green travel eu

The green transition of tourism

Climate change is the most urgent global challenge of our times that affects all spheres of our lives, every economic sector, every region and city. The tourism ecosystem will not only benefit from a cleaner and healthier environment but will also be an important player, contributing to the shared goals of a climate-neutral Europe.

With the  European Green Deal , the EU is leading by example by promoting new growth models and by setting climate-neutral goals by 2050. It is already committed to cutting emissions by at least 55% by 2030.

These goals are being implemented through a transformative and streamlined set of policies and legislative initiatives. The  'Fit for 55' package , proposed by the Commission on 14 July 2021, translates the ambitions of the Green Deal into law by revising and adding new initiatives on climate, energy and transport-related legislation.

A greener EU tourism

Greening European tourism is part of the broader objective to develop a more sustainable and responsible ecosystem, a process involving all players at multi-level governance: industry, destinations, national, regional and local authorities, but also the consumer – the tourist.

According to the UN World Travel Organisation,  sustainable tourism development  "takes full account of its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment and host communities".

Sustainable travel has been steering the European tourism policy for the past years, led by increasing demand and expectations by the travellers and the host communities alike. While the COVID-19 crisis had paralysed travel in the past years, it has been also a unique opportunity to reset, shift the cultural mindset and emerge more resilient. 

By stepping up the greening of the EU tourism ecosystem, industry and destinations would not only contribute to CO2 reduction and a better-protected environment but would also benefit from reduced costs and reinforced competitiveness. Responsible tourists would benefit from an improved travel experience while contributing to the well-being of host communities.

EU support to reduce the environmental footprint of tourism

The EU has been supporting and promoting greener tourism for years. Here are some examples of how the EU is facilitating the process.

Sustainable and smart mobility

Promoting sustainable and smart mobility, in line with  sustainable and smart mobility strategy and action plan . 

Greener SMEs

Encouraging SMEs to adopt green practices and improve circularity through the uptake of the  EU Ecolabel for tourist accommodations  and the  EU eco-management and audit scheme (EMAS) . Also by supporting  energy efficiency  and renewable energy use, sustainable use of natural resources (water, land), and reducing waste generation (including  food waste  and  single-use plastics ).

Biodiversity

Encouraging the tourism ecosystem to contribute to the objectives of the  EU biodiversity strategy , as tourism relies on a healthy ecosystem and its rich resources (for example, ecotourism has close links to the protected areas, such as Natura 2000 or marine protected areas).

Measuring environmental footprint   by including   sustainability data and indicators on tourism statistics (tourism satellite accounts, the Tourism Dashboard, the upcoming revision of the statistics regulation), sharing best practices on sustainability schemes and measurement tools. 

Smart data use

Facilitating data sharing and smart use of data to improve sustainable tourism destination management and to apply innovative digital solutions.

Adapting to climate change

Encouraging tourism businesses and destinations to take part in   climate adaptation actions   at all levels, in line with the new  EU strategy on adaptation to climate change , and supporting them with research.

Green skills

Supporting skills and building the capacity of tourism businesses and destinations to enable them to implement green practices (e.g. Pact for Skills in tourism ).

Raising awareness

Raising awareness about the advantages of green transition for tourism businesses through the promotion of sustainable destinations and dissemination of best practices in greening tourism. Travel sentiment towards sustainable choices is followed up by the Commission and can be found via EU Eurobarometer .

Best practice examples on green actions in tourism

The Sustainable EU Tourism campaign

European Capital of Smart Tourism

European Destination of Excellence (EDEN)

European Green Capitals, Green leaf Awards Interreg MED sustainable tourism community

• Compendium on overtourism evidence and case studies on unbalanced tourism growth

More information

• Climate action: research, funding, collaboration
• Circular economy action plan
• EU renovation wave
• A Long-term vision for the EU rural areas  
• Sustainable blue economy

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New transport proposals target greater efficiency and more sustainable travel

To support the transition to cleaner, greener, and smarter mobility, in line with the objectives of the European Green Deal , the Commission today adopted four proposals that will modernise the EU’s transport system. By increasing connectivity and shifting more passengers and freight to rail and inland waterways, by supporting the roll-out of charging points, alternative refuelling infrastructure, and new digital technologies, by placing a stronger focus on sustainable urban mobility, and by making it easier to choose different transport options in an efficient multimodal transport system, the proposals will put the transport sector on track to cutting its emissions by 90%.

Executive Vice President for the European Green Deal Frans Timmermans said, “Europe’s green and digital transition will bring big changes to the ways we move around. Today’s proposals set European mobility on track for a sustainable future: faster European rail connections with easy-to-find tickets and improved passenger rights support for cities to increase and improve public transport and infrastructure for walking and cycling, and making the best possible use of solutions for smart and efficient driving.”

Transport Commissioner Adina Vălean said, “Today we are proposing higher standards along the TEN-T network, boosting high speed rail and embedding multimodality, and a new north-south Corridor in Eastern Europe. With our Intelligent Transport Systems Directive we are embracing digital technologies and data-sharing. We want to make travel in the EU more efficient – and safer – for drivers, passengers and businesses alike. The cities linked by EU infrastructure are our economic powerhouses, but they must also be lean cities – for inhabitants and commuters. That is why we are recommending a dedicated framework for sustainable urban mobility - to guide the faster transition to safe, accessible, inclusive, smart and zero-emission urban mobility.”

A smart and sustainable TEN-T

The TEN-T is an EU-wide network of rail, inland waterways, short-sea shipping routes, and roads. It connects 424 major cities with ports, airports and railway terminals. When the TEN-T is complete, it will cut travel times between these cities. For example, passengers will be able to travel between Copenhagen and Hamburg in 2.5 hours by train, instead of the 4.5 hours required today.

To address the missing links and modernise the entire network, today’s proposal:

• Requires that the major TEN-T passenger rail lines allow trains to travel at 160 km/h or faster by 2040 thus creating competitive high-speed railway connections throughout the Union. Canals and rivers must ensure good navigation conditions, unhindered for example by water levels, for a minimum number of days per year.
•   Calls for more transhipment terminals, improved handling capacity at freight terminals, reduced waiting times at rail border crossings, longer trains to shift more freight onto cleaner transport modes, and the option for lorries to be transported by train network-wide. To ensure infrastructure planning meets real operational needs, it also creates nine ‘European Transport Corridors’ that integrate rail, road, and waterways.
• Introduces a new intermediary deadline of 2040 to advance the completion of major parts of the network ahead of the 2050 deadline that applies to the wider, comprehensive network. So new high-speed rail connections between Porto and Vigo, and Budapest and Bucharest – among others – must be completed for 2040.
•   Requires all 424 major cities along the TEN-T network to develop Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans to promote zero-emission mobility and to increase and improve public transport and infrastructure for walking and cycling.

Increasing long-distance and cross-border rail traffic

Rail remains one of the safest and cleanest transport modes and is therefore at the heart of our policy to make EU mobility more sustainable. Today’s TEN-T proposal is accompanied by an Action Plan on long-distance and cross-border rail that lays out a roadmap with further actions to help the EU meet its target of doubling high-speed rail traffic by 2030, and tripling it by 2050.

