Deutsche Welle (English edition)
Who can currently travel to Germany?
Who is allowed to visit Germany? Do they need to quarantine or is a negative coronavirus test sufficient? Entry regulations to Germany remain complicated. We provide answers to the most important questions.
After long lockdown months, the desire to travel is returning in large parts of Europe. As COVID-19 infections have declined, strict entry restrictions have also been eased in recent weeks. This applies above all to the European Union and the Schengen area. Travelers here can look forward to a vacation in a neighboring country, for example, without any major hurdles.
If you want to enter Germany, though, you still have to take a few things into account.
New travel regulations are effective as of July 28. Essentially, the entry requirements that the federal government had decided upon at the beginning of July have been extended. They are now valid until September 10.
Mandatory tests for unvaccinated people?
To travel to Germany, you should make sure whether the country you are entering from is classified by Germany as a risk area. If this is the case, a digital entry declaration has to be filled out. In addition, travelers must present a negative coronavirus test if they have not yet been vaccinated against COVID-19 or have not recovered from an infection in the past six months. Holidaymakers do not then have to undergo quarantine.
On July 1, the EU-wide digital vaccination passport was introduced. It makes it easier to enter Germany and gain access to events, for example. This makes retrieving information on the status of vaccinations, tests, and past infections quick and easy.
Due to the spread of the delta variant in Europe, the German government is planning to introduce a mandatory test requirement on August 1. Then all those entering Germany, regardless from which country and which means of transport they
are using, would have to take a test.
Until now, the test was only mandatory for people arriving from high-incidence and virus variant areas, as well as all those arriving in Germany by plane. According to the Federal Ministry of the Interior, those who have been completely vaccinated and those who have recovered should be exempted from the planned test.
With the introduction of a general mandatory test, the category "basic risk area" (7-day incidence above 50 but below 200) could also be eliminated. However, the federal government has not yet made any specific resolutions.
Quarantine for travelers from 'high incidence areas'
At the beginning of July, the travel warnings for basic risk areas were lifted. Since then, the Federal Foreign Office no longer explicitly warns against traveling to over 80 countries around the world, but asks for "special caution."
This means that holidaymakers and those returning from non-risk areas do not have to register and test requirements — unless they arrive by plane (see above).
A travel warning now only applies from an incidence of 200 and for areas in which dangerous virus variants have spread widely. Currently (as of July 28, 2021) there are no longer any "virus variant areas" in Europe.
In the meantime, however, popular holiday destinations among Germans such as Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands and Great Britain have been clas
sified as high incidence areas by the Robert Koch Institute.
For travelers and returnees from these countries, there is a quarantine obligation of 10 days, which can be ended prematurely after five days at the earliest with a negative test. Those who have been vaccinated or recovered do not need to present a test upon entry or self-isolate. Incidentally, the same rules apply to children as to adults. However, since children and adolescents generally cannot yet be vaccinated, they must complete a quarantine after entering from a high incidence or virus variant area.
With the new entry ordinance from the end of July, simplified entry conditions for holidaymakers from virus variant areas also apply. The Robert Koch Institute currently lists (as of July 28, 2021) a total of 11 countries in Africa and South America, including Namibia, South Africa and Brazil, as such an area. So far, recovered or vaccinated travelers to or from Germany from those countries also have to be in quarantine for 14 days. In future, this can be ended prematurely if the affected region is no longer classified as a virus variant area during the quarantine period.
Most EU countries are currently no longer subject to entry restrictions, as they no longer fall into the group of risk areas due to low infection rates. Anyone entering Germany from these countries by land does not need to be vaccinated, recovered or tested.
However, anyone who wants to enter Germany by air must provide proof before departure that they have been vaccinated, have fully recovered from an infection or have tested negative — regardless of the country they come from and the incidence level there. The regulation also applies to travelers returning home.
Entry for tourists from third countries possible again
While tourism within the EU has been possible for a long time under certain conditions, holidaymakers from third countries were not allowed to travel to Germany. But that is gradually changing.
On June 25, the federal government lifted the entry ban for third countries. However, the regulation only applies to fully vaccinated people. Vaccines that are not approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) will not be accepted. There are no entry restrictions for travelers from 26 third countries, including Israel, Australia and the USA.
