Amid surging COVID-19 cases across Europe and the new variant, Omicron, first identified in South Africa, countries across Europe are adjusting entry policies, revisiting lockdowns and travel bans, and reinstituting quarantine requirements. We’re updating with the latest from Wednesday, November 25, 2021.
If you have questions about anything we’re reporting above or case-specific questions, please contact your employer or EIG attorney.
The Czech Republic | The government has expanded the “dark red category” to include unvaccinated travelers from Poland, Luxembourg, San Marino, France, Monaco, Portugal, and Spain. Additionally, the dark red category includes almost all the EU member states. Travelers in the dark red category must complete the pre-arrival form, take an antigen or PCR test before arrival, and isolate for 14 days with the possibility of testing to release early. In response to the Omicron variant, arrivals from Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia, and Zimbabwe are banned.
Estonia | Unvaccinated travelers from Portugal, France, Finland, and Monaco will follow new rules from Monday, November 29. Travelers who don’t have a valid vaccination or recovery certificate will be required to self-isolate for 10 days with the possibility of testing to release early.
Greece | The entry ban for most travelers from outside the EU and Schengen Area is extended until December 3. The entry ban does not apply to EU and EEA nationals, their spouses, children, or people they live with. Also eligible to enter restriction-free, including for non-essential purposes, are residents of the following: Australia, Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Argentina, Bahrain, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brunei, Canada, China, Chile, Chinese Taipei, Israel, India, Japan, Jordan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Lebanon, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Oman, Qatar, Russia, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, South Korea, Singapore, Turkey, Ukraine, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Uruguay, and the Vatican.
All travelers must show proof of vaccination or recovery from COVID-19 in the last 30 – 180 days and negative test results taken within the previous 72 hours. Upon arrival, travelers will have to take a rapid test.
Norway | From Monday, November 29, unvaccinated travelers from France, Monaco, Portugal, and Spain, and regions of Finland and Sweden, will have to quarantine upon arrival for 10 days, with the possibility of testing to release early. These countries are now on the red list. In addition, travelers from Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe must test before arrival and on arrival and quarantine for 10 days. These travelers will also have the option to test to release early.
From midnight, December 3, all travelers to Norway must do a COVID-19 test upon entry and quarantine until a negative result is returned.
Spain | From December 1, the Spanish government will not permit British visitors without a COVID-19 vaccination certificate. Currently, Britons can enter Spain with a negative test taken three days before arrival or a COVID-19 certificate. The ban will remain in place until December 31, 2021.