We live in uncertain times because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Wave 2 hits Europe hard, and everything several countries are taking restrictive measures in the hope that they will be able to stop the spread of the new coronavirus. Some measures make sense, others seem meaningless.
For example, EU countries have decided not to close their borders or restrict flights. Instead, they have increasingly restricted people's travel and discouraged non-essential travel and tourism. And these rules will lead to the cancellation of flights due to lack of passengers.
And then people will resort to land travel by personal cars, coaches or trains. We receive many questions from those abroad about how they can get to Romania and, especially, about the transit through Europe. Below you will find some essential information on transit through European countries.
Transit through Europe
Austria
Se allows permanent transit, without stopping, of Romanian citizens on the territory of Austria to destinations in other countries. Supporting documents may be required at the border to ensure entry into the country of destination: domicile / residence / right of residence / employment contract / any other proof of the need for entry, for example a certificate of compulsory medical treatment, studies, etc. ., as well as completing an entry and transit declaration - the declarations can be downloaded from here and here.
By road: We recommend that you purchase a sticker proving the payment of the toll before entering Austria or at the first refueling station (immediately after crossing the border). As indicated on the back, the sticker must be glued to the windshield. Failure to comply with this obligation shall be punishable by a fine.
Bosnia şi Herţegovina
All foreign citizens, including Romanians, are allowed to enter Bosnia and Herzegovina provided they present a negative COVID-19 test, performed in the last 48 hours before entering Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The transit regime remains unchanged, it is not necessary to present the required medical test in case of stay. However, Romanian citizens may transit Bosnia and Herzegovina only for the purpose of returning to Romania / the state of residence and provided that they do not stay / spend the night on the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Transit for tourist purposes is only allowed on the Neum Corridor (Croatia-Bosnia and Herzegovina-Croatia).
All traffic restrictions for professional freight carriers have been lifted. The obligation to use the passport, not the identity card, as a travel document remains in force.
Bulgaria
There is no ban on entry into the territory of Bulgaria for Romanian citizens transiting the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria (regardless of destination).
Cehia
All persons, including Romanian citizens, transiting the Czech Republic are exempted from the obligation to complete the online form and from testing for SARS-CoV-2 infection, provided that the duration of the transit does not exceed 12 hours.
Romanian citizens moving to Romania from countries considered by the Czech Republic to be at high risk:
- by air: have no obligation, provided they do not leave the airport transit area;
- by land: if the transit period is of maximum 12 hours, it is not subject to any conditioning or obligation for the Romanian citizens.
Croația
Transit through the territory of the Republic of Croatia is permitted under the following conditions:
- the duration of the transit does not exceed 12 hours;
- without intermediate stops which are not strictly necessary;
- persons transiting Croatia are obliged to travel only on the motorway;
- presentation of a document showing unequivocally the purpose of the trip and the country of destination, respectively ensuring the entry into the territory of the neighboring state of the Republic of Croatia, on the transit route to the country of destination.
The transit of the Neum Corridor (Croatia - Bosnia and Herzegovina - Croatia) for tourist purposes is allowed without stopping.
Danemarca
Persons in transit (with good reason or for tourism purposes in a country other than Denmark, regardless of the means of transport) are not required to submit a negative molecular test for COVID-19 infection.
Italia
Persons entering Italy for transit purposes for a maximum period of 36 hours by private means of transport are required to leave Italian territory until the expiry of the period. Otherwise, they have the obligation to submit to measures of self-isolation and health surveillance;
In case of entry into Italy by air, it is allowed to continue the journey by another means of air transport to the final destination mentioned in the declaration, provided that you do not leave the specially arranged areas inside the airports.
Passengers on cruise ships landing in Italy at the end of the cruise are allowed to return to their own country (at the expense of the shipowner);
When boarding a plane / ship bound for Italy, you must complete a declaration on your own responsibility (model form MAE), clearly specifying that you are in transit to your own home in a country other than Italy. If you experience symptoms of Covid-19 virus, you should notify the competent local health authorities by telephone immediately and follow their instructions.
Germania
The mere transit of German territory is not conditional. Transit involves leaving the German territory as directly as possible, avoiding any close contact with other people and observing specific protection measures: social distancing, hygiene, mask, etc ..
Short stops are allowed for the purchase of food or fuel, but not those of a tourist or business type, visits, accommodation, concluding contracts, etc.
In the event of non-compliance with testing obligations, compliance with the self-isolation measure or transit conditions, the German authorities may impose penalties of up to EUR 25.000.
Estonia
Staff of Estonian diplomatic or consular representations, their family members or a foreign national arriving in Estonia for the purpose of international military cooperation are exempted from self-isolation for 14 days, subject to the absence of specific symptoms.
International carriers of goods, food and medical supplies, as well as persons providing vital services, such as fuel suppliers, residence permit holders / their family members / diplomatic staff are exceptions to the ban on entry into the territory of Estonia, if you have no symptoms of COVID-19.
Entry into Estonia is still permitted for: (1) persons engaged in the international carriage of goods and passengers; (2) crew members serving international means of transport; (3) persons carrying out maintenance or repair operations on means of transport; (4) persons working in IT and communications, including those carrying out maintenance or repair work on devices and equipment in these sectors.
Foreign nationals will only be allowed to transit Estonia on their way to their country of origin if they do not show symptoms of COVID-19.
Albania
Romanian citizens can travel between Albania and Romania, by land, transiting Northern Macedonia, Serbia and Bulgaria. According to the decisions taken by the Greek Government, the land border between Albania and the Hellenic Republic is open only at the Kakavija and Kapshtica crossing points.
The movement of goods vehicles takes place normally, both at the entrance and at the exit of the Republic of Albania; truck drivers must complete an online form.
The border crossings of Tre Urat in Përmet and Qafë Botë in Saranda are closed from the Greek side. Transit is not allowed through these points.
Elveția
Controls at Switzerland's borders with the Schengen countries were lifted on 15 June 2020 and full freedom of movement applies again to people from all EU / EFTA countries and the United Kingdom.
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