Quarantine or not on the trip? These countries are ready for tourists is written by The editorial staff, RejsRejsRejs. Dk. The article is updated and correct at the end of the editorial, 11 May 2021.
The world is in colors
There are almost as many different ways to deal with corona as there are countries in the world.
That is why we give you an overview of what is happening in the world, and further down specifically in Europe. So you can make your own informed choices about traveling in corona time. If you want to know more about that travel in corona time you can find our corona guides and articles here
The world: This is the evolution of quarantine, infection rates and entry restrictions
A streak of countries around the world have so far closed to tourists. It is ultimately up to the countries themselves to decide if they want guests, and there are some of the otherwise popular travel countries that do not want to right now. These are countries such as China (including Hong Kong and Macau), Japan, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Laos, Taiwan, Sri Lanka, Kazakhstan and Vietnam in Asia, Australia and New Zealand in Oceania, Azerbaijan and Georgia in Europe and Canada and Chile in North and South America. In total, about 40 small and large countries are closed to tourist travel right now.
Thailand has found a model to open up for long-term travel where you start with quarantine. Israel has entered into agreements with a few other countries to open up to each other. In this way, the reopening is underway in several different ways.
From the outset, the Danish authorities have chosen to discourage all 'unnecessary' travel to all countries outside Europe and Schengen without looking at the infection pressure in the individual countries. On the other hand, travel guides for Europe are constantly changing, and there are also regional guides in Europe. The recommended quarantine period after returning home is 10 days and with the option to settle for 5 days. We update regularly below.
If you only need to be in transit at an airport, then you have basically not traveled into the country. If you need to change airports or pick up your luggage to check in again with another company, then different rules may apply depending on where in the world you are.
If you have travel plans - or just travel dreams - to a country outside of Europe, then we can recommend that you check out the following links:
- The International Air Transport Association IATAs interactive world maps over travel restrictions is a good place to start.
- Organisations Riskline has several world maps over infection development and entry restrictions which are very useful. Click around and check the situation where you are going.
- Countries around the world that you can fly to: Overview from the flight search engine Kayak.com. Remember to check if there are special rules for Danes.
- Africa: Specific overview for the African countries. Remember to check if the rules apply to Danes.
- Find all the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' travel guides here - they are updated regularly
See more about the rules of the European countries later in the article.
See the best travel deals of the month here
Europe: Open and closed borders
Most European countries open and close their borders to tourists depending on the pressure of infection. These are especially the countries whose economies are largely dependent on tourists.
The changing pressure of infection means that previously open countries can close again and that the rules for quarantine change continuously. We will therefore always encourage you to double-check the information before you consider anything, and always - no matter what - check with your own travel insurance.
Europe: The EU's own overview of the member states and EEA countries.
The Danish authorities are constantly changing the travel instructions for most European countries, and therefore it is possible to travel freely to the countries that are described as 'yellow'. However, remember to be aware of what rules apply where you are. And also be aware that the rules may change at very short notice if the infection rate in that country increases.
NB: As of April 21, 2021, the world is colored 'orange' after being completely red for months. However, there are still countries in southern Africa as well as Brazil, Bangladesh and Réunion that are red and thus completely discouraged.
If you travel to countries that the government has not yet put on the 'ok list', you will be able to risk quarantine on arrival, or even on returning to Denmark, for example if your employer requires it. In addition, there are different rules applicable to nationals of other countries, so the information you find in this article will only apply to Danes.
NB: As of 21 April, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has changed the call for home quarantine for business travelers so that it does not apply to quarantine from the workplace.
See also the EU's list of which countries are open to Danish travelers
Countries advised against traveling to Europe
As is the case with the rest of the world, the Danish authorities advise against all unnecessary travel to European countries for the time being. However, this will change soon.
Several other countries have quarantine requirements for Danish citizens upon entry, so check um.dk for the latest updates if you are leaving.
Two categories of orange countries in Europe
When a country is described as orange, there are several things to be aware of.
The countries that the government advises against due to the countries' own entry rules are not necessarily covered by quarantine requirements when you return home. The dissuaded countries in Europe can therefore be divided into two categories:
- Those with high infection pressure, where the Danish authorities call for quarantine when you return home.
- And those with special entry rules for Danes, which the authorities advise against traveling to, because you must be tested and / or quarantined on arrival in the country.
In the latter category, there may also be countries where you can only enter if you have a recognizable purpose or are a citizen.
Danes have generally been discouraged from traveling to countries other than the Schengen countries since the spring of 2020. Whether you travel to countries that are discouraged is - regardless of the corona or not - your own choice with natural consideration for others.
There will always be countries that are listed as non-recommended, and at the moment it is, for example, countries like Somalia, Yemen and Myanmar where there are still people traveling to. For work or for adventure. The borders are open out of Denmark to most other countries - and in again as a Danish citizen.
At the editorial office, we always recommend that you follow the guidelines of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. If you have questions or need help with travel planning, there is always help to be found in our active travel community in The travel group on Facebook.
Test and security at the airport
If you still have to leave, you can be tested for coronavirus at Kastrup Airport in a white tent in the square in front of Terminal 2. This is a good option if you have to travel to some of the countries that require a current test that proves that you do not have coronavirus.
