Traveling to Europe in July? Here’s What You Need to Know
If you’re thinking about a summer trip to Europe, you should know what you should take with you. The European Union has recommended a coordinated approach to prevent the spread of diseases. Though the recommendations are non-binding, each member state is free to determine their own requirements for travelers. The recommendations apply to countries in the Schengen Area, which includes non-E.U. countries. Croatia is one country with a comparatively low risk of Ebola. Daily cases of the disease are on the decline. According to the World Health Organization, the number of deaths is in the single digits. The country has almost 30 percent of its population fully immunized, which means that the risk of the disease is minimal.
Though entry requirements vary by country, Americans are still permitted to travel to many countries in Europe. While you should check the specific requirements for entry based on your country of origin and the countries you’ve visited within the past two weeks, the EU maintains a handy map that provides information on quarantine and COVID requirements. Once you’ve gathered all the information necessary to make a decision about your travel to Europe, you’re ready to book your flight!
The Schengen Area allows free movement between member countries for 90 days every 180 days. Getting around European cities is easy thanks to cheap flights from ultra-low cost airlines. In addition to affordable flights, most European cities have multilingual populations, which make it easy to navigate. A trip to Europe is healthy and safe, and you can expect a friendly welcome from locals. You can also make new friends in your travels. However, if you are concerned about the safety or security of your trip, you should consult with a doctor before leaving on your adventure.
A foldable umbrella is a must for Americans traveling to Europe. This lightweight umbrella is easy to carry in your backpack and is a useful tool to have when visiting rainy cities. The European Union recommends lifting the travel ban and allowing Americans to enter the EU in summer, when tourism is critical to the European economy. It’s not uncommon for the summer season to rain, but make sure to bring an umbrella if you’re going to be in Europe in July.
Getting travel insurance for Europe is fairly easy. Europ Assistance and AXA Assistance offer travel insurance policies for Europe. Select the coverage you need – either European or Worldwide – and choose whether you want to cover an extended portion of Europe. You can then easily obtain a quote online, pay, and receive your travel insurance certificate via email. Purchasing travel insurance in Europe will protect you against the unexpected. The cost of medical treatment in Europe can range from free to hundreds of dollars.
If you’re traveling to a country in the Schengen Area, it’s important to understand the laws governing the Schengen Zone. The Schengen Area is a group of 26 countries. US citizens can enter most of these countries without a visa if they’re traveling for short periods of time for business or tourism. Vaccinations for certain diseases and travel requirements may be required. Check with your local authorities to determine which countries require vaccination for travel in the Schengen Zone.
In addition to your certificate of international travel, you should complete the electronic travel authorization. You’ll need to present proof of your vaccinations, such as a CDC card. In France, a complete vaccination schedule means that you received a booster shot at least nine months after the first vaccination cycle. If you’re not fully immunized, you can also present a certificate of recovery, which is valid for six months. And for those who missed a vaccination, you can present a negative test result.
Despite the fact that the U.S. government has reduced the requirements for travel to Europe, some countries are still considered high risk for disease. For instance, Latvia is a “red zone” country, and U.S. citizens arriving from the U.S. must have a valid exception to enter the country. Vaccinations and a negative COVID test result are two examples of such exemptions. Visiting a country that falls outside the “red” zone may not be possible for U.S. citizens, but you can still visit other countries, including “green” and “orange” zones.
For travelers who are fully vaccinated and recovered from COVID within six months, Switzerland is a safe country to visit. They must have a COVID rapid antigen or PCR test negative within 72 hours of arrival, and they must complete a self-declaration form. Additionally, all travelers are required to fill out an entry form before entering Switzerland. In most cases, a white vaccination card from the CDC or a Pfizer-BioNtech card is enough.