Although the number of people travelling by train has increased in recent years, only 7% of rail kilometres travelled between 2001 and 2018 involved cross-border trips. To encourage more people to consider the train for trips abroad, the Action Plan sets out concrete actions to remove barriers to cross-border and long-distance travel, and make rail travel more attractive for passengers. The actions include:

• a multimodal legislative proposal in 2022 to boost user-friendly multimodal ticketing;
• allowing passengers to find the best tickets at the most attractive price and better supporting passengers faced with disruption, and a commitment to investigating an EU-wide VAT exemption for train tickets;
• the repeal of redundant national technical and operational rules;
• an announcement of proposals for 2022 on timetabling and capacity management, which will boost quicker and more frequent cross-border rail services;
• guidelines for track access pricing in 2023 that will ease rail operators’ access to infrastructure, increasing competition and allowing for more attractive ticket prices for passengers.

By 2030, the Commission will support the launch of at least 15 cross-border pilot to test the Action Plan’s approach, ahead of the entry into force of the new TEN-T requirements.

Intelligent transport services for drivers

Smart mobility makes our mobility more sustainable. The Commission is therefore proposing to update the 2010 ITS Directive, adapting to the emergence of new road mobility options, mobility apps and connected and automated mobility. Our proposal will stimulate the faster deployment of new, intelligent services, by proposing that certain crucial road, travel and traffic data is made available in digital format, such as speed limits, traffic circulation plans or roadworks, along the TEN-T network and ultimately covering the entire road network. It will also ensure that essential safety-related services are made available for drivers along the TEN-T network.

Today’s proposal will update the Directive in line with new priorities on better multimodal and digital services.

Cleaner, greener, easier urban mobility

The new Urban Mobility Framework will benefit transport users and all the people around them. Cities are home to millions of people. Today’s proposal addresses some of the mobility challenges stemming from this intense economic activity – congestion, emissions, noise. The Urban Mobility Framework sets out European guidance on how cities can cut emissions and improve mobility, including via Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans. The main focus will be on public transport, walking and cycling. The proposal also prioritises zero-emission solutions for urban fleets, including taxis and ride-hailing services, the last mile of urban deliveries, and the construction and modernisation of multimodal hubs, as well as new digital solutions and services. Today’s proposal maps out the funding options for local and regional authorities to implement these priorities. In 2022, the Commission will propose a Recommendation to EU Member States for the development of national plans to assist cities in developing their mobility plans.

This is the second package of proposals to support a transition to cleaner, greener transport following the publication of the Commission’s Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy in December 2020. The Strategy is a roadmap, guiding the sector towards the objectives of the European Green Deal.

For More Information

Action plan to boost long-distance and cross-border passenger rail services

Questions and Answers: Action Plan to boost long-distance and cross-border passenger rail services

Questions and Answers: The revision of the TEN-T Regulation

Questions and Answers: Intelligent Transport Systems

Questions and Answers: European Urban Mobility Framework  

Factsheet: BOOSTING LONG-DISTANCE AND CROSS-BORDER passenger rail

Factsheet: CREATING A GREEN AND EFFICIENT Trans-European Transport Network

Factsheet: IMPROVING ROAD SAFETY AND DRIVER COMFORT through digitalisation

Factsheet: THE NEW EUROPEAN Urban Mobility Framework

TENtec Interactive Map Viewer

Green transport

Our transport choices have a major impact on our carbon footprint.

We can make our cities cleaner, and our jobs greener, by implementing innovative and digital solutions for public transport, cycling, walking and other forms of clean mobility.

A massive transformation is already underway. Many European cities are implementing simpler, safer, healthier and cheaper solutions to fossil-burning vehicles, such as sharing electric vehicles, bicycles and e-bikes, green buses and trains, and even laying hundreds of kilometres of new cycling lanes.

Let’s also remember that distances can be much more significant in rural areas than in cities and towns. We need to find innovative solutions that leave no-one and no place behind.

We all need to move around efficiently – we can do so while improving our health and environment!

What will the Pact do?

• Showcase and support the many options we have for getting around efficiently and in healthier, less polluting ways
• Link up with other initiatives to boost action and impact
• Be the meeting point for city or regional pledges for greener transport

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European initiatives

Learn more about EU action on climate and sustainability .

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The DiscoverEU Green Route

Need some inspiration when planning your DiscoverEU route? Interested in what the most sustainable cities in Europe have to offer?

Explore the different sections of this map to learn about amazing places that are both great to visit and environmentally friendly.  Some of these cities have been awarded for their efforts when it comes to the environment: the European Green Capitals and Green Leaf title winners. Others showcase the best green parks and nature reserves in Europe, or are home to projects focused on making their city a greener and more sustainable place.

DiscoverEU celebrates seeing the best of Europe in a sustainable way – which is why you’ll mainly travel by rail, since trains are one of the least polluting means of transport. In fact, did you know that rail is the only mode of transport to have almost continuously reduced CO2 emissions over the last few years? 

Another way to go green is to apply our tips while travelling, or listen to Laura , one of our DiscoverEU ambassadors and a green champion!

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Green Erasmus

Green your Erasmus+ exchange

About Green Erasmus

The Green Erasmus Portal has been developed by Green Erasmus project to provide students with concrete information on how to be sustainable before, during and after their Erasmus experience. While some actions are generally well-known, other aspects are often overlooked and/or students do not exactly know how to make their Erasmus exchanges greener can be difficult. Use the portal to find out our tips and tricks to act sustainably, and useful resources for more information and get involved! You can also play the On my way and Small Steps games and test your sustainability knowledge through our Green Erasmus Quiz !

Thanks for signing our petition!

We want to see significant changes in the mobility patterns of university students going on Erasmus+ exchange to reduce the environmental impact of the programme.

During the course of the Green Erasmus project (whic also developed this portal), we ran a petition calling for:

• Increasing the current €50 to a universal top up to individual support of up to €250 for green travel, proportionate to distance covered
• And increasing the current 4 days up to 7 days of additional individual support covering additional subsistence costs and/or accommodation needs linked to green travel - for the round trip

The petition was signed by 5257 people from over 100 countries, demonstrating the strength of support for these asks, and more broadly the desire to see a greener Erasmus+ programme.

Read more about the next steps for the petition asks in this article on the project website .

Green Erasmus Games

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Choose your way in a sweet and meaningful interactive story about the journey, not the destination. Shape your experience with the help of a handy travel journal, and discover how you can help make the world a better place.

Small Steps

Step into the role of Nova, a young student living abroad, whose phone is mysteriously connected to other dimensions! The Nova from another world is asking for help for their stay abroad. Assist them to make a difference in their world through sustainable behavior.

Take the Green Erasmus Quiz

Do you know how climate change is connected to your Erasmus experience and how much do you know about sustainability? Test your knowledge and start reducing your impact!

