Travel in Europe: what is possible 13 May 2020
Due to COVID-19, travel traffic in most of the continues is severely restricted. Luckily, the first trips are going to be possible within Germany soon. However, other European countries in Europe are also beginning to slack strict rules led with pandemic situation and planning to open their borders to vacationers.
Many federal states in Germany allow tourist entries from May 25th
Netherlands, Austria and Croatia have confident plans for opening the borders
Summer holidays in Italy, France and Spain are not yet foreseeable
Travels in Germany
Travels in Germany are still being considered. There are still nationwide contacts restrictions as a distance rule (at least 1.5 meters between people).
However, there is hope for summer vacation: although overnight stays in Germany are currently restricted, if they are necessary and “not for tourism purposes”, the federal states already have a timetable for openings in hotels and other hospitality institutions. The first federal states allow tourist entries from May 25th.
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Travel abroad
The Federal Foreign Office currently votes against unnecessary trips abroad. The worldwide travel warning is set until June 14th. However, if you still have to travel, you should definitely inform the Federal Foreign Office about the situation in the destination area.
Vacation in Europe -this is what the most important touristic European countries are planning
The borders with Denmark remain for the time being. However, the government is going to publish an update concerning this by June 1. Since mid-March, the Danish borders have been closed to foreigners without a valid reason for entry.
Normality is gradually returning to Denmark, but still not for tourists: since May 11 all shops have been reopened, since May 18 – restaurants and cafés (under certain conditions).
France has relaxed restrictions on May 11th. However, people’s freedom of movement remains severely restricted. French dwellers can leave their houses without a pass, but the distance must not be more than 100 kilometers from the home.
At the borders with Schengen countries and Great Britain, there are still certain travel requirements until at least June 15. The border with non-EU countries remains closed until further notice. Beaches can open under certain conditions, but generally France will remain closed until the beginning of June.
A summer vacation on Italian beaches is not yet foreseeable: the country has been hardest hit by the coronavirus crisis in Europe and now it is only beginning to gradually relax their restrictions.
Restaurants and bars can offer takeaway food, but can only receive guests starting from June 1st. Parks can be visited, but under condition of keeping the minimum distance between people. Individual sport exercises are already allowed.
Tourism situation in Italy is still completely uncertain. Entry to Italy for tourist reasons is still prohibited. Journeys beyond regional borders mostly remain prohibited.
Croatia is hoping for tourism: the country plans to gradually ramp up tourism. Firstly they are going to open some campsites, then private rooms and holiday homes, after that – allow the rental of sailboats and yachts.
The reason for the good hopes: Infections with the Sars-Cov-2 virus have recently decreased significantly in Croatia. The coastal regions – apart from the city of Split – were hardly affected.
So far, there is still an entry ban for foreign citizens. However, now Croatia is negotiating the possibility of traveling by car with Austria, Slovenia and the Czech Republic.
The Netherlands is one of the few countries which present a quite certain plan for holidaymakers: tourists are allowed to travel to the Dutch again from July 1st. Stating from July 1, all campsites and holiday parks will be fully opened again. Since there is no ban on entry, foreign tourists can also rent accommodation.
From June 1st, restaurants, cafés, beach pavilions and pubs will be able to service a maximum of 30 guests. Outdoor sports are allowed as long as people don’t have physical contact with others: tennis, golf and swimming are allowed again!
Museums, theaters, cinemas and concerts will slowly become allowed June 1st.
Austria expects to receive foreign tourists again before the summer. Starting from May 15th, restaurants, bars and cafés will be able to receive guests under strict conditions, and from May 29th hotels, tourist businesses and sights will also be reopened.
However, border controls with Germany, Italy, Liechtenstein, the Czech Republic, Switzerland, Hungary and Slovenia were extended until May 31.
Spain seems to have a long way to come back to normality: the quarantine has been extended to May 24 for the whole country. Movement in public space is only permitted for shopping, hospitals visits or in the aim to support people in need. Nevertheless, there are already slight easings: citizens can now play sports in the fresh air again and visit small shops which were recently closed.
There is already more freedom on the Canary Islands of El Hierro, La Graciosa and La Gomera, which are hardly affected by the virus, and on the Balearic Island of Formentera. Shops and smaller markets as well as restaurants and cafes are allowed to be open there. According to the current status, hotels and other accommodations are likely to receive guests again in the summer – currently, however, they are only open for locals.
All foreigners are prohibited from entering the Spanish border until at least May 15th.