The European Union is set to open its borders to American travellers who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 this summer. There are ongoing practical issues however and, even if American medical tourists are allowed in, the ability of European hospitals to have spare capacity for them in 2021 is in doubt.
All 27 member states will accept, unconditionally, all those who are vaccinated with vaccines that are approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA), the EU’s medical regulatory agency. The EMA has already approved all three vaccines that are being used in the USA, from Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson. The deal does not include the UK as it has left the EU.
The EU has not committed to a timeline as to when American tourists will be allowed, but the European Commission will likely recommend a change in policy, restoring travel. Vaccine rollout in the U.S. is making progress and the EU has said the resumption of travel will ultimately depend on the situations in both the USA and Europe.
There are discussions between USA and EU officials on how to recognise fully vaccinated travellers, whether with a vaccine passport or other certification. One problem is that 8% of Americans have not turned up for their planned second virus shot.
Despite recommendations on travel restrictions from the European Commission, individual member countries will have the final say on whether USA tourists and medical tourists can cross their borders: Greece has already said Americans with proof of a negative coronavirus test or full vaccination may enter its borders.
The European Commission has put forward a proposal for its own digital vaccine certificate, but individual member countries have already started working on their own versions, raising questions about how these will all function together.
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