Recent Google search trends have reported an 80% upward trend of ‘can US citizens travel to Europe,’ and a 70% uptick in ‘travel to Europe from US’ searches. Grounded travelers are ready to get back in the air and curiosities about travel to Europe are growing each day. Nearly all of our users would traditionally be on an international flight at this time of the year, and many are questioning, where can I travel in Europe and when? The short answer- there is no short answer. Here is your definitive guide to Euro-travel right now.
European Countries Open to US Travelers
Unfortunately for U.S. users, the United States remains on the list of countries banned by the EU. Exemptions do exist for those rare circumstances; in the case that you are an EU citizen or resident, you have family in the EU, or you are an essential worker, you may be exempt from the ban. That said, there are certainly countries shirking the bans and accepting American travelers, with Croatia opening its borders to all international travelers who can prove a negative COVID-19 testing. Other European countries following in suit include Albania, Armenia, Belarus, Ireland, Malta, Montenegro, Serbia, and Turkey, as well as parts of the United Kingdom. Each destination has its own requirements and regulations regarding COVID-19 testing and quarantine protocols. The most detailed information on each destination can be found on our COVID landing page.
When Will Other International Countries Open to US Travelers?
While some countries have remained silent on the progression of their openings, other countries have gone public with their plans. Canada, for example, is allowing province to province travel, keeping their borders closed to Americans for the foreseeable future as the US remains the epicenter of the virus.
In the past months, the blanket EU ban that has stood since March is looking for an update. The President of the European Travel Commission has been campaigning for a removal of any blanket restrictions, and replacing them with “cost efficient measures to minimize the risk of traveling,” as outlined in a recent AFAR feature. What does that mean? The future is bright. More countries are analyzing international infection rates and rethinking their stricter travel restrictions.
What if I travel to one of the countries where Americans are welcome?
First off, make sure you understand the change and cancellation policies of your ticket before booking your flight and hotel. In case you need to make any last minute changes, you don’t want to scramble to know what your options are.
Secondly, we recommend checking exactly what the entry requirements are. Do you need to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test before departing? Do you need a health declaration form? Make sure to check the government’s website or with the embassy to see if you need any special documentation. Keep checking this information because restrictions are changing often. If a mandatory quarantine goes into effect a day before your flight, you won’t be exempted just because you booked a month in advance.
How Can I Keep Up?
Some industry leaders remain confident that travel between Europe and the U.S. will not fully resume until the presence of a vaccine. Until then, the tech industry is stepping up with the creation of apps intended to assist travelers in the age of COVID travel. Here at App in the Air, we’ve continued to update our COVID landing page, which can provide you an accurate report of exactly where and how you can travel. Tech has stepped up in other ways including helping travelers bypass the security process with on-hand test results, or abilities to reserve socially distanced spots in security.
Just remember that you should continue to take the same recommended precautions you would at home: wear a mask, practice good hand hygiene, don’t touch your face, and stay six or more feet away from others whenever possible. All in all, the best way to know when and where to travel is to follow the guidelines of each local destination. For that, you have us.