Still on holiday in Europe?

Have you already planned a holiday in Europe this summer? The idea that this holiday will fall apart due to the coronavirus and the measures was very difficult. But there is good news! Because despite corona, you seem to be able to visit as a tourist in more and more countries this summer.

In about a week and a half we can go on holiday in Europe again. To twelve European countries and with a bit of luck in the following weeks, there will probably be even more. Prime Minister Rutte confirmed this in a press conference this week. Negative travel advice remains in effect for travel outside the EU. “The short answer to all questions is that we can go on holiday this summer. But not just everywhere and there are uncertainties anyway,” said the Prime Minister.

Of course, the good news does not come out of the blue. Many countries depend on tourism, now that the peak of the virus seems to have passed, many people are eager to leave the house. With both target groups in mind, more is being carefully allowed in several countries, but it remains difficult to oversee what is and is not allowed. The Netherlands is currently maintaining 'Code Orange' for travel abroad, but if this is scrapped (expected in mid-June), a number of things will be possible again.

To give you some insight, we have listed a number of countries for you here. So that you can still go on holiday in Europe. This information may change in the coming weeks. For the most current information, we would like to refer you to www.nederlandworldwide.nl

The Netherlands

In our country, campsites can fully open again from July 1, including shared sanitary facilities. Holiday homes are allowed to receive guests as normal. Facilities such as swimming pools at holiday parks may be open, but the necessary measures will be taken to enforce the one and a half meter rule.

Cafés and restaurants opened in the Netherlands on June 1 at 12 noon. Even terraces are possible, with a customized layout. The cultural sector has also opened its doors.

Belgian tourists are welcome in the Netherlands from June 15, Prime Minister Rutte said. From then on, Dutch people will also be allowed to travel abroad within Europe.

Germany

The border with Germany is open, but travel to Germany is currently only allowed with a valid reason. If you cannot prove that you have such a reason, you may be refused entry to the country. But there is good news on the horizon! The German Foreign Minister has indicated that travel restrictions will be phased out from June 15.

However, many shops are already open in Germany, please note: this varies per state. Hotel stays for tourist visits are also allowed again in most states. If you go to Germany, definitely take a face mask with you. In most states you are obliged to wear this, both in shops and on public transport. They also apply the 1,5 meter rule in public spaces.

Belgium

No relaxation has yet been announced in Belgium. The ban on non-essential travel to and from Belgium is in effect until June 8. Since May 30, it has been allowed to visit family or shop in Belgium again. But strict rules apply to this.

You can travel via Belgium to the Netherlands, or to another European country if you live there, but there are strict conditions. A maximum of two people are allowed in the car unless you come from one family. Furthermore, wearing a face mask is mandatory in all public places, with of course the associated 1,5 meter rule.

Stores have been open again in Belgium since May 11. However, slightly stricter rules apply here: For example, a customer may be present in the store for a maximum of 30 minutes and there may not be too many customers (maximum one customer per ten square meters). Customers shop alone, with the exception of children under the age of 18, who may be accompanied by 1 supervisor. All in all, Belgium is not yet the country where you can go on holiday.

France

Currently no holidays are allowed in France, but they have announced a relaxation. France aims to receive European holidaymakers again from June 15. The country wants to open its borders on that date, in consultation with other European countries.

Yet citizens should stay at home and work from home as much as possible. A face mask is mandatory on public transport, as in most countries. But face masks may also be required in other places, such as in shops or on the beach. In principle, shops are allowed to open. Conditions do apply to this.

Since June 2, the catering industry has also been open again in most French regions and campsites, swimming pools, beaches and parks are accessible again! So in a few days you will be able to enjoy a holiday in France.

Spain

As of July 1, travel to and from Spain is allowed. On the other hand, travelers no longer have to be quarantined. That still has to be done and that is of course anything but beneficial during a holiday. Spain is currently still in a lockdown and this will last approximately until June 21.

Wearing a face mask is mandatory when traveling outdoors and safety and hygiene regulations must be observed. During quarantine, one may only leave home or accommodation for the following exceptions: Purchasing food, medicine, basic necessities or in certain emergency situations.

Despite the lockdown, the terraces opened again in many places on May 24. Furthermore, museums are also allowed to reopen their doors on a limited basis, as are swimming pools, some other public places and hotels. In some parts of the country, concert halls, cinemas and beaches are also allowed to receive people again. However, strict rules apply and people must stay 2 meters apart from each other. The prospects seem positive and who knows, you may soon be able to enjoy your holiday in Spain again!

Portugal

Tourism is already allowed again in Portugal, so tourists are welcome in the country. The lockdown has been relaxed in small steps. However, all citizens are asked to stay at home as much as possible. You may leave your home for necessary activities such as helping family members and walking the dog. There is also a ban on gatherings for more than 10 people and sports may only be practiced individually outdoors. You must also wear a face mask on public transport and it may only be filled to two-thirds of its capacity.

