In 1995, the first states suspended their border controls within the Schengen area. Since then, many states have participated in it. The Schengen area is the largest economic area in the world where no border controls exist. The forthcoming ETIAS approval extends the system by another very important security component. Unfortunately, this freedom of movement has been curbed in recent weeks. Now, free travel within the Schengen area will be possible again step by step.
EU opens its borders from 1 July
Within the Schengen area, border traffic is slowly restarting. There have been no more checks at the German borders since 15 June. The other states will reopen their borders to other member states by the end of June.
n any case, the opening of the borders is to be more controlled than the closing of the borders three months ago. Since many states closed the borders without notice, chaos prevailed at the border crossings. Holidaymakers were stranded and had to be brought home with great difficulty. Commuters who had to cross a border on their daily commute to work could no longer go to work. Those who could work in a home office were lucky.
Other problems were interrupted supply chains and discrimination on entry. Only residents of certain countries were allowed to cross the borders. For some products, delivery bottlenecks occurred because trucks were not allowed to cross the border.
Brussels now wants to avoid this chaos. The opening of the border is to follow a fixed pattern if possible.
The opening of the Schengen area in practice
From Brussels, there are only indications for a roadmap, the exact implementation is left to the individual states.
The external borders will open again from 1 July. There will also be no equal treatment of the states in the opening of the borders. Whether and under what conditions a traveller is allowed to enter the country depends on the level of infection in the country of origin.
If the number of new infections in the country of origin and in the destination country is approximately the same, there is no reason why entry should not be allowed. If this is not the case, the country can refuse entry. Some countries also offer a fortnightly quarantine. But this is hardly practical for holidaymakers. Every traveller should find out about the exact entry conditions for his country before departure.
Within the country he has to expect different hygiene regulations. He often has to wear a mouth guard and keep the minimum distance. There are also regulations concerning the occupancy of rooms. Normally only people who come together often anyway are allowed to occupy a room.
Staying at the beaches is also subject to special regulations, the same applies to visiting places of interest.
In recent years, hotels have often offered buffets. These will probably not be offered this year. The danger of infection through queues of people or carelessly touching the food is too great.
Conclusion
Holidaymakers who want to enter the Schengen area this summer can usually do so. The general entry restriction will probably be lifted as of 1 July. After that the regulations of the individual countries will apply. For the traveller this means that he/she must obtain detailed information before travelling. Countries where the infection is under control will be able to enter the Schengen area. However, you must still expect restrictions. A holiday as in previous years will probably not be possible.
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In 1995, the first states suspended their border controls within the Schengen area. Since then, many states have participated in it. The Schengen area is the largest economic area in the world where no border controls exist. The forthcoming ETIAS approval extends the system by another very important security component. Unfortunately, this freedom of movement has been curbed in recent weeks. Now, free travel within the Schengen area will be possible again step by step.
EU opens its borders from 1 July
Within the Schengen area, border traffic is slowly restarting. There have been no more checks at the German borders since 15 June. The other states will reopen their borders to other member states by the end of June.
n any case, the opening of the borders is to be more controlled than the closing of the borders three months ago. Since many states closed the borders without notice, chaos prevailed at the border crossings. Holidaymakers were stranded and had to be brought home with great difficulty. Commuters who had to cross a border on their daily commute to work could no longer go to work. Those who could work in a home office were lucky.
Other problems were interrupted supply chains and discrimination on entry. Only residents of certain countries were allowed to cross the borders. For some products, delivery bottlenecks occurred because trucks were not allowed to cross the border.
Brussels now wants to avoid this chaos. The opening of the border is to follow a fixed pattern if possible.
The opening of the Schengen area in practice
From Brussels, there are only indications for a roadmap, the exact implementation is left to the individual states.
The external borders will open again from 1 July. There will also be no equal treatment of the states in the opening of the borders. Whether and under what conditions a traveller is allowed to enter the country depends on the level of infection in the country of origin.
If the number of new infections in the country of origin and in the destination country is approximately the same, there is no reason why entry should not be allowed. If this is not the case, the country can refuse entry. Some countries also offer a fortnightly quarantine. But this is hardly practical for holidaymakers. Every traveller should find out about the exact entry conditions for his country before departure.
Within the country he has to expect different hygiene regulations. He often has to wear a mouth guard and keep the minimum distance. There are also regulations concerning the occupancy of rooms. Normally only people who come together often anyway are allowed to occupy a room.
Staying at the beaches is also subject to special regulations, the same applies to visiting places of interest.
In recent years, hotels have often offered buffets. These will probably not be offered this year. The danger of infection through queues of people or carelessly touching the food is too great.
Conclusion
Holidaymakers who want to enter the Schengen area this summer can usually do so. The general entry restriction will probably be lifted as of 1 July. After that the regulations of the individual countries will apply. For the traveller this means that he/she must obtain detailed information before travelling. Countries where the infection is under control will be able to enter the Schengen area. However, you must still expect restrictions. A holiday as in previous years will probably not be possible.