COVID-19: journey measures

Journey between EU international locations

No restrictions must be imposed on free motion between EU international locations.

If you journey throughout the EU you’re not required to:

• fill in a passenger locator kind

or

• have a proof of vaccination, restoration from COVID-19 or a adverse take a look at

Journey into the EU from one other nation

No restrictions must be imposed on travels into the EU from one other nation.

What if the epidemiological scenario worsens?

In case of extreme worsening of the epidemiological scenario in EU or non-EU international locations, member states ought to determine in a coordinated method to reintroduce applicable necessities for travellers previous to their departure.

What occurs if a brand new variant is detected?

An pressing, short-term restriction on all journey into the EU from a 3rd nation or area will be adopted by member states:

• the place a variant of concern or curiosity is detected
• if the epidemiological scenario in that nation has quickly deteriorated

The emergency brake applies to non-EU nationals who’ve stayed in that non-EU nation or area at any time through the 14 days earlier than departure in the direction of the EU.

Such a restriction ought to expire after 21 days until member states determine to shorten it or prolong it for a further interval. If the emergency brake is triggered, EU international locations ought to talk about doable coordinated measures within the Council, in cooperation with the European Fee.

EU coordination through the COVID-19 pandemic

The choice on whether or not to introduce restrictions on free motion to guard public well being stays the duty of the member states.

To keep away from fragmentation and disruption of providers, and to make sure transparency and predictability for residents and companies, EU international locations coordinated within the Council on facilitating free motion within the EU through the COVID-19 pandemic.

As a primary response to the COVID-19 outbreak within the EU and to decelerate the transmission of the virus, EU leaders agreed on 17 March 2020 on a coordinated short-term restriction of non-essential journey to the EU, which utilized till 30 June 2020.

Subsequently they adopted widespread suggestions on journey measures that had been commonly up to date and adjusted to the present epidemiological scenario.

In June 2020, the Council adopted a advice on short-term restrictions on non-essential journey into the EU and the doable lifting of such restrictions. This advice was up to date on 22 February 2022 and the brand new restrictions are in power since 1 March 2022.

Moreover, the Council adopted on 13 October 2020 a advice establishing widespread standards and a typical framework on journey measures throughout the EU. This advice was up to date on 1 February 2021, 14 June 2021, and 25 January 2022.

The Council adopted new journey suggestions on 13 December 2022. Below these suggestions, and bearing in mind the improved epidemiological scenario, member states ought to impose no restrictions on journey on the grounds of public well being because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

With the expiry of the EU digital COVID certificates regulation on 30 June 2023, the Council advice on journey throughout the EU just isn’t legitimate anymore. Nonetheless, the advice on journey into the EU from a 3rd nation continues to be legitimate. On this advice, EU international locations have put in place some safeguards to cowl a deteriorating epidemiological scenario or look of a brand new variant of concern.