EU recommends lifting Europe travel restrictions for all US tourists, vaccinated or not

The European Union on Friday added the U.S. to a list of countries for which travel restrictions should gradually be lifted. The list applies to all American tourists, vaccinated or not, for nonessential travel.

However the recommendation is not legally binding.

"It’s up to every country to decide how and when to open the borders," said French Embassy spokesperson Pascal Confavreux. "The European Union is the one giving the framework, but the decision comes from the states."

Each of the E.U.'s 27 member states has the power to set its own guidelines and timelines for travelers, including whether or not to require vaccinations or COVID-19 tests for entry.

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When can I travel to Europe again?

Several European countries, including Spain and France, have already reopened to vaccinated visitors from the U.S. 

Americans hoping to head to Europe should check the current restrictions for each country on their itinerary.

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Contributing: Bailey Schulz, USA TODAY