Unvaccinated U.S. Tourists Unable to Visit Denmark or the Netherlands Amid Delta Surge

Find out more about the recently updated entry restrictions to Denmark and the Netherlands.

Many European countries are revisiting their entry rules after the EU removed the United States from its safe travel list. If you're an American planning to travel internationally soon, recheck the entry rules of the country you plan to visit because they may have changed recently.

For example, Denmark and the Netherlands have announced that they are no longer welcoming unvaccinated tourists. Here's what you need to know.

Denmark bans unvaccinated American tourists

If you plan to visit Denmark and haven't been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 yet, you'll need to alter your plans. As of Sept. 4, 2021, the U.S. is on Denmark's orange list. That means that only unvaccinated Americans with a "worthy purpose" (as Denmark defines it) can visit. The government makes some exceptions for business-related and educational reasons, but not for leisure travel.

However, American travelers who are fully vaccinated can visit Denmark, but they must show proof of vaccination. Travelers are considered fully vaccinated if they meet these conditions:

• They've been fully vaccinated with an approved vaccine.
• It's been at least two weeks and no more than 12 months since they received their final vaccine dose

Fully vaccinated travelers from the U.S. are also exempt from testing and quarantine requirements once they arrive in Denmark.

The Netherlands will no longer welcome unvaccinated U.S. tourists

The Netherlands now classifies the U.S. as a very high-risk area. For this reason, unvaccinated Americans can't visit right now. The government recently outlined updated restrictions that impact American travelers. Unvaccinated U.S. tourists are banned. Fully vaccinated American tourists are welcome, but they must do the following:

• Show proof of full vaccination.
• Fill out a health declaration form.
• Provide a negative pre-departure test.
• Quarantine for 10 days upon arrival.

You'll need to present a negative COVID-19 test taken before your departure. The negative test can be from a NAAT (PCR) test taken no more than 48 hours before departure or a negative antigen test taken no more than 24 hours before departure. All travelers 12 and up must follow testing rules. Showing proof of COVID-19 recovery instead of a negative test is no longer allowed.

While a 10-day self-quarantine is also required, you might be able to shorten that time frame if you test negative on day five. There are some exemptions from mandatory quarantine requirements, but most tourists should be prepared to quarantine.

Entry rules and COVID-19 restrictions change often

Whether you're planning to visit Denmark, the Netherlands, or another destination, stay on top of current entry restrictions because they can change often. You don't want to be denied boarding when you show up for your flight or encounter problems when you arrive in the country.

Also, check the news while traveling, as COVID-19 restrictions may change during your trip. This is especially important if you plan to visit multiple countries during your travels.

Prepare for added travel expenses

As you plan for upcoming travel, also account for extra costs that may occur. Traveling during a pandemic can be expensive, especially if you're headed to an international destination. Including extra funds in your vacation budget will help you be prepared. Here are some travel costs you may want to budget for:

• COVID-19 testing
• Quarantine costs
• Travel insurance

It's also a good idea to book your trip with a travel credit card because you can often earn rewards on your spending. Some travel cards include valuable perks like airport lounge access, travel insurance, and credit for global entry application fees. Check out our list of the best travel credit cards to see if there's a good match for you. Knowing you're earning rewards and saving a bit of cash on your trip might help reduce some of the stress of traveling while the pandemic continues to create restrictions.