With borders opening up, international travel is firmly back on the agenda for many of us. While there are still many questions as to what the ‘new normal’ will look like, it is already very clear that being fully vaccinated will make travel a lot easier. Below is a summary of the current entry requirements for the 10 countries we visit on our upcoming European Epic Bike Tours.
The information is split between those travelling to Europe from the US & Canada, and those travelling from the UK. It is worth noting that most countries require the vaccination or test to be recognised in the EU, and some will require a paper copy of the Covid vaccination certificate or test result, rather than a digital copy.
Our primary information sources are listed below whilst the bibliography at the bottom covers all the sources we referenced from:
– USA : COVID-19 Country Specific Information (US State Deparment)
– United Kingdom : Foreign Office Travel Advice
– Canada : COVID-19: Travel, testing, quarantine and borders (Canada Government)
General COVID Guidelines
– CDC (Center for Disease Control)
– World Health Organisation
Information updated 31 August 21
Travelling from the USA & Canada
Albania
– Proof of completed vaccination more than 2 weeks before entry; or negative test result within 72 hours of entry; or negative rapid antigen test result within 48 hours of entry; or proof of having recovered from Covid-19.
Belgium
– Complete the Passenger Locator Form at least 48 hours before arriving (https://www.info-coronavirus.be/en/plf/).
– Provide a vaccination certificate; or a certificate of recovery no older than 180 days prior to entry; or a negative PCR test within 72 hours of entry.
Croatia (Part 1)
Passengers coming directly from the European Union and/or regions of the Schengen area, regardless of their citizenship
– Complete form prior to entry (https://entercroatia.mup.hr/)
– EU Digital COVID Certificate; or negative PCR test within 72 hours of entry; or a negative EU-recognised Rapid Antigen Test within 24 hours of entry; or certificate of two doses of vaccine used in the EU Member States (Pfizer, Moderna, AstaZeneca, Gamaleya, Sinopharm) within 270 days; or a certificate of one dose of the vaccine if the vaccine is administered in a single dose (Janssen/Johnson&Johnson) within 270 days, provided that 14 days have passed since receiving the single dose; or certificate of the first dose of the Pfizer, Moderna or Gamaleya vaccine, on the basis of which you can enter the Republic of Croatia in the period of 22 to 42 days from receiving the vaccine, or 22 to 84 days from receiving the first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine; or a certificate of having recovered from COVID-19 and one dose of vaccine within six months from contracting the disease, provided that the vaccine was administered less than 270 days from arrival at the border crossing point; or a positive PCR test result or (EU recognised) Rapid Antigen Test confirming that the holder recovered from the SARS-CoV-2 virus infection, which was performed in the previous 270 days and which is older than 11 days from the date of arrival at the border crossing point; or a medical certificate of recovery.
Croatia (Part 2)
Passengers arriving from outside the countries and/or regions of the European Union & Schengen area
– Certificate of paid accommodation in a hotel, camp, private renter or rented vessel and other form of tourist accommodation.
– Complete form prior to entry (https://entercroatia.mup.hr/)
– Negative PCR test within 72 hours of entry; or a negative EU-recognised Rapid Antigen Test within 24 hours of entry; or certificate of two doses of vaccine used in the EU Member States (Pfizer, Moderna, AstaZeneca, Gamaleya, Sinopharm) within 270 days; or a certificate of one dose of the vaccine if the vaccine is administered in a single dose (Janssen/Johnson&Johnson) within 270 days, provided that 14 days have passed since receiving the single dose; or certificate of the first dose of the Pfizer, Moderna or Gamaleya vaccine, on the basis of which you can enter the Republic of Croatia in the period of 22 to 42 days from receiving the vaccine, or 22 to 84 days from receiving the first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine; or a certificate of having recovered from COVID-19 and one dose of vaccine within six months from contracting the disease, provided that the vaccine was administered less than 270 days from arrival at the border crossing point; or a positive PCR test result or (EU recognised) Rapid Antigen Test confirming that the holder recovered from the SARS-CoV-2 virus infection, which was performed in the previous 270 days and which is older than 11 days from the date of arrival at the border crossing point; or a certificate of recovery from COVID-19 issued by a physician.
England
– If fully-vaccinated within the USA more than 14 days prior to arrival there is no longer a need to quarantine or take a test on day 8. A pre-arrival test and test on day 2 still apply. (This exemption does not apply to those vaccinated in Canada.)
– Proof of negative Covid test no more than 3 days prior to arrival.
– Proof of having booked and paid for day 2 and day 8 Covid tests to be taken after arrival in England (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-testing-for-people-travelling-to-england).
