Summer Travel Europe: Many Of These 20 Countries Plan To Be Open

As European lockdowns ease across the continent, and borders reopen, tourism is set to rise from the COVID-19 ashes in time for summer holiday travel. 

Europe’s tourism industry currently lays in ruins, and much like ancient Rome seems almost a thing of the past. Hotels have been closed for months–some will never reopen–hospitality staff laid off, and around $1 billion a month lost due to the total absence of tourists in countries whose revenue usually depends on them.

Soon that will change dramatically. Many countries are determined to put tourism back on the map for summer, and are easing two-month-long travel restrictions on fellow Europeans. Some are pushing ahead on bilateral agreements with neighbors for land borders to reopen in May and June with a view to summer holidays.

The EU, under it’s plan for a tourism comeback, wants countries with similar “risk profiles” (corona infection levels) to relax common border closures first. This ahead of a full return to travel freedom Europe-wide. Tourist corridors between neighboring countries will allow holidaymakers to travel freely, with strict safety measures in place every step of the way.

“Tourism bubbles” between two or more countries, even those that are geographically distanced such as Denmark and Greece, will see people travel–by road, train or plane –to Europe’s holiday resorts, yet skip quarantine on arrival due to common health protocols. Such an approach is better geared to Europe’s varied COVID-19 landscape, says the EU, than blanket rules on reopening internal borders at the same pace.

As to non-Europeans, with the EU travel ban on foreigners now extended until June 15, few airlines flying, and travel advisories worldwide warning against all international travel, the chance of visiting Europe before fall is iffy. 

But as restrictions start to lift, here’s what holidaymakers might expect in individual countries over coming weeks:

Austria

With an unwinding of its lockdown well underway, Austria is a trailblazer in unlocking its borders. A total reopening of the Austrian border with Germany is set for June 15, while restrictions will already ease up immediately from May 15, allowing family visits and business trips between the two. From thereon, there will only be random spot checks says the government.

Austrian restaurants reopen the same day, and hotels from May 29. Chancellor Sebastian Kurz says he hopes a similar bilateral agreement will soon mean Austrians and Czechs can travel back and forth freely too. According to the Brussels Times, Germans represent 30% of annual tourists in Austria, so the return of Germans marks an important road to recovery.

Verdict: Austrian holidays will from mid-June be possible for Germans and possibly others who have the COVID-19 situation under control, Austrian tourism minister, Elisabeth Köstinger has indicated. For now, a two-week quarantine on arrival may quell travel enthusiasm. Though travelers who are exempt from current travel restrictions can dodge that, by coughing up €190 for a test, to prove they are COVID-19-free.

Belgium 

Belgium, whose capital hosts the EU headquarters, is sure to align with the bloc’s desire to extend the travel ban on foreign tourists until June 15. For now all other travelers must self-isolate for 14 days. 

With the current easing of the lockdown, non-essential businesses have been reopening since May 11, with a maximum of 30 minutes spent in-store, contactless payment encouraged, and social distancing of one customer per 10 square meters. Markets may follow by May 18. Tourist sites however along with cafes, restaurants, museums will not open until June 8. Masks are mandatory on public transport.

“Hotels and apartment hotels may reopen, except for their restaurants, meeting rooms and leisure areas,” reports broadcaster RTBF. “There is no question for a company to organize a cultural, festive, recreational, tourist or sports activity.”

Verdict: If the EU’s external borders reopen from mid-June, Belgium visits may be on the cards this summer, even for non-European holidaymakers. But don’t book any trips until that is absolutely sure.

Croatia  

As Croatia Airlines’ domestic flights resumed on May 11, the Southeastern European country is getting ready to loosen border restrictions, possibly from early June. Croatia’s tourism minister, Gari Cappelli, told broadcaster HRT that talks for bilateral border agreements to reopen the country to tourism are underway with Hungary, Austria, Slovenia and the Czech Republic.  

Border openings may start by the end of May with Slovenia, he said but only after a nod from public health chiefs. Cappelli pointed out there have been few cancellations for summer tourism from July through September, which is a positive sign for European holidaymakers.

“We must allow the borders to be opened as much as we can,” he urged his European homologues late April, while seeking a common solution such as a COVID-19 passport and other travel protocols.  

“The country has already pulled back stay-at-home orders,” reports tourism site, Total Croatia News, with hospitality businesses open again since May 11. After Slovenia, border controls with the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary and Austria may end by June 15 it suggests. 

