EU Drops Bosnia and Herzegovina, Moldova from Safe List for Travel

Photo © European Union / Source : EP

The European Council on Thursday removed Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republic of Moldova from its list of safe third countries, special administrative regions and territories for non-essential travel into the EU.

The removal from the list means that the Council recommends for EU member states to reintroduce temporary entry bans or travel restrictions for visitors from Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republic of Moldova.

The criteria to determine the third countries for which the temporary restrictions on non-essential travel should be lifted cover the epidemiological situation and overall response to the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.

According to the recommendation, member states have the option to not impose temporary restrictions on fully vaccinated travellers entering the EU from countries not on its safe list.

It is reminded that the European Council’s recommendation is not a legally binding instrument.

Council adds three countries to list

Based on the criteria and conditions, the Council recommends for member states to gradually lift the travel restrictions on non-essential travel into the EU for residents of Chile, Kuwait and Rwanda.

Already on the Council’s “safe list” are Australia, Australia, Canada, Jordan, New Zealand, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Ukraine, Uruguay and China (subject to confirmation of reciprocity).

EU member states are also advised to gradually lift travel restrictions for Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan.

The list of epidemiologically safe third countries for which EU member states should lift travel restrictions is reviewed every two weeks and, as the case may be, updated.

Residents of Andorra, Monaco, San Marino and the Vatican should be considered as EU residents for the purpose of the Council’s recommendation. Schengen associated countries (Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway, Switzerland) also take part in the recommendation.