Your Brief Guide to Visas in the European Union and Schengen Area
By Faisal Khan for Borderless Counsel, Edited by Zakir Mir
This week we provide you with a comprehensive guide to European visas and travel, in preparation for any summer trips you may be planning. The current situation in the EU and Europe is fluid and subject to change, depending on the severity of the pandemic. However, there are signs that tourism and travel to Europe will become easier in the near future.
Schengen Visa:
The most common visa for Europe is the Schengen visa. The Schengen area/zone refers to the EU passport-free zone that covers most of the European countries. The Schengen area is the largest free travel area in the world. The Schengen visa enables its holder to enter, freely travel within, and leave the Schengen zone from any of the Schengen member countries, without any border controls within the Schengen Zone. The Schengen zone includes 26 countries Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and Liechtenstein.
Nationals of all third countries, which have not yet reached a visa-liberalization agreement with the Schengen member states, need to obtain a visa prior to their arrival in Europe. With the Schengen visa (multiple-entry visa) you can also travel to the other 19 countries that are not part of the Schengen zone. Currently there are 3 types of Schengen visas: single entry, double entry and multiple entry visa. A frequent traveler may be granted an EU visa for 5 years provided that the traveler doesn't stay within the Schengen Area for more than 90 days in a 180-day period of time.
The EU also maintains visa on arrival arrangements for citizens of a number of countries, such as Australia, the US, Canada and the UK/Ireland/Scotland.
Covid-19 and Travel Restrictions:
On 3 May 2021, the EU Commission proposed that Member States to ease restrictions on non-essential travel into the EU, in view of the ongoing vaccination campaigns and the developments in the epidemiological situation worldwide. The proposal includes allowing entry to all persons from countries with good epidemiological situations as well as all individuals that have received the recommended dose of an EU-authorized vaccine. The Commission also proposes to lower the threshold related to COVID-19 cases, when determining the list of countries from which travel should be permitted. To limit the risk of new COVID-19 variants entering the EU, a new ‘emergency brake' mechanism is to be coordinated at EU level. The Council is currently considering this proposal. As of June 3rd country (Non-EU) nationals of Albania, Australia, Israel, New Zealand, Rwanda, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, USA, Japan, and China, including Hong Kong and Macao (subject to confirmation of reciprocity) are allowed to enter the EU and nationals of other countries are still banned from not entering EU for non-essential purposes.
Exemption Categories:
To slow down the spread of coronavirus and protect the health of all Europeans, travel restrictions have been implemented for travel into the EU from third countries. However, some exemptions have been put in place to ensure free movement of citizens, goods and services.
Seasonal workers and Transport personnel: Travel restrictions should not apply to people with an essential function or need, including seasonal workers. The Commission has issued guidelines concerning the exercise of the free movement of workers during the coronavirus pandemic to facilitate border crossings of essential workers, particularly in the health care and food sectors, and other essential services.
Medical professionals: Travel restrictions should not apply to people travelling with an essential function or need, including healthcare professionals, health researchers, and elderly-care professionals.
Family members: The temporary travel restriction must exempt all EU citizens and nationals of Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, as well as their family members.
Asylum seekers: Travel restrictions should not apply to travel by people with an essential need, including persons in need of international protection or for other humanitarian reasons.
Students from third-countries: Third-country students starting or continuing their university studies in the EU in the academic year 2020/2021 may enter the EU. The exception may also cover third-country nationals coming for the purpose of study but who do not fall under this definition (i.e. students attending secondary schools, language schools, boarding schools or vocational schools, exchange pupils, etc.).
Workers from a third-country: Workers who are third-country citizens and who are needed to contribute to the EU’s post-coronavirus economic recovery due to their high level of skills and knowledge are allowed to enter the EU. This category may include those who are applicants for permits as researchers, or are under a national scheme for skilled migrants with approved petitions, and who were until now prevented from entering the EU due to the entry ban.