Verdict: Croatia may well be a leader in opening up tourism for summer vacations. Firstly European holidaymakers in peak summer months, possibly other foreigners after that. Some are already branding it “the hottest Corona free travel destination”.

Cyprus

Cyprus wants to get back on the tourism map by July, and has indicated in local papers that “Germany, Switzerland, Austria, the Nordic countries, Greece, Israel and perhaps the Netherlands,” will be part of the recovery.

Deputy tourism minister Savvas Perdios has since added British holidaymakers to the list, saying they will be “welcomed with open arms” once travel restrictions fade. If that is, they “are willing to take the risk” and face the uncertainty in the post-COVID 19 world” he told Sun Online Travel. That is a big if for many in tourism who feel the fear factor will hold Europeans back from traveling within Europe, even when they can.

Verdict: Europeans and other travelers from “safe” countries may be able to plan Cyprus holidays for July. Particularly in light of the EU action plan for border reopenings and summer tourism. It’s still not clear when the country will be ready to welcome other foreigners, though Cyprus Association of Travel Agents chief Vassilis Stamataris said: “We are a hospitality industry and do not discriminate.”

Czech Republic

Since late April, Czechs regained freedom of movement, and are now not only able to leave home whenever they want, but also to go abroad again. Social distancing rules and face masks are compulsory.

As of May 11, EU citizens arriving on business trips of up to three days can enter the country, as can university students and seasonal workers, but there is no such carte blanche for other visitors. Arrivals including Czech citizens have to show a negative test result for the coronavirus, issued within the previous four days, or face 14 days of quarantine. Border controls with Germany and Austria are expected to be lifted by the end of May, as safe travel corridors and tourism bubbles are formed Europe-wide.

“Austria and the Czech Republic want to have bilateral agreements with neighbouring countries such as Germany to allow tourists to enter the country during the summer,” EU Observer reports.

Just three weeks ago, Czech President Milos Zeman warned citizens to plan to spend the summer at home, with travel outside the country banned for a year. This shows just how fast post-COVID travel freedom is changing.

Verdict: Authorities have given no indication of when inbound tourism to the country will resume but Czechia like many European countries will no doubt give the green light first to leisure visits from neighbors.

Denmark 

Despite a gradual return to normal life from May 11, with progressive reopening of malls, restaurants and cafes, Denmark’s borders remain shut to tourists, and have done so since mid-March.

The Danish government said last week it’s too early to set a date for internal border reopening, reports Altinget but some opposition parties say travel to Denmark at least from neighbors Germany and Norway should be possible. 

That is looking more likely with the EU push for summer tourism recovery unveiled May 13. German papers say Copenhagen is “discussing border matters with other countries”, with a decision regarding the German-Danish border likely soon.

According to the BBC, Denmark is looking at a travel bubble with Greece, to open up the flight path between the two countries for summer vacationers.   

Verdict: The outlook for European travelers is brighter but still unclear timing-wise. Some Danish tourism operators are hoping German holidaymakers will return from June. Authorities in Germany’s northernmost state of Schleswig-Holstein may open the border to Denmark as early as mid-May, local media reports. Whatever the case, it’s pretty clear the first foreigners Danes welcome back will be Germans.

France

Despite the May 11 easing of the French COVID-19 lockdown, French people can still not travel more than 100 km from home. So this rules out even domestic tourism for now. At least until after June 2, when hotels, restaurants and bars are due to open if the health situation allows. 

With the EU push to reopen land borders for summer, holiday travel for Europeans is looking increasingly likely. Way earlier than many hoteliers in France were expecting. A “travel bubble” between France, Germany, Switzerland and Austria is mooted by June 15, allowing holidaymakers and others the freedom to move back and forth.

French tourism operators do not expect to welcome non-European tourists this year. But that too could quickly change. For now, a forecast two week quarantine on arrival, combined with ongoing EU border closure, will act as a deterrent possibly for months. French president Emmanuel Macron made no bones about a “limit” on major international travel during summer when announcing France’s lockdown exit plan. “Tourism this summer will be a purely French affair,” Didier Arino from tourism research agency Protourisme told Le Figaro. 

Verdict: France is counting on a domestic tourism kick-off by July and hopefully stays from neighboring Europeans. The British quarantine on arrival plans could exclude U.K. holidaymakers before autumn. For others, it’s wait and see.     

Germany 

The German Interior Ministry says it will start to lift all border restrictions with its neighbors: France, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Denmark and Austria, from June 15. The borders will be relaxed in a varying timetable over a month from May 15. The easing of restrictions depends on how infection rates continue to develop and the health outlook in each country.

