Lorry drivers were exempt from coronavirus-test requirements in Europe for months. However, since the new COVID-variant appeared, more countries have introduced different requirements for drivers depending on where they are coming from.
Here’s you’ll find a list of countries that require negative coronavirus test results and exemption certificates, as well as any other requirements that apply. We’ve also added information on testing sites.
Austria
Who needs a test?
Those truck drivers who have been in, or transited through, Tyrol and whose destination is Germany.
Best before:
48 hours
Where can tests be carried out?
– Tests for drivers travelling towards Germany via Brenner can be performed at 3 locations:
- in the center of Trento Interporto on the A22 (8 am to 5 pm). To be able to have a test done, drivers need to register by phone (+39 345 9754795 / +39 0461 433480) or by e-mail (covidtest@seaconsulenze.it)
- at two parking lots in Sterzing: at Sabobre and Top Stop, also on A22.
Update: 23 February 2021
– Tests for drivers travelling to Austria from Italy can also be performed at the Autoparco Brescia Est, near Castenedolo, Italy.
The site is open only on weekdays, from 17:00-19:30.
Update: 24 February 2021
- Tests can be carried out at the Sadobre service area, in Vipiteno, Italy (Autostrada A22 Brennero-Modena, KM 24, 39040 Campo di Trens BZ, Italy).
The test site is open from 5:00 to 22:00, 7 days a week.The test costs 40 euros.
Other requirements:
Drivers don’t need to register online before entering Austria if they can prove they are carrying out goods transportation. The Template of Certificate for International Transport Workers recommended by the EU can be such proof.
Belgium
Who needs a test?
Update: 9 March
Lorry drivers who stay in Belgium for more than 48 hours for professional reasons no longer need to complete a Passenger Locator Form. Drivers are also exempt from carrying a negative corona test and mandatory quarantine.
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Drivers must have a negative PCR test if they are travelling from a red zone to Belgium.
Exception: if you are not travelling by air, train, bus or boat and will be spending less than 48 hours in Belgium, no PCR test is required
- All EU and Schengen Area countries have a red colour code, with the exception of:
| Country/region | Orange | Green |
| Denmark | Southern Denmark, Central Jutland, North Jutland, Capital Region of Denmark, Zealand |
/ |
| Greece | All, with the exception of Attica (as of 17/02) and Epirus | Epirus |
| Finland | Western-Finland, Southern-Finland, Northern and Eastern Finland, Aland | / |
| France | Guadeloupe, Martinique, Réunion | / |
| Iceland | / | All |
| Italy | Aosta Valley | / |
| Norway | All | / |
| Portugal | Autonomous Region of the Azores | / |
>>> List of high-risk countries <<<
Best before:
72 hours
Where can tests be carried out?
There’s no official information on testing facilities at the border therefore the coronavirus test is recommended to be done beforehand.
Other requirements:
Drivers don’t need to register online before entering the country if they can prove they are carrying out goods transportation. A document such as a bill of lading will be accepted, or the Template of Certificate for International Transport Workers recommended by the EU can also be such proof.
Drivers also must fill in the Passenger Location From before entering the country.
Czech Republic
Who needs a test?
Professional drivers in transit who travel to Germany through the Czech Republic (including German transit and destination traffic) must present a negative antigen or PCR test before entering the Czech Republic.
Best before:
36 hours
Where can tests be carried out?
Tests should be carried out before crossing the Czech border and drivers must have a certificate about the negative test results.
>>> Certificate sample can be found here <<<
Other requirements
Drivers don’t need to register online before entering the country if they can prove they are carrying out goods transportation. The Template of Certificate for International Transport Workers recommended by the EU can be such proof.
Germany
Update: 30 March
Who needs a test?
Drivers arriving from the Czech Republic and Slovakia
If a driver stays in Germany for more than 72 hours, they are subject to the virus test requirements. In addition, a declaration of entry must also be completed prior to entry.
However, this measure does not apply if the stay in a high-risk country is shorter than 24 hours or the driver stays in Germany for less than 24 hours.
Note, border checks will still be carried out.
Drivers arriving from Tyrol
Drivers don’t need a test, however, border controls will continue to be maintained.
Drivers arriving from France
Drivers entering Germany from France for less than 72 hours do not have to provide a negative test result.
Other requirements:
Lorry drivers are no exempt from the requirement to register their entry to Germany online.
Register your entry to Germany HERE
Update 02/03: a cyber attack has temporarily broken the system. Paper forms must be downloaded and used instead. You can download the form here.
Who needs a test?
Professional drivers entering from high-risk territories. The updated list of “red” countries can be found on the website of the Robert Koch Institue.
>> List of high-risk countries <<<
When this article was written (19 February) the requirement of a negative covid-test applied to drivers arriving from
- Slovakia
- Czech Republic
- the federal state of Tyrol, Austria (with the exception of the political district of Lienz (East Tyrol), the municipality of Jungholz, and the Riss valley in the municipality of Vomp and Eben am Achensee)
Best before:
48 hours
Where can tests be carried out?
Tests for drivers travelling towards Germany via Brenner can be performed at 3 locations:
- in the centre of Trento Interporto on the A22 (8 am to 5 pm). To be able to have a test done, drivers need to register by phone (+39 345 9754795 / +39 0461 433480) or by e-mail (covidtest@seaconsulenze.it)
- at two parking lots in Sterzing: at Sabobre and Top Stop, also on A22.
