Traveling to Denmark and Sweden just got a lot more difficult for Americans following the decision last month by European Union officials removing the United States from its list of safe countries.
Sweden acted quickly, imposing a ban on visitors from the United States regardless of vaccination status. The ban applies to any non-essential travel.
Denmark followed suit a few days later, but the restrictions are not as stringent. Fully vaccinated Americans can still enter Denmark, but others cannot unless there is a “worthy purpose.”
There are exemptions to the ban in Sweden, primarily for anyone traveling from the United States who holds citizenship in an EU country, those with essential business or government activities, or students who are studying in the country.
Frontline workers, merchant seamen, military, those working in international organizations whose presence is required, or those with urgent family issues can also enter Sweden.
Anyone entering Sweden must still be fully vaccinated and present a negative COVID test upon entry.
This ban went into effect Monday, but there could be changes coming.
“The Government is now examining the possibility — taking into account the process at EU level — of exempting fully vaccinated residents of certain countries from the entry restrictions,” the Government Offices of Sweden said in a press release. “The Government intends to return to this issue at a later date.”
For Denmark, fully vaccinated Americans are welcome to enter the country without restrictions. The EU digital certificate is accepted as proof.
Those who are not vaccinated must prove a worthy purpose to enter. That includes people whose jobs, education, close family relations, or urgent business requires them to be in the country.
Even with a worthy purpose, travelers who are not fully vaccinated will be required to test and quarantine for 10 days upon arrival unless they have evidence of previous coronavirus infection.
The actions come after the EU moved the United States late last month from its safe list, where only 17 countries remain. The move came as COVID cases continue to skyrocket in the United States. Down to less than 15,000 cases per day in the spring, the United States surpassed 1 million new cases in the past 7 days, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The U.S. Embassy lists full details on rules and regulations for Denmark and for Sweden on its websites.
