Can Canadians Travel To Europe?

Last Updated 4 years ago

Critical update October 21: Canada has officially been removed from the EU's ‘safe list', effective immediately.

Now that Canada has been removed from the EU's ‘safe' list, Canadian travellers must remember that ALL nations within the EU are permitted to follow the suggestion made by the EU council, or decline to make the changes.

Essentially, that means that some countries will immediately ban Canadians, some might take a week or so to update their rules, and others may never enact the ban.

If you are a Canadian resident and you are travelling to the EU within the next week or so, please contact the consulate for the country you wish to visit, and the border police to find out if you will face a ban or not.

Which countries have already removed/banned Canada:

We have created a FULL list of each EU nation, along with their official decision to either ban or allow Canadians, along with dates and sources. READ IT HERE

original article written October 1 continued below….

Pre-2020, the question “Can Canadians travel to Europe?” would be met with a few giggles, but during the pandemic, it’s a question that many travellers are asking.

And rightfully so.

With ever-changing border closures, entry restrictions and general uncertainty within the travel world right now, it’s hard to know the facts. Don’t worry, we’ve got you.

Canadian tourists currently have the luxury of being able to visit almost every country in Europe, having little to no Covid-19 entry restrictions or bans.

This includes permission to travel to 25 of the 27 European Union nations, as well as 90% of countries classified as ‘European’ that are not members of the EU, like Switzerland for example.

Below we have a total list of all countries within Europe that Canadians can currently travel to, any entry restrictions or requirements that might exist, and the very few nations that still aren’t allowing Canadian tourists to enter.

When was Canada first allowed to visit the EU?

On June 30^th, the council of the European Union put together a suggestion for all EU nations that included a list of ‘safe’ countries that should be given entry, Canada being one of the countries.

Since the suggestion given by the EU wasn’t mandatory, the nations within the EU were given the freedom to choose if they wanted to allow Canadians or not, but most of them did immediately, or over the next following weeks.

Throughout July, we saw most EU nations slowly add Canada to their ‘green’ or ‘safe’ lists, giving Canadians many summer vacation options throughout Europe.

Now, as of October 1^st 2020, Canadians can visit 25 of the 27 European Union countries, missing only Hungary and Finland.

Hungary re-closed their borders in September to all tourists due to a surge in cases, with no reopening date set. Finland was accepting Canadian tourists as of September 19, but recently shut them out as case numbers have surpassed Finland’s health and safety criteria.

European Union Countries Allowing Canadians

as of BEFORE the announcement of removal

(Click on the country’s name to visit the individual covid-19 travel guide for each nation.)

Austria – YES as of September 28
Belgium – YES as of September 25
Bulgaria – YES as of July 16
Croatia – YES as of July 1 – 48 hour negative PCR test required
Cyprus – YES as of June 15 – 72 hour negative PCR test required
Czech Republic – YES as of July 15
Denmark – YES as of July 4
Estonia – YES as of July 6
France – YES as of July 1
Germany – YES as of July 2
Greece – YES as of July 1
Ireland – YES as of July 21 – 14-day quarantine required
Italy – YES as of July 1 – 14-day quarantine required
Latvia – YES as of July 1
Lithuania – YES as of July 15 – 14 day quarantine required
Luxembourg – YES as of July 1
Malta – YES as of July 1
Netherlands – YES as of July 1
Poland – YES as of July 15
Portugal – YES as of July 1
Romania – YES as of July 7
Slovakia – YES as of September 18
Slovenia – YES as of July 17 – 14-day quarantine required
Spain – YES as of July 2
Sweden – YES as of July 4

Missing:

Finland – Canadians did have entry as of September 19, but currently not due to case numbers
Hungary – Canadians did have entry as of July 1, but currently has borders re-closed for all tourists

Other ‘European’ Countries Allowing Canadians

Albania– YES as of June 15
Belarus – YES as of July 15
Bosnia and Herzegovina – YES as of July 16 – 48 hour negative PCR test required
Iceland – YES as of July 15
Kosovo – YES as of June 28
Montenegro – YES as of July 8
North Macedonia – YES as of July 1
Serbia – YES as of May 22
Switzerland – YES as of July 20 (Now as of October 12: 10-day quarantine required)
Turkey – YES as of June 29
Ukraine – YES as of June 15
United Kingdom – YES as of July 1- 14-day quarantine required

(Click on the country’s name to visit the individual covid-19 travel guide for each nation.)

