4 These corona measures still apply in the (holiday) countries around us

With summer approaching and Europe being largely vaccinated, going on holiday abroad is becoming more and more interesting. However, the corona rules have not yet completely disappeared. NU.nl lists the most important rules of the most popular holiday destinations for you.

France

What do I need to enter the country? If you come by car, you may be asked about your health step. Everyone aged twelve and older must be able to submit this corona certificate or yellow leaflet. Corona proof is the QR code in the CoronaCheck app. You get such proof:

• If you are fully vaccinated. It means you have two vaccines or one vaccine and you are cured of corona. This is 28 days after the first dose of the Janssen vaccine, or seven days after the second dose of Pfizer, Moderna, or AstraZeneca, or seven days after the vaccine plus your recovery.
• As proof of recovery. You have recovered from corona between 11 days and 4 months.
• If a negative test result. You were tested less than 24 hours ago with a PCR or antigen test.

With the French application “TAC verif” you can check yourself whether your corona certificate is valid in France. To do this, you must first print your QR code. This French-language government site contains more information about “sanitary transport”.

You will then need to complete a European Digital Passenger Locator Form (EU-PLF). With this you declare that you have no corona symptoms and that you have not been in contact with someone with corona.

What rules apply in France? Wearing a face mask on public transport is no longer mandatory in France. This means that one of the last measures against the coronavirus has been lifted.

According to the French Ministry of Health, face masks are always recommended on public transport, especially for vulnerable people.

Face masks are now only mandatory in France in healthcare institutions and hospitals. France is also making use of the corona transition there. According to 3G policy, people in healthcare facilities must be vaccinated, treated or tested before entering.

Germany

What do I need to enter the country? Germany obliges holidaymakers and travelers to carry a valid corona certificate, even when traveling from a German airport to another country.

• A valid corona certificate is a digital vaccination certificate, recovery certificate or negative test certificate in the CorornaCheck app. A second vaccine is valid from 14 days to a maximum of 270 days after vaccination with proof of corona. A booster shot is valid indefinitely.
• Note: Germany also requires a second dose of Janssen vaccine, unlike most countries.
• Every traveler aged twelve and older must be able to present a corona certificate.

What rules apply in Germany? In Germany, almost all corona measures have expired. Please note that gagging is mandatory for regional and urban transport.

The government does not require jokes in shops, restaurants and hotels, but contractors can ask customers to cover their mouths and noses with masks. That’s why it’s good to have one with you.

Sometimes even the 3G rule is still used as access control, for example in public transport. If you do not have a vaccination or recovery certificate, you must provide a negative result from an antigen test (dated within 24 hours) or a PCR/NAAT test (dated within 48 hours).

In addition, federal states can adjust the rules if there is too much pressure on IC capacity at the local level. Germany shares the latest updates on this German site of the Ministry of Health.

Italy

What do I need to enter the country? In Italy, holidaymakers must be able to submit a corona certificate. This does not apply to transit passengers who stay in the country for less than 36 hours. Only children under the age of six do not have to submit a negative test or vaccination certificate.

Without a booster vaccine, your second vaccine is valid for nine months from the day you receive the vaccine. Corona certification with booster is valid indefinitely. The recovery certificate is valid for six months.

If you do not have the required vaccinations, you will need a negative test. In Italy, the antigen test is valid for 48 hours and the PCR test is valid for 72 hours.

What rules apply in Italy? In various places, such as most public transport, cinemas, concert halls and theaters, the mask requirement still applies. Children from 6 years old are obliged to wear a mouth mask.

This English-language site helps travelers to Italy to comply with the corona rules.

Belgium

What do I need to enter the country? Are you staying in Belgium for more than 48 hours? Then you must be in possession of a corona certificate. This can be :

• Digital proof of complete vaccination for at least two weeks in the CoronaCheck app.
• A negative PCR test less than 72 hours before arrival or an antigen test less than 24 hours before arrival in Belgium.
• Proof of recovery of a maximum of 180 days and a minimum of 11 days upon arrival in Belgium.
• Advice from the Dutch government: Also bring a QR code printed in Belgium.

Children up to the age of 12 do not need to be tested.

Which rules apply in Belgium? Belgium has four different regions that are allowed to maintain their own rules. In Flanders, wearing a face mask in various places is still mandatory for everyone from the age of twelve:

• In hospitals and healthcare institutions.
• On public transport.
• In pharmacies and other healthcare institutions such as physiotherapists.

All rules in other regions can be found on this site.

Austria

What do I need to enter the country? Dutch people can travel to Austria without rules. You do not have to show proof of corona, you are not in quarantine and registration is not necessary at the moment.

What rules apply in Austria? In Austria you no longer have to show a corona ticket in most places, but you may still be asked in some places. Face masks, called FFP2, are mandatory for people aged fourteen and older at the following locations:

• On public transport.
• In essential stores such as supermarkets and pharmacies.

Children between the ages of six and thirteen are also allowed to wear a “normal” cloth face mask.

Switzerland

There are currently no access rules or corona measures for Switzerland.

However, the Swiss government recommends that you do the travel check before departure, should the rules change in the meantime.

Spain

What do I need to enter the country? Everyone aged twelve and older must submit a corona certificate. This can be:

• A negative PCR test or antigen test.
• A vaccination certificate. Please note that your last vaccination should not have taken place earlier than 270 days. This only applies to passengers 19 years and older.
• Proof of recovery.

Don’t have an international QR code? Then you need to fill in the Spain Travel Health form. This will give you a QR code to enter Spain.

Correction: We wrote in an earlier version of this article that antigen testing is only for 12-18 year olds. This is an error. Anyone aged twelve and older can also have an antigen test (not older than 24 hours).

What rules apply in Spain? In Spain, different rules may apply per region. Face masks may only be worn in the following places:

• In public transport and in the plane.
• On boats and (cruise) ships.
• In healthcare institutions and pharmacies.

On this site you will find the most current rules per region in Spanish and English.

Is your holiday spot not in the list? On this site of the national government you will find travel advice for all countries.