Very few countries in Europe impose strict travel rules in the mid-2022. As Covid-19 pandemic slowed down, many nations opened up for international travel worldwide. European travel restrictions from US also loosened and allowed visitors to arrive in the region with less requirements.
However, some European countries still have certain travel requirements for the US citizens. Many of them call for FFP2 or similar type face masks, while only few of them keep the quarantine rules. Majority of the restrictions apply to public places and transportation, as well as social gatherings.
The article will cover Europe travel restrictions from US to major destinations within the region for 2022 one by one.
Is Europe restricting travel from US?
Europe is not restricting travel from the US or any other specific country entirely. The region overall may prohibit unvaccinated travelers. But this rule is country-specific, as well, and does not apply to every nation located inside the European region.
Quite a few countries in Europe lifted most Covid entry restrictions including the vaccination proof, recovery and PCR/Antigen tests. Yet, several of them keep the mandatory face-mask rules in public places, as well as quarantine regulations in case of testing positive for Covid-19.
Since there is no single universal travel regulation for all European countries, the article will explore the latest travel restrictions from the US to each popular European destination below.
Austria – no travel restrictions for US
Proof of Vaccination – Not required- Proof or Recovery – Not required
- PCR Test – Not required
- Antigen Test – Not required
- FFP2/KN95 masks – Required
- Quarantine – Not required
Proof of Vaccination – Not required
On May 17, the Austrian government decided to remove all Covid-related travel restrictions. You no longer need proof of vaccination or recovery, nor PCR/Antigen test.
But, both visitors and residents of Austria shall comply with mandatory mask rule on all types of public transportation and every health facility inside the capital city of Vienna. Violating the mandatory mask-wearing law results in a fine of 500 Euro.
In case you test positive for Covid while staying in Austria you need to go through a 5-day quarantine. This is the standard quarantine recommendation, however, depending on your health situation officials may request you to remain in quarantine longer.
Find more info here.
Belgium – no travel restrictions for US
- Proof of Vaccination – Not required
- Proof or Recovery – Not required
- PCR Test – Not required
- Antigen Test – Not required
- FFP2/KN95 masks – Required
- Quarantine – Not required
Proof of Vaccination – Not required
Since May 23 US citizens traveling to Europe do not require any Covid-related documents, Passenger Locator Forms or quarantine. You can visit Belgium without a vaccination, recovery or test certificates. But your chosen airline provider may have different travel conditions which do not depend on the European travel restrictions from US.
There are no screening procedures in place when arriving in Belgium nor for intercity travel. Majority of the commercial flights operate from US to Belgium without any interruptions.
Belgium requests that all residents and travelers within the country comply with the mandatory face-mask rule inside health facilities. Face masks are not required inside public transport.
Find more info here.
Cyprus – vaccination requirements for US
Proof of Vaccination – Required- Proof or Recovery – Required
- PCR Test – Required
- Antigen Test – Required
- FFP2/KN95 masks – Required
- Quarantine – Not required
Proof of Vaccination – Required
Cyprus is divided into two entities – Republic of Cyprus and Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. But, none of the governments worldwide recognize the self-proclaimed Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus including the US. Hence, all travelers from the United States should exit Cyprus only at Larnaca and Paphos airports. As for the travelers by the sea their entry and exit points shall be Limassol, Larnaca and Paphos.
The republic of Cyprus requires vaccination passports or recovery certificates, while some regions may impose stricter European visa waiver conditions. Those people who cannot present the mentioned documents will need to obtain a negative pre-departure PCR or rapid test results. PCR test should not be taken more than 72 hours prior arrival, while rapid test shall be taken 24 hours before request for entry within Cyprus.
At the airport, US travelers headed to Cyprus will go through health screening procedures. Face masks are also a strong requirement within public transport. Failure to comply with the health and travel restrictions may result in a fine of 300 Euros.
Find more info here.
Czech Republic – no restrictions for US
Proof of Vaccination – Not required- Proof or Recovery – Not required
- PCR Test – Not required
- Antigen Test – Not required
- FFP2/KN95 masks – Not required
- Quarantine – Not required
Proof of Vaccination – Not required
Czech Republic has the most liberal travel restrictions in Europe for US citizens. As per government’s latest official announcement on April 9 none of the Covid-19 related travel restrictions remain active.
