Estonia and Germany end Covid border measures
Both countries are returning to pre-pandemic levels of border control after over two years of restrictions, following similar changes in a number of other European Union (EU) countries
The Baltic state of Estonia has dropped all remaining Covid-related border measures, enabling travellers from all countries to enter the country unrestricted.
The change was effective from 16 June and was announced in a statement by the Estonian government which said: “The repeal of the order governing the crossing of the border will remove restrictions on third-country nationals arriving from outside the EU, the European Economic Area (EEA), Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, and the Vatican.”
Previously, national of non-EU/EEA ‘third countries’ were still required to present a valid vaccination, recovery, or test certificate upon arrival in the country.
The country’s domestic quarantine rules are also due to expire on Friday 1 June, which will end mandatory self-isolation for individuals with a positive coronavirus diagnosis and their close contacts.
Germany ended its own pandemic border restrictions on 11 June
Germany has also removed the last of its Covid-related border rules as of 11 June. In a statement by the German Federal Foreign Office, it was confirmed that: “All Covid-19 entry restrictions to Germany will be provisionally lifted. From this date, entries to Germany will again be permitted for all travel purposes, including tourism and visiting trips.”
Previously, travellers entering the country were required to present either a certificate of full vaccination, a recent negative test result, or proof of recent recovery from Covid-19 to enter, regardless of reason for their trip.
The German government has confirmed one exception under the new rules – while for travellers from most countries, the change means a return to pre-Covid norms, travellers from China will still be required to provide an essential reason when visiting Germany.
According to the Federal Foreign Office, the requirement for Chinese travellers was due to a lack of ‘reciprocity’ between the two countries. Under China’s current Covid border rules, entry by foreign nationals remains restricted, with no known end-date currently confirmed for the measure.
Estonia and Germany are the latest European countries to return to pre-Covid levels of border control. Restriction-free entry is also now possible for all travellers visiting Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czechia, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, and the UK.