Travel during the pandemic: Commission welcomes adoption of updated framework further facilitating travel to the EU

The Commission welcomes the adoption by the Council this morning of an updated framework for travel to the EU, following a proposal by the Commission at the end of last year. The updates will further facilitate travel from outside the EU into the EU, and take into account the evolution of the pandemic, the increasing vaccination uptake worldwide and the administration of booster doses, as well as the recognition of a growing number of certificates issued by non-EU countries as equivalent to the EU Digital COVID Certificate.

Under the updated framework agreed today, Member States should now reopen also to those vaccinated with a vaccine having completed the World Health Organization emergency use listing process. Member states should continue welcoming those vaccinated with EU-approved vaccines. Vaccinated travellers will need to have received the last dose of the primary vaccination series at least 14 days and no more than 270 days before arrival, or have received an additional (“booster”) dose.

In addition, those who recovered from COVID-19 within 180 days prior to travelling to the EU should be able to travel to the EU if they can prove their recovery with an EU Digital COVID Certificate or a non-EU certificate deemed equivalent to the EU Digital COVID Certificate.

The updates also clarify that no test or additional requirements should be applied to children under six travelling with an adult. Persons travelling from a country or territory included on the list of countries from where all travel should be possible and who hold proof of a negative PCR test should also be able to travel to the EU. Those who have an essential reason to come to Europe, and EU citizens and long-term residents as well as their family members, should continue to be allowed to enter the EU as before.

Member states could require additional measures for such travellers, such as PCR testing before departure or upon arrival. Member states agreed to apply these changes as of 1 March 2022. It is now for EU member states to implement the changes and apply them in a coordinated manner. The Commission will review the Council recommendation by 30 April this year with a view to moving fully to a persons-based approach.

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