The border controls between Luxembourg will be “scrapped completely” on May 15 report German papers. The same may apply to Denmark, with a decision expected soon. The bilateral deals will make summer holidays abroad possible, Germany’s tourism commissioner Thomas Bareiss told Der Tagesspiegel last week. Germany’s hotels, restaurants, bars and museums are due to open this month, following on from department stores and many other businesses on May 1. 

For now, tourism is no go. Compulsory 14 days self-isolation applies to all travelers arriving from abroad, including Germans and permanent residents. European transit passengers, as well as seasonal and health workers and others who are exempt from EU travel restrictions, dodge quarantine. 

“EU citizens as well as people from the U.K., Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland and their families are also allowed to travel through Germany to reach their home country if no other travel connection is possible,” says the German Federal Foreign Office. Until the temporary border controls between neighbors come down between now and mid-June, those with non-urgent reasons to travel may be refused entry. 

Verdict: Bilateral even trilateral travel arrangements between neighbors are set to open up Germany to some European holidaymakers by mid-June or earlier.

Greece

Greek Tourism Minister Harry Theocharis has announced hopes for a Greek tourism renaissance starting July 1. Loosening up of restrictions on European travelers is set to snowball, in line with EU-wide plans to open up summer travel between countries with similar COVID-19 profiles. 

For now Greece’s borders are shut to travelers from outside the EU as well as from Italy, Spain, the Netherlands and Germany until May 18 at least. Transit is possible. Other international arrivals are subject to a 14-day self-quarantine on arrival, as well COVID-19 screening. To get round that, Greek Tourism Minister Harry Theocharis is talking of “corona corridors” with Cyprus and Israel for a start, so travelers can forgo quarantine. He’s keen to adopt common European travel protocols announced May 13, to allow borders to reopen at the outset with strict health precautions in place. And among a network of select countries.

The lockdown exit started on May 4 and will unfurl gradually through June with the reopening of hotels, resorts, restaurants and cafes says tourism authority, Visit Greece. The government will soon announce further guidelines for restaurants, leisure facilities, hotels, swimming pools and beaches. Travel bans still restrict Greeks traveling far, and masks are mandatory on public transport.

Verdict Wizz Air is selling tickets to several Greek destinations from London Luton for July including Zakynthos, Heraklion, Corfu and Rhodes. The U.S. Embassy in Greece says direct flights to and from the United States “are not expected to resume until early June.” Still Greece is still shaping up like a travel hopeful for summer, for Europeans and non. There are even some inklings that Greece foresees the return of some European tourists as early as June 1 now. That remains to be seen.

Ireland 

According to Irish papers, the government “doesn’t want people to come to Ireland on holiday and tougher checks at ports and airports may be introduced.” This as the country sweeps in a 14-day self-isolation on arrival for everyone, including Brits. Irish people returning home are exempt. So even though Tourism Ireland chief Niall Gibbons reportedly wants to woo Brits for exotic closer to home staycations in 2020, the country may stay closed to Britons until later summer says The Independent. 

That’s looking highly likely. Given it will be another two months before domestic tourism gets off the ground with the planned reopening of campsites, hostels and hotels on July 20. Museums and galleries too. Under the lockdown exit, cafes and restaurants open June 29. Pubs and hotel bars won’t open until August 10.

Ireland’s s biggest hotel operator, the Dalata Hotel Group, is hoping to open earlier than scheduled, reports the Irish Times. But until the government lifts the current 20km travel limit, there will be no guests. And people can’t travel to their holiday homes either.

Verdict: Overseas holidaymakers would be unwise to plan travel before high season. Transatlantic flights continue from Dublin says the country’s U.S. Embassy, but those returning to the USA are “extremely limited”. Aer Lingus is the only carrier offering limited services between Dublin, Boston, Chicago and New York. 

Italy 

Summer holidays in the land of la dolce vita are out except for Europeans, the country’s tourism board says. Within an EU framework for lifting travel restrictions, Italy hopes to woo tourists from Germany, Austria and Switzerland–and possibly Nordic countries–first.

But Europeans must not plan Italian holidays before high season months July-August at the earliest, which is when tourism officials believe tourism will restart. That date may be brought forward with the speed with which things are changing on the corona travelscape. Thermal cameras, hand sanitizer and social-distancing on beaches are among measures Italy foresees in order to promote itself as a safe destination. 

Verdict: All but Europeans can forget Italian holidays in summer. For autumn it is still unclear, but non EU travelers should do no more than vaguely pencil in an Italian vacation from fall onwards.