UK and Irish Citizens: Although Ireland is not a member of the Schengen area, all EU citizens and their family members must be exempted from the temporary travel restriction under existing treaties. As of 1 January 2021, UK nationals will be treated as other third country nationals and UK nationals will no longer be considered as “persons enjoying the rights of free movement under Union law” which means that they will no longer be exempted from the temporary restrictions on non-essential travel to the EU.
Transit: EU citizens entering the EU from a third country, as well as their family members, irrespective of their nationality, are exempted from the travel restrictions. Passengers travelling from a non-EU country to another non-EU country may transit through the international transit area of airports located in the Schengen area.
Assistance for EU citizens abroad:
After the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the European Commission and the European External Action Service have helped to bring home stranded EU citizens from all over the world. Under the European Union law, citizens are entitled to seek help from the embassy or consulate of any EU country other than their own, if the embassy or consulate of their own EU Member State is not available in a situation where they need assistance outside the EU.
List of countries opened for tourism:
Despite guidance from the European Commission, EU countries are free to establish their own immigration policies, in line with the non-binding guidance issued.
Austria: is allowing travelers who are tested negative for covid-19 or are vaccinated for summer tourism. While a ban on flights from South Africa, India, Brazil, and the UK is in effect.
Belarus: is now open for all foreign nationals. Travelers must have proof of a negative PCR test issued no later than 72 hours before entry.
Belgium: has also started to ease the restrictions and allow tourists to enter the country. Travelers must fill in a Passenger Locator Form (PLF) 48 hours before arrival, and present a negative PCR test taken no earlier than 72 hours before travel.
Bosnia and Herzegovina: is open to tourists who can present a negative PCR result, issued no less than 48 hours before travel, or proof of vaccination.
Bulgaria: fully vaccinated travelers or those who can prove they have had and recovered from covid-19 are welcome to Bulgaria. However, travelers from India, Bangladesh, Brazil, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Maldives Islands, Pakistan and some countries and territories in Africa are prohibited from entering Bulgaria.
Croatia: is accepting travelers who are fully vaccinated, those who are recovered from corona virus and passengers coming from an EU/EEA country on the 'green’ list.
Cyprus: is open for tourism with different requirements for travelers depending on their location. Travelers from Poland and Romania will be exempted from testing and self-isolation requirements whereas travelers from Croatia and Spain have now require double testing to enter.
Czech Republic: is accepting fully vaccinated travelers or those who have recovered from covid-19. Entry requirements vary from country to country.
Denmark: fully vaccinated travelers or those who have recovered from covid-19 can travel to Denmark. Residents of Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, France, Greece, Italy, Croatia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Poland, Romania, Switzerland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Czechia, Germany, and Austria can enter Denmark with no testing or quarantine requirements.
Estonia: the country is looking forward to easing the restrictions for travelers who are fully vaccinated. Whereas, travelers from from the EU or EEA with no covid-19 symptoms can enter Estonia.
Finland: passengers from countries with a case rate under 25 per 100,000 are allowed to enter Finland provided they are fully vaccinated or have recovered from covid. Travelers from EU and Schengen area countries can visit Finland with no testing or quarantine provided they are fully vaccinated or have recovered from covid.
France: travelers from countries that are classed "red" under the French system including Argentina, Chile, South Africa, India, Pakistan, and Turkey are not allowed. However, there are no international travel restrictions in France. Fully-vaccinated visitors from the UK and the US will still be required to produce a negative test result but they will no longer have to quarantine. Whereas, non-fully vaccinated travelers from the UK need to self-isolate themselves for seven days on arrival.
Germany: is now open for travelers who are fully vaccinated or those who recovered from covid. Travelers should fill out a digital registration form before entering the country. Arrivals from Botswana, Brazil, Eswatini, India, Lesotho, Mozambique, Malawi, Nepal, Zimbabwe, Zambia, South Africa, Uruguay, Portugal, Russia must quarantine domestically for 14 days.
Greece: has officially launched its tourism season. Travelers who are fully vaccinated or recovered from covid are welcomed, and arrivals must fill a Passenger Locator Form prior to entering the country.
Hungary: foreign nationals travelling for business or to take part in sport or cultural events are allowed to enter. While land borders are open to neighboring states.
