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Daily Record

Lifestyle

Lucy Farrell

Nine European countries keeping Covid restrictions in place in June - entry rules explained

European Union Portugal France Malta Spain

As the summer season approaches and Covid-19 infection rates continue to lower, most EU countries have lifted all Covid restrictions.

However, a number of countries plan to keep some rules in place for the month of June.

There are nine countries that have lifted the majority of their domestic Covid-19 restrictions, but still require travellers to follow coronavirus travel rules.

Additionally, the requirement to wear a face mask in public places has also been dropped.

All countries have extended their Covid travel rules at least through June, with an unconfirmed end date.

This means travellers must provide proof of vaccination, certificate of recovery or a negative test result to enter the following countries.

Estonia

All travellers from third countries need a vaccination or recovery certificate or a negative test result to enter
If you don't have either, you must stay in isolation for seven days
No restrictions to anybody apply in the case of transit
Primary vaccination must have been in the last 270 days or has received a booster shot
EU rules apply for recovery and Covid-19 test

Finland

All EU travellers must present a valid vaccination or recovery certificate upon arrival
Travellers with neither of these can also enter the country by presenting a negative Covid-19 test result
Non-EU travellers can enter Finland only if they are able to provide a vaccination or recovery certificate

France

Travellers from a green-listed country with proof of vaccination, recovery, or test certificate are permitted to enter France
France's green travel list includes all EU countries and several third countries
Travellers from orange-listed countries who are fully vaccinated and recovered from Covid-19 can enter restriction free
Those from orange countries who have not been vaccinated or recovered must show a negative Covid-19 test result, and must have a necessary reason to enter France

Germany

Anyone over the age of 12 must present a vaccination or a, recovery certificate upon entry.
Those who are unable to present either of these need to present a recently taken negative PCR or rapid antigen test
Those flying with no documentation can enter Germany, but will be required to follow further requirements

Travel restrictions in Germany were expected to ease by the end of April.

However, the authorities decided to extend them for an undecided period.

Malta

All travellers, regardless of their country of origin, are required to present a Covid Certificate – a vaccination, recovery, or test certificate – when travelling to Malta
Those who present one of the above-mentioned passes do not need to follow additional rules
Children aged six and up are also required to present Covid proof when entering Malta
From June 6, children under the age of 12 will be permitted restriction-free entry

Netherlands

Non-EU travellers need to present proof of vaccination or recovery to gain access into the Netherlands
Those who can not provide one of these passes are currently banned from entering the country
The Netherlands has eased all coronavirus travel rules for EU-travellers, meaning they can enter restriction-free, regardless of their vaccination status
EU travellers are not required to need to present a proof recovery or vaccination, or a negative Covid-19 test

Portugal

All travellers must present a valid vaccination, recovery, or test certificate.
Travellers should check what kind of rules apply to their country of origin, as Portugal does not recognise all Covid passes
Portugal recognises all Covid certificates issued in EU countries, as well as those issued in several third countries
Similar to mainland Portugal, the Azores also require travellers to present Covid proof on their arrival

Slovakia

Currently, all travellers are required to provide a vaccination or recovery certificate.
Special categories of travellers can also enter by only presenting a negative test.
Travellers who do not hold the required Covid documentation can also enter the country, but must follow additional measures

Spain

All travellers, regardless if they from an EU or third country, must provide a valid vaccination, recovery, or test certificate
Spain only recognises vaccination certificates which show holders have completed primary vaccination in the last nine months or received an additional vaccine dose
A recovery pass is recognised if it proves that the holder recovered from the virus in the last 180 days
A PCR test must be taken within 72 hours before arrival
A rapid antigen test must be taken within 24 hours before arrival in Spain.

Restriction Free Travel

The following EU/EAA countries now allow restriction-free travelling, regardless of country of origin - as they have lifted all Covid restrictions.

This means travellers can now plan their journeys to any of the following 20 countries, without having to worry about providing a negative Covid test, certificate, or proof of recovery.