Which Schengen countries ask for a Covid test at their borders ?

With the Covid-19 pandemic still ongoing, many European countries in the Schengen Area are implementing travel restrictions on those who are visiting from abroad. Due to a large number of cases, some countries are in a national lockdown, only allowing essential travel, while others require visitors to undergo testing before or after they arrive, as well as entering quarantine before continuing with their trip.

Below is the list of restrictions for each country - however, these may be subject to change so it is best to check the link provided before going through with your trip.

Austria

Until at least 24 January, travel for leisure and tourism in Austria is on hold due to a national lockdown, with only essential travel allowed. Before entering Austria, travelers will need to digitally register and undergo a 10-day quarantine. However, after five days, your quarantine can be terminated early with the submission of a negative molecular biological or antigen test.

More information is available, here: Visiting Austria during the Covid-19 pandemic

Belgium

If you are not a Belgian resident and you are traveling there you must take a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test 72 hours before your departure and show a negative result. You also need to fill in a Public Health Passenger Locator Form in the 48 hours before your arrival in Belgium and based on your answers, you may be asked to quarantine until you are tested on day seven.

More information is available, here: Visiting Belgium during the Covid-19 pandemic

Czech Republic

Anyone entering the Czech Republic must be subject to medical examination, but the country remains open to those traveling within the EU, or from those outside the EU in countries deemed low risk, such as Australia or New Zealand. Travel from those deemed high risk must be for essential reasons, and those arriving will have to quarantine until they can show they have taken a PCR test and received a negative result.

More information can be found, here: Visiting the Czech Republic during the Covid-19 pandemic

Denmark

Denmark is in a national lockdown with tight restrictions until 7 February, including the closure of all non-essential shops, and only essential travel is allowed if you can provide a negative Covid-19 PCR test taken no more than 24 hours before you travel.

More information can be found, here: Visiting Denmark during the Covid-19 pandemic

Estonia

Estonia admits people with no Covid-19 symptoms arriving from the EU, with those traveling from outside for work and study purposes required to quarantine for 10 days unless they are on a list of low-risk countries, which currently includes Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, and Japan. Those in quarantine are required to take PCR tests on the fifth and 10th day of quarantine. If both are negative, you can resume your trip on the 11th day of your stay.

More information can be found, here: Visiting Estonia during the Covid-19 pandemic

Finland

Tight travel restrictions remain in place in Finland until at least 9 February, with only those from some countries, including Australia and New Zealand, able to travel to Finland without taking a mandatory PCR Covid-19 test upon arrival.

More information can be found, here: Visiting Finland during the Covid-19 pandemic

France

The French government has put in place tough Covid-19 restrictions, including a curfew system between 8 pm and 6 am and the closure of bars and restaurants. From 18 January, travelers from outside the EU will have to provide a negative PCR test taken before they travel, and quarantine for seven days before taking a second test.

More information can be found, here: Visiting France during the Covid-19 pandemic

Germany

Germany’s government advises against all but essential travel, but from the New Year, German and EU citizens may travel on approved journeys. Travelers from the U.K. and South Africa must submit proof of a negative Covid-19 test before entry, and visitors from other countries deemed high risk will have self-isolate for 10 days upon arrival.

More information can be found, here: Visiting Germany during the Covid-19 pandemic

Greece

Although Greece is open to visitors, since November, anyone traveling to the country is required to present a negative PCR test ahead of arrival, otherwise you will not be able to enter the country. In addition to this, all travelers will be required to self-isolate for 7 days upon arrival until at least 21 January.

More information can be found, here: Visiting Greece during the Covid-19 pandemic

Hungary

Non-Hungarians traveling on business or to take part in sport or cultural events, or who have received special permission from the authorities, are allowed to enter Hungary, providing they have two negative Covid-19 tests or quarantine on their arrival. Visits from the U.K. are prohibited until 8 February except in exceptional circumstances.

More information can be found, here: Visiting Hungary during the Covid-19 pandemic

Iceland

Iceland is open to tourists from EU/EEA countries only, with those arriving in the country required to have two PCR tests: one immediately upon arrival and another five days later. Unless both tests come back negative, arrivals must stay in quarantine for up to 14 days.

More information can be found, here: Visiting Iceland during the Covid-19 pandemic

Italy

Italy imposes restrictions on travelers depending on what country they’re coming from. Those from countries where travel to Italy is permitted must produce a negative Covid-19 test result taken within 48 hours of arrival, or quarantine for 14 days. Travel from countries not on the list of permitted nations may be allowed to travel in exceptional circumstances, providing they go through a quarantine period and test negative.