– Completed online passenger locator form (https://www.gov.uk/provide-journey-contact-details-before-travel-uk).
– On arrival quarantine at home or in the place you are staying for 10 days, and take Covid test on day 2 and on day 8. (https://www.gov.uk/find-travel-test-provider)
France
– Complete Attestation de Deplacement form (https://www.interieur.gouv.fr/Actualites/L-actu-du-Ministere/Certificate-of-international-travel).
– Proof of vaccination (completed at least 14-days before entry for double-shot vaccination, at least 28 days prior to entry for single-shot vaccines, and at least 7 days before entry for those only needing one shot due to previous positive test); or a negative PCR or antigenic test taken less than 72 hours before entry; or a certificate of recovery dated more than 11 days and less than 6 months prior to the date of arrival.
Greece
– Complete online Passenger Locator Form 48 hours before entry (https://travel.gov.gr/#/).
– Proof of full vaccination completed at least 14 days before entry; or a negative PCR test performed within 72 hours before entry to Greece; or a negative antigen (rapid) test result performed up to 48 hours before entry.
Italy
– Complete online form prior to travel (https://app.euplf.eu/),
– Provide a ‘Green Pass – the vaccine certificates issued in the UK, Canada and US are now accepted as an equivalent to the Green Pass)
– A negative molecular PCR or rapid antigen test result carried out within 72 hours prior to entry into Italy.
– (Nb. Persons who stayed in or transited through the United Kingdom in the 14 days preceding their entry to Italy shall be required to take the PCR test within 48 hours prior to entry, and show a vaccination certificate. If unvaccinated they will need to also self-isolate for a 5-day period and then repeat the test at the end of the self-isolation period.)
Montenegro
– A negative PCR test taken within 72 hours before travel; or a negative EU-recognised rapid antigen test within 48 hours before travel; or a positive serology test on IgG antibodies not older than 30 days from a registered laboratory; or proof of being fully vaccinated at least 14 days prior to arrival.
San Marino
– Proof of full vaccination or antibody test taken no later than 1st April; or recovery certificate dated within the last 6 months
– Negative antigenic or molecular test taken within 48 hours of entry.
Switzerland
– Proof of vaccination; or proof of having recovered from Covid in the 6 months prior to entry.
– If you do not have these you must report your arrival, and isolate for 10 days.
Travelling from the UK
Albania
– Proof of completed vaccination more than 2 weeks before entry; or negative test result within 72 hours of entry; or negative rapid antigen test result within 48 hours of entry; or proof of having recovered from Covid-19.
Belgium
– Complete Passenger Locator Form at least 48 hours before arrival (https://www.info-coronavirus.be/en/plf/).
– Provide an EU-recognised vaccination certificate.
– Get tested on day 1 or 2 after arrival in Belgium.
– Quarantine until the negative result of your test on day 1 or 2.
Croatia (Part 1)
Passengers coming directly from the European Union and/or regions of the Schengen area, regardless of their citizenship
– Complete form prior to entry (https://entercroatia.mup.hr/)
– EU Digital COVID Certificate; or PCR test within 72 hours of entry; or an EU-recognised Rapid Antigen Test within 24 hours of entry; or certificate that they have received two doses of vaccine used in the EU Member States (Pfizer, Moderna, AstaZeneca, Gamaleya, Sinopharm) within 270 days; or a certificate that they have received one dose of the vaccine if the vaccine is administered in a single dose (Janssen/Johnson&Johnson) within 270 days, provided that 14 days have passed since they received the single dose; or certificate showing that they have received the first dose of the Pfizer, Moderna or Gamaleya vaccine, on the basis of which they can enter the Republic of Croatia in the period of 22 to 42 days from receiving the vaccine, or 22 to 84 days from receiving the first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine; or a certificate showing that they have recovered from COVID-19 and have received one dose of vaccine within six months from contracting the disease, provided that the vaccine was administered less than 270 days from their arrival at the border crossing point; or a positive PCR test result or (EU recognised) Rapid Antigen Test confirming that the holder recovered from the SARS-CoV-2 virus infection, which was performed in the previous 270 days and which is older than 11 days from the date of arrival at the border crossing point; or a medical certificate of recovery.
Croatia (Part 2)
Passengers arriving from outside the countries and/or regions of the European Union & Schengen area
– Certificate of paid accommodation in a hotel, camp, private renter or rented vessel and other form of tourist accommodation.
