The European Union looks set to add the United States to its list of countries considered safe for travel—a decision that would allow Americans to visit the bloc for non-essential purposes.
On Wednesday, ambassadors from the EU nations recommended that the U.S. should be added to the list of safe third countries from which non-essential travel is permitted.
The measure has not yet been formally agreed, but an EU source confirmed to Newsweek that an updated list including the United States is expected to be presented for formal adoption on Friday.
The decision would mean any travelers coming from the U.S.—whether vaccinated against COVID-19 or not—can enter the EU.
In practice, however, it will be up to each individual country in the bloc to decide when and to what extent they will open and what precautionary health measures they will take.
As a result, individual nations will choose whether or not U.S. travelers will require a negative coronavirus test to enter or will be obliged to quarantine for a set period on arrival.
Below, we set out the latest rules for people hoping to travel to popular European destinations from the U.S.
France
Fully vaccinated American travelers who show proof of vaccination at the airport can currently enter France. They will need to provide proof of a negative PCR coronavirus test taken no more than 72 hours before departure—or 48 hours if it is an antigen test. Travelers who are not fully vaccinated are not allowed to enter the country.
Greece
Travelers from the U.S. can currently enter Greece. Any individual older than 5 years wishing to enter the country must provide proof of a negative coronavirus test taken no more than 72 hours before arriving in the country. Those travelers who can provide proof that they have been fully vaccinated can enter the country without showing evidence of a negative coronavirus test.
Italy
Italy is currently open to American travelers if they provide evidence of a negative coronavirus test taken no more than 72 hours before arrival. However, travelers have to self-isolate for 10 days upon arrival. Americans arriving in Italy on special "COVID-tested flights" will not be required to self-isolate. These flights started in December and require all passengers to be tested before and after the flight.
Spain
Spain is currently accepting fully vaccinated travelers from the U.S. if they can show official proof that they have received their shots.
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About the writer
Aristos is a Newsweek science reporter with the London, U.K., bureau. He reports on science and health topics, including; animal, ... Read more
