Planning a travel abroad?
COVID-19 has changed international travel, and many countries have implemented special rules and restrictions.
What should you do if you get injured or sick while on holiday abroad or if your car breaks down while you are travelling through Europe?
If you are dreaming of a holiday outside the country's borders, we have gathered a wide range of travel advice and links, so you are well prepared before and during our trip abroad.
Last updated May 2022
Follow the travel instructions of the ministry of foreign affairs
If you are planning a trip abroad, you should acquaint yourself with the instructions of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and follow them.
Travel regulations in different countries may change at short notice, and the travel advice of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is updated continuously.
Denmark: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark
Norway: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Norway
Sweden: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sweden
Finland: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland
The restrictions that apply in each country vary, and so do the restrictions of your destination concerning the use of masks and social distancing, or opening hours and booking of visits to restaurant, museums and shops.
Please also note whether or not you may be fined if, for example, you do not comply with the mask or curfew requirement.
Before your departure, we recommend that you check with the local authorities which local restrictions apply.
Some countries require you to register when you enter the country.
Information about entry registration requirements can be found in the travel guides of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
You should also be aware that there are different restrictions even between the Nordic countries, so before you go on a quick trip to a neighbouring country, thorough preparation is a must.
Information on national entry requirements can be obtained from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or local authorities.
Entry requirements and local restrictions
COVID-19 has changed international travel, and many countries have implemented special entry requirements, such as testing, entry registration, local/regional restrictions, rules for crossing borders, etc.
These requirements may change at short notice, and it is therefore important that you check the conditions that apply in the country you are going to before your trip, for example, whether or not you need a test before leaving and returning home.
COVID-19 travel trends
The forecasts of how much Scandinavians will travel abroad differ slightly depending on whom you ask. Broadly speaking, opinions are divided among three forecasts:
The long months of isolation, restrictions and lockdown mean that we desperately want to travel, live and experience. We will even travel more than usual to take revenge, now that the world is opening up to us again.
The pandemic has taught us that we can easily consume and travel less and that it is not infeasible to live more sustainably. That is why we will continue to travel less than before the pandemic.
We will be travelling as much as before – but it will be a few years before we are back to the level prior to COVID-19.
Sick on the holiday
Before you go on holiday, it is important to check what your travel insurance covers. SOS International helps Nordic travellers if they fall ill or get injured while on holiday on behalf of their insurance company.
Our alarm centre is open 24/7/365 at +45 7010 5050
COVID-19 has been hard on the public healthcare systems – as well as on holiday destinations.
However, the SOS International network of medical suppliers abroad assure us that tourists can be confident that they will be able to see a doctor or go to hospital in the event that they fall sick or are injured during their holiday during summer.
Before you leave, it is important that you check what your travel insurance covers should you fall ill or get injured during your holiday abroad.
SOS International helps Nordic travellers if they fall ill or get injured while on holiday on behalf of Nordic insurance companies.
Please call our 24/7 alarm center at +45 7010 5050.
Before you leave, it is important that you check what your travel insurance covers should you contract COVID-19 during your holiday abroad.
For example, you can check whether your insurance covers hospital treatment or if you are quarantined and must extend your stay due to infection abroad.
Car holiday abroad
If you are going on a car holiday abroad, many of the same recommendations apply as when you are travelling by plane.
- Keep an eye on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' updates of the travel guides
- Sign up at Ministry of Foreign Affairs' travel data base, maybe also investigate if they have an app
- Review your travel insurance terms
- Remember to also have your car inspected
- Check your car insurance or bring along a roadside assistance number
- Check any border restrictions for each border you plan to cross
- Remember masks and hand sanitisers for your trip
We advise drivers on self-drive holidays to expect that some extra patience may be needed in case of car problems or breakdowns.
For example, rental cars may be difficult to get hold off.
Also remember to check up on your car before going abroad.
If your car holiday is to Europe, you will have to drive through a number of countries to reach your destination.
Please note that there may be some rules to observe when crossing sea or land borders, but other rules if you are travelling by plane.
In addition, there may be specific rules for border traffic/transit.
It is therefore important that you examine what rules apply to enter the countries you travel through: Do you have to stay, e.g. stay overnight and go to a restaurant, or do you only have to drive through the country (transiting).
