European Travel for Vaccinated Americans
It’s a day to rejoice; the American vaccination program has been so successful that the European Union (EU) has announced it will allow fully vaccinated Americans into Europe this summer. This comes as a relief for Americans who have been blocked from nonessential traveling to Europe for a year now due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, she noted the importance of facilitating free movement and the travel to the European Union, noting that “one thing is clear: all 27 member states will accept, unconditionally, all those who are vaccinated with vaccines that E.M.A approves.”
While there is no indication yet when this will happen or how the vaccine certificates — more commonly referred to as ‘vaccine passports’ — will be realized, it is welcome news for EU member states. Global Citizen Solutions will continue to monitor the situation closely and will provide updates accordingly.
What about Portugal?
From 14 June 2021, Portugal will welcome its first US citizens with vaccination certificates. This means that fully vaccinated Americans will for the first time be able to travel for nonessential reasons to Portugal since March 2020. In conjunction with the European Council, Portugal has been working hard to welcome tourists this summer with plans to also roll out a Green Passport Initiative.