Tests for drivers arriving from the Czech Republic can be done at the border stations. However, bear in mind that Czechia also requires Germany-bound drivers to provide a negative covid-test before entering its territory.
>> Map of test centres in the Czech Republic <<<
Update: 23 February 2021
Tests for drivers travelling towards Germany from Italy can also be performed at the Autoparco Brescia Est, near Castenedolo, Italy.
The site is open only on weekdays, from 17:00-19:30
Update: 24 February 2021
- Tests can be carried out at the Sadobre service area, in Vipiteno, Italy (Autostrada A22 Brennero-Modena, KM 24, 39040 Campo di Trens BZ, Italy).
The test site is open from 5:00 to 22:00, 7 days a week.The test costs 40 euros.
Italy
Who needs a test?
Drivers arriving from Tyrol and Germany.
Best before:
48 hours
Where can tests be carried out?
- In Germany: at the Inntaler Autohof Raubling, Inntal motorway A 93, exit 57, Reischenhart. The tests are free for the drivers. The station is open daily from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.
France
Update: 26 March
Lorry drivers travelling from the UK to France don’t need to present negative coronavirus tests at the border.
Who needs a test?
Professional drivers entering from the United Kingdom or Ireland.
Best before:
48 hours
Where can tests be carried out?
In the UK, drivers can get a free covid-19 rapid test done at 57 Haulier Advice Sites. Most haulier advice sites are open between 6:00 am and 21:30, 7 days a week.
Detailed list of Haulier advice sites:
In Ireland, the antigen tests are free and can be taken at the following locations:
– Holmestown Civic Amenity Facility, Holmestown Waste Management facility, accessible from the N25 in Holmestown, Wexford
– Gorey (Circle K) Motorway Service Area, Wexford, accessible from the M11
– Dublin Airport’s Blue Long Stay Car Park, signposted from M1 Junction 2 (Airport) and M50 Junction 4 (Ballymun)
A full list of Ireland’s coronavirus testing sites is available here.
Update 22/02/2021:
Lorry drivers travelling to France from the UK who have spent less than 48 hours in the UK no longer need to test negative for coronavirus before travelling.
The change to the rules was announced the on the UK Government website yesterday.
Instead of presenting a negative test result, the drivers who have been in the UK for under 48 hours should give evidence of the time of their trip to the UK. The evidence needs to be provided at check-in for the return journey.
French authorities will also recognise proof of a negative coronavirus test taken in Ireland if the test was taken less than 72 hours before departure from the UK for France.
Other requirements:
1, Drivers will also need to carry with them a signed “declaration of honour” form for the French authorities, confirming that he/she has no COVID-19 symptoms and that he/she has not been a close contact of a person who has tested positive for COVID-19 in the previous 14 days.
A dedicated form for HGV drivers travelling from Ireland or the UK to France is now available in English at: https://www.interieur.gouv.fr/Actualites/L-actu-du-Ministere/Deplacement-des-transporteurs-routiers-internationaux . The completed “declaration of honour” form must also be shown to the ferry operator before boarding and to French authorities if requested upon arrival.
2, Also, drivers must present a European certificate for workers in the international transport sector.
Lithuania
Who needs a test?
Lorry drivers who spend more than 72 hours in Lithuania.
Best before:
72 hours
Where can tests be carried out?
Diagnostikos laboratorija (Kaunas)
Tel. +370 700 555 11
“Medicina practica” laboratorija (Vilnius)
Tel. +370 5 250 7744
“SK Impeks Medicinos diagnostikos centras” (Vilnius)
Tel. +370 5233 3000
Mob. +370 698 00 000
“Baltic Medics” (Klaipeda, Skuodas)
+370 64021277
“InMedica” (samples collected in Vilnius and Kaunas)
Tel. 85 210 10 10
“Synlab Lietuva” (Vilnius)
Tel. +370 6 820 53 99;
Rezus.lt (Vilnius, Kaunas, Panevėžys, Šiauliai, Mažeikiai)
Tel. +37067620220
Note, that tests are not for free in Lithuania. Depending on the testing centre, it usually costs 85-115 euros.
Netherlands
Who needs a test?
Update: 10 March
Lorry drivers who spend less than 48 hours in the UK are to be allowed to enter the Netherlands without presenting a negative coronavirus test.
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Drivers travelling to the Netherlands from high-risk countries must provide the following:
- proof of a negative result from a rapid test (antigen test);
- a signed negative test declaration form (for those travelling from the UK and South Africa).
The latest details can be found from the authorities here.
The negative test result must be in English, German, French, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish or Dutch, and contain the following information:
- Type of test: the test used must be a rapid test (antigen or a LAMP test);
- Test result: the test result must be negative (or ‘not detected’) for SARS-CoV-2;
- Passenger’s first and last name as stated in their passport;
- Date and time of test: for passengers, the test must have been conducted no more than 4 hours prior to boarding the aircraft or ferry. For people working in the transport sector, the test must have been conducted no more than 24 hours prior to boarding the aircraft or ferry;
- Logo, stamp or details of the doctor or institute that conducted the test.
- Either a digital or paper copy of the test result may be shown.
All countries are considered to be high-risk country if they are not on the list of low-risk countries.
>> List of low-risk countries <<<
Best before:
24 hours
Other requirements: no official information available about other requirements.
Photo credit @ https://twitter.com/grantshapps