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Questions and answers on COVID-19: Travelling

1. what precautions should i take if i need to travel.

Travellers should consult the national policies of their destination country, as well as policies set by their transport provider prior to travel. 

Standard prevention measures to control the spread of COVID-19 that may be recommended during travel include:

• do not travel if exhibiting symptoms compatible with COVID-19
• practice physical distancing (a distance of one to two metres from others)
• follow respiratory etiquette (coughing and sneezing into a tissue or elbow) and good hand hygiene (washing hands with soap and water regularly or using alcohol-based hand sanitisers)
• use a face mask (preferably a medical face mask or FFP2 respirator) in situations where physical distancing cannot be maintained.

Travellers who develop any symptoms compatible with COVID-19 during or after travel should self-isolate and seek medical advice and test for SARS-CoV-2 to exclude a diagnosis of COVID-19.

2. What is the risk of infection with SARS-CoV-2 when travelling?

There may be a risk of infection with SARS-CoV-2 while travelling, so standard prevention measures should be followed.

ECDC, in collaboration with other relevant EU agencies, has developed joint guidance for the  aviation ,  cruise  ship and  railway  sectors for use during the pandemic, including advice on non-pharmaceutical interventions while travelling, the cleaning and disinfection of premises and managing a COVID-19 case on board.

Travel during the coronavirus pandemic (European Commission)

Guidance for covid-19 quarantine and testing of travellers, covid-19: eu guidance for cruise ship operations, covid-19 rail protocol: recommendations for safe resumption of railway services in europe.

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A Country-by-country Guide to COVID-19 Entry Requirements in Europe

Everything you need to know for a safe and healthy trip to Europe.

When the COVID-19 pandemic first spread around the world, many countries shut their borders. In the years since, countries have opened, welcoming tourists with different vaccination or testing rules in place. 

But many countries in Europe have since dropped travel-related restrictions, reverting back to pre-pandemic times and making it easier than ever to plan a trip. 

Here, we've outlined every country in Europe and its current reopening status, including entry any requirements foreign travelers need to know.

Albania does not require U.S. travelers to show any COVID-19-related documents or tests, according to the U.S. Embassy in Albania .

To get to Andorra, visitors need to go through France or Spain, and therefore abide by the rules and regulations for those individual countries. Beyond that, there are no further entry requirements for coming to Andorra, according to the Andorra tourism site .

Austria is open to travel and there are no vaccination or testing requirements in place, according to the country’s official tourism site . In Vienna, masks must be worn on public transportation. 

Belgium welcomes travelers from the U.S. and does not require them to show proof of vaccination, recovery, or a negative test, according to the U.S. Embassy in Belgium . 

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnia and Herzegovina welcomes U.S. travelers without any COVID-19-related travel restrictions, according to the U.S. Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina .

Bulgaria welcomes U.S. travelers without any COVID-19-related travel restrictions, according to the U.S. Embassy in Bulgaria . 

Croatia welcomes U.S. travelers without any COVID-19-related travel restrictions, according to the Croatian National Tourist Board .

Cyprus has eliminated all COVID-19-related entry restrictions, according to the Deputy Ministry of Tourism . Masks remain mandatory on public transportation. 

Czech Republic

The Czech Republic has eliminated all COVID-19-related entry restrictions, according to the Ministry of the Interior of the Czech Republic .

Denmark eliminated all of its COVID-19 entry and internal restrictions, according to the government’s COVID-19 website .

Estonia has eliminated all COVID-19-related rules, according to the government .

Finland has lifted all COVID-19-related entry rules, according to the Finnish government .

France has lifted all pandemic-related entry rules, according to the French government .

There are no longer any COVID-19-related entry rules for travel to Germany, according to the German Missions in the United States .

Greece has lifted all pandemic-era travel rules, according to the government . Greece has an optional Passenger Locator Form travelers can choose to fill out.

Hungary has lifted all COVID-19-related entry rules, according to the Hungarian Police .

Iceland welcomes travelers without any pandemic-era entry rules in place, according to Iceland’s COVID-19 website .

Ireland has removed all COVID-19-related entry rules for travel, according to the government .

Italy has lifted all COVID-19-related travel rules, according to the country's National Tourist Board .

Travelers entering Kosovo are not required to show proof of vaccination, according to the U.S. Embassy in Kosovo , but the embassy recommends travelers bring such proof. The country also doesn’t require pre-arrival testing, but the embassy said some airlines may.

Access to public institutions, malls, and indoor dining inside does require proof of vaccination or proof of a negative COVID-19 test for customers over 16.

Latvia has lifted all COVID-19-related travel rules, according to the Latvian tourism board .

Liechtenstein

Liechtenstein, a landlocked country, is accessible through Switzerland or Austria. Switzerland handles all immigration for Liechtenstein. COVID-19-related travel restrictions have been lifted in Liechtenstein, according to the European Union .

Lithuania no longer requires any pre-arrival testing or proof of vaccination to visit, according to the national tourism development agency .

Luxembourg welcomes travelers from all countries, regardless of their vaccination status, according to the U.S. Embassy in Luxembourg . Travelers do not need any pre-arrival COVID-19 tests.

Malta has eliminated all pandemic-related travel restrictions, according to the Malta Tourism Authority .

Moldova does not have any COVID-19-related entry restrictions in place for U.S. travelers, according to the U.S. Embassy in Moldova .

To get to Monaco, most visitors must travel through France. Monaco does not have any pandemic-related travel restrictions in place, according to the government .

Montenegro does not have any COVID-19-related entry rules in place, according to the U.S. Embassy in Montenegro . Face masks are required on public transportation, according to the country’s government .

Netherlands

The Netherlands has lifted COVID-19-related entry rules, according to the government .

North Macedonia

North Macedonia is open to American travelers who are not required to undergo any COVID-related entry requirements, according to the U.S. Embassy in North Macedonia .

Norway has discontinued all COVID-19-related entry restrictions, including pre-arrival testing, according to the government . 

