Europe to reopen to US travelers this summer

• Officials of the European Union have added the U.S. to the list of countries on their safe travel list.
• The decision will allow U.S. travelers to visit 27 European countries regardless of vaccination status.
• The ban on nonessential travel from the U.S. to Europe has been put into place back in early 2020 to help curb the spread of COVID-19.

For the first time in about 16 months, U.S. travelers can now consider European countries for their summer vacation options.

According to a report from the Associated Press, European officials have agreed to add the U.S. to the European Union’s safe travel list.

Residents of the handful of countries on the list can visit Europe for nonessential reasons. Aside from the recent addition of the U.S., included in the list are Albania, Lebanon, and Serbia. Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan may also be included starting on July 1.

A ban on nonessential travel from the U.S. to Europe has been put into place back in early 2020 to help curb the spread of COVID-19.

The EU has previously assured Americans that fully vaccinated individuals will be allowed to travel to Europe this summer. Several countries, such as Greece, Italy, Portugal, and Spain, have already reopened to U.S. travelers.

Portugal welcomed U.S. tourists starting on June 15. The country’s regulations only require travelers to present proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of their trip or take rapid antigen tests within 24 hours of travel.

The EU’s decision allows U.S. travelers to visit its 27 countries regardless of vaccination status. While travelers must still follow the rules of individual countries regarding COVID-19 testing or proof of vaccination, they are no longer required to set aside time for quarantine.

The EU is yet to provide unified pandemic travel requirements, however, as well as information on how U.S. travelers will qualify to use the EU’s QR code-based system of travel certificates.

Meanwhile, the United Kingdom has pushed back its timetable for easing coronavirus restrictions. With the emergence of more dangerous coronavirus variants, nonessential travel between the UK and EU countries remains off-limits, further complicating travel across the Atlantic Ocean.

Source: People