Immigration Updates – 25th of March

General Updates

Italy

The deadline for submitting certain change of status applications has been extended from 17 March to 30 September 2022. 

This applies to foreign nationals who wish to convert residence permits issued by other EU member states into Italian residence permits for work.

The deadline for applications for the entry of non-EU citizens participating in training projects abroad has also been extended to the same date. 

COVID-19 Updates

Cyprus

• Effective 21 March 2022:
  • GreenCategory countries: Qatar, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates.
    • Fully vaccinated or recently recovered travellers are not required to present a negative COVID test result prior to departure, take a test on arrival or undergo self-isolation.
    • Unvaccinated / non-recovered travellers are required to present a negative 72h PCR or 24h antigen test result prior to departure but are not required to take a test on arrival or undergo self-isolation.
  • Red Category countries:
    • Applies to:
      • Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden.
      • Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, Vatican.
      • Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland.
      • Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Bahrain, Belarus, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Egypt, Georgia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Macau, New Zealand, Oman, Peru, Russia, Serbia, South Korea, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay.
    • Fully vaccinated or recently recovered travellers are not required to present a negative COVID test result prior to departure, take a test on arrival or undergo self-isolation.
    • Unvaccinated / non-recovered travellers are required to present a negative 72h PCR or 24h antigen test result prior to departure and to take a test on arrival but are not required to undergo self-isolation.
  • Grey Category countries (all other countries not in green or red categories):
    • Fully vaccinated or recently recovered travellers are not required to present a negative COVID test result prior to departure, take a test on arrival or undergo self-isolation.
    • Unvaccinated / non-recovered travellers are required to present a negative 72h PCR or 24h antigen test result prior to departure and to take a test on arrival and are required to undergo self-isolation.

Czechia

• Effective 18 March 2022, all travellers entering and returning from an EU or Schengen associated country are exempt from the requirement to present a valid vaccination, recovery, or test certificate.

Netherlands

Effective 23 March 2022:

• For anyone travelling from EU/Schengen countries, and for EU/Schengen residents travelling from other countries: 
  • Entry is permitted for any purpose.
  • Pre-departure is not required.
  • Those arriving by air must complete and carry a health declaration.
  • Travellers are advised to take a coronavirus test immediately after arrival in the Netherlands and again on day 5. 
  • [Also applies to the following countries participating in the EU travel rules scheme Andorra, Faroe Islands, Greenland, Monaco, San Marino, Spitsbergen, Vatican; Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, St Eustatius, St Maarten.]
• For non-EU/Schengen residents travelling from non-EU/Schengen countries:
  • The EU entry ban applies, with the following exemptions:
    • From safe countries: Bahrain, Chile, China (subject to reciprocity), Colombia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Kuwait, Macau, New Zealand, Peru, Qatar, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates, Uruguay.
    • Recovered from COVID-19 at least 11 days ago with proof of recovery issued by a country taking part in the EUDCC. Must complete a Recovery Declaration.
    • Fully vaccinated, with valid proof of vaccination showing that you have been fully vaccinated with a vaccine approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) or the World Health Organization (WHO). The official validity period of a proof of vaccination is 270 days after the last dose of the primary vaccination cycle, or after any time after a booster. Must complete a “Vaccine Declaration COVID-19” form.
    • Other exemptions exist for study, work, compelling family reasons, transit/transfer, humanitarian reasons and long-distance relationships. 
  • Those arriving by air must complete and carry a health declaration.
  • Travellers are advised to take a coronavirus test immediately after arrival in the Netherlands and again on day 5.

Portugal

• Essential and non-essential entry is permitted from EU member states, Schengen-associated countries, Angola, Brazil, Canada, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, São Tomé and Principe, United Kingdom and United States.
• Essential and non-essential entry is permitted, subject to reciprocal confirmation, from Bahrain, Chile, China, Colombia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Kuwait, Macau, New Zealand, Peru, Qatar, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates, Uruguay.
• Effective 7 February 2022, travellers to Portugal, must present, before boarding, one of the following documents:
  • A negative result of a PCR test carried out up to 72 hours before departure; OR
  • A laboratory rapid antigen test carried out up to 24 hours before departure; OR
  • A valid EU digital COVID certificate (EUDCC) showing proof of vaccination, recovery or negative test; OR
  • A valid vaccination or recovery certificate issued by one of the following third countries:
    • Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Benin, Cabo Verde, El Salvador, Faroe Islands, Georgia, Israel, Iceland, Jordan, Lebanon, Liechtenstein, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Morocco, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Panama, San Marino, Serbia, Singapore, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Uruguay, The Vatican.
• All passengers are required to complete a Passenger Locator Card before departure or on board.

Switzerland

• Effective 21 March 2022, unvaccinated foreign nationals arriving from high-risk countries can be permitted to enter Switzerland if they are unvaccinated but have recovered from COVID-19 in the last 180 days.