From Saturday 27 June, all people travelling to the Faroe Islands must be tested for COVID-19. This requirement also applies to Faroese citizens and residents who have been travelling abroad. One reason for the increase in testing is that from 27 June, travel will be opened up between the Faroe Islands and a larger number of countries. The Danish Government announced today that borders will be open to people from all EU Member States, Schengen countries and the United Kingdom. A condition for entry will be that the infection rate in the country of residence is low – fewer than 20 of 100,000 people infected.

“Now that our borders are opening up even more, we also need to increase our testing. We now require everyone coming to the Faroe Islands from overseas to be tested, regardless of nationality or residence. We have been working hard to increase our testing capacity. The new and expanded testing arrangements will hopefully help us maintain the favourable status we have been able to achieve over the past months,” says Bárður á Steig Nielsen, Prime Minister.

From Saturday 27 June up to and including Friday 10 July, testing will be free of charge upon arrival in the Faroe Islands. From Saturday 11 July, travellers will have to pay for their own tests.

Children younger than 12 do not need to be tested.

Testing services continue

Travellers to the Faroe Islands can also be tested next week at Vágar airport. This option is available for those who have not had time before departure to arrange a COVID-19 test in their country of residence. 

Until 27 June, travellers with proof of residence or employment do not need to be tested upon arrival. 

The Faroese laboratories Thetis and Amplexa are working together to conduct the testing. Prior to 27 June, travellers must pay for their own tests. The price is 390 DKK.

Travellers should expect long waiting times upon arrival. Everyone coming to the Faroe Islands before June 27 without recent and recognised documentation of a negative COVID-19 test result should self-quarantine until they have received the result of the test they must take upon arrival. Usually results are ready the same evening or midday the following day.