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10 EU Countries that Opened its Doors to Tourists this Summer

Published June 9th, 2020 - 05:00 GMT

Tourism was one of the most affected industries from COVID-19 pandemic and the lockdown that was forced on most parts of the world.  Airports, hotels, resorts and the world’s top touristic cities closed down during the pandemic’s peak, but recently several governments around the world- particularly in Europe- decided to lift the lockdown and open up borders in time not to miss the touristic summer season.

Here are 10 European countries that decided to start welcoming tourists despite the fact that COVID-19 risk is still looming.

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1. Italy

1. Italy: Italy reopened its borders on June 3 to citizens of the EU, the UK, the Schengen area, Andorra and Monaco after the country's closure, which came into effect on March 9. Italy is the first European country to fully open its international borders, dropping the 14-day quarantine requirement for visitors.

2. Austria

2. Austria: Austria closed its land borders with Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Slovakia and the Czech Republic due to the spread of Coronavirus. Vienna plans to reopen its borders with Germany completely on June 15. Travellers need to provide a medical certificate that’s not more than 4 days old proving that they are free from COVID-19 infection.

3. Bulgaria

3. Bulgaria: Bulgaria issued an order allowing representatives of firms and companies registered in the EU and the Schengen area to enter Bulgaria without the requirement for 14-day quarantine starting May 22.

4. Croatia

4. Croatia: Croatia completely opened borders to nationals of 10 neighboring countries including Czech Republic, Hungary, Austria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovenia, Germany and Slovakia whose nationals will now not have to prove the reason for their entry into the Republic of Croatia. Entries will be recorded with the collection of additional data for epidemiological reasons.

5. Cyprus

5. Cyprus: Cyprus outlined plans for the phased resumption next month of commercial flights from a select number of countries with low COVID-19 infection rates to jump-start its vital tourism sector. The first group allows passengers from 13 countries to enter Cyprus providing a health certificate confirming that they are virus-free obtained no more than three days prior to their departure.

6. Czech Republic

6. Czech Republic: By the end of May, Czech Republic opened the borders with Germany, Austria, and with Slovakia and Hungary but with some restrictions. Residents of member states of the EU can enter to do economic activities, visit relatives or study at the university. Each passenger must provide a medical certificate that they are free of COVID-19.

7. Spain

7. Spain: Spain was one of the most hit countries with COVID-19. It officially closed its borders on March 17. However, borders will be reopened to tourists on July 1.

8. Switzerland

8. Switzerland: Switzerland, which imposed border closure on March 13, will reopen its borders with Germany, Austria and France on June 15 while all travel restrictions on the borders with Italy will remain in effect until further notice. The country can only be entered via Zurich, Geneva and Basel airports. Foreigners who don’t have residency or work permit are still not allowed to enter.

9. Netherlands

9. Netherlands: The Netherlands opened borders for travelers within the Schengen area. However, the government strongly advised travellers not to take unnecessary trips. It has announced several times on its website that "the Dutch government does not encourage travel of any kind and has invited everyone to stay at home".

10. France

10. France: France plans to reopen borders with EU Countries for non-essential travel and tourism on June 15 if the situation does not worsen with the possibility of not asking travelers for a quarantine period upon entry.

1. Italy
2. Austria
3. Bulgaria
4. Croatia
5. Cyprus
6. Czech Republic
7. Spain
8. Switzerland
9. Netherlands
10. France
1. Italy
1. Italy: Italy reopened its borders on June 3 to citizens of the EU, the UK, the Schengen area, Andorra and Monaco after the country's closure, which came into effect on March 9. Italy is the first European country to fully open its international borders, dropping the 14-day quarantine requirement for visitors.
2. Austria
2. Austria: Austria closed its land borders with Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Slovakia and the Czech Republic due to the spread of Coronavirus. Vienna plans to reopen its borders with Germany completely on June 15. Travellers need to provide a medical certificate that’s not more than 4 days old proving that they are free from COVID-19 infection.
3. Bulgaria
3. Bulgaria: Bulgaria issued an order allowing representatives of firms and companies registered in the EU and the Schengen area to enter Bulgaria without the requirement for 14-day quarantine starting May 22.
4. Croatia
4. Croatia: Croatia completely opened borders to nationals of 10 neighboring countries including Czech Republic, Hungary, Austria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovenia, Germany and Slovakia whose nationals will now not have to prove the reason for their entry into the Republic of Croatia. Entries will be recorded with the collection of additional data for epidemiological reasons.
5. Cyprus
5. Cyprus: Cyprus outlined plans for the phased resumption next month of commercial flights from a select number of countries with low COVID-19 infection rates to jump-start its vital tourism sector. The first group allows passengers from 13 countries to enter Cyprus providing a health certificate confirming that they are virus-free obtained no more than three days prior to their departure.
6. Czech Republic
6. Czech Republic: By the end of May, Czech Republic opened the borders with Germany, Austria, and with Slovakia and Hungary but with some restrictions. Residents of member states of the EU can enter to do economic activities, visit relatives or study at the university. Each passenger must provide a medical certificate that they are free of COVID-19.
7. Spain
7. Spain: Spain was one of the most hit countries with COVID-19. It officially closed its borders on March 17. However, borders will be reopened to tourists on July 1.
8. Switzerland
8. Switzerland: Switzerland, which imposed border closure on March 13, will reopen its borders with Germany, Austria and France on June 15 while all travel restrictions on the borders with Italy will remain in effect until further notice. The country can only be entered via Zurich, Geneva and Basel airports. Foreigners who don’t have residency or work permit are still not allowed to enter.
9. Netherlands
9. Netherlands: The Netherlands opened borders for travelers within the Schengen area. However, the government strongly advised travellers not to take unnecessary trips. It has announced several times on its website that "the Dutch government does not encourage travel of any kind and has invited everyone to stay at home".
10. France
10. France: France plans to reopen borders with EU Countries for non-essential travel and tourism on June 15 if the situation does not worsen with the possibility of not asking travelers for a quarantine period upon entry.
Tags:FranceSpainNetherlandsSwitzerlandCzech RepublicCyprusCroatiaBulgariaAustriaItalyEUCovid-19coronavirusTourismsummerTourists

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