Poland has lifted all pandemic-era entry rules, including for vaccination and testing, according to the government . 

Portugal, including the Azores and Madeira, no longer requires proof of vaccination or a negative test to enter, according to Visit Portugal .

Romania has lifted all pandemic-era entry rules, according to the government . 

San Marino is a landlocked country surrounded by Italy. The country doesn’t have any specific COVID-19-related entry rules, according to the International Air Transport Association .

Serbia has removed all COVID-19-related entry restrictions, according to the U.S. Embassy in Serbia .

Slovakia has lifted all pandemic-related entry rules, according to Slovakia Travel . Travelers no longer have to show any proof of vaccination or tests to enter hotels, restaurants, or other venues.

Slovenia has eliminated pandemic-era travel restrictions, according to the government .

Spain has dropped all COVID-19-related health controls at entry points, according to the government , becoming one of the last European countries to do so. However, the country still asks that travelers from outside the European Union travel with either proof of vaccination administered within 270 days, proof of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure, proof of a negative rapid antigen test taken within 24 hours of departure, or proof they contracted COVID-19 and recovered within 180 days.

Sweden no longer has any COVID-19-related entry restrictions, according to the Public Health Agency of Sweden .

Switzerland

Switzerland has lifted all COVID-19-related entry rules, according to the Federal Office of Public Health .

Turkey is open to foreign travelers and does not have any COVID-19-related entry rules in place, according to the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Turkey .

Visitors to Ukraine must show proof of either vaccination or proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours, according to the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine . Travelers must also have a health insurance policy to cover the potential costs of COVID-19 treatment.

The U.S. Department of State has currently issued a Level 4: Do Not Travel warning against visiting Ukraine due to the ongoing war and Russian invasion.

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom has dropped all COVID-19-related entry rules, according to the government .

Vatican City

Vatican City is the world's smallest country and is encircled by the Italian city of Rome. It is open to travelers who are able to enter Italy .

The information in this article reflects that of the publishing time above. However, as statistics and information regarding coronavirus rapidly change, some figures may be different from when this story was originally posted. While we strive to keep our content as up to date as possible, we also recommend visiting sites like the CDC or websites of local health departments.

Related Articles

Explained: How are Europe's travel rules changing after February 1?

Jan 26, 2022 • 5 min read

The EU is set to make changes to its digital COVID cert rules © Getty Images

The rules of travel are changing for European Union (EU) citizens and residents in February. For those with a valid EU digital COVID certificate, exploring the continent is about to get easier.

On Tuesday, the EU agreed to a "coordinated approach to facilitate safe free movement" across Europe by lifting restrictions for people with a valid EU digital COVID certificate. This means that EU citziens with a valid cert (proof of vaccination, a recent negative test or recovery) shouldn't face restrictions such as quarantine or testing upon arrival in another EU destination.

Additional testing requirements can remain in place for people who are unvaccinated or who are not up-to-date with their booster vaccine schedule.

"This recommendation responds to the significant increase in vaccine uptake and the rapid roll-out of the EU Digital Covid certificate, and replaces the previously existing recommendation," a statement from the European Council says.

Clément Beaune, Secretary of State for European Affairs of France, said that the idea is to take a person-based approach when setting out restrictions, rather than focusing on the country they are coming from.

"It is so we are much more focused on the individual situation of people—vaccinated or unvaccinated—rather than on the epidemiological situation of this or that country or region of the EU, with it being important to have more restrictions for people who are unvaccinated," Beaune told reporters on Tuesday.

In addition, on February 1, the EU is shortening the validity of vaccine status in the COVID certs to nine months (at most) since a person’s last dose. Here's a breakdown of the latest rule changes.

What is an active EU digital COVID cert?

The EU digital COVID cert allow EU citizens and residents to easily present their vaccination status to travel within the bloc during the pandemic. According to the EU Council, "travelers in possession of a valid EU digital COVID certificate should not be subject to additional restrictions to free movement".

To keep it active, you'll need to get a booster if more than nine months has passed since your last recommended dose of a primary vaccine schedule. That is nine months after your second shot of an mRna vaccine (Pfizer, Moderna or AstraZecenca) or nine months after a Johnson & Johnson vaccine. If you've recovered from the virus, you'll need a booster nine months after your first and only shot.

Without a booster, you can take a negative PCR test within 72 hours of traveling or a negative antigen test within 24 hours.

People can also keep it active with a certificate of recovery, provided that no more than 180 days have passed since the last positive result.

Why is there a nine-month time limit on the current certs?

The nine-month time limit applies to vaccination status only and "takes into account the guidance of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) on the administration of booster doses as of six months, and provides for an additional period of three months to ensure that national vaccination campaigns can adjust and citizens can have access to boosters," the European Commission said last month.

What about children?

Children under 12 are generally exempt from needing a digital COVID cert to travel without restrictions under EU guidelines.

Will every EU country follow the same rules?

When the certs were introduced in June last year it was up to member states to decide how long to accept the vaccination certs for travel, but the new rule on validity is supposed to be binding on all 27 EU member states following sufficient support for it.

However, France is doing things its own way and requiring that people get their booster within seven months of their last dose (or two months in the case of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine). From February 15, that timeframe will be reduced to four months.

Malta is also going a step further by requiring people receive their booster within three months of their last shot.

Do I need a new EU digital COVID cert for travel?

The rules come into effect on February 1 and many governments have already begun issuing citizens with new certificates to include their booster shot information. Those who haven't received a booster shot but who had their last jab within the past nine months will still be permitted to use their current vaccination certificates for travel. Those who are unvaccinated can continue to travel by taking a negative COVID-19 test.

Is the new certificate required to enter venues?

As well as allowing people to present their vaccination status for travel, many member states require the certificates from people to gain access to restaurants, gyms and many other venues across Europe.

The new rules on the validity of the passes only affect how they're used for travel, it's up to individual countries to decide if they want people to be up-to-date with their booster shots before being granted entry to certain venues.