How to Get a Green Pass for Travel in Europe

Introduction: what is a green pass and why do you need one, what are the requirements for a green pass, how to apply for a green pass, what are the benefits of having a green pass, how does the green pass work, what are the countries that accept the green pass, what are the restrictions of the green pass, how long is the green pass valid for, what are the fees associated with the green pass.

Learn how to get a Green Pass for travel in Europe by following these simple steps. With a Green Pass, you’ll be able to travel freely throughout the Schengen Area.

Checkout this video:

Watch this video on YouTube

A Green Pass is a document that proves that you have been vaccinated against COVID-19 and allows you to travel within the European Union. The pass is free of charge and is available in digital or paper form. You can apply for a Green Pass through your national authorities.

The pass is valid for travel within the EU and the Schengen area. It allows you to enter EU countries without having to go through mandatory quarantine or testing requirements. The pass is not valid for travel to the UK or Ireland.

The Green Pass is part of the EU’s efforts to reopen borders and restart tourism in a safe way. The pass will help boost confidence in travel and make it easier for people to enjoy their holidays.

If you’re planning on travelling to Europe this summer, make sure you get your Green Pass!

In order to be eligible for a Green Pass, you must:

– Be a citizen of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland – Be 18 years of age or older – Hold a valid passport or national ID card – Not have any criminal convictions – Register for the scheme with your national authorities

The Green Pass is an initiative being piloted by the European Commission to facilitate travel within the EU for people who have been vaccinated against COVID-19. The pass will provide a digital or physical record of an individual’s vaccination status, and will be available free of charge through national authorities.

At present, the pass is not yet operational, but is expected to be up and running by summer 2021. In the meantime, here’s what you need to know about how to apply for a Green Pass.

1. Check whether you are eligible to apply. To be eligible for a Green Pass, you must be a citizen of an EU country or the Schengen Area, and have received both doses of an EU-authorized COVID-19 vaccine. You can check whether your vaccine is EU-authorized on the European Medicines Agency website.

2. Gather the required documents. Once you have confirmed your eligibility, you will need to collect the following documents: -Your passport or ID card -Proof of vaccination (e.g. a medical certificate) -A recent photograph

3. Submit your application. Once you have gathered all of the required documents, you can submit your application online or in person at your nearest passport office or consulate. You will need to pay a processing fee, which varies depending on your country of residence.

4. Receive your pass. Once your application has been processed and approved, you will receive your digital or physical Green Pass, which will be valid for three years from the date of issue

The European Commission has proposed a ‘Green Pass’ to help people travel safely during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The pass would allow people to show that they have been vaccinated, have recently tested negative for the virus, or have recovered from COVID-19.

This would make it easier for people to travel within the EU, as they would not need to quarantine or get a test before travelling.

The pass would also help businesses to reopen, as it would give them confidence that their customers are safe.

The Green Pass could be available from late June 2021.

The Green Pass is a new way for travelers to move freely within the Schengen area. The pass allows travelers to avoid quarantines and other restrictions that may be in place due to COVID-19.

In order to get a Green Pass, travelers will need to get a negative PCR test within 72 hours of their departure. They will also need to download the COVID-19 tracing app on their phone, and they will need to have insurance that covers medical expenses related to COVID-19.

Once these requirements are met, travelers can apply for a Green Pass online. If they are approved, they will receive a QR code that they can show at airports and border crossings. The Green Pass is valid for 14 days and can be renewed if necessary.

As of June 15, 2021, the list of countries that have agreed to accept the Green Pass are:

-Austria -Bulgaria -Croatia -Cyprus -Czech Republic -Denmark -Estonia -Finland -France -Germany Greece Hungary Iceland Ireland Italy Latvia Lithuania Luxembourg Malta Netherlands Norway Poland Portugal Romania Slovakia Slovenia Spain Sweden Switzerland United Kingdom

The Green Pass is a travel document that allows residents of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland to enter certain countries within the Schengen Area without quarantining. The document is valid for travel between any of the 26 Schengen countries, as well as the four associated states of Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus and Romania.

To be eligible for a Green Pass, travelers must present a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of their arrival in the country they are visiting. The pass is then valid for 14 days from the date of entry. After that period, travelers must either present another negative PCR test or quarantine for a period of seven days.

The Green Pass is valid for four years from the date of issue.

The Green Pass is a new initiative being implemented by the European Union (EU) to make travel between member states easier and more efficient. The pass will allow travelers to use digital components to plan and book their travel, as well as providing them with information on things to do and see while they are in each member state. The pass will be valid for a period of five years.

There is a fee associated with the Green Pass, but it is not yet clear how much this will be. The pass will be available for purchase from the EU website starting in 2020.

In order to get a green pass for travel in Europe, you will need to have a valid passport and meet the eligibility requirements of the country you wish to visit. Once you have met these requirements, you will be able to apply for a green pass online.

Related Posts

Which Countries Are on the Green List for Travel?

Can Someone With a Green Card Travel Outside the US?

The Best Army Green Travel Bags

The Traveler’s Notebook in Mint Green is a Must-Have

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Green-zone travelling: A pan-European strategy to save tourism

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EsadeEcPol | Policy Insight #10

Authors*:   Miquel Oliu-Barton (Associate Professor of Mathematics, Université Paris-Dauphine) &  Bary Pradelski (Associate Professor of Economics, CNRS; Associate Member, Oxford-Man Institute)

The tourism industry has already been heavily impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic and a literal cancellation of the summer season would further push many European countries toward a deeper economic crisis. As most countries are still struggling to contain the virus, as well as with their respective exit strategies, we are heading toward a summer during which international travel might be – if not forbidden – highly discouraged.

Such travel restrictions will additionally damage the already weakened economies of Europe’s southern countries , such as Spain or Italy, because they rely on tourism more heavily than the northern countries. Beyond the direct effects on their gross domestic product (GDP), this could also weaken the fragile balance within the European Union (EU).

How to define the best strategy to exit the Covid-19 lockdown measures is the most pressing question for all major European countries.

France, Italy, and Spain have already announced a regional approach – policies may vary from one territory to another, depending on their current situation with respect to Covid-19. The exit strategies of these countries rely on disconnecting geographical areas by forbidding unnecessary travel between them. This approach – which, in France and Spain mirrored our green-zoning proposal ( Oliu-Barton, Pradelski and Attia , 2020) – goes on to label each region as either red (virus not under control) or green (virus under control) in order to (a) avoid the spread of the virus throughout the territory and (b) allow economic activity to restart on a more local level as soon as it is safe to do so (Philippe, 2020; Spanish Government, 2020).

The labelling needs to be secure and reliable . Therefore, the conditions under which a zone is labelled green, as well as the sanitary measures and mobility restrictions that are implied by each label need to be defined with the consultation of the respective health authority.

We propose that the green-zoning approach is elevated to the pan-European level . Consider, for example, Bavaria, a German 'Land', and Mallorca, a Spanish island. If both of them are deemed safe by a common EU authority, they are awarded the "EU green label" . It is then safe to travel between two such green zones, just as it is safe to travel between two green zones in the same country.

