European Travel Ban: Everything You Need to Know

I think we can all agree that things have been pretty… wild this year. This is especially true in the United States. Being an American right now feels a bit like the Tilt-A-Whirl at one of those sketchy traveling carnivals: kind of thrilling but mostly terrifying. 

The biggest thing crushing this country right now is our grasp — or lack thereof — on the coronavirus pandemic. American cases are through the dang roof, and as a result, Americans and our germs are generally unwanted internationally. 

Currently, Americans are banned from entering most of Europe. Here’s everything you need to know about Europe’s travel ban.

European nations (all members of the European Union, as well as the non-E.U. European nations of Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein) are open to travelers from the following countries: Algeria, Australia, Canada, Georgia, Japan, Montenegro, Morocco, New Zealand, Rwanda, Serbia, South Korea, Thailand, Tunisia, and Uruguay. 

The United States is NOT on that list.

American travelers are not allowed to enter the European Union unless they qualify for an exception. If you’re a European citizen living in the US, you’re able to return to Europe. Other exceptions include health workers, seasonal farm workers, diplomats, humanitarian workers, transit passengers, asylum seekers, students, and “passengers traveling for imperative family reasons.” 

There are a small handful of European countries welcoming Americans (Croatia, for example), but don’t get any ideas! The rules are based on the country in which travelers are residents, so don’t think that once you’re in the Schengen Area you’ll be able to seamlessly cross borders. 

European officials will be reviewing the list of travel restrictions every two weeks. So, cross your fingers that the US gets its pandemic under control. Wearing a mask and continuing to social distance will also help move the US closer to safe travel!

Useful links:
Council of the EU Updates
US Department of State

Got questions about planning a trip to Europe? Want to talk through these travel restrictions? Shoot me an email: annie@wunderbird.com.

Take a moment to click through this European Travel Ban slideshow!