Following the lead of a handful of European countries who have opened or will shortly open to vaccinated Americans, the European Union is gearing up to welcome fully vaccinated tourists this summer from the United States.
Report: European Union Opens To Vaccinated Americans This Summer!
In an interview with the New York Times, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen noted that because the USA has used vaccines approved for use in Europe, Americans would be allowed access:
“The Americans, as far as I can see, use European Medicines Agency-approved vaccines. This will enable free movement and the travel to the European Union.”
She further underscored that all countries in the 27-member EU block Both inside and outside the Schengen Area) will accept all E.M.A.-approved vaccines.
“Because one thing is clear: All 27 member states will accept, unconditionally, all those who are vaccinated with vaccines that are approved by E.M.A.”
In the EU, the following four vaccines are approved:
- AstraZeneca
- Johnson & Johnson
- Moderna
- Pfizer/BioNTech
In the USA, all but the AstraZeneca jab are currently approved.
Per von der Leyen, the resumption of travel will depend “on the epidemiological situation, but the situation is improving in the United States, as it is, hopefully, also improving in the European Union.”
With the “huge progress” being made by the United States, von der Leyen believes Europe will be open to American tourism this summer.
However, there remain may details to iron out, including:
- What about children? Children under 16 are currently ineligible for vaccinations? Will they still be permitted to accompany their parents? Will they need a negative COVID-19 test?
- How will vaccination status be verified? Will vaccination certificates like the easily-forged CDC cards be sufficient?
- How long will vaccinations last? Will booster shots be necessary?
For several weeks, the European Union has been in consultation with the United States over secure documents verifying vaccination status.
Within Europe, countries are introducing so-called “digital green certificates.” These will indicate:
- whether a traveler has been vaccinated against COVID-19
- whether a traveler has recovered from the disease in the preceding three months
- whether a traveler has tested negative for the COVID-19 in the past 72 hours
CONCLUSION
It now appears that the European Union will open to vaccinated Americans this summer. Details concerning vaccine passports have yet to be released. Further setbacks in the harsh third wave many European nations are currently experiencing could push this timeline back further, but Greece, Iceland, and France have already re-opened (or in the case of France, announced plans to re-open) to Americans.
Are you taking a wait-and-see approach to European travel? If the EU allows American tourists this summer, would you travel there?
Croatia, a EU member state (though not a Schengen-area country), is also open to anyone with proof of vaccination!
What is your take on the US opening for EU-countries in a reciprocal agreement ?
Personally, I believe it should have already occurred with testing. In practice, I think the Biden Administration will drag its feet, citing the surges in several EU nations as justification.
I have a UK trip in July that I could use as a jumping off point to another EU nation, I would make further plans only when member states actually announce the date where vaccinated travel will be permitted
“EUROPEAN UNION HOPES TO WELCOME VACCINATED AMERICANS THIS SUMMER”
Whoa. This is big. Up until now I’ve always figured the EU was hoping they WOULDN’T welcome Americans this summer. Thanks for the update. lol