As stated in the Council recommendation, this list will continue to be reviewed every two weeks and as the case may be, updated.
The criteria to determine the third countries for which the current travel restriction should be lifted were updated on 20 May 2021 based on epidemiological situation and overall response to COVID-19 and reliability of information and data sources. The criteria also take into account reciprocity.
Schengen associated countries (Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway, Switzerland) are considered EU residents for the purpose of this recommendation even though they are not member states. On 17 January 2022 those listed above should gradually lift travel restrictions at their borders with EU citizens.
In addition visitors from Andorra Monaco San Marino Vatican will be considered as EU residents for the purpose of this recommendation.
Residents of Andorra, Monaco, San Marino and the Vatican should be considered as EU residents for the purpose of this recommendation even though they are not member states. On 20 May 2021 these four countries will gradually lift travel restrictions at their borders with EU citizens.
This amending recommendation is not a legally binding instrument. The authorities of the member states remain responsible for implementing the content of this amending recommendation. They may only progressively lift travel restrictions towards countries listed on 20 May 2021 based on epidemiological situation and overall response to COVID-19 and reliability of information and data sources.
The continuing volatile security situation in Mali has led to a new Travel Alert. The Council decided that there is still no general security improvement in the country that would allow for a return to normal visa regime with Mali.
That decision applies to all member states. As a consequence, the current regime involving long term visas for Argentine, Australian and Canadian citizens wishing to visit the EU will remain in place. Their nationals were granted exemption from requiring visas when entering EU countries for holiday or business purposes.
However, these three categories will now be subject to this rule once again, pending a review of the visa requirements for Mali: holders of diplomatic and service passports issued by Argentine, Australian and Canadian authorities; holders of passports issued by countries which are not exempted from visa requirements in accordance with Council Regulation (EC) No 539/2001 (i.e., Cambodia, Cuba, Laos, North Korea and Vietnam).