International visitors do not need to present vaccine or recovery certificates. They don’t need to file a Passenger Locator Form or take PCR/rapid tests. In contrast to most of the travel restrictions to Europe from US, Czech republic has no mandatory face-mask laws.
But in case a US traveler gets a Covid-19 infection while in the Czech Republic they need to comply with quarantine rules. According to the rule, infected persons need to remain in isolation for no more than 5 days.
Find more info here.
Denmark – Strict travel restrictions for US
- Proof of Vaccination – Required
- Proof or Recovery – Required
- PCR Test – Required
- Antigen Test – Required
- FFP2/KN95 masks – Required
- Quarantine – Required (for unvaccinated travelers)
Proof of Vaccination – Required
The Danish government canceled all European travel restrictions for US vaccinated visitors. But, unvaccinated travelers will have to go through testing and quarantine rules. The same regulations apply to Greenland and Faroe Islands.
A vaccinated traveler means that at least 2 weeks and no more than 270 days passed since their last vaccine dose. Depending on the vaccination, 1-3 doses are required. Visitors with the recovery certificates shall comply with the same deadlines.
All travelers need to wear surgical masks in Danish and Greenlandic airports. The breach of the travel restrictions and regulations can result in a fine of 570 US dollars.
Find more info here.
France – some travel requirements for US
Proof of Vaccination – Required- Proof or Recovery – Required
- PCR Test – Required
- Antigen Test – Required
- FFP2/KN95 masks – Required
- Quarantine – Not required
Proof of Vaccination – Required
France has a bit more loose Covid-19 regulations compared to other European travel restrictions from US. Fully vaccinated US visitors only need a proof of vaccination (CDC card is enough) and a sworn statement confirming they don’t have any Covid-19 symptoms.
However, the French government considers a person fully vaccinated if they received a booster dose of an mRNA vaccine. Those with no-vaccination certificate need to present a negative PCR test taken 72 hours prior departure or rapid test performed 48 hours before travel.
Recovered citizens who can prove that more than 11 days and less than 6 months passed after their Covid-19 infection can also enter the country without testing. Face covering is effective only in medical facilities.
Find more info here.
Germany – no travel restrictions for US
- Proof of Vaccination – Not required
- Proof or Recovery – Not required
- PCR Test – Not required
- Antigen Test – Not required
- FFP2/KN95 masks – Required
- Quarantine – Not required
Proof of Vaccination – Not required
Germany waived all Covid-19 and related Europe travel restrictions for US citizens on June 11. Visitors intending to enter Germany will no longer need to present vaccine certificates, proof of recovery, or rapid/PCR test results.
All commercial flights operate normally from the US to Germany. But, there are health screening procedures at the entry points and the airports. Those infected with Covid-19 will go through a quarantine for 5-10 days.
Face masks are mandatory in Germany on all public transportation. It includes all medical grade masks (N95, KN95, FFP-2 standards and surgical masks). Also, no passenger can sit next to the driver in Taxis.
Find more info here.
Greece – Level 3 Travel Health Notice
- Proof of Vaccination – Required
- Proof or Recovery – Required
- PCR Test – Required
- Antigen Test – Required
- FFP2/KN95 masks – Required
- Quarantine – Not required
Proof of Vaccination – Required
Greece has extremely high numbers of Covid-19 infections on a daily basis. Hence, the US government does not recommend visiting Greece at this moment. Despite the infection peak, Greece waived all travel restrictions for US visitors on May 1. Vaccination passports, recovery certificates and antigen/PCR tests are no longer mandatory.
On the other hand, Greek airports carry out random health checks at the arrival. In case a person tests positive they have to comply with a minimum of 5 day quarantine. That is why the US government advises its citizens to obtain travel insurance covering Covid-18 medical fees and expenses.
Face masks are a strong requirement in Greek cities. Travelers need to carry double or heavy duty masks inside public transportation and taxis. No more than three passengers may sit in Taxis.
Find more info here.
