Covid travel guidelines for Nordic

A land where you cannot get enough of the scenic landscapes, the Nordic region is an experience on its own. Snow-clad mountains, crisp air, and the incredible Northern Lights are a sight to see in these countries.  

Whether you go on a road trip in Norway or witness the majestic whale watching in Iceland, there’s plenty of things to do in Nordic countries.  

While the pandemic slowed down most of the travels in this region, many countries and their officials have presented new rules and regulations for those traveling in 2021.  

There are major restrictions pertaining to travel in the Nordic countries. Here are some procedures you must follow while entering the countries in the Nordic region:  

Denmark

Denmark

To limit the spread of the virus, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark has increased restrictions upon arrival in the country. Only residents of Denmark can enter the country with few other exceptions. Here are the rules that need to be followed when entering Denmark: 

• Provide a negative COVID-19 test obtained no more than 24 hours before arriving in Denmark  
• An Antigen test (rapid test) must be taken at the airport after immediate arrival in Denmark for precautionary measures.  
• All visitors entering the country need to isolate for 10 days. Isolation can only be broken after a negative PCR test result emerges no earlier than the fourth day of arrival.  
• Visitors must follow the testing and isolation procedures, as breaking these rules is a criminal offense.   

Finland

Finland

The Finnish government has extended restrictions on travel in Finland (including Aland) until 18th March 2021.   

• Residents of only 5 countries may travel to Finland for leisure travel: 

1. Australia  
2. Singapore  
3. New Zealand  
4. Thailand  
5. South Korea  

• Only essential travel is possible for residents of China, Hong Kong, and Macao Special Administrative Regions to Finland.  
• Passengers arriving are subjected to COVID –19 tests and self-isolation if they do not submit a negative COVID-19 test issued at least 72 hours before arriving in Finland. 

Faroe Islands

Faroe Islands

• Countries that are EU (European Union) member States, Schengen countries, and the United Kingdom are allowed to enter the Faroe Islands. Other countries not belonging to these categories are banned.   
• Passengers are advised to test for COVID-19, 3 days before departing for the Faroe Islands.  
• Upon arrival at the Faroe Islands, passengers must take a follow-up test for COVID-19.  
• Passengers are advised to stay in isolation for 6 days until the follow-up test results are declared. This rule is exempted for children under the age of 12.  
• It is also recommended that visitors take another follow-up test on the 6th day after arrival.  

 Greenland

Greenland

• Between 1st January 2021 to 18th April 2021, all entry to Greenland is closed.  
• Visitors need to fill out the Personal Location Form (SUMUT).  

• Submit a COVID-19 test obtained no more than 72 hours before arriving in Greenland.  
• Upon arrival, undergo a mandatory COVID-19 test and quarantine for 14 days.  
• Visitors need to provide proof of their purpose of travel that must be worthy of approval.

Iceland

Iceland

Iceland has opened borders for European countries, the United Kingdom, Australia, South Korea, Thailand, Singapore, Rwanda, and New Zealand. The rest of the countries are banned. Upon entering Iceland, you need to follow these rules:  

• It is mandatory to present a negative COVID-19 test result, obtained within 72 hours of departure.  
• After arriving in Iceland, passengers are subjected to undergo double COVID-19 test procedure and a compulsory quarantine for 5 to 6 days. There are some exemptions to this procedure: 

1. Children born in the year 2005 or later but are expected to quarantine with their family or guardian  
2. Visitors who are transit passengers  
3. Visitors who have the certificate for a previous COVID-19 infection that matches the government criteria  
4. Visitors who are vaccinated and have a certificate matching the government criteria  
5. Visitors who cannot undergo the testing procedure because of valid medical reasons 

Norway

Norway

Norway has introduced strict rules for visitors entering the country from 29th January 2021.  

• Only foreign nationals and Norwegian residents who live in Norway can enter. Norway has restricted travel from other countries.   
• Passengers arriving in Norway need to submit a negative COVID-19 test obtained no more than 24 hours before arrival. The only approved tests are the PCR or Rapid Antigen test.  

• Passengers need to quarantine for 10 days, except for those European countries with low virus transmission.  

 Sweden

Sweden

• The Swedish Government has imposed a ban on non-essential travel for visitors outside the European Union (EU) countries. The ban will be in place until 31st March 2021.  

• The entry ban does not apply to citizens of Sweden and their families, EU/EEA (European Economic Area), and Switzerland. The ban does not apply to those holding a national visa in Sweden.  
• There is a temporary ban for nationals from the UK, Denmark, and Norway.  
• Passengers entering Sweden need to present a negative COVID-19 test taken within 48 hours. The tests approved by Sweden are the Antigen tests, PCR tests, and LAMP tests.  
• Passengers must get tested after arriving in Sweden. A follow-up test must be conducted again, five days after the arrival.   
• Passengers need to self-isolate themselves at their residence for at least seven days on arrival.  

 

This information is relevant as of 16th March 2021 and has been procured from official tourism websites of respective countries. However, Covid guidelines are fast changing globally. We suggest you to refer the latest guidelines issued by your host country and travel country to decide on your travel plans. 

 

If you loved reading this story, then subscribe to our blog here (it will ask to verify your email) to get inspiring travel stories and trivia delivered to your email. Stories about wildlife trivia, cultural experiences, curated luxury hotel lists, underrated places to travel, polar journeys and much more.