We propose that the green-zoning approach is elevated to the pan-European level

Thus, we argue for allowing "green-zone travelling" , that is, travel between any two green zones regardless of whether the zones are in the same country. Green zones would form the European "green-zone travelling network" , which would grow as the spread of the virus is progressively contained. Allowing green-zone travelling might be the key to save the tourism sector, the wider economic viability of several European countries, and the balance within the EU.

Pan-European green-zone travelling network

Building on our green-zoning approach , we propose the following three-step strategy:

• Divide each country into zones (e.g., regions, provinces, or departments). These divisions could be orchestrated by each country independently as different economic and political constraints need to be taken into account.
• Label each of these zones as either red or green depending on whether the virus is under control or not. Green labels need to be consistent across countries and therefore their definition, administration, and monitoring should be facilitated by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.
• Green zones jointly form the European green-zone travelling network , where travel – and thus tourism – is safe and therefore allowed.

Figure 1. Building the European green-zone travelling network to ensure safe mobility during the pandemic

Our proposed strategy has the following sanitary, economic, and political advantages:

Containing the spread of the virus

By differentiating between red and green zones, the spread of the virus across the entire territory is minimised . This is the case because travel to and from red zones would be limited to necessary travel only – such as that by key workers – and rigid testing routines would be implemented. As the resurgence of the virus within the green-zone travelling network would have detrimental consequences it is paramount that the conditions for EU green labels are stringent.

Travel to and from red zones would be limited to necessary travel only

Our strategy is a template and could be adapted according to specific regional needs. For example, it may be useful to introduce the "amber label" for zones that show low levels of virus activity but are not yet allowed to join the green-zone travelling network due to insufficient evidence, thus putting the whole network at risk.

Reducing the economic burden

To illustrate, consider Mallorca where tourism accounts for 45% of its economy with almost 14 million international tourists annually, mostly during summer [1]. For this island to obtain the EU green label as soon as possible is crucial, since being part of the European green-zone travelling network might be the key to save its economy.

More generally, the tourism sector is the largest sector in several southern European countries with most income generated during the summer months. The intra-EU inbound tourism trips from June to October account for 65% of the annual flow in Spain, 60% in Italy, 78% in Greece, and 79% in Croatia (Eurostat, 2019). Per annum, tourism accounts for 11% of employment and 14% of GDP in Spain, 13% of employment and 12% of GDP in Italy, 26% of employment and 25-30% of GDP in Greece, and 13% of employment and more than 20% of GDP in Croatia [1].

Enabling pan-European tourism over the summer months is probably the most important determinant for the economic survival of several European countries

Consequently, enabling pan-European tourism over the summer months is probably the single most important determinant for the economic survival of several European countries . In addition to its benefits for the tourism sector, the recovery of, for example, the airline and leisure sectors would also be accelerated. This likely avoids the use of the ESM, which is in the particular interest of some northern, wealthier countries.

Figure 2. Example: The hypothetical impact of a European green label for Mallorca

Fostering community and the European identity

Giving the opportunity for zones to "determine their own fortunes" would create a stronger incentive for communities to follow regulations and actively contribute to the control of the Covid-19 outbreak. Nationalistic considerations thus become less important and people’s identification with the European project has the potential to increase, as green-zone travelling becomes possible between zones irrespective of which country they belong to.

Figure 3. The green-zone travelling network: a safe way to travel through Europe during the pandemic (example labelling)

Action plan for the European Union

The role of the EU has repeatedly been questioned during the Covid-19 pandemic as a result of slow reaction and little coordination in the early stage of the outbreak. By showing definitive leadership, the EC should rise to this opportunity. Its action could define the future of several European countries.

Our proposal would allow the EC to show definitive leadership in a crisis that affects the lives of millions of European citizens

Our green-zone travelling approach can only be orchestrated on a pan-European level and indeed it falls under EC competence (Treaty of the European Union, Article 5 §3). The EC should lead the implementation of steps 1–3 outlined above.

In particular, we foresee the importance of:

• Zoning. The delimitation of the zones should not pose a major political obstacle because our approach builds on divisions that have already been implemented in several European countries, such as Spain, France, and Italy. Countries may also opt to be considered as one single zone, which could be relevant for small countries, or for countries where the Covid-19 outbreak is fully under control.
• Testing. To ensure a consistent implementation of the red and green labelling, a workforce attached to the EC should execute independent testing. This should focus on areas that have recently applied for an EU green label. More importantly, a special effort should be put into areas that heavily rely on summer tourism, as is for example the case for Mallorca.
• EU green labels. These labels must be administered by a common EU authority in order to ensure that their meaning does not vary from country to country. Otherwise, countries might have incentives to label their areas as green, and thus endanger the viability of the European green-zone travelling network. To avoid confusion, it is preferable that countries use the EU green labels for internal purposes, too. Pan-European labels avert the problem of reliability and mistrust between countries as reporting, number of tests, and adherence to measures by the population may differ.
• Green-zone travelling network. To maximise economic impact while also keeping the virus under control, the EU should coordinate concerted efforts to keep the green-zone travelling network operational and ensure that all participating countries stringently implement the sanitary rules and protocols.

Green-zone travelling for a prosperous future

In summary, we believe that the green-zoning approach – which has already been implemented at the sovereign level by many European countries – could reap even greater benefits when used on a pan-European scale to allow green-zone travelling.

By focusing on the tourism industry, we outline the importance of elevating the exit strategy from the Covid-19 pandemic to the European level. We firmly believe that building the European green-zone travelling network is a unique opportunity for the EU to show its strength by creating a win-win situation for all member countries, and not allowing the summer season to fall victim to the pandemic.

• Eurostad. Tourism statistics - intra-EU tourism flows , Eurostat – The statistical office of the European Union (2019)
• Harper J.  Czechs float 'corona corridor' lifeline for Croatian tourism , Deutsche Welle, accessed via https://www.dw.com/en/about-dw/profile/s-30688 , 22 April (2020)
• Ikkos A, Koutsos S. The contribution of Tourism in the Greek economy in 2018, Institute of the Greek Tourism Confederation (2019)
• OECD country profiles – Italy, accessed via https://ec.europa.eu/  (2015)
• Oliu-Barton M, Pradelski B S R & Attia L.  Green zones: A proposal to exit the COVID-19 lockdown , VoxEU.org, 25 April. Exit strategy: from self-confinement to green zones , Esade Centre for Economic Policy & Political Economy, Policy insight No. 6, 8 April (2020)
• Orsini K & Ostojić V. Croatia’s tourism industry: Beyond the sun and sea , European Commission, Economic Brief 36 (2018)
• Philipp E.  Premier ministre Présentation de la stratégie nationale de déconfinement , accessed via https://www.gouvernement.fr/partage/11518-discours-de-m-edouard-philippe-premier-ministre-presentation-de-la-strategie-nationale-de , 28 April (2020)
• Spanish Government.  Plan de desescalada , accessed via https://www.lamoncloa.gob.es/consejodeministros/Paginas/enlaces/280420-enlace-desescalada.aspx , 28 April (2020)
• WTTC. Travel & tourism: Economic impact 2020, World Travel & Tourism Council, accessed via https://wttc.org/Research/Economic-Impact  (2020)

* The authors thank Andreu Mas-Colell, Toni Roldán and Max Roser for their insight and support. An earlier version of this column first appeared in VoxEU , the policy portal of the Centre for Economic Policy Research (30 April).

