from the date of the first screening test.
France
France requires Europeans to present a negative PCR test less than 72 hours old (from 11 years old) and this is also valid for vaccinated people. A curfew is in force throughout the country until the 30th of June, restaurants, terraces, museums and shops are open. Tourist stays are open from the 9th of June thanks to the health pass.
Croatia
Croatia requires all EU travellers, regardless of nationality, to have a certificate of vaccination completed at least 14 days before departure, or a certificate of recovery from Covid or a negative PCR test less than 48 hours old. Terraces, cafés and museums have been open since the 1st of March. Only third countries listed by the EU can travel to Croatia, with no PCR test or quarantine requirement.
Italy
There is no quarantine requirement in Italy for EU and UK nationals either. You can travel to Italy on presentation of a negative PCR test less than 72 hours old (for anyone, vaccinated or not).
Once in Italy, the rules differ according to the regions which are divided into 4 risk zones (red for maximum risk, orange for high risk, yellow for moderate risk and white for reduced risk). Today most of Italy is classified as "yellow", bars, restaurants, shops and cinemas are open and travel between "yellow" regions is allowed.
Note that these conditions are in force since the 16th of May and until the 30th of July.
- Sardinia and Sicily
These two islands and the Valle d'Aosta region are currently the only "orange" areas and are therefore subject to more restrictive rules and limited travel.