More information can be found, here: Visiting Italy during the Covid-19 pandemic

Latvia

A state of emergency has been declared in Latvia until 7 February, with a 10-day self-isolation period required from those visiting Latvia from countries with more than 50 new cases of Covid-19 infection per 100,000 inhabitants in the last 14 days. From 15 January, all arrivals will need to show evidence of a negative PCR test performed no more than 72 hours before flying to Latvia.

More information can be found, here: Visiting Latvia during the Covid-19 pandemic

Switzerland and Liechtenstein

Liechtenstein follows Switzerland’s rules on travel during the Covid-19 pandemic, with anyone from a ‘high risk’ country required to quarantine for 10 days upon arrival. Negative tests do not exempt you from quarantine requirements.

More information can be found, here: Visiting Switzerland during the Covid-19 pandemic

Lithuania

Lithuania is under a nationwide lockdown until 31 January, but the borders remain open, although travelers from outside the EU must register to take a test within 24 hours of arrival. Those visiting from the U.K. or South Africa must also provide a negative test taken no more than 48 hours before arrival.

More information can be found, here: Visiting Lithuania during the Covid-19 pandemic

Luxembourg

Luxembourg allows tourists from EU/Schengen Area countries without the need to present a negative PCR test before entry, but non-essential travel from most other countries to Luxembourg is banned until 31 March, with the exception of those traveling from a list of low-risk countries including Japan, Australia, and New Zealand.

More information can be found, here: Visiting Luxembourg during the Covid-19 pandemic

Malta

Malta is operating by a traffic light system determining which restrictions you will be subject to when you arrive. Countries on the green list face no testing or restrictions, while those on the amber list will need to submit a negative PCR test taken no more than 72 hours before arrival. Passengers on flights from amber countries may also be subject to random testing. Those from countries on the red list must quarantine for 14 days and provide a similar negative test.

More information can be found, here: Visiting Malta during the Covid-19 pandemic

The Netherlands

The Netherlands is under a strict Covid-19 lockdown so non-essential travel from countries outside the EU/Schengen Area is banned and all travelers are subject to restrictions upon arrival, with a negative PCR test being mandatory and spending 10 days in quarantine strongly advised or required from countries with high levels of Covid cases.

More information can be found, here: Visiting The Netherlands during the Covid-19 pandemic

Norway

All arrivals to Norway will have to take a Covid-19 test upon arrival, while if you’re traveling to Norway from a red zone country, you’ll need to provide a negative test taken before you travel in addition to the one upon arrival. Unless you’re traveling from a low-risk country, you’ll also need to quarantine for 10 days.

More information can be found, here: Visiting Norway during the Covid-19 pandemic

Poland

From 1 January, travelers from non EU/EEA countries are only allowed to enter Poland for essential travel, while all arrivals must self-isolate for 10 days.

More information can be found, here: Visiting Poland during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Portugal

Travel to Portugal for non-essential reasons is only allowed for EU/EEA citizens, with all arrivals except for infants required to provide a negative result from a PCR test when they arrive, as well as undergoing health screening when they land in Portugal.

More information can be found, here: Visiting Portugal during the Covid-19 pandemic

Slovakia

Travelers from EU/EEA countries or Switzerland will need to provide a recent negative PCR test result upon arrival in Slovakia, but they won’t need to self-isolate, while those from other countries need to self-isolate upon arrival and take a second PCR test.

More information can be found, here: Visiting Slovakia during the Covid-19 pandemic

Slovenia

The Slovenian borders are open, but if you’re arriving from a 'red list' country with high number of cases of Covid-19, you’ll be asked to quarantine for 10 days when you arrive unless you submit a recently taken negative Covid-19 test.

More information can be found, here: Visiting Slovenia during the Covid-19 pandemic

Spain

Spain’s borders are open to tourists but the restrictions you must obey will depend on where you’re traveling from. Those from high-risk countries must submit a negative Active Infection Diagnostic Test (AIDT) test taken no more than 72 hours before arrival.

More information can be found, here: Visiting Spain during the Covid-19 pandemic

Sweden

A temporary ban on travel from all non-EU countries has been imposed by Sweden’s government until 31 March. However, there are exceptions to this for low-risk countries like Australia and New Zealand, but even those exempt from the ban must provide a negative PCR test taken no more than 72 hours before departure.

More information can be found, here: Visiting Sweden during the Covid-19 pandemic