[1] Employment data from Eurostat (2019). GDP data for direct and indirect contribution to tourism for Spain (WTTC 2019), Italy (OECD country profiles—Italy, 2015), Greece (Ikkos and Koutsos 2019), and Croatia (Orsini and Ostojić 2018).

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How to get the EU Green Pass as an American Citizen

Posted By Jon Nickel-D'Andrea on Aug 26, 2021 | 23 comments

Currently, this Green Pass is only available to residents of the European Union, but that doesn’t mean that as an American you’re out of luck.

Here’s how to travel around Europe with no issues and get your own Green Pass

What is the Green Pass?

The Covid Green pass is required for travel across Europe and for most indoor activities upon your arrival. Each country has their own specific requirements of how to obtain one (for example, which documents you need) but the jist is the same:

• You must be vaccinated with either Pfizer, Moderna, J&J or AstraZeneca • You have to have a negative Covid-19 test • You have to show recovery from Covid-19

Each of the above requirements comes with a certain amount of validity. For example, the negative test pass only lasts 48 hours while the vaccination gives you six months of validity.

How can you get a Green Pass as an American?

There are two ways as an American to get a Green Pass. The first might seem kind of obvious, but it’s by being a dual citizen. If you only hold a USA passport, you won’t be able to get a green pass before you get to Europe.

Once you’re IN EUROPE, however, you can get a Green Pass by simply getting a Covid test in Europe. On our recent trip to Italy, we presented ourselves at a pharmacy, took a quick antigen test, and the Green Pass was in our email inbox within about 30 minutes.

No Green Pass, No Problem

As Americans can’t get the digital version of the Green Pass, all isn’t necessarily lost. If you have your CDC White Card showing your vaccination, this will be accepted in all establishments that require a green pass.

When we arrived in Italy, we showed the pass upon arrival and it was no problem. The same goes for the Vatican Museums, outdoor restaurants, and the train station.

When we went to the airport lounge, we had to have our Green Pass to get in. The lounge is considered indoor dining, so if you don’t have the pass, the lounge would not admit you.

What if you’re not vaccinated

The simple answer is that if you don’t have a vaccine, the ONLY way to travel to Europe is with a new test every 48 hours, as the Green pass version is good for only 48 hours.

The even more simple answer is that you should get the vaccine and wait 14 days after your second dose, that way you can travel to Europe and protect yourself and others.

Bottom Line

As an American, you won’t be able to get the Green Pass before you head to Europe. You will only be able to enjoy normal activities in Europe if you have a Covid test on European soil OR you show your CDC White Vaccination card along with your passport.

Author: Jon Nickel-D'Andrea

23 Comments

August 26, 2021

While this may not be the case in Italy, France issues tourists green passes on the basis of being vaccinated, rather than requiring them to get every 48 hours.

https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/coming-to-france/coronavirus-advice-for-foreign-nationals-in-france/coronavirus-statements/article/applying-for-a-covid-certificate-if-you-were-vaccinated-abroad-procedure-for

Good call out. This will end in a week so let’s hope For an extension! Thanks for the comment

August 27, 2021

France’s system has been so overloaded with Americans that the one-time 24 hour delay has stretched to the point that ours were not processed before we left the ocuntry a week later.

January 13, 2022

They no longer offer this service,and you need to go to a selected pharmacie, none of which are in Provence, for example. Bring your CDC vax card and get help from a hotel, or keep your ID and card with you at all times. The restaurants and other places do accept the CDC card and your ID for entry.

March 29, 2022

Can you update this? It appears the rules change daily and this was done in August 2021. We are just trying to find out correct information.

April 6, 2022

Hey Tessa. Sorry that it’s out of date. I hope you find the correct info, but at this point as long as your vaccinated, things will be a lot easier!

I have been innOtaly since July ans not having a green pass since August 6 is a problem. Many restaurants do not accept the vaccination card. Museums and government run establishments do but smaller businesses do not always recognize it. I got a green pass by going to the municipal office of the small town I was staying in and explained the problem (in broken Italian) ans they were able to send me a green pass to my email in a few hours. The system needs to be.better than it is and easier for American travelers to get a green pass because not everyone accepts the vaccine card as they are supposed to.

If this statement is true: “As Americans CAN’T get the digital version of the Green Pass, all isn’t necessarily lost.” (Emphasis on “can’t” added)

How did you get a green pass in your email in 30 minutes?

“On our recent trip to Italy, we presented ourselves at a pharmacy, took a quick antigen test, and the Green Pass was in our email inbox within about 30 minutes.”

” …. and the Green Pass was in our email inbox within about 30 minutes.”

Good article! I am schedule to go to Italy soon. The green pass received with the in-country COVID test, is that good for a limited time (like 48 hours, etc.)? I have my CDC vaccine card but if I can get a digital, that seems easier.

August 28, 2021

You’re correct. I’d suggest carrying the CDC card as that’s accepted in 99% of the locations. You can get a rest if you feel better and want the digital version QR code.

I have used my CDC card everywhere I’ve gone in Italy that requires it. As I speak Italian, it has been no problem to provide additional explanation if requested. If you are traveling to Italy, I suggest you Google translate an explanation in Italian of our CDC card, print it out and carry it with you. Be sure to mention that our date format is opposite of the Euro one. They use day, then month. We use month, then day. That could cause some confusion when people see the date of vaccination.

My husband and I both got tested in Austria about a week ago and didn’t get the green pass, just an email with the test results. So this might be true for Italy, but not other countries.

The email should work for most people in lieu of the green pass no? We had to ask the pharmacy to make sure to send the paper green pass via email

August 30, 2021

Any American Citizen (or foreign Citizen) fully vaccinated in the US can get the European Green Pass without being in Europe. This company provides you with the European Green Pass sibmitting your US certificate: http://www.europeancovidgreenpass.com It is a reliable company and service fee is very reasonable. The sencond info I would like to correct as EU Citizen and US residence is that your CDC card (vaccination certificate) is accepted until the end of August 2021 because having a Green Pass became mandatory to access public indoor places at the beginning of August. Now it is requested pretty everyeare (paper or digital version), in some countries like Italy even to take a train.

September 22, 2021

CDC card won’t work in France. They started issuing the QR code if you apply for it online at https://www.demarches-simplifiees.fr/users/sign_in , but they rejected our application as they processed it 10 days after our return from the trip. Anybody can obtain QR code in France by stopping at the pharmacy, pay 25 euro for a rapid test and get printout and email from the pharmacy in 20 mins. It is valid for 72 hours, so we have to do it twice for our 4 days trip to Paris.