If you are tested negative, you can get a so-called 'Covid-19 passport' on Sundhed.dk, which you can present when you arrive at your destination.
Below is opening information for selected countries.
Belgium
Belgium is open for entry to countries in the EU, the UK as well as Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.
If you come from the Capital Region and Bornholm, you must present a negative test when entering, which is a maximum of 72 hours old, and you must also be in a 7-day quarantine.
Travelers from the rest of Denmark are not subject to quarantine requirements.
Cyprus
Cyprus requires you to complete one form, where you have to fill in what color your country of departure is according to the Cypriot authorities. Denmark is currently a red country.
Follow the latest updates on um.dk.
Finland
Finland is not open for tourist travel from Denmark. Strictly necessary travel can be carried out, and the entry restrictions depend on which country you have recently been in. This is important to be aware of if traveling via, for example, Sweden.
France
France is open for entry from EU countries - and thus also Denmark - without having to be quarantined on arrival. There may be special rules for the overseas French territories.
Negative PCR testing is required, which is a maximum of 72 hours old. In addition, the French authorities require you to complete one form.
During transit in Paris - Charles de Gaulle, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs writes the following: “If you arrive in Paris (CDG) without a negative Covid-19 test, you will automatically have a so-called quick test (antigen test) performed in Paris. It takes place in the arrival hall. If you arrive in Paris (CDG) with a valid negative Covid-19 test, but which cannot be used in relation to entry into DK (due to the 24 hour requirement), you can go to the Arrivals Hall to have a quick test performed. The airport recommends that you expect at least two hours from arrival at the test center until you have the result of an antigen test. ”
Faroe Islands
Faroe Islands is open to Danish tourists. There are the same recommendations as in Denmark to keep your distance, wash your hands and avoid gatherings.
When you arrive in the Faroe Islands, you will be tested, and then you are recommended to be tested again on the fourth day.
Greece
On arrival in Greece you must present a negative PCR test, which is a maximum of 72 hours old, or vaccination certificate. After this, there is no requirement for quarantine.
Travelers to Greece must complete a form upon arrival or in advance. Find the form here.
Iceland
Iceland has been open to tourists for a while, but they have now tightened the entry rules for Danes, so we have to be tested twice at 5-day intervals and in quarantine in the meantime. Find more details at Ministry of Foreign Affairs Homepage. Before arrival, you must register with the Icelandic authorities at this link.
Italy
Italy is open for entry from EU and Schengen countries without quarantine requirements. However, you are required to present a negative test upon entry. The test must not be more than 48 hours old.
Check the local rules where you are going. Due to previously high infection rates, Italy's regions have tightened restrictions within the country and there are restrictions on traveling around.
Norway
Norway is not open to Danish travelers so far.
Follow the changing local recommendations via the Danish embassy in Oslo.
Poland
Poland border is open to Danes - however, you can still be selected for random checks on arrival. If you can present a negative test that is a maximum of 48 hours old, there is no requirement for quarantine.
Portugal
Portugal is open to travelers with a recognizable purpose. And you must present a negative test, which is a maximum of 48 hours old.
Be aware that the archipelagos Madeira Island og Azores have special requirements to complete one health form prior to arrival and to present a negative coronatest, but recognizable purpose is not required.
Spain
Spain is open to all tourists from Schengen countries - and thus Denmark. You must register before arrival by filling one out entry form.
Denmark is currently on the high-risk list, and Danes must therefore present a negative test in order to travel into Spain. The test must be a maximum of 72 hours old.
There are strict restrictions on travel across the Spanish regions, and tourists will basically not be allowed to cross the borders between the regions.
Great Britain
To enter Great Britain you must present a negative test that is a maximum of 72 hours old.
Danes must be quarantined for 10 days on arrival with the option to cancel the quarantine after 5 days, and everyone must complete a entry form before departure for the United Kingdom.
Be aware that England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland may have restrictions that are different from the general ones in the UK.
Sweden
Sweden requires until 21 May negative test for Danes. The Swedish authorities recommend a 7-day quarantine, but this is not a requirement.
There are a string of exceptions to the test requirement and the quarantine recommendation. See the list on um.dk.
Czech Republic
Czech Republic has categorized Denmark as a 'red' country, which entails a string of strict entry restrictions. It is currently not possible to travel into the Czech Republic without a recognizable purpose, and tourism is not recognizable. See more at Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Germany
Germany has introduced requirements for negative testing upon entry. the test must be a maximum of 48 hours old. In addition, you must register with the local health authorities, and there is a requirement for 10 days of self-isolation with the option to interrupt after 5 days for Danes.
There are special exceptions for commuters across the border depending on the infection pressure in Denmark.
As Germany is a federal state with autonomous federal states, you need to be aware of regional differences in terms of sanitary napkins, etc.
Austria
Austria has a requirement of 10 days quarantine for Danes upon entry with the option to interrupt after 5 days. There is also a requirement to register with the authorities as well as present negative PCR test, which is a maximum of 72 hours old. Please note that the Austrian authorities do not recognize the electronic Danish 'corona passport'.
Find all the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' travel guides here - they are updated regularly
Just remember that as with everything else regarding coronavirus, things change all the time. Double check with information from the countries' own information pages before you consider anything, and check with your own travel insurance.
If you want to know more about that travel in corona time you can find our corona guides and articles here.
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