As of the end of 2022, EU nations have opened to travel from the United States, and nearly all European nations allow travel without proof of COVID vaccination, pre-arrival testing, or special health registration. Because of this, many people will likely be heading to Europe to enjoy the many sites and adventures there.
Besides taking protective face masks with you as a precautionary measure (since they may be required in some public areas and on public transportation), you should also plan ahead to ensure that your time there is safe and healthy.
As always, regardless of where you’re going, travelers should exercise vigilance in public places or on mass transportation; monitor media and local event information sources; be prepared for additional security screening and delays; and find ways of staying in touch with your family, particularly if you’re separated.
Here are more safe travel suggestions, not just for travel to Europe, but to any country—particularly if the State Department has issued a warning or advisory.
- Log your travel plans with the State Department. The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program is a free service that allows U.S. citizens and nationals abroad to enroll their trip with the nearest U.S. Embassy or consulate. It makes it easier for you to be found in case of emergency; and for the government to track the number of U.S. citizens in a country at any one time.
- Ensure your mobile phone works abroad. Investigate your phone carrier’s international plan (some offer short-term international plans for business or vacation travel). Or rent a phone or buy a SIM card locally. If your phone needs to be unlocked to use an international SIM card, ask your carrier to do it before you leave.
- Program your phone with the phone number of the American Embassy in your travel country. You can find embassy information on the State Department’s travel website.
- Know your travel country’s “911” equivalent. Not every country uses 911 as its emergency contact number: the State Department provides a list of emergency contact numbers here, with the caveat that you won’t always get an English-speaking operator, of course. Facebook and free messaging services like WhatsApp or WeChat are also good ways of making contact.
- Give your family members or friends a copy of your itinerary. One of the simplest measures you can take is making a detailed itinerary for your family back home, including travel dates and flight numbers, hotels and hotel phone numbers, and travel agent information.
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