A lot has already opened in Portugal, for example, all museums and shopping streets up to 18 m400 have been opened since May 2. The restaurants, bars and cafes are also open to people. This is subject to the condition that only 50% may be filled and they are open until a maximum of 11 o'clock in the evening.

Since June 1, all street shops have been allowed to open, as well as shops in shopping centers. Cinemas, theaters, auditoriums and concert halls are open. However, with fewer places available to keep distance. Portugal seems to want to make it as fun as possible for its tourists. So if you still have a trip planned to Portugal, you can still take advantage of this!

Italy

From June 3, travel to and from Italy was allowed for travelers from the Schengen area. Travelers from outside Europe will have to wait until June 15. It is also possible to visit Vatican City and San Marino: good news if you had booked a trip there.

At least one meter of distance must be kept everywhere, but if you are exercising, this is two meters. In addition, it is strictly forbidden to go out in case of respiratory complaints or fever. Group formation in public places is also not allowed and there are even specific regions where stricter measures are taken if necessary.

In addition to the strict rules, many cultural institutions have opened, such as churches and museums. But the number of visitors is strictly limited so that people can keep enough distance. The shops have also been opened again since May 18. But if you want to dance in the disco or sweat it out in the sauna, you should really postpone your trip to Italy.

Greece

Greece is in the process of relaxing the measures. Dutch people are welcome under certain conditions from June 1. Tourists who travel via Schiphol or Eindhoven Airport, for example, must therefore be quarantined for a week. You must also be tested for the coronavirus: if the result is positive, you must be quarantined for two weeks. Not very inviting of course to go to Greece. However, the lifting of the lockdown will take place in 3 phases in the near future:

Phase 1 applies until June 15. International flights are only allowed at Athens Airport. All travelers will be tested upon arrival and must stay overnight in a designated hotel and then quarantine for a week. If you test positive, you must be quarantined for two weeks.

Phase 2 applies from June 15 to 30: International flights are allowed to Athens and Thessaloniki airports. Travelers from risk areas must quarantine for a week, including travelers from Dutch airports. Other travelers are tested randomly.

Phase 3 applies from July 1: International flights are allowed at all airports in Greece. Visitors may be subjected to various tests. From July 1, Dutch people will probably no longer have to go into quarantine in advance.

In addition, it remains mandatory to wear face masks in public spaces. Greek restaurants and cafes opened their doors again on May 25 after more than two months, but under strict conditions. For example, catering establishments must ensure that there is enough distance between seats. Also, no more than six customers are allowed to sit at one table. Yet Greece is trying to ensure that all shops, museums, hotels and other public places are open again by the end of June.

United Kingdom

From June 8, travel to the United Kingdom is permitted again, but two conditions apply: you must provide your travel and contact details upon entry and you must self-isolate for 14 days. Not an ideal situation if you had planned a week-long trip.

So you must complete a form online before you start your trip. There you enter your travel and contact details. The government will use this information to contact you to check whether you have self-isolated after your arrival. They can also inform you if someone in your travel group has become infected.

In addition, the conditions apply that you are not in the company of more than two people and that you must keep as much distance as possible on the street.

However, most shops have been open since May 1. Restaurants and cafes can officially reopen on July 4, but there is a chance that this date will be brought forward. The same goes for hotels, swimming pools, zoos and other tourist attractions. For now it is not ideal to visit the United Kingdom, but there will be relaxations in the future.

Austria

For now, it is not yet allowed to go on holiday to Austria. But from June 15, the border with Germany will be opened again. This means that Dutch visitors are welcome again. EU citizens who now enter Austria by plane must self-isolate for 14 days.

In Austria it is also advised to keep at least one meter distance from each other. Wearing a face mask is mandatory in many places, including in shops, public transport, at gas stations and in busy places. However, the restaurants and museums opened again around May 15. But many tourist facilities are also open on May 29, including campsites, hotels and amusement parks. Opportunities to go out will remain closed for the time being

Turkey

Turkey's borders are closed and tourists are not welcome either. It is not yet known when the borders will open again.

There is still a lockdown in Turkey for all people under the age of 20 and over 65. They must stay at home. A number of major cities, including Ankara, Istanbul and Izmir, are completely closed to traffic. A face mask is mandatory in all public places and also on the street.

So far, almost everything in Turkey is still closed. Supermarkets are open, but restaurants can only be picked up. Hotels and beaches will probably open in June, but exact dates are not yet clear. For now it looks like we won't be able to go on holiday to Turkey for a while.

“Travel wisely”

Now that the measures are being relaxed in many countries, this does not mean that we can all go on holiday in Europe en masse, no matter how much we would like to do so. Prime Minister Rutte clearly emphasized: “Travel wisely. Make sure you know the rules in the country of destination.” Read carefully, prepare well and who knows, you might still be able to enjoy a holiday this year!

For the most up-to-date information about travel, we refer you to www.nederlandworldwide.nl. Lake camping news or nice camping areas can be found on this blog. Or look for a new camper or caravan CampersCaravans.nl.