Hungary – no travel restrictions for US
- Proof of Vaccination – Not required
- Proof or Recovery – Not required
- PCR Test – Not required
- Antigen Test – Not required
- FFP2/KN95 masks – Not required
- Quarantine – Not required
Proof of Vaccination – Not required
Since March 7, 2022, Hungary no longer has any COVID-related travel restrictions. You do not need to present Covid/Recovery certificates, nor Antigen and PCR test results. Hungary removed all restrictions including the face covering rules both in medical facilities and public transportations.
However, if a US citizen visiting Hungary tests positive for Covid they will need to be isolated for 7 days. If the symptoms remain after 7 days of quarantine, a person shall prolong the isolation until all symptoms are absent. Asymptomatic persons who test negative on the 5th day of infection are released from isolation immediately.
Find more info here.
Italy – no travel restrictions for US
- Proof of Vaccination – Not required
- Proof or Recovery – Not required
- PCR Test – Not required
- Antigen Test – Not required
- FFP2/KN95 masks – Required
- Quarantine – Not required
Proof of Vaccination – Not required
On 1st of June 2022, the Italian government waived all Europe Covid travel restrictions from US except for mandatory face masks. Also, the existing regulation does not include recovery and vaccination certificates, nor the negative swab tests. Hence, travelers do not need to go through quarantine even if they do not possess the Green pass.
But those passengers who test positive for Covid at the arrival or while staying in Italy will have to self-isolate between 7-21 days. The duration of the isolation depends on the severity of the infection.
In some cities of Italy public transportation can operate with reduced frequency due to the high number of daily Covid-19 cases. FFP2 and/or KN95 masks are mandatory on all public transports and at some of the Italy major airports.
Find more info here.
Netherlands – Travel Ban for Unvaccinated Visitors
- Proof of Vaccination – Required
- Proof or Recovery – Required
- PCR Test – Not required
- Antigen Test – Not required
- FFP2/KN95 masks – Required
- Quarantine – Not required
Proof of Vaccination – Required
The Netherlands has the harshest travel restrictions in Europe from the US but only for unvaccinated travelers. The travel ban is not applicable to US citizens who are fully vaccinated. Netherlands recognizes four vaccines:
- Pfizer-BioNTech
- Moderna
- AstraZeneca
- Janssen-J&J
A fully vaccinated traveler means that at least 2 weeks and no more than 270 days passed since their last vaccine dose. Depending on the vaccination, 1-3 doses are required. Also, visitors with the recovery certificates shall comply with the same deadlines.
Face masks are not mandatory, however, the government recommends wearing them in busy places.
Find more info here.
Portugal – no travel restrictions for US
- Proof of Vaccination – Not required
- Proof or Recovery – Not required
- PCR Test – Not required
- Antigen Test – Not required
- FFP2/KN95 masks – Required
- Quarantine – Not required
Proof of Vaccination – Not required
On July 1, 2022 Portugal lifted all Covid-19 regulations including the proof of vaccination and recovery. Both vaccinated and unvaccinated visitors can arrive in Portugal without PCR/rapid test results. Also, at the airport, the government conducts health screening procedures which may include temperature scans or random screenings.
If any of the travelers tests positive during a random screening or private testing they shall go through mandatory quarantine. The quarantine lasts as long as the person becomes asymptomatic.
Face masks remain part of the regulation inside health facilities and nursing homes, as well as on public transportation. Local health authorities have a right to request face covering for certain outdoor events.
Find more info here.
All microstates in Europe are open to travel from US. Check the full list.
Spain – some travel requirements for US citizens
- Proof of Vaccination – Required
- Proof or Recovery – Required
- PCR Test – Not required
- Antigen Test – Not required
- FFP2/KN95 masks – Required
- Quarantine – Not required
Proof of Vaccination – Required
Any citizen traveling from the United States to Spain has to provide a proof of vaccination, recovery certificate or negative diagnostic test result. The testing should take place 72 before departure (PCR test) or 24 hours before departure in case of rapid antigen test.
Vaccination certificate is valid if at least 14 days and no more than 270 days have passed since the last dose. Alternatively, US travelers can present EU Digital Covid Certificate (DCC). Apart from it, visitors from the US must generate the QR code through the Spain Travel Health Portal.
Face masks are also mandatory while visiting Spain on public transportation. The failure to comply with Spain’s European travel restrictions from US travelers can result in a fine ranging from 60 Euros to 60,000 Euros.
Find more info here.