Malta   

Malta has suspended all inbound passenger flights until at least May 31 and a mandatory 14-day self-isolation on arrival continues. 

With 5 deaths and around 500 corona cases recorded, the Southern European island nation wants to be part of a European tourism comeback, within strict EU guidelines. Maltese Tourism Minister, Julia Farrugia Portelli, says the risks of reopening must be managed. She hopes protocols on flights and accommodation, testing programs plus social distancing rules at holiday resorts, beaches and restaurants, will help pave the way for summer holidays via “safe corridors”. 

This will be good news for the half a million British tourists who visit Malta every year, once the U.K. lockdown eases. 

Verdict: Some Europeans from low-risk countries may arrive in time for summer holidays via tightly controlled corona corridors.  

Netherlands 

With the famous Dutch tulip fields and gardens like Keukenhof experiencing their first spring without tourists, now will summer also be tourist-free? “You can’t visit us at the moment, but we hope that in the future you’ll enjoy our beautiful and vibrant country again,” says the national tourism board with typical Dutch frankness. 

Despite a gradual lifting of the “intelligent lockdown”, starting from May 11, the door is still closed to tourists. That includes Europeans from Schengen countries who can already travel into the Netherlands, except in areas where internal borders have shot back. 

“All non-essential trips are strongly discouraged by the authorities,” Holland.com warns. This may be the case even in the next lockdown exit phase on June 1, when museums, restaurants and cafes will open, under strict 1.5 metre social distancing rules. Many hotels in the Netherlands never closed during the lockdown, other than their F&B outlets. Campsites and holiday parks reopen from 1 July.

Verdict: Don’t even think about it yet. Visits for European holidaymakers may be increasingly possible after the June reopenings. The exit plan unfurls over four months; the last thing to open are brothels on September 1. Other travelers from abroad will have to reassess the Dutch situation after mid-June, the earliest date the EU’s border closure will end. 

Norway

With Norway’s lockdown curbs mostly due to vanish by June 15, there is no inkling as to when borders will reopen for international tourism. They’ve been closed to all but citizens and residents since mid-March. The government is still advising Norwegians to avoid unnecessary leisure travel, and to prepare to “make use of their closest holiday country this summer”–that is, to holiday at home.  

It’s also calling on state-owned Innovation Norway to set aside funds “to get foreign tourists to Norway,” and focus on domestic tourism instead. “It will take time for traffic from abroad to pick up again,” it warns, without specifying how much time.

Verdict: Summer holidays for fellow Europeans are by no means assured, though may change after Norway’s June reopenings, and with new EU guidelines. This still excluded non-Europeans, possibly well beyond summer.

Portugal 

The travel ban on all but essential visits by foreigners will hold in Portugal at least until May 18, but probably until mid-June, in line with the EU’s prolonged border closure.

While tourism officials in the Algarve region are pinning their hopes on sunseekers from abroad from that time, many find this unrealistic as lockdowns and foreign travel bans continue. Domestic tourism they feel will spearhead summer recovery. A return of international visitors is not looking likely before high season, with foreign bookings starting to trickle in for peak summer months of July and August.

There are currently no direct flights between the United States and Portugal. British Airways, Wizz Air, TAP and Ryan Air are among those flying to Lisbon, but seats are only for citizens and residents, or other passengers with urgent reasons to travel.

Indicating just how long it may be before some tourists can again visit Portugal, the country has launched a “Don’t cancel, postpone” campaign offering holidaymakers vouchers–valid until December 2021–to allow people to put holidays on hold, rather than wiping them off the slate. Tourism authorities say they apply to bookings made through travel agencies or at accredited holiday accommodation such as hotels or Airbnb properties, for the period March 13 to September 30. 

Portuguese hotels and beaches will start to open in June under strict health protocols. In anticipation of reopenings, to establish itself as a safe destination, the Portuguese tourism board has created a “Clean and Safe” label. This marks out COVID-19 compliant tourist establishments meeting government standards on hygiene and cleaning measures. Something the EU is strongly encouraging in its tourism revival action plan, and which may help place Portugal in good stead to see tourists return earlier than expected.

Verdict: No travel for Europeans likely before mid-to-late summer; others will possibly have to wait much longer.

Spain 

With its four-phase exit strategy being staggered across the country, there is still no clear horizon for Spanish holidays to resume. From May 15 when borders reopen, until May 24, all international travelers face a two week quarantine on arrival. 

“We have to guarantee, when international tourism opens, that the person who comes to Spain is a safe person,” tourism minister Reyes Maroto told El Pais of the strict health vetting.

