You Can Travel, But There is Nowhere… To Go. What Restrictions are in Place Around Europe?

On April 23, the Czech Republic lifted a ban on non-essential movement and travel abroad. According to the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs, people are asking where it is possible to go. “They most often ask about holidays, mainly about Croatia.” However, due to the restrictions of other countries, it is practically impossible to travel from the Czech Republic.

 

Albania

All flights to and from Tirana airport are suspended. Travellers entering the country who have travelled to WHO high-risk regions for COVID-19 in the 14 days prior to arrival have been ordered to self-quarantine for 14 days. All land borders are closed except for goods transport with neighbouring countries.

Andorra

The little country has not implemented any entry restrictions, but it is practically impossible to travel to neighboring France or Spain, and therefore get a bus to reach Andorra. Quarantine is only recommended.

Austria

According to the Czech Foreign Affairs Ministry, travel to Austria is only permitted with a negative covid-19 test taken within the last 4 days. Official accommodations for private travel and tourism are not permitted. Transit through Austria without stopping is allowed, but such intentions must be proved for example by having sufficient fuel in the tank during police check.

Belarus

Belarus did not close the borders, but all neighboring countries did. 14-day quarantine is compulsory for everyone arriving from abroad. They will not be allowed to leave Belarus until the self-isolation period is over.

Belgium

Entry the country is possible only after submitting a document that states the reason for the trip. Non-essential travel or holiday is not among valid reasons. There are controls at the borders.

Bosnia-Herzegovina

Foreigners cannot enter the country unless they live permanently or work as diplomats and doctors. Members of the European Union (EUFOR) and NATO forces are also an exception. Sarajevo Airport remains closed to the public, however continues to operate repatriation flights. Returning citizens and foreign citizens with permanent residence must undergo self-quarantine for 14 days.

Bulgaria

Only EU citizens returning from Italy, Spain, France, Great Britain, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria, Belgium, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Luxembourg are banned from entering the country. There is still a not regular air connection between Prague and Sofia.

Canada

Entry the country is forbidden. Exceptions are valid for seasonal workers or students. You can still get to Canada from Europe by plane. Home 14-day quarantine is mandatory.

Croatia

All non-essential travel across borders, such as for tourism purposes, is prohibited. It is possible to return home through Croatia, but only on the motorway. Only one airline connection is currently in operation – to Frankfurt in Germany. The Croatian ministry of tourism is considering establishing ground or airline “tourism corridors”.

Cyprus

There are currently no flights to the island. Entry to Cyprus is allowed to persons, regardless of nationality, whose assistance, due to their professional or scientific capacity, is deemed necessary in the efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. Everyone must submit a negative test for COVID-19.

Denmark

International flights have been reinstated, some ferries to and from Germany are in operation, but controls are conducted at the borders and entry is only permitted for people with “good reasons”.  This does not include tourism.

Estonia

The Government of Estonia has reintroduced strict border controls. Only citizens of Estonia and holders of Estonian residency permit or right of residence, as well as foreign citizens whose family member lives in Estonia, are allowed entry. Foreigners are allowed to transit Estonia on the way to their home country if they do not show symptoms of COVID-19. This includes entering the southern border with Latvia and driving to Tallinn Airport.

Finland

Foreigners who do not live permanently in Finland or have no relatives with Finnish citizens are not allowed to enter the country.

France

A curfew is in effect in the country. A document certifying the purpose of visiting is necessary for entry into the country regardless of the mode of transportation. Airlines were tasked with continuing the operation of flight connections into the country for “moderate prices”.

Germany

Germany increased border controls; border police conducts random checks. Entry into the country is only permitted in essential cases and to people with “convincing reasons”. Flight connections are limited in order to allow social distancing among travelers. Transit through the country is possible, however, no international trains or buses cross the border with Czech Republic. Everyone has to undergo mandatory 14-day quarantine if they stayed abroad for more than one day.

Greece

Entry the country is forbidden, there aren’t air and bus connections, boats are not allowed, all hotels and resorts are closed to tourists.

Hungary

Foreign citizens are not allowed into the country. Even people with sufficient reasons must go to a special room at the airport (however, no flights from Czech Republic fly to Hungary at this time) and undergo a medical examination at the border.

