European Union – Travel Ban Extended until 15 June
European Union – Travel Ban Extended until 15 June
On 8 May, the European Commission (EC) invited the Schengen member and associated states to extend the current travel ban for all non-essential travel to the European Union (EU) for another 30 days, until 15 June 2020. Initially the restrictions applied from 17 March for a period of 30 days, but this period had been extended and now is due to come to an end on 15 May. The intention is that an extension of the restrictions should be implemented by all EU and Schengen states at all external borders with the same end date and in a uniform manner.
On 8 May, the European Commission (EC) invited1 the Schengen member and associated states to extend the current travel ban for all non-essential travel to the European Union (EU) for another 30 days, until 15 June 2020.
The travel restrictions apply to the “EU+ area” which covers a total of 30 countries. It includes all Schengen states2 including Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, and Romania and the four Schengen associated states: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.
WHY THIS MATTERS
In light of the implemented travel restrictions, it is important for third country nationals to cancel or reorganise for a later point in time their planned business trips and assignments to the EU, unless they hold a valid residence permit in one of the EU member states. Global mobility managers should adapt their mobility programmes in Europe taking into account these new measures.
Context
A temporary travel ban for all non-essential travel to the EU is in place since 17 March. The restrictions apply since 17 March and are due to come to an end on 15 May, but this period had been extended and now is due to come to an end on 15 May.
The purpose of these travel restrictions is to reduce the risk of spread of COVID-19 through travel to the EU.
While there are some EU and Schengen associated states taking their first cautious steps to ease social distancing measures within their territories, the overall objective of limiting the spread of the coronavirus via reduced social interaction remains.
In spite of some stabilisation of the situation in the EU, lifting the travel restrictions from outside the EU is considered a risk in terms of a renewed increase of transmission of COVID-19, since the situations in many countries remain very fragile. This includes countries that normally have substantial travel to and from the EU. Recommendations are that any action taken in this regard should be gradual, with different measures being lifted in different phases.
Moreover, for the measures to continue to be effective the intention is that they should be implemented by all EU and Schengen states at all external borders of the EU+ area with the same end date and in a uniform manner. The EC encourages member states to extend their national measures already taken at the external borders. It is actually assumed that all states will also follow these EC guidelines.
Travel Restrictions across EU Recommended to 15 June
The Commission therefore invites the Schengen member states and the Schengen associated states to prolong the application of the travel restrictions on non-essential travel from third countries into the EU+ area by another 30 days, until 15 June 2020.
Any further prolongation of this period should be assessed in the coming weeks, based on the development of the epidemiological situation, both inside and outside the EU.
The scope of the extension of the temporary travel restrictions should be the same as set out previously. We refer to our GMS Flash Alert 2020-077 (18 March 2020) and GMS Flash Alert 2020-084 (20 March 2020) for coverage.
In order to limit the impact of the restrictions on societal functioning to the necessary minimum, member states are recommended not to apply the restrictions to specific categories of travellers with an essential function or need3.
KPMG NOTE
Considering the extended travel restrictions, it is important for third country nationals to either cancel or postpone their planned business trips and assignments to the EU. Exceptions apply to those already holding a valid residence permit in one of the EU member states. In addition, it is advisable for EU nationals and for EU residents to avoid any non-essential international travel.
Individuals wishing to enter the EU to live and/or to work, will experience delays in reviews of applications and possible cancellations of appointments at embassies, consulates, and visa application centres.
For more information, travellers to and from the EU during the pandemic can find a Q&A on the webpage the European Commission.
For news of what other countries are doing to combat COVID-19, see the dedicated GMS Flash Alert website.
FOOTNOTES
1 See “Communication on the restriction on non-essential travel to the EU” at: https://ec.europa.eu/info/files/communication-restriction-non-essential-travel-eu_en
2 Schengen member states include: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden.
3 Essential functions are considered to include: health-care professionals, health researchers, and elderly care professionals; frontier workers (living in one EU member state and commonly working in another member state); seasonal workers in agriculture; transport personnel; diplomats, staff of international organisations, military personnel and humanitarian aid workers in the exercise of their functions; passengers in transit; passengers travelling for imperative family reasons; persons in need of international protection or for other humanitarian reasons respecting the principle of non-refoulement.
VIEW ALL
* Please note the KPMG International member firm in the United States does not provide immigration or labour law services. However, KPMG Law LLP in Canada can assist clients with U.S. immigration matters.
The information contained in this newsletter was submitted by the KPMG International member firm in The Netherlands.
SUBSCRIBE
To subscribe to GMS Flash Alert, fill out the subscription form.
© 2024 KPMG Meijburg & Co., a Netherlands partnership and a member of the KPMG network of independent firms affiliated with KPMG International Cooperative (“KPMG International”), a Swiss entity. All rights reserved.
KPMG International Cooperative (“KPMG International”) is a Swiss entity. Member firms of the KPMG network of independent firms are affiliated with KPMG International. KPMG International provides no client services. No member firm has any authority to obligate or bind KPMG International or any other member firm vis-à-vis third parties, nor does KPMG International have any such authority to obligate or bind any member firm.
GMS Flash Alert is a Global Mobility Services publication of the KPMG LLP Washington National Tax practice. The KPMG name and logo are trademarks used under license by the independent member firms of the KPMG global organization. KPMG International Limited is a private English company limited by guarantee and does not provide services to clients. No member firm has any authority to obligate or bind KPMG International or any other member firm vis-à-vis third parties, nor does KPMG International have any such authority to obligate or bind any member firm. The information contained herein is of a general nature and is not intended to address the circumstances of any particular individual or entity. Although we endeavor to provide accurate and timely information, there can be no guarantee that such information is accurate as of the date it is received or that it will continue to be accurate in the future. No one should act on such information without appropriate professional advice after a thorough examination of the particular situation.