The Department of Foreign Affairs recommends to exercise a “High Degree of Caution” when travelling to all EU countries. This has changed from “Avoid Non-Essential Travel”, which was in place for most of the pandemic. 

As we continue to learn how to live with COVID-19, the decision to travel has become a personal choice. Is it something you’re comfortable with? Are you happy to adhere to the various guidelines and restrictions in order to travel?

The EU Traffic Light System was devised to have a coordinated approach to restarting international travel amongst EU member states. If you’re not sure how the traffic light restrictions would work for your holidays, here are some examples. 

How do I know what colour a country is?

Each Thursday, around midday, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) releases a map of Europe showing the status of a country based on the combined factors. The factors they take into consideration are the incidence and test positivity rate. Each EU country will then be assigned a colour:

  • Green: If the 14-day incidence rate is lower than 25 and the test positivity rate below 4%
  • Orange: If the 14-day incidence rate is lower than 50 but the test positivity rate is 4% or higher. Or, if the 14-day incidence rate is between 25 and150 and the test positivity rate is below 4%
  • Red: If the 14-day incidence rate is 50 or higher and the test positivity rate is 4% or higher. Or, if the 14-day incidence rate is higher than 150
  • Grey: If there is insufficient information or if the testing rate is lower than 300

You can see the latest maps on the ECDC website here. 

If both countries are GREEN

Jackpot! There are no restrictions if you’re travelling from a green country to another green country. You’re free to start your holiday as soon as you arrive at the airport. While on holidays, it’s still important to adhere to public health guidelines to minimise any risk, even if that country is green.

If both countries are ORANGE

If both countries are orange, there will be some restrictions at the start or end of your holiday. Each country can set their own restrictions for people coming from orange, red and grey countries. 

For example, if you’re travelling from Ireland to any of the Canary Islands, both countries are currently orange, the following restrictions will apply to your trip:

  • You don’t not need a PCR test before travelling to the Canary Islands
  • You will need to take a PCR test within 72 hours of flying back to Ireland and, if the result is negative, there will be no restrictions upon your arrival home.
  • OR from the 29th of November, if you can’t/don’t want to take a PCR test abroad, you will need to restrict your movements. After 5 days, you can take a PCR test and if it’s negative, you no longer need to restrict your movements.

If both countries are RED

Red is the most restrictive colour assigned to a country. 

For example, if Spain is red then you will need to take a PCR test up to 72hrs before you depart Ireland. If it comes back negative, you’re free to travel. Each country will have its own rules for arrival.

From November 29th, if you’re travelling back to Ireland from a red country, you will need to restrict your movements for 5 days and then take a PCR test. If it comes back negative, you no longer need to restrict your movements.

What happens if the colour changes while I’m abroad?

If the country you are on holidays in changes colour, you will have to follow the restrictions as per the new colour. The EU map is updated every Thursday so make sure to check it before your arrival back to Ireland. 

If the country changes from green to orange before you return to Ireland, you will need either a pre-departure negative PCR test result or to restrict your movements for 5 days on return home and then get a PCR test. 

If the country changes from orange to red before you return to Ireland, you will need to restrict your movements for 5 days on return home and then get a PCR test.

How do I know what restrictions are in place in my destination country?

As colours change and as countries decide their rules for orange and red statuses, there are two useful websites to check:

  • DFA: The Department of Foreign Affairs will have up-to-date information for those wishing to travel abroad. For each country, it details the restrictions you should expect upon arrival. 
  • ECDC: Before you depart, you can check the latest colour status, incidence rate and COVID-19 relate stats in your destination country.