Though some countries, such as France, have already agreed that people who are eligible for booster shots will need to get one in order to validate health passes that are used to access restaurants, cafes, museums and public transport.

"The new rules on the acceptance period of vaccination certificates apply for the purposes of travel. When introducing different rules to use the certificates at national level, member states are encouraged to align them to these new rules to provide certainty for travellers and reduce disruptions," the EU Commission has said.

Do non-EU travelers need a booster to be considered fully vaccinated for travel in the EU?

The new rules only apply to the European member states signed up to the EU digital COVID certificate program for the purposes of intra-EU travel. It's up to each country to determine their own entry rules for visitors from outside the bloc. 

For more information on COVID-19 and travel, check out  Lonely Planet's Health Hub .

You might also like: Explained: What do France's proposed new health pass rules mean for tourists? England drops COVID-19 tests for vaccinated arrivals - here are the latest travel rules Traveling to the Canary or Balearic islands in Spain? Here’s what to expect

This article was first published Nov 25, 2021 and updated Jan 26, 2022.

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Travel safely with the EU Digital Covid Certificate

Find out how the new EU Digital Covid Certificate allows you to travel safely and easily in Europe during the pandemic.

How does the EU Digital Covid Certificate work?

The certificate makes it easier for you to travel safely through the EU by showing that you have been vaccinated, had a negative test result or recovered from Covid-19 in the last six months.

It is issued by national authorities.

This information takes the form of a QR code, which can be electronic (on your smartphone or tablet, for instance) or printed and scanned when travelling.

The certificate is free.

The system came into effect on 1 July, will be in place for 12 months and covers all 27 EU countries as well as some non-EU countries. Find out the latest information on the countries participating in the EU Digital Covid Certificate initiative

Can I use it to travel?

No, you will still need your passport or another form of identification.

You don’t have to have the certificate to travel - national requirements then remain in place - but having it should make travelling easier. For example, it could mean you don't have to quarantine.

However, if exceptional circumstances arise in an EU country, such as the sudden appearance and spread of a new variant, new restrictions may have to be put in place.

What is included under the EU Digital Covid Certificate?

There are three versions of the certificate:

• Vaccination certificate
• Test certificate: indicates the holder’s result, type and date of a NAAT test or a rapid antigen test
• Recovery certificate: confirms that the holder has recovered from a SARS-CoV-2 infection following a positive NAAT test

Antibody testing is not recognised, though this may change.

Tests recognised under the certificate include Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT) tests, such as RT-PCR tests and rapid antigen tests.

The European Commission will use at least €100 million under the Emergency Support Instrument to purchase the Covid tests needed for the test certificate.

MEPs approved the EU Digital Covid Certificate during the plenary session that took place in Strasbourg in June 2021.

More on EU measures to address the coronavirus pandemic:

• Coronavirus: a timeline of EU action in 2021
• Coronavirus: practical advice for safe travel
• Covid-19: 10 things the EU is doing for economic recovery

Find out more

• Adopted texts
• Civil liberties committee
• - Press Release: Parliament gives its final green light to the EU Digital Covid Certificate
• Vaccines against Covid-19
• The EU's response to the coronavirus

A common approach to travel measures in the EU

Common approach to travel measures: key areas.

On 25 January 2022 the Council adopted a revised recommendation on facilitating safe and free movement in the EU during the COVID-19 pandemic. This agreement follows the Commission’s proposal of 25 November 2021 .

Under the updated recommendation, COVID-19 measures should be applied based on the individual situation of persons and no longer on the region of origin, with the exception of areas where the virus is circulating at very high levels. This means that a traveller’s COVID-19 vaccination, test or recovery status, proved by a valid  EU Digital COVID Certificate , should be the key determinant. This recommendation responds to the significant increase in vaccine uptake and the rapid roll-out of the EU Digital COVID Certificate, and replaces the previously existing recommendation.

In line with the new rules, EU Member States must accept vaccination certificates for a period of 270 days (9 months) since the completion of the primary vaccination series:

• For a two-dose vaccine, this means 270 days from the second shot or, in line with the national vaccination strategy, the first and only shot after having recovered from COVID-19.
• For a single-dose vaccine, this means 270 days from the first and only shot.

EU countries should not provide for a different acceptance period for the purposes of travel within the European Union. The standard acceptance period does not apply to certificates for booster doses.

As of 1 February 2022, new rules have also been implemented regarding the encoding of booster shots in the Certificate. As already clarified in December, boosters will be recorded as:

• 3/3 for a booster dose following a primary 2-dose vaccination series
• 2/1 for a booster dose following a single-dose vaccination or a one dose of a 2-dose vaccine administered to a recovered person.

Certificates that were issued differently before that clarification need to be corrected and issued again, to make sure that boosters can be distinguished from the status of full vaccination.

This recommendation entered into force on 1 February 2022 .

On 3 February 2022, the Commission proposed to extend the EU Digital COVID Certificate system by a year, until 30 June 2023.

Read more in this factsheet

Person-based approach

Travellers in possession of a valid EU digital COVID Certificate should, in most cases, not be subject to additional restrictions to free movement.

A valid EU Digital COVID Certificate includes:

• A  vaccination certificate  for a vaccine approved at European level if at least 14 days and not more than 270 days have passed since the last dose of the primary vaccination series. Vaccination certificates for booster doses are valid immediately and without a maximum validity, at this stage. EU countries could also accept vaccination certificates for vaccines approved by national authorities or the WHO.
• A negative PCR  test result  obtained no more than 72 hours before travel or a negative rapid antigen test obtained no more than 24 hours before travel.
• A  certificate of recovery  indicating that no more than 180 days have passed since the date of the first positive test result.

Persons who are not in possession of an EU Digital COVID Certificate should be required to undergo a test prior to or no later than 24 hours after arrival.

Travellers with an essential function or need, cross-border commuters and children under 12 should not be required to be in the possession of a valid EU Digital COVID Certificate.

