If you are looking forward to have a vacation in some foreign country, then you can try any of these 16 European countries for a good time. These 16 countries now recognize Covishield and are allowing Indian travellers who have taken the jab.

However, travellers must check the guidelines of each country they wish to visit on the respective websites as there are different requirements decided by each. Covishield has also been included in the Green Pass, European Union’s digital Covid certificate programme that has been created to restore freedom of travel and remove entry barriers due to the pandemic.

Let us take a look at the requirements by these countries, however, do check them again prior to travel.

AUSTRIA

A person is considered vaccinated from the 22nd day after the 1st dose, lasting for 90 days from the date of vaccination. The validity extends to another 270 days after the 2nd dose. Vaccines requiring only one dose are valid from the 22nd day after the dose and 270 days from the date of vaccination. This also applies to people who have been infected with Covid and received only one jab.

The following vaccines (including mix-and-match vaccines) are recognised: BioNtech/Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, Moderna, and Sinopharm. This only applies to entering the country. Sinopharm is not valid for entering hotels, restaurants, etc., within Austria.

BELGIUM

People will be considered fully vaccinated after 14 days of receiving both doses for vaccines that require 2 doses or single dose for vaccines that require only one shot. No quarantine for fully vaccinated people after being exposed to a high-risk contact if they test negative immediately. As of now, the Belgian government imposes a 7-day quarantine period for anyone who has been exposed to a high-risk contact. If these people test negative on the 7th day, they are free of quarantine. If they don’t get tested they have to be mandatorily in quarantine for 10 days.

BULGARIA

People travelling to Bulgaria should present one of these proofs:

Vaccination certificate for a complete vaccination course against Covid-19. The document should have full name, DOB, dates of vaccines administered, batch number, complete details of vaccine certificate issuing authority.

A negative result from a PCR test performed within 72 hours of entry into the country or a negative antigen test performed within 48 hours of entry into the country; OR a positive result from a PCR or antigen test for immunity to Covid-19 for persons who had the infection not more than six months before their entry in the country.

FINLAND

Travellers who have received only the first shot of vaccine that needs 2 shots will require a covid test taken 72 hours after entering the country. Those who haven’t been administered any vaccine must undergo a test before departure of after arrival in Finland.

FRANCE

Fully vaccinated travellers are no longer subject to travel restrictions to and from France, whatever the country of departure (as per French govt circular dated July 17).

GERMANY

All travellers from high risk areas such as India must register on www.einreiseanmeldung.de before entering Germany. Any person entering Germany by flight must provide the airline with a negative test report (to be taken not earlier than 72 hours (PCR) or 48 hours (antigen) prior to the scheduled arrival time in Germany), a vaccination certificate or recovery certificate (this also applies to those who are only transiting through German airport). The test result is to be preserved for at least 10 days and must be furnished on request. Under-6 children are exempted.

GREECE

Fully vaccinated do not require a negative test report. Vaccination certificate must be produced. Negative PCR report is not required if the traveller tested positive in the past 30 to 180 days. Travellers are required to have either a negative PCR certificate taken no longer than 72 hours before arrival or a negative antigen (rapid) certificate taken less than 48 hours before arrival. This test is mandatory for all tourists (including children over the age of 12), regardless of the epidemiological situation in the country of departure.

HUNGARY

Except in the case of entry by civil aircraft, entry into Hungary from Croatia, Austria, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia and Slovenia, regardless of nationality or protection against the coronavirus, is possible without epidemiological restrictions.

Those who got vaccinated on at least one occasion and one year has not elapsed since the 1st jab with a vaccine approved by EMA, validated by WHO or with a vaccine allowed in Hungary, or immune after recovering, or based a molecular biological test which is not older than 72 hours.

ICELAND

A person must be fully vaccinated with EMA/WHO approved vaccine. The vaccinated and those who have recovered are exempt from border testing and quarantine requirements. All vaccine certificates including EU Digital Covid certificate, documentation from CDC (USA), National Health Service in UK and all other authentic certificates are accepted in Iceland.

IRELAND

As per new travel measures, all passengers are legally obligated to complete a Public Health Passenger Locator Form in advance of arrival…paper versions are no longer accepted. A portion of the form must be filled if travelling to Northern Ireland.

LATVIA

Those travelling to Latvia must fill out the form available on Covidpass.lv website not earlier than 48 hours before entering Latvia. Travellers must present an EU Covid Certificate, or a document issued in EU Member States, European Economic Area (EEA) countries, Switzerland or the United Kingdom certifying vaccination or recovery, or a negative Covid-19 test result issued in any country. Passengers unable to produce a valid certificate will be denied boarding. Children under 12 years of age are exempted from any tests.

THE NETHERLANDS

Fully vaccinated Non EU/Schengen area travellers will no longer be required to present a negative test report or quarantined regardless of their vaccination status. They are still obliged to fill in a health declaration form if travelling through air transport.

SLOVENIA

A quarantine is not required if a negative test report is presented that is not older than 72 hours/ a negative antigen test result not older than 48 hours/ a certificate of recovery not older than 10 days/vaccination certificate. For covishield recipients at least 21 days should have gone by since the first dose.

SPAIN

Any person who has been vaccinated at least 3 weeks prior to arrival and those who have been infected in the last 6 months need not get tested on arrival. This also applies to people who have presented a negative test for entry into Sweden and children six years of age. This recommendation is valid from July 12 to August 31. Travellers who have visited or entered from a so-called third country outside the EU, seven days before arriving in Sweden, that is not on the EU list of exempted third countries will require test and self isolation.

SWITZERLAND

Those who have been fully vaccinated or those who have recovered will be allowed to enter Switzerland without quarantine or negative test report. All those who have neither been vaccinated nor have recovered must present a negative test report and quarantine on arrival in the country.

(with inputs from source:money control)