When quarantine rules ease, Spain forecasts strict sanitary measures for holidaymakers as beach resorts reopen, from hand washing to social distancing. From May 11, hotels and café terraces started opening countrywide, at about 30% capacity. Access to hotel common areas is closed.

In the Balearic Islands most hotels are staying shut, as travel restrictions mean they have no clientele, neither Spaniards nor foreigners. Officials in the Canaries say hotels will not open until “July or August”. Tourism will begin with Spanish visitors, and only much later, from October to December, will the islands start “receiving tourists from other countries”. Wizz Air is still selling at least a couple of flights a week to Tenerife from London Luton, though the travel ban excludes international tourists from landing. That and the threat of quarantine.

Verdict: Holidays on mainland Spain may be possible under common European travel protocols before summer’s out. In the Balearics, including Majorca and Ibiza, tourism officials hope Germans will be part of an earlier summer tourism recovery. Based on present indications, travel to the Canary Islands is looking unlikely before late autumn. Following the EU tourism revival plan, perhaps travel bubbles will enable trips between some low-risk Spanish and neighboring European regions.

Sweden

“Welcome to Sweden when the time is right” says Visit Sweden. Entry bans apply to all foreigners, except those from EU and Schengen States, Switzerland and the U.K. says the government. Meantime the country is going all out to promote itself virtually for future holidays. For when? “The absence of foreign tourists will cost the Swedish tourism industry SEK 36 billion until Midsummer,” says the national broadcaster SVT, hinting that tourism will not be possible until after July.

While the country is not in total lockdown (restaurants and cafes remain open but only for table service), there are strict social distancing rules. In mid-April, the government was telling Swedes to prepare for possibly months more of restrictions, including those on non-essential travel within and outside of the country. Something which may strike out planned summer holidays for the Swedes, and to Sweden. 

Verdict: Unlikely for non-Europeans before August at the earliest, with EU borders closed until at least June 14. A less than promising newspaper headline on May 11 proclaimed Western Sweden’s destination marketing agency, Visit Halland, “has paused all marketing” and “all plans”. “Current coronary restrictions mean that they are unable to do their job right now. To attract international tourists to Halland.”

Switzerland

Switzerland together with Germany, France and Austria plan to reopen common borders by June 15, as part of a gradual loosening of restrictions, in place since March. Until then, as the lockdown unwinds, only Swiss citizens, residents, cross-border workers and those in transit can enter. “The government advises against all non-urgent travel in Switzerland and abroad,” says SwissInfo. 

As the country reopens restaurants, bars, bookshops and museums from May 11, there are social distancing rules of 2 metres, with a maximum of 4 per table in restaurants.

The end to border controls with most neighbors (bar Italy for now), is part of phase 3 of the “return to normality” starting June 8. At that point we may expect increasing flights in and out of the main airports, Zurich and Geneva, which for now remain at a near standstill. 

Verdict: From mid-June, the tourism industry is hoping recovery can begin. European travelers will be the first off the mark. There are no mandatory quarantines in place in Switzerland, so once the border controls end, and flights resume, this may be one country where non-Europeans too can count on a restorative midsummer holiday with Swiss cows. Possibly with airport testing and other screening measures in place.      

Turkey

OK, it straddles Asia and Europe but Istanbul is considered a European city. According to tourism minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, the country, wants a tourism rebound soon. Turkey is working on an internationally recognized certification system, in order to classify tourist destinations, and hotels and restaurants, as “coronavirus-free zones” under strict health protocols. Tourists would have to provide health documents on arrival declaring themselves to be coronavirus free. 

Verdict: Turkish measures hope to pave the way for tourism arrivals from late May, with international flights possible from June. All going to plan, Turkey is shaping up well as a mid-to-late summer holiday destination for foreigners.

UK 

News of a 14-day on arrival quarantine for most air travelers to the U.K. dampers the travel outlook there for months. As much as it will act as a disincentive for Brits to venture off on summer holidays and face quarantine on their return. The new restrictions are part of Britain’s lockdown exit roadmap. No start or end date has been given. Those arriving from France and the Republic of Ireland will escape confinement. The decision will also hit airlines including BA, Wizz Air and RyanAir who are relaunching routes with the express aim of wooing holidaymakers in June and July.

Verdict: While details of the quarantine remain sketchy, many in the travel industry fear it represents a tourism shutdown for coming months. Few travelers they say will book trips in or out of Britain knowing they face quarantine at least into July.