Annexes to COM(2020)115 - COVID-19: Temporary Restriction on Non-Essential Travel to the EU

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dossier COM(2020)115 - COVID-19: Temporary Restriction on Non-Essential Travel to the EU.
document COM(2020)115 EN
date March 16, 2020
agreement with the Schengen Associated States.

For that purpose, the Commission invites the European Council to act with a view to the rapid adoption, by the Heads of State or Government of the Schengen Member States, together with their counterparts of the Schengen Associated States, of a decision on applying a travel restriction on non-essential travel from third countries into the EU+ area with immediate effect at all part of the Schengen external borders.

Ireland and the United Kingdom, taking into account the Common Travel Area, are encouraged to also implement this temporary travel restriction.

EU Member States and Schengen Associated States should also strongly encourage citizens and residents not to travel outside their territories in order to prevent the further spread of the virus to other countries.


(1) The “EU+ area” should include all Schengen Member States (including Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus and Romania), as well as the four Schengen Associated States. It would also include Ireland and the United Kingdom if they decide to align.
(2) The special transit scheme to Kaliningrad should continue to apply, but the trains under this scheme should not stop in the territory of Schengen.
(3) Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland.
(4) UK nationals are still to be treated in the same way as EU citizens until end 2020.
(5) Council Directive 2003/109/EC of 25 November 2003 concerning the status of third-country nationals who are long-term residents, OJ L 16, 23.1.2004, p. 44.
(6) Including those having been repatriated through consular assistance.
(7) Guidelines for border management measures to protect health and ensure the availability of goods and essential services, 16.3.2020, C(2020) 1753 final.