Map of EU regions

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) will continue to publish a map of Member States’ regions according to a traffic light system (green, orange, red, dark red). The map will be based on the 14-day case notification rate, vaccine uptake and testing rate.

The traffic light map serves mainly as an information tool, but also to coordinate measures for areas with particularly high circulation of the virus. Based on this map, EU countries should apply measures regarding  travel to and from dark red areas , where the virus is circulating at very high levels. They should discourage non-essential travel and require persons arriving from those areas who are not in possession of a vaccination or recovery certificate to undergo a test prior to departure and to quarantine after arrival.

Certain exceptions to these measures should apply to travellers with an essential function or need, cross-border commuters and children under the age of 12.

Emergency brake

When a Member State imposes restrictions in response to the emergence of a new variant, the Council, in close cooperation with the Commission and supported by the ECDC, should review the situation. The Commission, based on the regular assessment of new evidence on variants, may also suggest a discussion within the Council. Similar measures are also possible in case the epidemiological situation in a Member State or in an area within a Member State worsens quickly.

During the discussion, the Commission could propose that the Council agree on a coordinated approach regarding travel from the areas concerned. Any situation resulting in the adoption of measures should be reviewed regularly.

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6 Things You Should Know About Traveling to Europe This Summer

Shifting flight schedules, varying hotel flexibility and new tech: A lot has changed since the last time you packed that passport.

By Sarah Firshein

After the recommendation on June 18 by the European Union that restrictions against nonessential travel be removed in its member states for visitors from the United States, both vaccinated and unvaccinated Americans could possibly travel to Europe this summer , making the masterpieces of the Louvre and the beaches of Sicily once again feel within reach. Here are six things to know if you’re planning a trip.

Flight schedules will be in flux for months to come

Because the United States continues to be closed off to international leisure travelers from most of Europe, making the travel between the two continents one-sided for now, aviation-industry experts say there won’t be a massive surge in Europe-bound flights from the United States this summer.

“Airlines require traffic from both ends of the route to operate sustainable services,” said John Grant, a senior aviation analyst at OAG, a travel data and insight provider.

Until the U.S. borders reopen to European tourists, Mr. Grant added, “the situation remains broadly unchanged for the airlines.”

On May 10, according to OAG data, airline schedules showed fewer than 2.5 million seats on flights heading from the United States to Western Europe in July. By contrast, more than 4.5 million flight seats went from the United States to Europe in July 2019.

Still, airlines are introducing new routes and resuming paused service. American Airlines and Delta Air Lines have resumed direct flights to Greece , while American has added a new summer route from New York City to Athens. Delta and United will launch nonstop service from New York City to Dubrovnik, Croatia, in early July. Delta restarted service to Iceland in mid-May, and United will begin flying from Chicago to Reykjavik on July 1.

Additionally, United plans to resume flights to Spain and Portugal in July, Air France has tentatively scheduled the launch of its Denver-Paris route for July 2 and JetBlue will start its first-ever trans-Atlantic route, from New York City to London, on August 11.

Flight schedules are almost certain to change as summer rolls on. According to Transportation Department rules, if an airline cancels or significantly changes a flight, passengers are entitled to cash refunds.

A good bet, Mr. Grant said, is to “look first at travel to those cities with a high frequency of service, perhaps at least twice daily, since those destinations with just one daily flight or less than daily services are likely to be the more vulnerable services for short notice cancellations.”

For those who decide to proactively bow out of a trip, most airlines, including American, United, Delta and Air France, are continuing to waive most change fees for classes above Basic Economy, although the fare difference would apply.

Onboard, you’ll brush elbows with strangers, but you won’t go hungry

In recent months, daily passenger numbers have been generally inching upward, according to the latest Transportation Security Administration stats , and long gone are the days of empty planes and blocked middle seats. Delta, the final holdout, stopped the practice in early May.

Serving food and drinks, which most airlines paused or scaled back in some way last year, is also back, and many other elements of flying will feel similar to how it did before the pandemic. Yes, Air France is still serving fresh bread, wine and cheese, but there are also zeitgeist-y new flourishes to look forward to on other airlines, including spiked seltzers from Truly offered on American and White Claw on United.

Certain pandemic-era changes designed to minimize touch-points persist. To keep the aisles and galleys clear, many airlines are now asking passengers to wait for the “vacant” light before walking to the restrooms. In Delta One business class, pre-meal drinks have been eliminated, and beverages will come with meals. Delta has also introduced tap-to-pay technology for onboard extras. But even on planes where contactless payments are not available, keep a credit card within reach: Many airlines don’t accept cash.

Finally, although mask mandates are loosening across the United States, passengers ages 2 and up are still required by law to wear masks on planes and in airports.

Hotel flexibility will vary, so read the fine print

Most of the large American-run chains have reverted to their pre-Covid cancellation policies for reservations made before a certain date (that has come and gone), and for travel through a certain date (that has come and gone). But some companies are still being flexible: Hilton has always had generous cancellation policies, and Four Seasons has been consistently easy about changes and cancellations during the pandemic.

Travel-industry insiders also have noticed flexibility among independent hoteliers.

“We’ve felt that small, family-run luxury properties are actually more nimble than some of the big hotel chains,” said Louisa Gehring, the owner of Gehring Travel , an affiliate of Brownell, a Virtuoso luxury travel agency. “Rather than lay off all their employees or point to an overarching corporate cancellation policy, they’ve had flexibility to keep the teams on, work with clients on a case-by-case basis and really step up to the plate.”

Policies vary by property, she added, but even some of the more rigid ones now include exceptions for Covid.

One thing to watch for is the credits-versus-refunds flash point: Even in cases when a hotel won’t swallow a deposit or prepayment outright, will you get a cash refund or will you be asked to rebook? Last year, Greece and Italy both passed laws allowing hotels and other travel companies to issue credits, rather than cash refunds, for canceled bookings. Although vaccines, the eagerness to travel and pandemic fatigue may make the idea of a credit less odious than it seemed last spring, always ask about policy specifics, including blackout and expiration dates.