For German travelers, however, this does not mean that they are now allowed to enter third countries, not even those for which there are no entry restrictions in Germany. For example, the USA does not allow German tourists into the country. This regulation will remain in place until further notice in order to avoid the spread of the delta variant, Washington authorities recently declared.
German tourism sector caught between relief and concern
The fact that far-reaching entry restrictions have now been eased for EU countries and also for third countries is good news for the German tourism industry. In recent months, it has been one of the sectors hardest hit by the lockdown.
The German tourism sector was missing US tourists in particular. After guests from the Netherlands and Switzerland, they represented the third-largest group of visitors to Germany before the coronavirus pandemic. The western university city of Heidelberg was especially popular with Americans. Here, they accounted for the largest share of foreign tourists.
However, Mathias Schiemer,
managing director of Heidelberg Marketing, says that the easing of entry for third-country nationals is not yet noticeable. "This primarily affects hotels that specialize in international guests," Schiemer told DW. However, he added, the city had been focusing more on domestic tourism for some years. "This is now paying off. It's nice to see that the city is alive and vibrant again," Schiemer said.
As a result of the coronavirus pandemic, many Germans are again preferring to travel within their own country this summer. In many places, hotels and holiday homes are already fully booked, especially in the coastal regions and in southern Germany.
According to a recent survey by the opinion research institute YouGov, two thirds of Germans are avoiding trips to risk areas. A large majority of respondents also support the current quarantine regulations.
Criticism comes from the travel industry. In particular, the classification of popular travel countries such as Spain and the Netherlands as high incidence areas and the resulting quarantine following reentry to Germany is holding vacationers back, said the President of the German Travel Association (DRV), Norbert Fiebig. The decision "destroys the vacation plans of numerous travelers and especially many families with children in the middle of the holiday season."
and the United States answered questions online about their exposure to music during the crisis.
More than half of the respondents said they listened to music to cope with emotional and social stress. In extreme situations, we usually turn to our dearest people, which was not possible during lockdown, says Wald-Fuhrmann.
Music, with its comforting quality, contributed to filling this emotional void, adds the expert: "Often in lyrics, direct addresses are made through a 'you' or a 'we,' which makes listeners feel included as individuals."
COVID's toll on the psyche
Social isolation, the threat of unemployment, homeschooling: Numerous studies around the world have shown that the pandemic is taking its toll on people emotionally and psychologically and is exacerbating symptoms of depression.
German health insurers have recorded an increase in the number of people seeking help for mental health problems.
An uplifting sense of community has been created by what the study calls "coronamusic." Well-known bands such as German rock band, Die Ärzte, have referred to the situation in their works. Thousands of regular folks too have made a virtue out of necessity during the pandemic by rewriting songs and making videos involving the whole family.
"Through this, we recognize ourselves and our situation: It's honest, unvarnished and helps you identify socially even in isolation," explains Wald-Fuhrmann. But these songs would only have an effect if they were well made, "convincing us as a creative-aesthetic performance."
Happy hormones like during sex
Music's positive factors are undisputed. It has been proven that music releases endorphins and can have similar effects on our well-being just like sex, food, drugs or sports. It has even been proven to help form antibodies, thus strengthening our immune system.
Naturally, you still need the right tunes to lighten the mood.
Jacob Jolij, a neuroscientist at the Department of Experimental Psychology at the University of Groningen, studied the influences of tempo, positive lyrics and the choice of major or minor keys on listeners back in 2015: 45% of respondents used music to lift their mood, and as many as 77% used music for motivation.
The result of that study is an unofficial but scientifically supported playlist of mood lifters.
According to Jolij's findings, Queen's Don't Stop Me Now is the undisputed No 1 on the moodlifter charts, followed by hits including ABBA's Dancing Queen, the Beach Boys' Good Vibrations, Billy Joel's Uptown Girl and Cindy Lauper's Girls Just Wanna Have
Some areas of the country are showing higher incidence rates than others.
