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Travel restrictions – an overview of neighbouring countries

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More countries are allowing travellers to visit again. the Dutch government has approved travel to countries with a low coronavirus infection. These countries are marked with the colour codes green or yellow. Countries that are marked with the colour codes orange or red are deemed unsafe to visit due to too many coronavirus infections.

As of 19 July, the colour code green applies to Austria, Bulgaria, Corsica, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Hong Kong SAR, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Lithuania, Macao SAR, Madeira, Malta, Norway, Poland, Romania, Saba, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, and St. Eustatius; and the colour code yellow applies to Albania, parts of Armenia, Aruba, parts of Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bonaire, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Curacao, Denmark, parts of France, parts of Greece, Vatican City, Ireland, Jordan, Kosovo, Croatia, Latvia, parts of Lebanon, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, parts of Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Qatar, Rwanda, parts of Saudi Arabia, Serbia, St Martin, parts of Thailand, United States, South Korea, Sweden, and Switzerland.

Do take note that the coronavirus measures can change at short notice in other countries as well as in the Netherlands. You should always check Netherlands Worldwide for the latest travel advice before you embark on your journey. Also do a Quarantine Travel Check before your journey back to the Netherlands.

Following is an overview of the situation in neighbouring countries (All information provided is correct at time of publication. Always check Netherlands Worldwide for the latest update):

 

France (colour code: yellow, Corsica: green)

  • Border controls will be tightened from 18 July 2021. Travellers from risk countries without the Digital COVID Certificate (DCC) must self-quarantine. This applies to all travellers from the age of 12.
  • Travellers may visit France with a Digital COVID Certificate that meets one of the following conditions:
    • You have been fully vaccinated (with Pfizer, Moderna or AstraZeneca) 7 days or more ago.
    • You received the Janssen vaccine at least 4 weeks (28 days) ago.
    • You have recovered from COVID-19 and received your 1st (and required) vaccination at least 7 days ago. You are then considered fully vaccinated.
    • You can show that you have recovered from COVID-19. Your proof of recovery must be issued a minimum of 15 days and a maximum of 180 days after the first positive PCR or antigen test. This condition also applies if you had a (1st) vaccination less than 2 weeks ago after recovery from COVID-19.
    • Your negative PCR test or antigen test before departure is not older than 24 hours (calculated from the time of collection).
  • Please note: in all cases – even if you meet one or more of the above conditions – you must be able to show a declaration of honour upon arrival in France indicating that you agree with the health regulations applicable in France. This also applies to minors from 12 years of age.
  • In France, the wearing of a face mask is mandatory in indoor public spaces (shops, offices, schools etc) and on public transport. If you are outdoors you do not need to wear a mask except in places where social distancing is not possible (queues, open-air markets, railway stations, etc.). The social distancing distance in France is 2 metres from others. For more information on restrictions and requirements in France visit the website of the French Government.
  • When you return to the Netherlands, you no longer need to self-quarantine or take a COVID-19 test.

 

Germany (colour code: green)

  • From 18 July, when you travel from the Netherlands to Germany, you must register before departure. There is a quarantine obligation for travellers to Germany, but if you have a Digital Covid Certificate with proof of a negative COVID-19 test result, vaccination, or recovery, this does not apply.
  • All travellers must provide proof in English, German, French, Italian or Spanish of a negative COVID-19 test result from a rapid antigen test (at most 48 hours before arrival) or PCR test (at most 72 hours before arrival) or proof of vaccination (last vaccination more than 14 days before arrival) or recovery from an infection. This applies also to children 6 years and older.
  • Coronavirus measures differ per state, please refer to the German Federal Government website for updated information.
  • When you return to the Netherlands, you no longer need to self-quarantine or take a COVID-19 test.

 

Spain (colour code: orange)

  • All travellers 12 years and older must provide proof of one of the following in Spanish, English, French, or German (this can be in the form of a Digital Covid Certificate):
    • You have been fully vaccinated at least 14 days or more before arrival.
    • Negative result from a PCR (NAAT) test within 72 hours of arrival, or Rapid Antigen Test taken within 48 hours of arrival.
    • Proof of recovery. This proof must be issued a minimum of 11 days and a maximum of 180 days after the first positive NAAT test.
  • Travellers arriving by plane or boat must provide a completed Health Control Form from the website of the Spanish Government upon arrival. 
  • Wearing a face mask is always mandatory, for people above the age of 6, in indoor public places throughout Spain. Masks are no longer mandatory outdoors, but you must always carry one with you and wear it if you find yourself in crowded conditions that do not allow the 1,5 meter distance. As further restrictions in Spain differ per region, you can visit the TravelSafe Spain website for the current measures in each region.
  • When you return to the Netherlands, you no longer need to self-quarantine, but must be able to show a Digital Covid Certificate. If you travel by plane, you must complete a health declaration and keep it with you.

 

Belgium (colour code: yellow)

  • Belgium considers the Netherlands as a red zone from 17 July 2021.
  • You do not need to quarantine if you:
    • have a Digital Covid Certificate with full vaccination (at least 2 weeks old), or
    • a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of arrival in Belgium, or
    • a recovery certificate with a positive test for COVID-19 taken up to 180 days before arrival. The recovery certificate must not be older than 11 days.
    • children under the age of 12 do not need to be tested.
    • no test is required for stays of less than 48 hours.
    • Are you staying longer than 48 hours? Fill in the Passenger Localization Form within 48 hours before arrival. 
  • Coronavirus measures may differ per municipality and province, for current information about the national measures in Belgium, visit the Belgian government website.
  • When you return to the Netherlands, you no longer need to self-quarantine or take a COVID-19 test. However, you are advised to do a self-test when you get home just to be sure, even if you have been vaccinated.

 

Italy (colour code: green)

  • You can enter Italy with your Digital Covid Certificate and be exempt from quarantine if:
    • You can show a Digital Passenger Locator Form on arrival, and;
    • You have been fully vaccinated 14 days or more ago, or;
    • Your negative PCR test or antigen test is not older than 48 hours, or;
    • Your proof of recovery is not older than 6 months.
    • Children under the age of 6 do not need to be tested.
  • Wearing a face mask is always mandatory in indoor public places throughout Italy. Masks are no longer mandatory outdoors, but you must always carry one with you and wear it if you find yourself in crowded conditions where the 1-metre safe distance cannot be maintained. There is no limit to the number of people who may sit at the same outdoor table. Up to a maximum of 6 non-cohabiting people may sit together indoors; there are no limits to the number of people for 2 families who decide to dine together at the same table. For the more information, and updates visit the Italia website for tourists.
  • When you return to the Netherlands, you no longer need to self-quarantine or take a COVID-19 test. However, you are advised to do a self-test when you get home just to be sure, even if you have been vaccinated.