Who can visit Scandinavia in October 2021?
Norway and Sweden have followed Denmark’s lead by lifting virtually all pandemic – related restrictions within their borders.
Good vaccination levels and low hospital stays have resulted in life in Denmark, Norway and Sweden returning more or less to normal. Restaurants are open, events have no capacity limitations and face masks are no longer needed or even encouraged in public transport.
Travel restrictions in Scandinavia
But before you book a trip, take a closer look at the travel restrictions. Because even though life in the Scandinavian countries has returned to normal, certain border restrictions remain – especially for travelers from outside Europe.
While Denmark allows vaccinated American travelers, Sweden and Norway do not. Norway allows holders of verifiable digital certificates that are compatible with the EU solution, but these are not generally available to US travelers. There are high hopes that this will change when the United States lifts its travel ban on European travelers later this year.
Denmark
Recent coronavirus situation: As of September 30, a total of 358,796 positive test results have been registered since the pandemic began. 2,656 people have died.
Vaccination status: As of 30 September, 74.5% of Denmark’s population is fully vaccinated, of which 76% have received at least one dose.
Entry rules and restrictions: Denmark’s travel restrictions classify all countries (and certain European regions) into four color categories: green, yellow, orange and red. The list is updated weekly and is available in Denmark coronavirus information website.
Regardless of the country’s color, however, fully vaccinated residents in the EU and most OECD countries can enter Denmark for any reason. Those without an EU Covid certificate should check that their vaccination documentation complies Denmark’s requirements.
Those without complete vaccination but who can show a negative test result can also enter, as long as their home country is classified as yellow. This includes Australia, Canada and New Zealand.
As of September 30, the United States and the United Kingdom are classified as orange, which means that residents must test negative and then isolate on arrival in Denmark if they are not fully vaccinated.
Norway
Recent coronavirus situation: As of September 30, a total of 189,431 positive test results have been registered since the pandemic began. 861 people have died.
Vaccination status: As of 30 September, 67.54% of Norway’s population is fully vaccinated, with 77.05% receiving at least one dose.
Entry rules and restrictions: If you have been fully vaccinated or received a confirmed case of Covid-19 in the last six months, you can enter Norway from any country without testing or quarantine. However, this status must be proven with a verifiable digital certificate linked to the EU solution.
In addition, Norway now allows residents of all EU / EEA / Schengen countries to enter the country. Residents of non-EU countries classified as purple will also be allowed to enter, along with residents of the United Kingdom and Switzerland. At the time of writing, purple countries are New Zealand, Saudi Arabia and Taiwan. A quarantine period applies to countries that are red or purple.
Sweden
Recent coronavirus situation: As of September 30, a total of 1.15 million positive test results have been registered since the pandemic began. 14,864 people have died.
Vaccination status: As of 30 September, 76.9% of Sweden’s population is fully vaccinated, with 83.7% receiving at least one dose.
Entry rules and restrictions: Residents of all EU / EEA / Schengen countries may enter Sweden with a verifiable EU-digital coronavirus certificate. Residents of other Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway) are exempt from this requirement and can travel freely to Sweden.
The ban on non-essential travel to Sweden from the EU will continue to apply until 31 October. There are exceptions to this prohibition, including those with close family ties and critical workers. The list of exceptions is updated weekly and made available on Sweden’s emergency information website.
Residents of some countries are also exempt from the ban, but must present a negative test result that is taken no longer than 48 hours before arrival. Currently, the list does not include US or UK
Swedish authorities have said that they are looking at the possibility of allowing fully vaccinated American residents to enter Sweden in the near future.