I would like to share and correct some information reported here that may be useful for everyone. Any American Citizen (or foreign Citizen) fully vaccinated in the US can get the European Green Pass without being in Europe. This company provides you with the European Green Pass sibmitting your US certificate: http://www.europeancovidgreenpass.com It is a reliable company and service fee is very reasonable. The sencond info I would like to correct as EU Citizen and US residence is that your CDC card (vaccination certificate) is accepted until the end of August 2021 because having a Green Pass became mandatory to access public indoor places at the beginning of August. Now it is requested pretty everyeare (paper or digital version), in some countries like Italy even to take a train.

September 6, 2021

I have also vaccinated in Austria but been waiting to get a green card. How long do i have to wai?

November 28, 2021

This article that seems to suggest a way when there is nothing practical being suggested. 🙂

To the person who suggested https://www.europeancovidgreenpass.com/ : Are you serious? $99-$139 per person is reasonable price?

Our family was in Germany, Austria and Italy for a few weeks this past summer. US CDC card was widely accepted by hotels, museums, shops et al in big cities and small towns.

Exception: France requires foreign nationals to present Passe Sanitaire by visiting designated local pharmacies with your passport + forty euros (?) application fee. Online application is no longer accepted unless you are a foreign student. Therefore, the only reason to get this green pass ahead of time is if you are travelling to France during Christmas time, when most if not all pharmacies/testing centers could be closed during that holiday period.

December 9, 2021

Your info is misleading. Covid test will give you “green pass” only for 48 hours, meaning you would have to take every other day.

January 26, 2022

What about natural immunity? Can a US citizen get the Green Pass with proof of recovery? Same as EU citizens? This article is quite dated. What is changing now?

February 3, 2022

It’s dated because I stopped updating it. The rules changed so often that most people just say “google for the latest”

April 17, 2022

What does anyone know about the covid requirements to enter Potugal? I have been vaccinated with the first two doses plus two booster shoots the last one on Apr 8, 2022, do I need a test before entering? If I do, then will I get a Green Card? If I get a Green Card but I am in Portugal for more than 48 hrs., do I need to get another test?

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Wait, do you need a visa to go to Europe now? The new ETIAS requirements, explained

Emily Olson

St. Mark's basilica in Venice is one place U.S. passport holders may not be able to get to without approval under the new ETIAS requirements Andrea Pattaro/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

St. Mark's basilica in Venice is one place U.S. passport holders may not be able to get to without approval under the new ETIAS requirements

Already thinking about next summer's vacation plans? If Europe is on your short list, there could be one extra step to take before boarding that plane.

Starting in 2024, American passport holders traveling to 30 European countries will need authorization via the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS).

Though it may sound complicated, the ETIAS and the reasoning behind it are quite similar to existing travel requirements and reflect increasing fear of terrorism in the U.S., Europe and around the world.

Here's what you need to know.

What is ETIAS? Is it a visa?

While some media outlets are taking a cue from the European Union's travel site and calling this a visa, in truth, ETIAS is more like a travel authorization form.

Summer air travel could be expensive and chaotic. Here's how to avoid trouble

"It's definitely not a visa," said Dan Hamilton, a senior non-resident fellow for foreign policy at the Brookings Institution. "It's an electronic entry-point, an authorization for countries that are currently visa-free."

Even the European Commission has said as much (and in bold letters) , writing this is "not a visa" but rather an "automated IT system" in a press release on the discussions around it back in 2018.

Whatever you want to call it, the ETIAS form is not what you'd seek if you're trying to work or live in Europe, but rather what you'll need for short-term trips — up to 90 days within any 180-day period.

Why is it being implemented?

These new requirements have been years in the making, stemming back to a rise in terrorism fears following 9/11. It's very similar to the Electronic System for Travel Authorization — or ESTA — program that the U.S. implemented in 2008 .

At the heart of ETIAS is an electronic database system to better track who's coming and going. According to the EU's latest report on terrorism data , EU law enforcement authorities arrested about 388 suspects for terror-related offenses in 2021, more than half of whom were accused of being associated with Jihadist groups based abroad.

The European Commission says ETIAS may have the added impact of cutting down on "irregular migration" (i.e. illegal immigration), but one thing the form is definitely not aimed to do is deter tourism in general.

'Revenge travel' is surging. Here's what you need to know

Crowded cities, inflated airfare and extreme heat disasters may all be making headlines this summer, but many of these European countries are still depending on tourism revenue to help them bounce back from pandemic slumps, Hamilton said.

And the pandemic is another one of the many reasons this new requirement has been delayed by decades — there was no need for ETIAS when countries closed their borders to all travel amid fears of spreading COVID-19.

"Another part of it is simply the pace of the way this parliament and European commission works," Hamilton explained in an interview with NPR. "They're ending their term and pushing through a lot of these directives because parliamentary elections happen next June."

"And getting 30 countries to agree on anything takes a long time," he added.

When does it take effect?

The European Union's website says the new authorization will start in 2024 but hasn't clarified a specific date. A press spokesperson for the union's travel arm did not respond to NPR's request for information.

And, similarly, a spokesperson for the State Department told NPR that the U.S. government website for international travel (travel.state.gov) would be updated "once the regulation goes into effect," but didn't specify when that would be.

"Frankly, I'd be surprised if this starts on time," Hamilton said. The rollout of ETIAS has already been delayed at least once.

But it couldn't hurt to plan ahead for any 2024 travel just to be safe.

Who needs to apply for ETIAS approval?

Basically, all passport holders from 60 countries who can currently travel to most European destinations without a visa — and that includes American passport holders — will now need to get ETIAS authorization for the same trip. That's about 1.4 billion people, by the European Union's estimation.

There are 30 European countries in total on the impacted destination list , including those in the "Schengen Area" — 27 European countries, many that are part of the European Union, that agreed to ease border restrictions to facilitate the movement of people within Europe.

Planning a trip? Here's how to pack like a pro

Those Schengen countries include top vacation spots like France, Italy and Spain.

The other three countries on the list are Romania, Bulgaria and Cyprus, which are all trying to become a part of the Schengen Area soon.

You can check the full list of both impacted passport holders and affected European destinations here.

How can you apply for ETIAS approval (and does it cost money)?

The application isn't open yet, but the European Union says that when it is, all necessary forms can be filled out via a web portal or mobile phone application.

You'll be asked to share personal information such as your date of birth, parents' names and details about your current occupation and previous criminal convictions. You'll also need to share a passport that is not set to expire in less than three months.

Oh, and you'll have to pay a fee of 7 euros (about $8).

When is the right time to apply?

If you want to play it safe, apply well in advance of your trip — no later than a month out.

ETIAS says most applications "are processed within minutes" and decisions are delivered within four days. But that wait could take up to 14 days if you are requested to supply additional information and up to 30 days if you're invited to interview.

It's Been a Minute

Presenting 'life kit': making the most of travel and your time off.

Those denied an application can appeal, but that process could be even lengthier.

The European Union says ETIAS approval will stay valid for three years or until the passport you used in your application expires.