Realize that Paris won’t look exactly like the Paris you remember

The Louvre and the Palace of Versailles are open , and nightclubs will open in July . But many of the go-to tourist destinations in Paris and elsewhere in Europe are or will operate with restrictions in place, including restricted occupancy levels and required mask-wearing. And the E.U. member states, not the bloc, ultimately decide what travel regulations , including testing and quarantines, to impose on visitors (The Netherlands, for example, continues to remain closed to nonessential travel.)

“Clearly, we will not come back to ‘normal’ straight away, and travelers will have to be conscious of health measures and respect rules at the destination,” said Eduardo Santander, the executive director of the European Travel Commission, a Brussels-based nonprofit that represents the national tourism boards across the continent. “We all — destinations, businesses and guests — cannot let the guard down too soon both for our own health and for the safety of people around.”

In short, any trip to Europe this summer will come down to managing expectations.

“Save the ‘must check all the boxes’ trip to Europe for a bit later, once all new protocol kinks have smoothed out,” Ms. Gehring said. But you may still have an unforgettable experience regardless.

“Travel is not a right; it’s a privilege, as we’ve all learned,” Ms. Gehring said. “Speaking Spanish with a local or eating homemade pizza in Naples — even if under new rules and restrictions — may elicit stronger feelings of joy and appreciation than expected.”

Prepare to schedule and commit, rather than wing it

Much like in the United States, most major European museums and attractions now require timed tickets in an effort to honor capacity limits and space out crowds.

That’s good news for anyone who hates waiting in line. But snapping a selfie with “The Mona Lisa” means planning. Timed tickets are usually nonrefundable and rain-or-shine.

Popular restaurants may also require advance reservations, especially for those committed to dining outside. Resy, which is owned by American Express, has expanded its international footprint over the past year; travelers can use the app or website to book top restaurants in the United Kingdom and around mainland Europe.

In previous years, Europe’s excellent rail system and inexpensive regional airlines made it easy to wake up in one country and decide, a few hours later, to visit another. Though that spontaneity might still seem appealing, there are also advantages to staying put.

“Instead of a breakneck itinerary that may include three days in London, three in Paris and five nights between Rome and Tuscany, a true deep-dive into one country allows for greater flexibility and less room for disappointment,” Ms. Gehring said. “Having four nights in Florence instead of two gives you twice as many chances to get that timed ticket at The Uffizi .”

Update your tech and tap into tech updates

Researching restaurant reservations and booking timed tickets could require either a good data plan, Wi-Fi or both. If it’s been a while since you’ve taken your phone overseas, research your wireless provider’s options so you are not slapped with expensive roaming charges. Several companies, including Verizon Wireless and T-Mobile, have per-diem travel passes that include unlimited data and texting, and certain calling benefits, in Europe. Or, just stick to free Wi-Fi. And be sure to bring a portable charger — many tickets and entry passes are digital.

Also take stock of the technology that has adapted alongside the pandemic, and how it can make traveling easier — and perhaps even a bit more enjoyable.

Uber Reserve, which launched in November and has recently expanded to London, Paris and elsewhere in Europe, allows users to schedule rides up to 30 days in advance. Uber Rent, also available in Europe, allows users to book rental cars from companies like Avis.

There are also several new travel-friendly bells and whistles from Google Maps. Updates set to be rolled out to Live View, the app’s augmented-reality mode, include overlaid street signs at difficult-to-navigate intersections. The app has also recently introduced more tailored maps that “know” when a user is at home or traveling: A London vacationer who fires up the app at noon, for instance, will see nearby lunch options as well as local tourist attractions.

Sarah Firshein is a Brooklyn-based writer. She is also our Tripped Up columnist . If you need advice about a best-laid travel plan that went awry, send an email to [email protected] .

THE WORLD IS REOPENING. LET’S GO, SAFELY. Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram , Twitter and Facebook . And sign up for our Travel Dispatch newsletter : Each week you’ll receive tips on traveling smarter, stories on hot destinations and access to photos from all over the world.

Because of an editing error, an earlier version of this article oversstated the extent of the travel restrictions that the United States is imposing on in-bound international leisure travel. The United States is prohibiting international travel from much of the world, including most of Europe, but not all of it.   

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Francesco leads a team of reporters in Vietnam that covers top financial and political news in the fast-growing southeast Asian country with a focus on supply chains and manufacturing investments in several sectors, including electronics, semiconductors, automotive and renewables. Before Hanoi, Francesco worked in Brussels on EU affairs. He was also part of Reuters core global team that covered the COVID-19 pandemic and participated in investigations into money laundering and corruption in Europe. He is an eager traveler, always keen to put on a backpack to explore new places.

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China provides additional natural disaster relief funds, says state media

China has provided 496 million yuan ($68.26 million) of additional natural disaster relief funds for several provinces affected by floods to help with emergency rescues, and the relocation and resettlement of victims, state media reported on Thursday.

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What to Know About COVID-19 Rules and Travel to Europe This Fall

Include lots of flexibility and patience with your proof of vaccination.

| Many Americans have been hoping that this fall and winter would see the pandemic fading and travel to Europe fully open again. But the  delta variant has thrown a wrench in the works, with new travel restrictions and cautions in place across the continent — and more changes are inevitable. Now that the European Union has removed the United States from its list of safe countries, people with European travel plans are really wondering what to do.

While the EU downgrade of the U.S. sounded dire, it’s still up to each European country to decide how to manage travel from the United States. Depending on your target destination, your travel plans may not have to change — for the moment.

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So far, only Sweden and Bulgaria have outright banned all U.S. tourists, but other countries, including the Netherlands, have introduced mandatory quarantines even for vaccinated U.S. travelers.

On the flip side, Portugal announced it “will remain open to travelers from the United States despite the announcement of the EU,” welcoming visitors who bring proof of a negative COVID-19 test. The most common response from popular destinations like England, Italy, Iceland and Germany has been to allow entry only to U.S. travelers who are vaccinated and bring a recent negative COVID test while requiring quarantine for those who don’t.