Missing:

Georgia – No entry, unless applying for their 1-year ‘digital nomad’ visa
Moldova – No entry
Norway – Did have entry previously, but not currently due to case numbers
Russia – No entry

To sum it up: Canadians can enter every county in Europe right now, with only the exceptions of: Finland, Hungary, Russia, Georgia, Moldova and Norway.

Despite Canada’s recent second wave in case numbers, all latest European updates still show Canada on the ‘safe’ or ‘green’ lists for entry.

As long as the numbers remain at a manageable level, Canadians could keep their coveted entry pass into most European countries throughout autumn and winter, providing access to countless destinations for the holidays.

The government of Canada has just recently extended their advisory on international travel, keeping the “Avoid non-essential travel outside Canada” up until at least October 31^st. This does not mean that Canadians can’t leave the country however. Canadian tourists are still free to leave the country for tourism and leisure purposes, but they must quarantine on return for 14 days by law.

There are also a few companies that are still offering Canadians travel insurance policies that cover covid, despite the government travel advisory that is in effect.

Canada remains closed for any in-bound international tourism until at least October 31, 2020.

Have Flights Resumed From Canada to Europe?

Yes.

Hundreds of them are flying a week to almost every destination on the above lists. Both Canadian international carriers, Air Canada and WestJet, are flying direct to many European cities, as well as European brand carriers, like British Airways and TAP.

Read More: See a total list of worldwide countries reopen for Canadian tourists, and which companies offer Canadians travel insurance that covers covid

↓ Join the community ↓

The Travel Off Path Community FB group has all the latest reopening news, conversations, and Q&A's happening daily!

Subscribe to our Latest Posts

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

Originally published October 1

Steve

Tuesday 3rd of November 2020

HI, Appreciate how fast this site makes updates.

I've read the information on Swedish police site. But still not clear for me.

Question, I reside in Canada, I have Canadian and Greek citizenship, I have Canadian and EU passport . Can I enter Sweden with the current ban ? I am going for a job.

Thank you!

Kashlee Kucheran

Hi Steve - It seems to me that with your EU passport/citizenship it would be possible, but obviously I can't confirm that 100% with all these latest changes. Since its for something important like work, I am going to have to ask you to contact the consulate or border police to be sure

Justin

Sunday 25th of October 2020

Thanks so much for updating this information. This is greatly appreciated. Much of the Canadian media has created the impression that the EU is able to mandate the its recommendation on EU members. Clearly that is not the case.

yahyabahsh

Friday 16th of October 2020

I'm a canadian citizen currently outside canada (in jordan), do i also get to enter europe or is it allowed only if coming directly from canada ? Thank you!!

Most EU nations are allowing Canadians, only when they are coming from other approved nations. Sadly, this will make most of them closed off to you when you are coming from Jordan. You would have to choose a specific country, and then get ahole of their border police or consulate to ask permission directly

brunomatthew

Tuesday 6th of October 2020

Hi there, I can't seem to find a clear answer on this... I'll be flying to Ghana from Canada this month with a short layover in London. Will I have to quarantine for 14 days anyways or will I be able to board my flight? Thanks for your help

Wednesday 7th of October 2020

Most layovers are happening through London without issue. If you have doubts you can always double-check with your airline

Xhoana

Thursday 1st of October 2020

Going to Albania in December I won’t have to have any Pcr test and the international flights they won’t stop in December and shut down thank you

Friday 2nd of October 2020

No one knows what the future will bring, of course! However as of todays rules: no test is required, and yes flights are entering daily