Between 11 June and 11 July 2021, a total of 51 games will be held, with COVID-19 restrictions in place, in 11 host countries, seven of which are EU Member States: Denmark, Germany, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Romania, and Spain. The remaining four countries are Azerbaijan, England, Russia and Scotland. An estimated 460 000 spectators will attend the games and, in some cases, they will have to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test, and/or vaccination, and/or previous COVID-19 infection to gain access to stadiums.

On 4 June 2021, ECDC began a number of enhanced epidemic intelligence activities and will continue until 16 July 2021 (including one week before and after the event). Reports will be provided in the weekly Communicable Disease Threats Report (CDTR).

On the eve of EURO 2020, ECDC Director Andrea Ammon said:

‘As I am sure that many fans in Europe are looking forward to EURO 2020 and watching their national teams in stadiums across the continent, it is important to remember that the pandemic is not over. We must remain vigilant in the face of any rise in infections. ECDC will play its part through increased epidemic intelligence activities before, during and after the tournament in an effort to keep everyone safe.’

Information for participants and travellers

Before travelling, fans are strongly advised to check the latest COVID-19 restrictions on the official websites of the hosting country and, more specifically, for the stadium in question. The European Commission’s Re-open EU portal is a useful resource for keeping up-to-date with COVID-19 guidelines across the region.

In addition to COVID-19 requirements and recommendations, general health recommendations should apply to all, including being up-to-date with the necessary vaccinations in accordance with national schedules. Travellers should also practise good hygiene to avoid food- and waterborne diseases and minimise the risk of respiratory diseases by washing hands often with soap and water, using hand sanitisers, practising cough etiquette, and wearing a mask. They should also avoid direct contact with anyone showing symptoms of fever and/or respiratory illness (e.g. coughing, sneezing etc.)

In the event of fever or any other symptoms, travellers should consult a healthcare provider to enable early diagnosis and treatment. Infected individuals must refrain from participating in any activity involving direct contact with others. If a healthcare provider is consulted after returning from a trip, they should be informed that the patient travelled to a UEFA hosting country.

In order to comply with COVID-19 safety measures in place, a limited number of media representatives will be allowed on site upon invitation to cover the event in person, in accordance with the physical space available, the capacity of press venues and current social distancing rules.

Some photo opportunities will be accessible only to restricted media pools, to the constraints imposed by the available space and the respect of social distancing.

Physical access to the Council media centre will only be granted upon meeting one of the 3 following conditions certified through a sworn statement (link):

• a negative PCR test, taken no more than 72 hours before the start of the meeting,
• a certificate by a medical doctor stating that the person has recovered from COVID-19,
• a proof of full vaccination more than 14 days before the day of the meeting.

With a view to respect the sanitary measures, a selection of Brussels-based media allowed to attend physically has been made, in consultation with API-IPA. The selection is based on principles of equal opportunity and wide coverage.

Press conferences will remain accessible remotely via video conference to all journalists with a valid European Council accreditation from June 2019.

The necessary instructions to connect will be shared via instant messaging (Signal).

Videos and photos of the Summit will be available on:

visit the meeting page

In order to comply with COVID-19 safety measures in place, a limited number of media representatives will be allowed on site upon invitation to cover the event in person, in accordance with the physical space available, the capacity of press venues and current social distancing rules.

Some photo opportunities will be accessible only to restricted media pools, owing to the constraints imposed by the available space and the respect of social distancing.

Physical access to the Council media centre will only be granted upon meeting one of the 3 following conditions certified through a sworn statement (link):

• a negative PCR test, taken no more than 72 hours before the start of the meeting,
• a certificate by a medical doctor stating that the person has recovered from COVID-19,
• a proof of full vaccination more than 14 days before the day of the meeting.

With a view to respect the sanitary measures, a selection of Brussels-based media allowed to attend physically has been made, in consultation with API-IPA. The selection is based on principles of equal opportunity and wide coverage.

Press conferences will remain accessible remotely via video conference to all journalists with a valid European Council accreditation from June 2019.

The necessary instructions to connect will be shared via instant messaging (Signal).

Media programme: 

Monday 14 June : 

• 19:00 – Arrival of Prime Minister Trudeau
• 19:05 – Têtê-à-têtê
• 19:35 – EU-Canada Summit plenary session

Tuesday 15 June:

• 9:30 – Press conference by President Michel, President von der Leyen and Prime Minister Trudeau.

Videos and photos of the Summit will be available on:

visit the meeting page

Indicative programme

Monday 14 June
19.00 Tête-à-tête meeting
19.00 Plenary session

Tuesday 15 June
09:30 Press conference with Presidents Michel and von der Leyen and Prime Minister Trudeau

Arrangements for the press conference

Please note that there will be no physical press conference. It can be followed via live streaming.

English and French interpretation available.

In order to ask questions remotely, EU accredited journalists and journalists who had a EUCO accreditation from June 2019 EUCO meeting or later, can register using this form.

Journalists who already registered for high-level press conferences (European Councils, international summits) in 2020 don’t need to register again.

Deadline for registration: Tuesday 15 June at 08.00

Further instructions will be sent to all registered participants approximately half an hour after the deadline.

Visit the meeting page

An organised crime group behind a sting of violent armed robberies committed across Europe has been dismantled as a result of an international investigation facilitated by Europol.

A total of six individuals – all Estonian nationals – were arrested over the course of the past two years.

The smash-and-grab gang, armed with large hammers and a handgun, would hold up at gunpoint the employees of jewellery shops, before breaking the glass counters and running off with the jewellery. 

This organised crime group has been linked to two robberies in Bastia (France) in 2016 and 2017, one attempted robbery in Venice (Italy) in 2017 and one robbery in Innsbruck (Austria) in 2017.

The investigation into these robberies was carried out by the French Police (Police Nationale), together with the Italian Carabinieri Corps (Arma dei Carabinieri), the Austrian Federal Police (Bundespolizei), the Finnish Police (Poliisi) and the Estonian Police (Politsei- ja Piirivalveamet).

The international coordination was carried out by Europol who brought together in 2017 the national investigators who have since been working closely together. Since then, Europol has provided continuous intelligence development and analysis to support the field investigators.

This operation was carried out in the framework of the European Multidisciplinary Platform Against Criminal Threats (EMPACT).