Given that the COVID situation will continue to change, as will the requirements for travel, here are a few tips about what you should know about travel to Europe in the months ahead, and how you can better plan for it.

1. Europe's COVID situation — and rules for visitors — will continue to change

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Based on the recent global surge of COVID cases, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC)  pandemic-related guidelines on the safety of given countries are changing on a sometimes weekly basis, even to extremes. For example, the CDC ranked Iceland as low risk (Level 1) in late July, but by mid-August had elevated it to the highest risk level (Level 4, meaning “avoid travel”). What seems safe now may be considered risky by the time your trip begins.

Also keep in mind that given the continued high rate of COVID-19 cases in the U.S., the European countries could at any time ban or further restrict inbound U.S. travelers. For example, on Sept. 4, Denmark announced it is refusing entry to unvaccinated visitors from the U.S. (with only a few exceptions).  

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What you can do: Book travel with flexibility in mind. Consider backup plans that will allow you to change your target country if restrictions increase. Search for plane tickets without change fees, research cancellation policies at hotels, and plan itineraries with options to spend more time outdoors in case indoor attractions are limited. Being vaccinated will in almost all cases improve your ability to travel.

2. You'll face a patchwork of rules and regulations across Europe

Requirements for visitors for entry and travel can be different depending on an individual country, region within a country, airline, hotel or public space. It’s confusing even for the experts. Amrei Gold, a representative with the German National Tourist Office, says of her country: “Because each of our 16 federated states can do their own rules, it is sometimes a challenge even for us to track the latest situation.”

Economic advisory firm Global Data has reported that more than half of potential travelers surveyed are being deterred from travel due to “fragmented rules and a lack of mutual agreements (between countries). Travelers have been left confused over how to provide their vaccination status with varying rules across destinations … potentially suppressing international demand.”

What you can do:  Carefully research the latest requirements from the destination, as well as your airline, tour company and lodging (see links to individual countries’ websites below). Bring multiple sets of digital and hard copy documentation of your vaccination status and testing results. Some destinations require online entry of this information before arrival. France recently began requiring a Health Pass certifying vaccination or a negative coronavirus test for entry to indoor spaces, with a system for foreign tourists. European tour operator Intrepid Travel recently began requiring all their guests (and tour guides) to be fully vaccinated. Other countries, cities or attractions may follow suit with similar programs.

And given the variety of regulations, consider limiting the geographic scope of your trip. This will make planning and travel easier, as 2021 is probably not the time for an 8-countries-in-7-days Grand Tour. Explore “slow travel” vacation options based at a single location, like walking and biking day trips from a countryside home rental. “I would definitely limit travel to one or two countries at the most,” says Brigitte Armand, president of the Eurobound destination management company, “in case a country decides to impose new travel restrictions all of a sudden.”

3. Consider travel Insurance — but read the fine print

The latest from top european destinations.

The CDC's current COVID-19 risk assessments (with links to destination websites listing current rules) include:

Level 4  (very high risk; avoid travel): Britain , France , Greece , Iceland , Ireland

Level 3  (high risk; make sure you are fully vaccinated before travel): Italy , Croatia ,  Germany

Level 2 (moderate risk; make sure you are fully vaccinated before travel): Czech Republic

Level 1 (low risk, make sure you are fully vaccinated): Slovakia , Hungary , Poland

Be sure to review the latest information before and even during travel.

Travel insurance  can protect against trip cancellation, provide medical relief and cover potentially exorbitant costs in case you contract COVID-19 during your trip. But policies will only cover exactly what is mentioned in the fine print.

What you can do: Read carefully. “Go over details, like what qualifies as a covered event, before purchasing,” says Chris Carnicelli, CEO of Generali Global Assistance. “It’s important to remember that coverage related to the pandemic is only available if you, a traveling companion or family member get sick from COVID-19 or if you buy a Cancel for Any Reason plan.”

Lisa Cheng, spokesperson for World Nomads travel insurance, says to make sure you have “sufficient medical coverage under your chosen policy as well as coverage for emergency evacuation. Medical bills are going to be the biggest cost to you if you contract one of the variants when traveling.”

4. Costs may be high and availability low in Europe this fall

Europe’s recent reopening to U.S. travelers has led to a flood of eager tourists in prime tourist destinations in countries like France, Italy , Greece and Iceland. This increase in demand combined with COVID-related closures and lack of staffing means you may find limited availability and skyrocketing prices for lodging, transport and attractions in these popular spots.

What you can do: Consider lesser-trafficked destinations and visiting off-season, during non-holiday periods. Planning ahead can lock in savings and ensure access to museums and other popular attractions where capacity and hours may be restricted and reservations required. Be aware of cancellation costs in case plans change. The good news is that many hotels and ground operators have relaxed cancellation rules and introduced more flexible terms.

Bill Fink is an award-winning travel writer who has covered cultural travel for  Lonely Planet ,  Frommer’ s, the  San Francisco Chronicle  and many other outlets.

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EU extends protection rules for Ukrainians fleeing war until 2026

The European Union has extended emergency rules to shelter people who fled the war in Ukraine until at least March 4, 2026.

"Day after day, Russia terrorises the Ukrainian people with its bombing," Belgian Secretary of State for Asylum and Migration, Nicole de Moor, who chaired talks to prolong the rules, said in a statement.

"Those who fled from Russia’s aggression can continue to count on our solidarity," she said.

Ukrainians who fled to the European Union after the full-scale invasion of their country by Russia in 2022 were granted immediate protection after EU member states set up a temporary regime designed for cases of mass influxes of people. The existing regime was set to end in March 2025.

The proposal is designed to avoid the lengthy national asylum-seeking procedures required to process large numbers of displaced people. Extensions of the temporary rules are possible for up to one year.

In addition, people under temporary protection are entitled to social benefits, housing, access to education and work permits, among other things.

The European Commission reported that almost 4.2 million Ukrainians are currently residing in the EU under these rules, with Germany hosting the most people at 1.2 million.

