The summer holidays have officially started this week. Now that more and more people have been vaccinated and many corona measures have been released, a holiday abroad is once again possible this summer. But varying travel advice and uncertainties about the emergence of new variants can cause confusion. Moreover, since the cancellation of the negative travel advice in mid-May, the emergency center Eurocross Assistance has received a relatively large number of requests for help from Dutch people who have not traveled sufficiently insured. The emergency center therefore encourages travelers to prepare well before they leave abroad by car, train or plane.
“Unfortunately, we see that relatively many travelers go on holiday with insufficient insurance. We suspect that many people have canceled travel insurance during the corona crisis. It now seems that a large part of them have forgotten to adjust this again for their trip abroad. As a result, they can be faced with nasty financial surprises in these uncertain times, which can amount to thousands of euros. Despite the fact that many signals are green for traveling abroad, it is now more important than ever for travelers to check their insurance carefully, especially health and travel insurance, before going on holiday. Check what is covered with which travel advice and what the situation is with, for example, quarantine obligations. This is to prevent unpleasant financial setbacks.”
Checklist before departure
To prepare for a trip, Eurocross has prepared a handy checklist for travelers who are going abroad this summer:
- Check your travel and health insurance
Unfortunately, it is often forgotten, but it is so important: check before departure whether and how you are insured. Especially in these uncertain times when situations and travel advice are constantly changing. How does a sudden closure of the borders affect travel insurance? What if you have to travel through a country with color code orange on the way to the destination? During this period, take a close look at the insurance and contact the insurer if you have any questions.
- Keep an eye on travel advice, before and during the trip
Whatever the destination, the situation and the corona measures can change quickly in a country. Therefore, always keep an eye on the travel advice of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, both before departure and during the holiday. Eurocross also keeps an up-to-date overview of the measures and requirements of the nine most popular holiday countries. Check it out on the website from Eurocross.
The situation in the Netherlands can also influence what you are and are not allowed to travel. Especially now that the number of infections in the Netherlands is rising again. So keep an eye on how other countries see the Netherlands.
- Plan a corona test in time
Check for the country of destination whether a corona test is needed, how old it may be and what type of test (a PCR test or rapid antigen test) is needed. For example, all travelers who make a trip to Italy from the Netherlands must show a negative test result that is not older than 48 hours before arrival. Each country sets its own rules on this. Visit nederlandwereldwijd.nl to view the current corona measures for each holiday destination.
- Traveling with children? Check whether they also need a negative corona test
In some countries, a negative corona test must also be shown for children. The age limit for bringing a non-COVID-19 statement is different per country and can vary from 6 to 15 years.
- Check the corona measures on site
The corona measures differ per country. Make sure you familiarize yourself with the measures in force at the destination in advance and prepare for it by, for example, taking enough mouth caps with you. In some countries, medical face masks (FFP2 masks) are mandatory.
- Take into account a possible quarantine obligation
Take into account the worst case scenario: a quarantine obligation at the destination. It is possible that the travel advice suddenly changes, or you yourself are tested positive for corona, so that you cannot leave immediately or even have to quarantine locally. Therefore, if you take medicines on a structural basis, take enough with you for a few extra days.
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