The US is off the safe list.
The European Union removed the US from its “safe list” last month. The US was added to the safe list in June after a year of travel restrictions, allowing Americans to plan summer holidays in Europe. But two months later, the Union has urged its member countries to impose restrictions on travelers from the US in the wake of the Delta variant. The safe list is a controlled way to open borders after a year of bans, encouraging non-essential travel to the bloc; it is updated every two weeks.
However, the recommendations are not legally binding. Each country controls its own borders and entry requirements, so all 27 members have different rules. While some are adding additional requirements for American travelers, a few have banned unvaccinated travelers without an essential reason to visit.
No Entry From The US
On the heels of the EU declaration, Sweden has reintroduced a ban on American travelers—they can no longer enter Sweden, regardless of their vaccination status. Only absolutely essential reasons can grant travelers an exemption; residence permit holders, healthcare workers, researchers, and travelers in transit may be allowed to visit. The ban went into effect on September 6 and may stay in place for two months, but it’s possible that vaccinated travelers may be exempted soon.
Bulgaria is another nation that has banned travelers from the US. It has added the country to its Red zone list, so anyone traveling from the US—no matter the citizenship or vaccine status—is barred from entering. Entering from a Green or Orange zone is allowed. The rules will stay in effect till November 30, 2021. You can find more information here.
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There has been no change in Norway’s stance on American travelers—they’re not permitted to enter unless they have a compelling reason.
Unvaccinated Americans Banned
The Netherlands has introduced strict measures after the EU update. As of September 4, the US is added to the very high-risk area. Only vaccinated travelers can enter the country and they need to undergo mandatory quarantine and show a negative test result. Unvaccinated travelers are banned from entering the country unless they fall under one of the exempted categories. You can find more information on the embassy website.
The US is categorized as an Orange zone by Denmark. Fully vaccinated travelers can visit Denmark for any reason without quarantining or testing on arrival. The unvaccinated, however, need a worthy purpose (such as a job or a business meeting) to enter and they need to show a negative test result and quarantine on arrival. Traveling to Denmark for tourism is not allowed for unvaccinated individuals.
With the US on Belgium’s Red list, non-essential travel is a no-no for unvaccinated travelers. In order to enter the country, US residents must be able to show a vaccine certificate and they’re required to test on arrival and quarantine until the result comes negative. They are also required to take another test on the seventh day of their trip. More information here.
It’s important to note that guidelines and border restrictions can change within a moment’s notice so keep a close eye on the news. If you’re unvaccinated, it’s more likely that you will face hiccups, so consider traveling only two weeks after your second dose.