More information here
Italy
Incidence rates are rising again in Italy, which is why various governments, including Germany, recommend not traveling there at the moment. If you do have to enter Italy from an EU country, the Schengen zone, Israel, Canada, Japan or the United States, you won't face any major problems at border control. Arrivals must present a passenger locator form and proof of either full vaccination, recovery from COVID-19, or a negative PCR or antigenic test result from the past 48 hours. The digital EU ceritificate is the preferred form of documentation here as well. Travelers from the UK have to enter five day-quarantine period and get tested again at the end of it.
For everyone else, there is a complicated system consisting of five different levels, which comes with various testing and quarantining obligations. Ultimately, entering and traveling through Italy is prohibited for individuals who in the past fourteen days stayed in or transited through Brazil, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
Authorities have classified the country itself into four colorcoded zones — ranging from white, yellow, orange to red — in accordance with the local coronavirus infection risk. Currently, all of Italy falls into the white, low-risk zone, where life has almost returned to lively prepandemic times. Travel between the various zones is only allowed for those who are vaccinated, recovered or tested.
Bars, restaurants and other establishments are open, with outdoor and indoor seating allowed. Swimming pools have reopened, as have gyms, spas and amusement parks. Maskwearing remains mandatory, however, in enclosed public places, crowded outdoor areas and on public transport. Government buildings and some shops also measure your temperature as you enter the premises. Social distancing is advised. Some of the beaches require prior booking to ensure social distancing between sunbathing spots, and a minimum distance of 1,50 meters between sun-lounging sports is required.
More information here
Spain
Spain is recording some of the highest number of cases per capita of all EU countries. Regions like Andalusia and Catalonia are reporting particularly high infection rates, as are the Balearic islands. Some countries, such as Germany, therefore now require mandatory quarantining upon return from Spain. Still, visitors from the European Union and Schengen zone eager to get their fix of Spanish tapas and sunshine can do so, as the country reopened its borders to tourists on June 7.
To enter the country, all travelers must fill in a health form ahead of their trip. Upon arrival, they must also show either a certificate of full vaccination, recovery from COVID-19, or negative PCR or antigen test — issued within 48 hours prior to arrival — to be granted entry. Only visitors from Brazil, India and South Africa are still not allowed to enter Spain for tourist purposes.
Most restrictions on ordinary life are being lifted, though these vary by region. Nightclubs may open in areas where the incidence rate remains under 50, though using the dance floor may only be permitted outdoors. Masks have to be worn in clubs, and there is a curfew in place that begins at 3am. Spain's northeastern Catalonia region has instituted a maximum capacity for many such venues and establishments, as case numbers continue to be a point of concern there.
Across the entire country, masks must be worn in enclosed public spaces and on public transport but are not necessary outdoors and wherever the minimum social distance of 1,50 meters can be enforced. Restaurants still require masks to be worn — except while eating. More information here
United Kingdom
Many governments, including Germany, view the UK as a high incidence area, with travel warnings and quarantine measures upon return in place. Following the UEFA Championship final in London, Britain recorded more than 40,000 new COVID cases within one day - the highest rise since January. Still, the country's doors are open to some and closed to others.
The four nations of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have adopted a traffic light system similar to the EU model, categorizing countries into high-, medium- and low-risk zones. Entry requirements and quarantine rules vary in each of the regions, and are subject to rapid change. Please make sure you get the latest information if you are planning to travel to the UK.
Individuals from red-listed countries and territories — currently including Brazil, India and South Africa — may only enter if they are UK or Irish nationals, or hold residency rights in the UK. In this case, they must take a COVID test prior to arrival, then self-isolate for 10 days in a quarantine hotel at their own expense, which costs at least GBP1,750 (2,000 euros).
Individuals from amber-listed countries and territories, which include many EU member states such as France and Germany, are required to take a COVID test prior to arrival, and two further tests on day two and eight after entry. Travelers must cover the costs for these tests. They are also required to quarantine at home, or their temporary residence, for 10 days. They can opt to pay extra to take an additional test on day five to be released from quarantine early.
Entering the United Kingdom from green-listed countries or territories is relatively simple, necessitating only a pre-departure COVID test, and a day two COVID test after arrival. Australia, New Zealand and Singapore among others are currently on this list.
All travelers entering the UK, regardless of departure country or nationality, must complete a passenger locator form.
The UK is unique in its full easing of restrictions, which started on July 19.Despite a surge in SARS-CoV-2 Delta cases, the UK hospitality sector has been allowed to fully reopen, as have cultural venues like museums and many theaters. There is no mask requirement, however, most public transport companies still enforce mask-wearing.
