LupineChemist

I mean you can try but they are entirely within their right to deny you boarding if you don't meet entry requirements to Spain. And good luck arguing what Timatic correctly says with a contract agent in Boston.

the810

What restrictions does Netherlands have? I was actually planning a trip there assuming it's 100% normal (at least for intra-EU travel), so I'm a bit surprised and now unsure whether I should go ahead with booking the trip.

Germany is a bit extremist when it comes to COVID, I don't see myself going there anytime soon (if I'm lucky, I will be able to check out BER before my status expires in 12/2023). But I'm quite happy with central Europe, Scandinavia, Benelux and the UK and I'm fairly confident they won't go crazy again. I still hope that Portugal will get normal by winter as I usually go there in January, but I'm not holding my breath.

DaveS

NL only has restrictions for entering from outside Schengen. A colleague from the US was unable to meet me there a couple of weeks back when he had no documents at check in. Everything is quite normal there from what I saw. The only people wearing masks were the German tourists...

exbayern

It's a proposal, it hasn't been approved (and has to be) The last time stronger restrictions were not approved.

And let's not assume all Germans are like the ones who have been very loud on FT the last few years. It's to the point that I had to stop posting because real life doesn't match what a few would have you believe.

LupineChemist

I can assure you that the rules in Spain are ridiculous. Masking is mostly followed on crowded trains, but often ignored when there are fewer. On Madrid metro most people will remove their mask immediately upon getting off the train as the rule is only on the transport itself. Similarly in the airport you don't have to mask but as soon as you step on the plane you do. Also the type of mask isn't regulated in Spain so it's a complete farce of theater since people wear poor fitting cloth masks.

l etoile

Moderator note:

I just removed dozens of posts that were off-topic for this thread and largely of a political nature.

This thread is for the purpose of helping travelers to know what is required in countries throughout Europe. It’s not for arguing your opinions, namecalling and sharing your politics. Such posts only make it difficult for people to find information.

Please stick to factual information about requirements in each country.

l etoile
moderator

shorthauldad

Also in Germany it appears the type of mask is fairly loosely mandated, according to Deutsche Bahn only a (medical or surgical) "mouth and nose protection" is required.
https://www.bahn.de/info/corona_startseite_bahnde

NWIFlyer

From my experience of visiting Munich last month, I think most of your fears are unfounded. Yes, Germany requires masks to be worn on public transport, but (whatever the regulations say about FFP2) a very large number of people wear surgical masks and I didn't see any objections through the many hours I spent on the Bahn network. Where mask wearing was legally required, the level of compliance was extremely high, so you'd probably be best advised to follow suit to avoid any misunderstandings.

However, outside a public transport setting life is absolutely normal, people aren't masked up in the street, or in the shops, or in pubs, or at events. When I was there Munich Pride was taking place, and I also attended a medieval fair about 30km outside the city. I really don't recall seeing anyone wearing a mask at those events - where you're talking about coming into contact with perhaps 100,000 people in total.

The restrictions are very, very minor and short-lived in the scheme of things compared to the number of hours in a day, and they're certainly not enough to persuade me that Germany doesn't have an awful lot going for it - including 9 Euro tickets for a month on public transport.

js1993

Is there a site that tracks Covid restrictions such as “mask use required in indoor public areas” and that sort of thing on a country by country basis in Europe? Trying to plan a relatively last-minute trip to Europe after my schedule opened up, and was surprised to see a “mask use required indoors as of 02.08” notice pop up on a reservation in Sofia, Bulgaria, which apparently didn’t have any such rules as of late July.

Are people seeing or expecting a similar trend across Europe for the fall? [Moderator edit. See note below]. Thanks.

DaveS

Delving into Tripadvisor forums will help. Asking here too. For Bulgaria there is some information here. However, probably the best source is Kayak:

https://www.kayak.co.uk/travel-restrictions?

As for what happens later in the year, no one really knows. I think there are going to be more pressing issues for most countries to deal with. You could look back through this thread and see which countries were the slowest to remove restrictions. They may be the most likely to reintroduce them.

js1993

Thanks. I used to check a blog-type site that listed all changes/updates chronologically but I can't seem to remember the name/URL. Kayak has good country by country info. but not sure how quickly they update it. Wish the country pages had an "as of" or "last updated" date.

[mod edit] Worst case, I spend more time in places like Sweden, but I can't believe these rules are making a comeback — or even being proposed — without riots.

VG31

I think it's inevitable that some European countries will bring back masks later this year.

There are some countries where masks are very unlikely to return: Denmark, Norway, the UK, Hungary (and Sweden of course).
I'd say the Netherlands, Switzerland and Ireland are fairly unlikely to bring back masks also.

At the other end of the spectrum Germany have pretty much said that masks will be mandatory in more situations from October. Austria and Italy are quite likely to bring back mask rules too. Spain, Portugal and Greece are also strong possibilities.
​​​​​
They're just my guesses based on how quickly mask restrictions in those countries were eased and their governments' general attitude to Covid restrictions.

WilcoRoger

I was in Sofia a couple of weeks ago - hardly any masks were seen anywhere. In the countryside, we were asked to put on a mask at a restaurant from door to table.

the810

Central Europe should be safe as a whole - health authorities both Slovakia and Czechia already claimed they don't expect any new restrictions, and the attitude in Poland is similar.

Regarding Austria, we'll see. The plan was to reintroduced masks from September but with the current numbers, I don't see how could authorities go for stricter measures than what applies now. If anything, I expect Vienna to catch up and drop masks soon.

js1993

Thanks. Masks are still required indoors in Austria?