Sixteen countries have implemented vaccine passports inside the European Union to access public spaces as COVID-19 cases rise.
Are you traveling to Europe this summer? Let’s face it; the restrictions continue to change every day. As cases of the delta variant rise, countries are starting to implement brand new travel restrictions.

Nonetheless, if travelers are fully vaccinated, they do have the opportunity to enjoy a variety of EU nations. And some European Union countries have opened without needing to show proof of full vaccination.

Yet, with the increasing requirement to show vaccination passports for bars, restaurants, cafes, and museums — it’s becoming impossible to travel to Europe without full vaccination this summer.
Many British travelers under 30, for example, aren’t allowed to have the second vaccine yet. As a result, traveling to Europe is very difficult for many young travelers outside of the EU.
The EU Countries That Have Implemented Vaccine Passports For Public Spaces
- Austria
- Belgium
- Cyprus
- Denmark
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Ireland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Netherlands
- Portugal
- Slovenia
- Spain
Let’s take a detailed look at some of Europe’s most popular destinations and what they now require from U.S travelers.
- France
In recent weeks, France has introduced a vaccination pass for people looking to attend public events with over 1,000 people. That includes large festivals, bars, and nightclubs. Travelers will need to show proof of full vaccination or have a certificate of recovery from the last six months.

- Ireland
Ireland is one of the most popular destinations for American travelers. The country has implemented a vaccine passport to enter pubs and restaurants around Ireland. Children under the age of 12 don’t have to show proof of full vaccination. You can also obtain the pass if you can prove that you’ve recovered from COVID-19 in the past 6 months.

- Italy
Italy hit the headlines as one of Europe’s first countries to introduce a vaccine passport. Starting from August 6th, travelers will need to show evidence of vaccination to enter most indoor activities. That includes gyms, swimming pools, private parties, festivals, museums, sporting events, exhibitions, theatres, and cinemas. The Italian authorities have named the pass a green pass, which is an extension of the EU Digital COVID-19 certificate.

- Portugal
Portugal has introduced a proof of vaccination to enjoy weekends and Friday evenings within the country. You can also obtain the pass if you can prove you’ve recovered from COVID-19 in the last 6 months. Nonetheless, you’ll need the EU Digital COVID-19 Pass to check into hotels and guest houses within the country. Initially, the country reopened to U.S tourists without requiring proof of vaccination. That has since changed.

- Spain
Spain has refused to introduce a vaccine passport nationwide so far. Having said that, the Galicia region is the first area to introduce a vaccine passport to enjoy indoor cafes, restaurants, and bars. It’s uncertain as to whether any other regions will introduce vaccine passports, but as cases continue to rise, it’s not unlikely either.

Final Thoughts
The EU is trying to deal with the delta variant and the subsequent rise in cases continent-wide. However, every country is dealing with this in a different way and entry requirements are changing all the time.
It continues to be a frustrating time for travelers outside of the EU as the continent chops and changes its travel restrictions. On a positive note, if travelers are fully vaccinated, the continent remains largely open to U.S tourists.
In the previous 16 months, that wasn’t the case. So travel is somewhat back in Europe, albeit more stressful than usual.
Read More:
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Ready For Your Trip? Check The Latest Entry Requirements For Your Destination Here
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
M
Monday 2nd of August 2021
Italy announced that they will accept vaccine certificates from certain countries for the exemption: Israel, Canada, UK, USA and Japan.
(link)
Richard
Monday 2nd of August 2021
different countries assign different definitions to what "fully vaccinated" means, e.g. an AstraZeneca followed by a Pfizer or Moderna (a very common combination in Canada) is not considered fully vaccinated. Additionally AstraZeneca that has been manufactured in India under license is not accepted. I expect those definitions will evolve over time, so something to check twice.
garrytravel
Monday 2nd of August 2021
@Richard, if you check the cdc cape cod data, the israeli data, the idea of fully vaccinated is a misnomer as far as transmission goes. Meaning that already the vaccines are proven useless to prevent spread, and this is kabuki theatre.
Barbara
Monday 2nd of August 2021
Hi Trevor and Kashlee, you do an amazing job keeping your readers updated with the international travel situation. I have chosen not to accept the experimental injections. My dreams to return to visit friends in Europe have been dashed for two years. But I am content enough living in a beautiful UNESCO city in central Mexico and am grateful for that. Thank you so much for your commitment to keeping readers updated. You're the best.
Kashlee Kucheran
Monday 2nd of August 2021
Mexico is such wonderful and welcoming place right now :)
allen g
Monday 2nd of August 2021
I have a logistics question. If you travelling from outside the EU (and do not have a digital passport). but actually want to participate in activities as a tourist and have a foreign vaccination and they ask you to provide proof of vaccination- how does that work? So far this isnt making sense...
Kashlee Kucheran
Monday 2nd of August 2021
You are right, there is no clarification for third-party tourists at this time, especially across the entire bloc. For now, paper CDC cards and similar should be good enough, but we all need to wait for a globally accepted plan