The Christmas season and New Year’s Eve are also considered travel time for many, but the Corona pandemic, especially the Omikron variant, has really shaken up the entry regulations for Germans and Austrians who want to travel to Italy, Slovenia or Croatia over the holidays. We try to bring a little light into the darkness, since elsewhere the exact facts are sometimes not quite correct or only difficult to understand communicated. Who wants to make sure, can additionally follow the links to the official pages.
Entry to Germany
When entering Germany, according to the Auswärtiges Amt, the following continues to apply: those who are vaccinated or have recovered may enter Germany with an appropriate proof, even if entering from a high-risk area such as Croatia, Slovenia or Austria. Incidentally, Italy is not among the high-risk areas designated by the RKI. However, entry into Germany requires a digital entry form, which can either be filled out digitally, as the word implies, or in exceptional cases should be carried in paper form.
Entry into Austria
The entry regulations to Austria will change as of December 20: According to the Austrian Federal Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection, the general rule for entry to Austria is that all entrants must be verifiably vaccinated or recovered and must also present a PCR test. Only a so-called booster vaccination exempts from the obligation to have a PCR test performed before entering Austria. Those who do not meet the requirements must go into quarantine for 10 days and can only be exempted after the fifth day. Regarding the pre-travel clearance, the regulations listed accordingly should be followed. Transit is not expected to be affected by this regulation, according to initial information.
Entry into Italy
From December 16, 2021, a negative coronary test will be mandatory for entry into Italy, even for vaccinated and convalescent persons. Only children under the age of six are exempt from this rule. In addition, the so-called digital Passenger Localization Form must be completed. The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has provided a tool on the Internet to check one’s personal situation. Transit is not affected by the measures.
Entry Croatia
For entry into Croatia, the digital COVID Certificate of the EU is sufficient, additionally one should register on entercroatia to avoid waiting times at the border.
Enter Slovenia
Those wishing to enter quarantine-free to Slovenia will need either a negative PCR test (no older than 72 hours), an antigen test (no older than 48 hours), or should be proven vaccinated or recovered, or carry the EU’s COVID-19 digital certificate. Transit is excluded from the measures.
Corona incidences Croatia, Italy, Slovenia
Those who want to find out about the daily updated corona situation in Croatia, Slovenia or Italy before starting their trip can find the relevant facts on the SeaHelp homepage, for Croatia even listed by county.
Summary entry requirements
If until a few days ago the proof of vaccination or the certificate of recovery was sufficient for free travel in Europe, this state of affairs has changed with the appearance of the Omikron variant. Austria and Italy require appropriate tests even from vaccinated and recovered travelers. Vacationers should find out accordingly what is required for their destination country before traveling.