– Complete form prior to entry (https://entercroatia.mup.hr/)
– Negative PCR test result within 72 hours from the moment of testing, or an EU recognised Rapid Antigen Test within 48 hours from the moment of testing to the moment of arrival at the border crossing point; or a certificate that they have received two doses of vaccine used in the EU Member States within 270 days, provided that 14 days have passed since they received the second dose; or a certificate that they have received one dose of the vaccine, within 270 days, if the vaccine is administered in a single dose (Janssen/Johnson&Johnson), provided that 14 days have passed since they received the single dose; or a certificate showing that they have recovered from COVID-19 and have received one dose of vaccine within six months from contracting the virus, provided that the vaccine was administered less than 270 days ago; or a positive PCR or an EU recognised Rapid Antigen Test result, confirming that the holder recovered from the SARS-CoV-2 virus infection, which was performed in the previous 270 days, and which is older than 11 days from the date of arrival at the border crossing point; or a certificate of recovery from COVID-19 issued by a physician.
France
– Completed Attestation de Deplacement form (https://www.interieur.gouv.fr/Actualites/L-actu-du-Ministere/Certificate-of-international-travel).
– Proof of vaccination (completed at least 14-days before entry for double-shot vaccination, at least 28 days prior to entry for single-shot vaccines, and at least 7 days before entry for those only needing one shot due to previous positive test).
– If not vaccinated travel from UK is not allowed unless for a ‘compelling reason’ – would then need to complete ‘Attestation de Deplacement’; and provide proof of negative PCR or antigenic test taken less than 24 hours prior to departure; and self-isolate for 7 days on arrival.
Greece
– Complete online Passenger Locator Form 48 hours before entry (https://travel.gov.gr/#/).
– A negative PCR test performed within 72 hours before entry to Greece; or a negative antigen (rapid) test result performed up to 48 hours before entry; or proof of full vaccination completed at least 14 days before entry.
Italy
– Complete online locator form prior to travel (https://app.euplf.eu/).
– Provide a ‘Green Pass’ – the vaccine certificates issued in the UK, Canada and US are now accepted as an equivalent to the Green Pass. (If unvaccinated you will also need to self-isolate for a 5-day period; and then repeat an antigen test at the end of the self-isolation period).
– A negative PCR test taken within 48 hours prior to entry. (This applies to anyone who has stayed in or transited through the United Kingdom in the 14 days preceding their entry to Italy.)
Montenegro
– A negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of travel; or a negative EU-recognised rapid antigen test within 48 hours before travel; or a positive serology test on IgG antibodies not older than 30 days from a registered laboratory; or proof of being fully vaccinated at least 14 days prior to arrival.
San Marino
– Proof of full vaccination; or antibody test taken no later than 1st April; or recovery certificate dated within the last 6 months.
– And negative antigenic or molecular test taken within 48 hours of entry.
Switzerland
– Proof of vaccination; or proof of having recovered from Covid in the 6 months prior to entry.
– If you do not have these you must report your arrival, and isolate for 10 days.
Official sources of Covid entry requirements by country
As the rules and requirements are constantly evolving we will do our best to keep this page up to date, but the links below will take you to the most up-to-date official information for each of the countries we visit on our European bike tours.
Travel to Albania from all destinations – https://punetejashtme.gov.al/en/services-and-opportunities/the-covid-19/protocol-to-be-followed-by-visitors-entering-the-territory-of-albania-during-the-covid-19-pandemics-2021&page=1
Travel to Belgium from all destinations – https://www.info-coronavirus.be/en/travels/
Travel to Croatia from all destinations – https://mup.gov.hr/uzg-covid/english/286212
Travel to England from USA & Canada – https://www.gov.uk/guidance/red-amber-and-green-list-rules-for-entering-england
Travel to France from all destinations – https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/coming-to-france/coronavirus-advice-for-foreign-nationals-in-france/
Travel to Greece from all destinations – https://travel.gov.gr/#/
Travel to Italy from all destinations – https://www.esteri.it/mae/en/ministero/normativaonline/decreto-iorestoacasa-domande-frequenti/focus-cittadini-italiani-in-rientro-dall-estero-e-cittadini-stranieri-in-italia.html
Travel to Montenegro from US & Canada – https://me.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/
Travel to Montenegro from UK – https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/montenegro/entry-requirements#entry-rules-in-response-to-coronavirus-covid-19
Travel to San Marino from all destinations – https://www.visitsanmarino.com/en/visitnews/Informazioni-utili-COVID-19.html
Travel to Switzerland from all destinations – https://www.bag.admin.ch/bag/en/home/krankheiten/ausbrueche-epidemien-pandemien/aktuelle-ausbrueche-epidemien/novel-cov/empfehlungen-fuer-reisende/quarantaene-einreisende.html#1558231594