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While U.S. travelers have been locked out of many parts of Europe for months, there have been select countries allowing Americans to visit. If you're wondering if tourists from the United States can travel to Europe, you're definitely not alone.
Different travel restrictions for the EU, Schengen and the UK make traveling overseas seem like you need a University Degree in immigration just to understand the rules.
At Travel Off Path, we are going to make heading to Europe a whole lot easier for you. Without the fluff and all the fancy words we're going to let you know which countries actually allow U.S. travelers and what you'll need to do to enter to the select few countries in Europe that are accepting American tourists.
First things first, Europe is huge and has different zones, memberships, unions and lots of things to confuse everyone. When we say Europe we mean ALL of it.
If the European country you're looking for isn't listed below, it's not open to American travelers.
At the bottom we include a bonus European country for the savvy traveler.
Can Americans Travel To Europe?
While the majority of Europe is closed to U.S. travelers because the travel ban for US residents entering the European Union is still in effect, there are select European countries are accepting American tourists.
Below are all the countries in Europe that are open for American travelers.
Albania
Americans can currently travel to Albania in Southeast Europe without any restrictions.
There are no testing requirements or quarantines upon arrival.
Armenia
Armenia is located in the mountainous Caucasus region between Asia and Europe and is open to American travelers.
Travelers will have to quarantine for 14 days unless they order the mobile PCR testing which can release them from quarantine by day 4.
See all the entry requirements for Americans headed to Armenia
Belarus
Americans can travel to Belarus which is a small landlocked nation in Eastern Europe.
There are no quarantines and a PCR test is recommended.
See the complete details on Belarus opening to American travelers.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina is a country on the Balkan Peninsula in southeastern Europe and is currently accepting United States Travelers.
All passengers must bring a negative PCR test no older than 48 hours prior to departure.
Read all the entry requirement for Americans traveling to Bosnia and Herzegovina
Croatia
The only member of the European Union on the list is Croatia! Americans can travel to Croatia which is a country at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe on the Adriatic Sea.
American travelers must present a negative COVID-19 test and fill out an online form before traveling to Croatia.
See the Croatia COVID-19 entry requirements for American tourists.
Kosovo
Kosovo, officially the Republic of Kosovo is located in Southeastern Europe and currently open to American tourists.
See the complete details on Kosovo reopening for American Travelers.
Montenegro
Americans can travel to Montenegro which is a Balkan country in Southeastern Europe.
Montenegro lifted the quarantine restriction American travelers and is only requiring a 72 hour PCR test.
North Macedonia
Americans can travel to North Macedonia which is a Balkan country in Southeastern Europe.
There are no testing or quarantine requirements for American tourists.
See all of the details on North Macedonia reopening for tourism.
Serbia
Americans can travel to Serbia which is an European nation that borders Montenegro, Hungary, Bulgaria and Romania.
Serbia has no testing or quarantine requirements for American travelers.
Turkey
A small portion of Turkey (3%) is located in the Balkan Peninsula and is still considered Southeast Europe and is open to United States citizens.
There are no mandatory testing or quarantines for American travelers visiting Turkey.
United Kingdom
While the UK is not encouraging tourism, travelers from the United States can travel to the United Kingdom.
All U.S. travelers will face a mandatory 14 day quarantine upon arrival.
See the complete UK COVID-19 entry requirements for American tourists
Ukraine
Americans can travel to the Ukraine which is situated in the central part of Eastern Europe.
US residents will have to bring a negative PCR test no older than 48 hours to bypass strict entry requirements.
See the complete entry requirements for American travelers headed to the Ukraine
BONUS
For American expert travelers looking to travel to Italy there may be a way to get there if you have extra time and patience.
“Can I Enter ‘x' EU/Schengen Country After Spending 14-days in Croatia or the UK?”
We get asked this question daily. The answer is = maybe
Currently, there is a travel ban for residents of the USA into countries that belong to the European Union.
SOME EU nations (like Italy and Malta for example) have been very transparent that US residents may enter, as long as they have spent the last 14-days in a ‘safe' nation, like Croatia.
Most other EU nations will not publicly state if they will allow US residents in after they spend 14-days in a safe nation. Mostly because, they base their travel bans on ‘RESIDENCY + LOCATION', meaning they want visitors to be a RESIDENT of a safe country, and currently LOCATED for the past 14 days in a safe country.
If you are a US resident and you want to enter EU nations like Germany, Portugal, France, Spain, etc… you will need to contact the consulate and/or border police to find out if first spending 14-days in a safe nation will then allow you to enter.
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Originally published October 24th, 2020
Disclaimer: Current travel rules and restrictions can change without notice. The decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before traveling. Travel Off Path does not endorse traveling against government advisories
Pam
Monday 9th of November 2020
Do you know if it works vice versa? I‘m a European who wants to travel to the US. If I would spend 14 days in croatia, provide a negative test, could I enter the US on an esta visa? It would be so appreciate to receive more info on this! Thank you
Kashlee Kucheran
Monday 9th of November 2020
Hi Pam - Yes, many of our readers have been doing similar routes through Croatia, Turkey, even Mexico. However, every person wanting to go to the USA right now should double-check with US border police or the US consulate in their country, just to be sure
John Tosser
Sunday 25th of October 2020
I'm going to sneak in. Enter through London, ignore the 14 day quarantine, and take the Eurostar to Paris to enter Europe. Tossers can't keep me out!
John
Saturday 24th of October 2020
Given the re-emergence of Covid all over Europe it seems at least as risky for Americans to travel there as it is for them to permit Americans to visit. I was hoping to ski in Europe this winter but it's not looking promising right now, though there are a few areas in those countries currently open.
Phillip
Saturday 24th of October 2020
I noticed for bosnia & Herzegovina you stated: "All passengers must bring a negative PCR test no older than 48 hours prior to departure." Prior to departure, meaning if it’s older than 48 hours upon arrival but not departure you’re still allowed entry? For example if by the time you left for departure and at that time the test was 45 hours old and when you arrive the test could be 49 hours old with no issues?
Kashlee Kucheran
Saturday 24th of October 2020
With the information I have, I believe that is correct.