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Grand Century Cruises

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2956 E Colorado Blvd

Pasadena, CA 91107

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This is the worst travel agency ever, I should check the previous reviews before joining their tour. They are not professional in the travel industry and rude to customers. 1. They don't have own bus or tour guide as advertised, they have NONE. They just "Sell" you to the local tour guide and partner with them to SCAM you. 2. The local tour guide is lack of professionalism either. He had full of dirty words in his mouth and didn't respect tourists from US! He didn't bring tour guide license with him for the entire trip (suspect if he has one). He didn't do his tour guide job at all. Do NOT expect him will escort you around a site, give information about the history, purpose and architecture of a site. Do NOT expect he will accompany you on day tours to a number of places of interest and answer questions and suggest other places to visit. He　let you explore the sites all by yourself, didn't care if you are new to the area. There were lots of tour members got lost in the city, he threatened none of them could mention the incident instead of making an apology. His main job was to SCAM you!! Be prepared to pay triple priced or even higher attraction tickets and group meals he arranged. The information he gave you was to show off how rich he was, how much money he earned from stupid tourists from China mainland before pandemic. He requested you to call him "Boss" not tour guide and kept washing your mind to spend money and join his group meals and add on activities. The tour leader from travel agency will HELP to persuade you to join. For the $230 tips per person, this tour guide is totally ridiculous and unacceptable!! 3. More and more tourists were getting Covid-19 during the trip. Both the travel leader from the agency and the local guide didn't take any actions to protect rest tour members. Instead, they were hiding the truth and requested infected tourists not to tell others. In the end, almost entire group got Covid-19 from this trip. 4. Before we paid for the trip, the staff in the office told the tour time for the museum will be 3 hours. In fact, we only had 1 hour inside the museum for paying 40 euros ticket per person. They shortened the museum time so that the tour guide was able to add on pricy group meal and activities again which were originally not on the itinerary. 5. Don't believe the optional activities are "optional". You were FORCED to join their pricy activities, otherwise you are violating their rules. 6. They partnered with low end cruise company and "customized" the services for you. The experience was far below the standard, better you book directly with the cruise company. Stay away from this company unless you want to be scammed, get Covid-19 and ruin your vacation. This company is not a trustworthy business in the travel industry.

Complete and total lack of professionalism! Maggie from their marketing department is the worst at communicating. She hardly ever responds to messages, literally had to send multiple emails just to get a response. Forget booking with them if your Chinese isn't perfect. They will judge you and look down on you.

I don't recommend this travel agency- Grand Century Cruises, they were lacking experience to make trip to Europe. 1, They took advantage for the Europe traveling because they knew the most of travelers has been trapped in the US and Canada for a long time due to the pandemic. 2, The agency booked the cheapest airfare to France, the 10 hours fly hours with low grade meal or no meal, such as "Westjet" and "Franchbee". (Only 2 stars on the customers review). 3, The agency charged $3300 and covered the air ticket + hotel + tour bus only per person, the rest museums tickets all need to pay extra. 4, The local tour guiders were lacking professional knowledge to deal with US tourists. The group has 3 tour buses with 120 tourists. The local guiders were lacking enthusiasm. 5, The entire trips with 3 buses were looking for the Chinese restaurant everyday for the group meals and disregard the pandemic stage cautious. Sure the group meals restaurant always attaches with agent commission. 6, The hotels 15 nights except one night stayed in the Crown Plaza, the rest nights stayed in 2 stars hotel. The tourist deserved better services. $3300 plus tip $180 per person. The tourist needs to pay all the ticket individually with agency marks up. you paid 28 Euro, the tour guider gave you only one hour in the museum, but he can spend hours bus time to find a Chinese restaurant. 7, During the trips, some tourists get infected the Covid-19, the tour leader from agency and local guider have no measures or procedure for the sanitization to protect the rest travelers, not at all. Overall, I do not recommend to travel with this agency, or the travelers need to be aware buying your own air ticket at least. The company name is cruises, they are lacking knowledge to handle the land tour. That was all I can share with you.

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Election latest: Rishi Sunak accused of 'behaving badly' in final debate - as he and Keir Starmer get brutal audience question

Follow reaction and fallout from the final head-to-head between the prime minister and Labour leader ahead of polling day on 4 July.

Wednesday 26 June 2024 23:00, UK

• General Election 2024

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Sunak and Starmer's final debate

• Voters can't pick a winner in snap poll
• Labour frontbencher says PM 'behaved badly'
• Audience member asks brutally blunt question
• Starmer says Sunak 'bullied into action' over betting
• 'A deal with the Taliban?' - PM mocks Labour's migration plan
• Jon Craig: No love lost between Sunak and Starmer - and it showed
• Sam Coates: Sunak put his opponent on the spot - but poll shows strategy didn't win over public
• Live reporting by Faith Ridler , Ollie Cooper   and   Katie Williams
• Police to investigate betting scandal cases
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• Man arrested in honeytrap scandal | Labour suspends suspect

Election essentials

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Thanks for joining us for an extremely busy night here in the Politics Hub, including for the final debate between Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer before the general election next Thursday.

You can scroll through the page to catch up with the highlights.

And we'll be back from 6am with all the very latest.

Until then - read all the latest from Sky News below:

By  Tim Baker , political reporter, in Nottingham

One of the more amusing moments of the debate tonight was Robert, who told Rishi Sunak he was a "mediocre" prime minister and said Sir Keir's strings were being pulled by senior members of the Labour Party.

He is brought into the spin room by BBC production staff for journalists to talk to.

He tells us that he is a life-long Conservative voter - but at the moment is undecided.

Robert says he has recorded the debate and will be watching it again when he gets home.

However, he reckons he is leaning towards the Conservatives - believe Sir Keir has an "undeclared agenda".

Daisy Cooper, the deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats, has said the UK "deserves so much better" than the leaders' debate held tonight.

Reacting to the clash between Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer, she said: "Tonight the audience spoke for the nation when they asked: is this really the best we've got?