Ireland

Borders are open. The government imposes a 14-day mandatory quarantine for passengers arriving in the country. It is prohibited to move further than two kilometers from the place of residence (except for necessary reasons). However, there is no direct flight connection with the Czech Republic.

Italy

Entry is permitted only for “essential reasons”, which are work or medical reasons; a curfew is still in effect. When crossing the border, the person in question must report their reason for travel, as well as the place where they will stay for the duration of a mandatory 14-day quarantine and how they will get there.

Iceland

Entry the country is not forbidden, but all travellers must self-quarantine for 14 days.

Kosovo

Land borders with Albania have been closed until further notice. All flights from Pristina International Airport are suspended until further notice. Land borders are closed to entry for non-Kosovo citizens. Returning citizens are quarantined for 14 days at a facility.

Latvia

Latvia’s borders are opened, but there are no international connections. 14-day quarantine is compulsory.

Lithuania

Entry the country is prohibited, special requests are handled individually by the local Directorate of State Border Protection. All regular flights are canceled, there is still a ferry going to Germany.

Luxembourg

Luxembourg has introduced border controls and entry is allowed only to commuters or drivers carrying goods. Findel Airport is closed from 23 March.

Malta

The island country has not factually closed its borders, but all regular flight connections are cancelled and all travel by ship is suspended too. There is a mandatory 14-day quarantine for anyone who returns to the country.

Moldova

All international flights as well as international rail links banned until 15 May. Only Moldovan citizens and residents will be able to enter the country until this date. Borders with Romania and Ukraine are closed to passenger traffic as well as foreigners. Moldovan citizens may, however, cross into the country.

Montenegro

Montenegro Airlines has suspended all flights until 7 May following government halt. All international bus and railway services have also been suspended.  Montenegrin authorities have banned entry for foreigners – except for those with temporary or permanent residence and cargo drivers – and imposed a mandatory quarantine for all citizens entering from abroad.

Netherlands

Entry into the country is de facto not limited, but mandatory quarantine is in place for everyone who is returning from “risk areas”. Czech Republic is not among those, quarantine is therefore only recommended.

Norway

Norway has introduced entry restrictions for everyone without “essential reasons”. One exception is, for example, for divorced spouses who have to travel abroad in order to see their children. Since the start of April, EU citizens who are going be working in Norway in agricultural, fishing, or energy sectors are allowed entry into Norway.

Poland

The border, as well as hotels and other accommodation facilities, are closed to travelers who do not have relatives, residence, or work in Poland. Foreign air and train transportation is cancelled and only certain border crossings are in operation, such as the pedestrian border crossing in Český Těšín. Transit through Poland is prohibited as well.

Portugal

Entry is not prohibited to foreign nationals; however, if a person does not have permanent residence in Portugal (though airlines are not obligated to examine this), it is practically impossible to enter the country. The land border with Spain can only be crossed by Spanish citizens.

Romania

Entry ban for all foreign nationals (exceptions: legal residents, cross-border workers, transport of goods, etc.). Transit of EU citizens to their country of residence is allowed.

Russia

Entry is forbidden for anyone who does not have Russian citizenship, with a few exceptions, including visiting relatives or attending the funeral of a close family member. There’s an occasional flight between Prague and Moscow.

Slovakia

The country does not permit inbound travel for tourism purposes. Authorities only permit travel for family purposes in case of closest relatives – husband, wife, or children under 18 years of age. International air, bus, and train travel is cancelled.

Spain

Due to a ban on crossing borders without a reason, it is nearly impossible to enter the country. Nearly all commercial flights have been cancelled.

Sweden

Sweden does not limit entry into the country, though it recommends limiting it to necessary cases. Arriving by car is allowed; ferries to Germany are in operation and according to the Foreign Affairs Ministry, airlines will start selling first airplane tickets for connections with Prague starting mid-May. No general bans are in place in the country, events over 50 people are prohibited.

Switzerland

Only people with permanent residence or who are entering for work are allowed to enter the country. Flights from Italy, France, Germany, or Spain are limited and border controls are in place. However, after entering, foreign citizens are not subject to mandatory quarantine.

Unites States