Additional countries in Europe continue to enforce travel restrictions on unvaccinated Americans, all of which follow the European Union’s decision to remove the United States from its “safe travel list.” Late last week, both Austria and France announced only fully vaccinated Americans will be able to enter their respective countries without restriction.
On September 9, France removed the U.S. from its “green” list, moving it to the “orange” list of countries, according to a government Order. This means, according to France’s Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, that unvaccinated travelers will only be allowed entry to France provided they have an essential reason for travel and a negative COVID-19 test (or proof of recovery from coronavirus) before travel; they must also quarantine for seven days on arrival.
Effective Wednesday, September 15, the U.S. will be removed from Austria’s list of countries with low epidemiological risk. This means, according to the Austrian Tourist Office, only fully vaccinated travelers, regardless of their travel purpose, will be allowed to enter without a mandatory quarantine. Proof of vaccination is required upon entry; there is no pre-registration required. In addition, the validity of the vaccine for any fully vaccinated traveler has been extended to 360 days (one year) after the second/or only inoculation.
For travelers who are unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated, they will have to present a negative COVID-19 test result upon arrival and then serve a 10-day mandatory quarantine.
Note: Transit passengers are not subject to the COVID-19 entry restrictions or quarantine in Austria.
For more information, visit www.austria.org.
Last week, Switzerland announced it would also be closing to non-vaccinated Americans and would, by next week, update its travel entry requirements. Previously, Portugal said it would remain open to all Americans, requiring only a negative test result and a completed Passenger Locator Card.
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