Brussels (Brussels Morning) The end-of-year celebrations are fast approaching and many Belgians and Brussels residents will be spending their holidays abroad. But the resumption of Covid 19 contaminations and the appearance of the Omicron variant are pushing certain countries to review the rules to which travelers who want to go to their territory must be subject.
Vaccination, PCR tests carried out in the last 72 hours, 48 hours or even 24 hours, Passenger locator forms,… there is a lot that is being done in neighboring countries or those dear to Belgians. The foreign affairs site (diplomatie.be) regularly updates information from states around the world. Do not hesitate to inquire just before leaving, the rules could still evolve by then.
Here are the latest guidelines from the top-visited countries by Belgians.
France
If you are fully vaccinated, you will need to show proof of vaccination and make a sworn statement attesting to the absence of symptoms of COVID-19 infection and no contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19.
For unvaccinated 12 years and over, it will be necessary to present a PCR test or negative antigenic test of fewer than 24 hours and a declaration of honor as for the vaccinated ones.
These measures do not apply to children under 12 years old.
Regarding the health pass, which must be shown to go to the restaurant, the cinema or the swimming pool, it is valid in France for people who have a complete vaccination schedule. For the unvaccinated, it will take a negative PCR or antigen test of fewer than 24 hours.
Netherlands
Belgium considers the Netherlands to be an area with a high risk of contamination. Are you going anyway? No quarantine on return if you have a Covid safe ticket.
To get there, if you are over 12 years old, you will need to present either a Covid safe ticket, a complete vaccination, or a negative test (PCR in less than 48 hours or antigenic tests less than 24 hours) or recent recovery from Covid-19.
Once there, if you must have a negative test, the test must always have been done within 24 hours.
Luxembourg
In Luxembourg, travelers from a country of the European Union can enter without restrictions. However, the Covid safe ticket or a negative test is required for travelers on flights landing in Luxembourg.
The UK
First of all, since Brexit, as a Belgian national, you must have a passport.
Regarding the Covid rules, those over 12, fully vaccinated (2 doses) must present, at the border, a negative test carried out during the last 48 hours, the Passenger locator form and proof of purchase of a test PCR to be carried out, at the latest, 2 days after their arrival. They will have to self-isolate while waiting for the result. If the test is positive, the traveler will have to self-isolate for 10 days.
The same goes for the unvaccinated (or with an incomplete vaccination schedule) with the addition of a test on the 8th day (with proof of purchase at the border) and an isolation period of 10 days.
Germany
With our German neighbors, the rules are taken at the national level and at the level of the Länder.
Please note, since November 21, Germany has considered Belgium as a high-risk area. You will therefore need to complete the digital Einreise Anmeldung form on www.einreiseanmeldung.de and present a complete vaccination certificate or proof of recovery.
For others, a PCR test carried out at least 72 hours before entering the country or an antigen test of fewer than 48 hours must be presented upon entering the country and these people must be quarantined for 10 days. The quarantine can be lifted after 5 days in the event of a second negative test.
Coming from a high-risk area according to Germany, children under 12 must also enter quarantine, even if they have not yet been able to be vaccinated. At home, the quarantine ends automatically after 5 days. An exception for children who cross the border to visit their parents or grandparents: they must be tested to get out of quarantine, but must not wait 5 days.
Italy
To go to Italy, you must fill out the Passenger Locator Form. For the rest, special measures apply to certain countries including Belgium. For the vaccinated, it will be necessary to present the Covid safe ticket as well as a negative test (PCR test carried out within 48 hours or antigen test within 24 hours).
Unvaccinated people must also have a negative test and respect a 5-day quarantine.
Children under 12 whose parents are vaccinated will not have to quarantine even if they are not vaccinated.
Spain
To go to Spain, you will need to complete an ad hoc document (Formulario de Control Sanitario or Health Control Form if you are traveling by plane).
And for travelers coming from Belgium (risk zone for Spain), you will need to have a Covid Safe ticket attesting to complete vaccination, a recovery from Covid-19 or a negative test ( PCR test of fewer than 72 hours or antigen test of fewer than 48 hours).
The measurements are the same if you want to go to the Canary Islands.