Iceland: all travelers are now allowed to enter Iceland provide they are fully vaccinated or recovered from covid in the past with a facility of free covid-19 test upon arrival.
Ireland: nationals of all foreign countries are allowed to enter Ireland but there are some steps that they must complete which includes mandatory 14 day hotel quarantine (for passengers who travelled from any country deemed high risk by the Irish government) and 5 days home quarantine (for passengers from low risk countries).
Italy: has started issue and accept the EU Digital Covid Certification. A five day quarantine is required for visitors from the UK but fully vaccinated travelers form Canada and USA are exempted from quarantine.
Kosovo: a negative PCR test less than 72 hours old is required by all travelers entering Kosovo from red listed countries.
Latvia: is welcoming travelers for essential purposes only. Travelers complete and submit an electronic form no earlier than 48 hours before entering Latvia. All arrivals must show a negative PCR test report less than 72 hours old before entering Latvia with a mandatory 10 days self-isolation. Travelers who are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 are exempted from providing a negative PCR test but a certificate of vaccination is needed.
Liechtenstein: is open for all essential and non-essential purposes but travelers from a ‘high risk’ country must quarantine for 10 days upon arrival.
Lithuania: travelers must complete an online registration form no earlier than 24 hours with a need to present a negative PCR test no older than 48 hours. All passengers are required to quarantine for 10 days after arrival.
Luxembourg: all travelers are welcomed provided they have a negative PCR report not less than 72 hours with no mandatory quarantine rules. However, those who test positive upon arrival must quarantine for 14 days or until they test negative for the virus.
Malta is operating by a traffic light system which means arrivals from countries not on the green list will be required to present a negative PCR test, no older than 72 hours. Travelers from the UK who are not fully vaccinated will have to quarantine for 14 days.
Monaco: is also following the EU traffic light system and is open for tourists. Passengers must provide a negative PCR test report which is not less than 72 hours prior to arriving the country.
Montenegro: All passengers must provide a negative PCR test taken 72 hours prior to travel, proof of recovery from COVID-19 or proof of full vaccination with an EU approved vaccine. Those who fail to do so must quarantine themselves for 14 days.
Netherlands: tourists traveling from safe countries with a low COVID-19 risk are welcome with no negative test or quarantine required for visitors arriving from "safe" countries across the EU, Asia, and Oceania.
Poland: is allowing travelers with a COVID-19 vaccination certificate to enter without the need to quarantine, however all unvaccinated travelers from outside the Schengen area will have to isolate for 10 days.
San Marino: is open to tourists and has virtually no entry restrictions.
Serbia: must provide a negative PCR test performed no more than 48 hours before departure to be allowed entry with a mandatory 10-day quarantine.
Slovenia: travelers from a 'red list' country must quarantine themselves for 10 days and others need to provide a negative PCR test performed no more than 48 hours prior to entry.
Spain: had opened borders for all fully vaccinated tourists.
Sweden: Travelers from outside the EU are not permitted to enter except for a limited number of countries. While visitors form UK and non EU/EEA arrivals are no longer banned.
Switzerland: has a larger permitted list of countries than most European countries. Travelers must submit a negative PCR test results and a completed online entry form prior to their flight whereas, passengers who have been to high-risk countries within 10 days of travel will need to self-isolate.
Turkey: travelers aged 6 years and above will be required to show a negative PCR test result before they enter the country.
Ukraine: Entry restrictions depend on whether you’re travelling from a ‘green’ or ‘red’ zone country.
The UK: uses traffic light system to allow the entry of any traveler and restrictions vary from country to country. All passengers must show a negative PCR test, fill in a passenger locator form prior to entering the UK and are required to quarantine for 10 days upon arrival.
Vatican City: is open to tourists and anyone who can enter Italy. Passengers from EEA countries, except San Marino and Vatican, as well as arrivals from Israel and the UK, are required to self-quarantine for 5 days. Passengers from Australia, New Zealand, Rwanda, Singapore, South Korea and Thailand, are required to self-quarantine for 10 days. While 14 days quarantine is mandatory for travelers of other countries.