Naturally, you'll also need to follow the ETIAS rules to stay in good standing.

Those with ETIAS approval can stay in the European countries on the list for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. So you can leave and come back, but you can't stay in the confines of the countries on the list for 91 days or more non-stop.

What happens if I don't apply for this and try to travel to Europe?

Your ETIAS approval will be linked to your passport. So without it, airport security (or cruise, bus or train line staff) won't let you board.

In other words, you can kiss that dream vacation goodbye.

• European Union
• Europe travel
• European Commission

JetBlue to expand travel destinations from New England

JetBlue announced plans to significantly expand travel options in New England, United States, by adding new flight routes to in-demand vacation destinations. This will see an addition of more than 20% seats in the region by winter 2024. 

The Boston-based airline will add more flight routes from Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) and other New England airports. Additionally, the carrier will launch a service for the first time from Manchester-Boston Regional Airport (MHT) in Manchester, New Hampshire. 

“We are incredibly proud of our strong roots in Boston and New England, a place that has always embraced our vision for low fares and superior travel experiences,” Marty St. George, President of JetBlue commented in a press release. “With each new development, each new route, we aim to deliver even greater comfort and convenience, ensuring that our customers’ choice is easy.” 

The carrier will expand its routes between Boston and various holiday destinations such as Aruba, Barbados, Cancun, Grand Cayman, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Jacksonville, Liberia, Miami, Montego Bay, Nassau, Orlando, West Palm Beach, Punta Cana, Providenciales, Sarasota, St. Maarten, St. Lucia, and Tampa. The airline will also start a second daily nonstop flight between Boston and Phoenix.  

JetBlue will launch the only nonstop service from Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF) to Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) on a seasonal basis, connecting New York and Florida in the winter months. Buffalo and Albany will each have an additional daily flight to Fort Lauderdale and Orlando this winter. Syracuse will also add an extra daily flight to Orlando. 

The carrier has been operating at Boston Logan International Airport for more than 20 years. JetBlue offers more mainline flights from Boston than any other airline – approximately 30% more than its competitors.  

By February 2024, JetBlue will be operating over 225 daily flights departing from Florida, marking an 8% increase compared to 2023. Currently JetBlue carries customers to more than 100 destinations throughout the United States, Latin America, the Caribbean, Canada, and Europe. 

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Green Line Regulation

The regulation defines how EU laws are applied in relation to the movement of persons, goods and services across the Green Line.

The Green Line Regulation

The whole of Cyprus is part of the European Union. However, in the northern part of the island, where the Government of the Republic of Cyprus does not exercise effective control, EU legislation is suspended in line with  Protocol 10 to the 2003 Act of Accession .

Since 1974 the ceasefire line (referred to as the "Green Line") has separated the two parts of the island. The line is not an external border of the EU . Council Regulation 866/2004 ("Green Line Regulation") sets out the terms under which persons and goods can cross this line from the non-government-controlled areas into the government-controlled areas.

The non-government-controlled areas are outside the EU's customs and fiscal territory – but this  does not affect the personal rights of Turkish Cypriots as EU citizens .

Delivering on EU Support for a Cyprus Settlement: Legacy and Vision

Growing trade under the Green Line Regulation between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots and the registration of the famous Cypriot cheese Halloumi/Hellim as an EU Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) of the entire island are two of the successes singled out in the publication “Delivering on EU Support for a Cyprus Settlement: Legacy and Vision”, which was released on 19 July 2024. The publication looks back at the achievements of the past five years and the role of the Green Line Regulation and the EU Aid Programme for the Turkish Cypriot community in facilitating Cyprus’ reunification. 

Χαλλούμι / Halloumi / Hellim

On 12 April 2021, the Commission adopted an Implementing Regulation that registers Χαλλούμι/Halloumi/Hellim as a Protected Designation of Origin. From 1 October 2021, only Χαλλούμι/Halloumi/Hellim made by cheesemakers in the island of Cyprus and which conforms to the requirements of the product specification of the PDO Χαλλούμι/Halloumi/Hellim can be marketed in the European Union. Under the Regulation, cheesemakers resident anywhere in Cyprus have the right to have their product inspected to verify whether it meets the PDO requirements.

Further details of the EU Protected Designation of Origin scheme

On the same day, the Commission adopted an amendment to Commission Decision 2007/330 concerning trade across the Green Line. This Decision lifts the prohibition on trade in Χαλλούμι/Halloumi/Hellim produced in the Turkish Cypriot community across the Green Line, provided that the cheese meets all health and sanitary standards set out in the Decision. A system will be established to inspect farms and dairies in the Turkish Cypriot community to verify whether they comply with these standards and to issue certificates to compliant producers.

Implementing Regulation registering ‘Χαλλούμι’ (Halloumi)/‘Hellim’ as a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO)

Other languages are available here .

Commission Decision permitting trade in ‘Χαλλούμι’ (Halloumi)/‘Hellim’ across the Green Line subject to conditions

The European Commission has established an informal working group on Halloumi/Hellim . The group shall bring about an exchange of information as well as the sharing of experience and good practices among stakeholders relating to their participation in the PDO scheme for Halloumi/Hellim and will review the functioning of the inspection system for Halloumi/Hellim. The group shall be composed of up to ten members of whom an equal number shall be drawn from the Greek Cypriot community and from the Turkish Cypriot community. Members shall be individuals appointed to represent a common interest, such as representatives of Chambers of Commerce, representatives of farmers’ organisations or representatives of dairies involved in the production of Halloumi/Hellim, representatives of relevant professional interests and representatives of civil society organisations. The group will meet periodically. 

The first meeting of the Commission Informal Working Group on Halloumi/Hellim was held on 23 September 2022. 

Commission Informal Working Group on Halloumi/Hellim

Trade in fresh fish.

Under Commission Decision 2007/330, independent experts appointed by the Commission conduct regular inspections of fishing vessels in the Turkish Cypriot community to ascertain whether these vessels comply with EU standards.  Fishing vessels which are compliant are authorised to trade their catches across the Green Line. 

The list of vessels that are currently authorised to engage in Green Line trade can be found below:

Bringing Cypriot communities closer together

To pave the way for reunification, EU support aims to bring the Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot communities closer together.

One of the fundamental principles of the EU project is the free movement of people, goods and services across its Member States. As such, the EU set out the rules under which people, goods and services can cross the Green Line in 2004. Have a look at the booklets below to read more about how the Green Line Regulation facilitates people-to-people contact and trade in Cyprus.

Bringing Cypriot communities closer together: EU promotes free movement across Cyprus (English)

Bringing Cypriot communities closer together: EU promotes free movement across Cyprus (Greek)

Bringing Cypriot communities closer together: EU promotes free movement across Cyprus (Turkish)

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What we know about CrowdStrike’s update fail that’s causing global outages and travel chaos

A faulty software update issued by security giant CrowdStrike has resulted in a massive overnight outage that’s affected Windows computers around the world , disrupting businesses, airports, train stations, banks, broadcasters and the healthcare sector.

