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The European Union will recommend a 9 month deadline on the validity of COVID-19 vaccines for travel within the block, meaning many travelers will need booster shots to enter.

European Commission to propose that all EU member states continue to welcome all vaccinated travelers EU approved. The proposals also call on nations to reopen by Jan. 10 to all tourists with WHO-approved vaccines.

EU governments are pushing the bloc to smooth out rule differences to help protect the ability to travel after governments used contrasting approaches on the validity of vaccinations and the management of recalls.

For example, Austria, Switzerland and Croatia all have different approaches to vaccine validity.

The new rules

As the number of cases increases in Europe, the EU executive plans to remove the white list of countries allowed to enter the EU, regardless of their vaccination status. From March 1, vaccinated travelers with proof of recovery could enter the block with an EU Covid digital certificate.

In addition, the new rules would allow children between the ages of 6 and 17 to enter the EU with a negative PCR test even if they are not vaccinated. EU member states may require additional testing on arrival, including self-isolation and quarantine depending on the choice of each member state.

The committee calls the new approach a “simplified approach” which would make travel dependent on the status of the traveler instead of the country of origin. The EU implemented the March calendar to give non-EU countries time to increase vaccination rates.

As an added guarantee, the EU would require proof of a negative PCR test for all travelers vaccinated with a WHO-approved vaccine that is not approved by the European medicines regulatory body.

Many countries could qualify due to a slight increase in the threshold for the cumulative 14-day Covid case notification rate, from 75 to 100 cases per 100,000 people. In addition, the changes would include an increase in tests per week from 300 tests to 600 tests per 100,000 people.

The rules of Booster Jab

The EU will impose a 9-month validity on all vaccines. Therefore, if plans begin in March 2022, any traveler fully vaccinated last summer will likely need a third dose of vaccination to enter the block without restrictions.

Currently Croatia has a maximum vaccine validity of 365 days. Last August it became the first country in the world to introduce maximum validity for vaccines. Austria has also decided on a vaccination validity of 9 months from November 8, 2021.

From now on, any traveler who was fully vaccinated more than 9 months ago will need a booster to enter bars, restaurants and places of entertainment. Switzerland has decided not to classify any traveler as fully vaccinated 365 days after their last dose.

Greece has said all travelers over 60 must receive their booster vaccine within the next month or else they will not be eligible for the vaccination passport. Therefore, travelers over 60 without the booster would not be able to enter indoor places.

The news comes as COVID-19 cases increase in Europe after a fourth wave expected across the continent over Christmas. Various countries including Germany, the Czech Republic and the Netherlands are considering a full lockdown, and Austria and Slovakia entered a full lockdown the week before.

The new proposals come as the European travel industry begins to struggle due to growing restrictions. Ryanair CEO Micheal O’Leary said: “Until last weekend, things were going well”

“I think we are in a difficult time between now and Christmas where it looks like Europe is going to get very nervous again at the worst time of the year when people are preparing their travel plans for Christmas.

“I think it’s inevitable that we will undermine confidence by Christmas, which will disrupt Christmas and also destabilize people between Christmas and New Years when they would normally start booking their summer vacation.”

The EU hopes this decision will facilitate travel in 2022.

Read more:

Travel insurance that covers Covid-19 for 2021

Travel advisory to the Netherlands as the country enters partial lockdown

Europe tightens COVID-19 restrictions: what travelers need to know

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