"Our country deserves so much better than what we watched this evening.

"Liberal Democrats are listening to you and fighting hard for the issues that matter to people. 

"From the NHS to tackling the cost of living, we want a fair deal for our country.”

A Conservative win would mean "five more years of chaos" and Rishi Sunak has shown tonight "just how out of touch he is", Labour's campaign coordinator has said.

Reacting to the leader's debate, Pat McFadden said Sir Keir Starmer "exposed the Tory manifesto as unfunded".

"Keir Starmer and Labour will return politics to public service, putting country before party in stark contrast to partygate and dodgy COVID contracts," he said.

"On 4 July, we have a chance to turn the page and start to rebuild with Labour."

Tonight was an "important moment" for Rishi Sunak as he put his opponent "on the spot", says our deputy political editor Sam Coates .

Coates says he thinks the prime minister would have been "very happy" with his performance - and adds that some of his aides were even "punching the air" after the debate.

It was a performance Mr Sunak "desperately needed earlier in the campaign", he adds.

He says Mr Sunak had a "clear strategy... to demand answers from Keir Starmer on tax and whether it will go up, on welfare and how you get people off benefits, on 'smashing the gangs' and whether the Rwanda policy is needed..."

Coates says Sir Keir provided a "range" of answers as the prime minister sparred with him.

"Sometimes he had specifics, sometimes he did not," he says.

"That strategy, although executed in a way I think that the Conservative Party tonight is very happy with, has nevertheless been judged not decisively in Keir Starmer or Rishi Sunak's favour," says Coates, referring to the YouGov poll showing there was no winner in the final debate of the election (see 21.38 post).

The final TV clash of the election campaign was an ill-tempered shouting match, at least from Rishi Sunak. 

Sir Keir was more measured. More prime ministerial, perhaps?

As he had to as the underdog, Mr Sunak went on the attack from the start until the very end and unveiled a new campaign slogan: "Don't surrender…"

He said it no fewer than 15 times during the 75-minute debate. That’s once every five minutes.

But just like the England-Slovenia Euros match 24 hours earlier, the result was a draw: 50%-50% exactly, according to pollsters YouGov.

At the outset, the PM served notice that he wanted to talk about tax, while Sir Keir wanted to talk about politicians gambling. 

As Mr Sunak read out prepared lines, it was a smart ad lib from Sir Keir that won the first round of applause.

"If you listened to people in the audience a bit more you might not be so out of touch," he said, in a familiar Labour attack line.

But the PM was strong and came out on top in exchanges on illegal migrants crossing the Channel.

One of the best moments came when a member of the audience, Robert, asked a devastating question: "Are you two really the best we’ve got to the next prime minister of our great country?"

By the end, the debate closed out as it began - with Mr Sunak shouting over the Labour leader. It wasn't a good look.

And as the debate ended, there was no handshake between the pair, which is unusual for these TV clashes. 

At least party leaders pretend to be civilised towards each other usually.

There's clearly no love lost between these two - and it showed.

Darren Jones, shadow chief secretary to the Treasury, is among the Labour representatives in the spin room this evening.

He's asked first about his leaked comments that Labour's target for decarbonising the economy will cost "hundreds of billions" of pounds.

Sir David Davis, who sticks around for this encounter, asks why Mr Jones's party "downgraded" their net zero plans.

"Because you guys crashed the economy," the shadow chief secretary responds.

Sunak 'behaved badly' in debate

On the leader's debate, Mr Jones says Sir Keir Starmer came across as "clearly more prime ministerial" - and adds that he thinks Rishi Sunak behaved "quite badly".

"He didn't answer questions that were put to him and was constantly speaking over Keir and Mishal [Husain, the BBC host]."

He denies Sir Keir's remarks that Mr Sunak is out of touch were "below the belt".

"Rishi Sunak is going around the country telling everyone that they've never had it so good... they crashed the economy, people at home know that because they paid the price for it."

Up to spin for the Conservatives is ex-minister David Davis.

"This debate was very important," he says, noting it's the final one before the public decides who to back.

He was a fan of Rishi Sunak's new attack line - the repeated pleas to voters not to "surrender" their borders or finances to Labour. 

"[Sunak has] faced a once-in-a-generation issue in terms of a war in Europe, he's faced a once-in-a-century issue in terms of a pandemic, and he did it with an economy from which we'd inherited massive debts in the past," he adds.

After all that, "he managed to get inflation down from 11% to 2% in six months". 

"The public will look at this and say: 'We've got a difficult world, all sorts of disruptions at home and abroad, who will deal with it the best of these two'?" he says.

"I know who I'll be voting for."

With minutes to go, a group of smiling Labour spinners arrived to watch the final summations.

Darren Jones - under fire for his comments about the cost of going for net zero, revealed in The Telegraph - tells Sky News it's clear who was more prime ministerial during the debate.

He and the other Starmer backers then burst away to the various cameras and microphones to talk up their leader.

Meanwhile, serious faced Conservatives enter from the other end of the room to give their verdicts. 

Tory candidate - and former minister - David Davis says he thinks Rishi Sunak's repetition of the "surrender" phrase will have gone down well.

This just in from YouGov - which has found there was no winner in tonight's BBC leaders' debate, the last of the general election campaign.

Asked who performed best - the results came in exactly 50/50.

Our deputy political editor Sam Coates says there will likely be disappointment in the Conservative ranks over this result.

"Neck-and-neck polling doesn't seem to me like it's going to change the race," he says.

"I think there's a really interesting question about Rishi Sunak's tactics, in my view, watching that, he was effective in highlighting the choice - the policy difference between the two men.

"I wonder looking at that poll whether that's what the public are really looking for."

However, there were distinctions when viewers were asked who performed better on certain topics.

Rishi Sunak came out on top on immigration and tax, while Sir Keir Starmer performed better on welfare and the UK's relationship with the EU.

Labour also just edged ahead on the economy - with 47% saying they performed better, and 43% backing the Tories.

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