CrowdStrike said the outage was not caused by a cyberattack, but was the result of a “defect” in a software update for its flagship security product, Falcon Sensor. The defect caused any Windows computers that Falcon is installed on to crash without fully loading.

“The issue has been identified, isolated and a fix has been deployed,” said CrowdStrike in a statement on Friday . Some businesses and organizations are beginning to recover, but many expect the outages to drag on into the weekend or next week given the complexity of the fix. CrowdStrike CEO George Kurtz told NBC News that it may take “some time for some systems that just automatically won’t recover.” In a later tweet , Kurtz apologized for the disruption.

Here’s everything you need to know about the outages.

What happened?

Late Thursday into Friday, reports began to emerge of IT problems wherein Windows computers were getting stuck with the infamous “blue screen of death” — a bright blue error screen with a message that displays when Windows encounters a critical failure, crashes or cannot load.

The outages were first noticed in Australia early on Friday, and reports quickly came in from the rest of Asia and Europe as the regions began their day, as well as the United States.

Within a short time, CrowdStrike confirmed that a software update for Falcon had malfunctioned and was causing Windows computers that had the software installed to crash. Falcon lets CrowdStrike remotely analyze and check for malicious threats and malware on installed computers.

At around the same time, Microsoft reported a significant outage at one of its most used Azure cloud regions covering much of the central United States. A spokesperson for Microsoft told TechCrunch that its outage was unrelated to CrowdStrike’s incident .

Around Friday noon (Eastern time), Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella posted on X saying the company is aware of the CrowdStrike botched update and is “working closely with CrowdStrike and across the industry to provide customers technical guidance and support to safely bring their systems back online.”

What is CrowdStrike and what does Falcon Sensor do?

CrowdStrike, founded in 2011, has quickly grown into a cybersecurity giant. Today the company provides software and services to 29,000 corporate customers, including around half of Fortune 500 companies, 43 out of 50 U.S. states and eight out of the top 10 tech firms, according to its website .

The company’s cybersecurity software, Falcon, is used by enterprises to manage security on millions of computers around the world. These businesses include large corporations, hospitals, transportation hubs and government departments. Most consumer devices do not run Falcon and are unaffected by this outage.

One of the company’s biggest recent claims to fame was when it caught a group of Russian government hackers breaking into the Democratic National Committee ahead of the 2016 U.S. presidential election. CrowdStrike is also known for using memorable animal-themed names for the hacking groups it tracks based on their nationality, such as: Fancy Bear , believed to be part of Russia’s General Staff Main Intelligence Directorate, or GRU; Cozy Bear , believed to be part of Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service, or SVR; Gothic Panda , believed to be a Chinese government group; and Charming Kitten , believed to be an Iranian state-backed group. The company even makes action figures to represent these groups, which it sells as swag .

CrowdStrike is so big it’s one of the sponsors of the Mercedes F1 team , and this year even aired a Super Bowl ad — a first for a cybersecurity company. 

Who are the outages affecting?

Practically anyone who during their everyday life interacts with a computer system running software from CrowdStrike is affected, even if the computer isn’t theirs. 

These devices include the cash registers at grocery stores, departure boards at airports and train stations, school computers, your work-issued laptops and desktops, airport check-in systems, airlines’ own ticketing and scheduling platforms, healthcare networks and many more. Because CrowdStrike’s software is so ubiquitous, the outages are causing chaos around the world in a variety of ways. A single affected Windows computer in a fleet of systems could be enough to disrupt the network. 

TechCrunch reporters around the world are seeing and experiencing outages, including at points of travel, doctors’ offices and online. Early on Friday, the Federal Aviation Administration put in effect a ground stop, effectively grounding flights across the United States, citing the disruption. It looks like so far the national Amtrak rail network is functioning as normal. 

What is the U.S. government doing so far?

Given that the problem stems from a company, there isn’t much that the U.S. federal government can do. According to a pool report, President Biden was briefed on the CrowdStrike outage, and “his team is in touch with CrowdStrike and impacted entities.” That’s in large part because the federal government is a customer of CrowdStrike and also affected.

Several federal agencies are affected by the incident, including the Department of Education , and Social Security Administration, which said Friday that it closed its offices as a result of the outage.

The pool report said Biden’s team is “engaged across the interagency to get sector by sector updates throughout the day and is standing by to provide assistance as needed.” 

In a separate tweet, Homeland Security said it was working with its U.S. cybersecurity agency CISA, CrowdStrike and Microsoft — as well as its federal, state, local and critical infrastructure partners — to “fully assess and address system outages.”

There will no doubt be questions for CrowdStrike (and to some extent Microsoft, whose unrelated outage also caused disruption overnight for its customers) from government and congressional investigators. 

For now, the immediate focus will be on the recovery of affected systems.

How do affected customers fix their Windows computers?

The major problem here is that CrowdStrike’s Falcon Sensor software malfunctioned, causing Windows machines to crash, and there’s no easy way to fix that. 

So far, CrowdStrike has issued a patch, and it has also detailed a workaround that could help affected systems function normally until it has a permanent solution. One option is for users to “reboot the [affected computer] to give it an opportunity to download the reverted channel file,” referring to the fixed file.

In a message to users , CrowdStrike detailed a few steps customers can take, one of which requires physical access to an affected system to remove the defective file. CrowdStrike says users should boot the computer into Safe Mode or Windows Recovery Environment, navigate to the CrowdStrike directory, and delete the faulty file “C-00000291*.sys.”

The wider problem with having to fix the file manually could be a major headache for companies and organizations with large numbers of computers, or Windows-powered servers in datacenters or locations that might be in another region, or an entirely different country.

CISA warns that malicious actors are ‘taking advantage’ of the outage

In a statement on Friday, CISA attributed the outages to the faulty CrowdStrike update and that the issue was not due to a cyberattack. CISA said that it was “working closely with CrowdStrike and federal, state, local, tribal and territorial partners, as well as critical infrastructure and international partners to assess impacts and support remediation efforts.”

CISA did note, however, that it has “observed threat actors taking advantage of this incident for phishing and other malicious activity.” The cybersecurity agency did not provide more specifics, but warned organizations to stay vigilant.

Malicious actors can and will exploit confusion and chaos to carry out cyberattacks on their own. Rachel Tobac, a social engineering expert and founder of cybersecurity firm SocialProof Security, said in a series of posts on X to “verify people are who they say they are before taking sensitive actions.”

“Criminals will attempt to use this IT outage to pretend to be IT to you or you to IT to steal access, passwords, codes, etc.,” Tobac said.

What do we know about misinformation so far?

It’s easy to understand why some might have thought that this outage was a cyberattack. Sudden outages, blue screens at airports, office computers filled with error messages, and chaos and confusion. As you might expect, a fair amount of misinformation is already flying around , even as social media sites incorrectly flag trending topics like “cyberattack.”

Remember to check official sources of news and information, and if something seems too good to be true, it might just well be.

TechCrunch will keep this report updated throughout the day.

TechCrunch’s Ram Iyer contributed reporting.

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