Updated Research Matrix on border restrictions in Europe

We are glad to share with you a reviewed and updated ‘border restrictions matrix’. The aim of this matrix document is to provide a one-page overview of how European countries manage entries by travellers onto their territory in most concise and simple way possible.

The latest update is available here:

This previous update was made in December last year, at a time when vaccination programmes were in their infancy. During the first 5 months of 2021, travel was generally speaking, heavily restricted across Europe. We see that the time is ripe to begin providing regular updates of this document again as travel restrictions are gradually lightened.

At the same time, despite efforts to harmonise travel restriction rules at EU level and the upcoming implementation of the EU Digital Green Certificate (as of 1 July), requirements set out by European governments are seemingly more diverse, fragmented and complex than ever. Since last year’s versions, the introduction of different rules for e.g. fully, partially vaccinated or non-vaccinated travellers, the emergence of several variants of the virus or the full withdrawal of the UK from the EU are just some of the factors which render this exercise even more complex than before.

We would therefore highlight that the information provided in this table is of an indicative nature as it is near impossible to reflect the travel situation in Europe with a limited set of colours with the same degree of accuracy our previous matrix documents could provide. As such, we have reviewed the colour code to focus on expressing different degrees of strictness of measures in relative terms, rather than focusing on actual requirements (PCR test, quarantine, vaccine, etc.)

It is also worth highlighting that the colour code used for this matrix is not the same as the colour code used by European governments or the ECDC.

We have done our utmost to ensure the information in this matrix is as accurate as possible (as of today, 4 June 2021) and would very much welcome any corrections or suggestions.