The UK is the only country so far to completely do away with government restrictions but is still advising locals and visitors alike to act with care and caution. More information here
Greece
For anyone dreaming of escaping to the seaside, visiting ancient monuments, or simply island-hopping, Greece has gradually opened its borders for many visitors since mid-May. Residents of the European Union and Schengen Area countries, the USA, the UK, Serbia, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, the Russian Federation, Israel, Canada, North Macedonia, Ukraine, China, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Belarus, Bahrain, Bosnia- Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, Japan, Lebanon, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Jordan, Moldova, Brunei, and Kosovo may visit Greece for tourist reasons.
Anyone entering the country must fill out a digital passenger locator form no later than 48 hours before arrival. A QR-code will be part of the document generated by the form, which you have to show at border control. Failing to produce the QR-code may result in a fine of €500. You must also present either a negative molecular PCR or antigen test, proof of recovery, or proof of vaccination (at least 14 days must have passed since the second dose of the vaccine was administered) alongside the passenger locator form.
Travelers from all other destinations have to enter a seven day-quarantine.
The Greek government has lifted most of their coronavirus restrictions. However, a nighttime curfew remains in effect from 1:30 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. and museums and other places of mass tourism remain closed. Taverns have opened their outdoor areas, while distancing rules must be observed on beaches and face masks are mandatory at all public venues. Greece will reexamine its COVID rules on July 26.
More information here
Austria
Austria is taking the protection of its borders still quite seriously. Anyone entering Austria must present either a negative test, proof of recovery or vaccination. A person is considered vaccinated 22 days after receiving their first dose. If you cannot provide any of those documents upon arrival, you are subject to a 90 euro-fine. Due to the spread of the Delta variant of COVID-19, non-essential travel from the UK remains prohibited.
The seven-day incidence has fallen below 8 in Austria and more than half of the population has been vaccinated at least once.
Restaurants, hotels, theaters and sports facilities have all reopened. But a negative test or proof of vaccination or recovery is still required. The same is true for nightclubs, which have reopened but are only allowed to operate at 75% capacity. This limitation is also expected to be lifted on July 22. Most such places, however, will require you to leave personal details for tracking purposes if required.
Since July 1, masks are no longer be mandatory to be worn if a person can present a negative test or proof of recovery or vaccination. Social distancing rules have also been abolished as long as a negative test or proof of recovery or vaccination can be shown. Cloth masks, however, are still required on public transport, inside shops and in government offices.
Public events will also soon be permitted to take place once more without limits to attendance numbers.
More information here
Croatia
Croatia said it would base its entry rules on the EU's COVID-19 traffic light system, meaning that anyone coming from a green area could enter without restrictions. All others would have to provide a negative test or official proof of vaccination or recovery — but that was only in theory.
On July 1, Croatia surprisingly — and without any prior notice — decided to change its COVIDbased entry requirements. Whereas EU citizens from countries with low infection rates, including Germany, were previously able to travel to Croatia without any additional conditions or restrictions, border officials have now started to require all travelers to present the new EU Digital COVID Certificate. Croatian officials are also collecting personal information on travelers coming to the country at their borders.
People who do not have the EU certificate need to produce a negative PCR test result, a rapid antigen test result, an official certificate showing that they received two doses of vaccine used in EU member states or a certificate showing they have recovered from COVID-19 and have received one dose of the vaccine.
These new measures have led to long traffic jams at the border crossings in early July.
Since June 12, cafes, bars, restaurants, bakeries, and casinos have been allowed to operate in Croatia until midnight. Restaurants are allowed to receive guests in their indoor areas, except for cafés without food service, which are only allowed to serve outside. No alcohol may be sold between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. and Croatia's beaches are subject to certain access restrictions during the same times.
Some areas in Croatia are showing higher incidence rates than others; however, the overall incidence rate in the country remained below 20 in mid-July.
More information here
The Netherlands
The Netherlands has issued public advice against tourist travel for the time being, registering more than 50 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in the last seven days. Those traveling from Germany or other Schengencountries by land, however, do not have to show a negative PCR or antigen test, nor do they have to go into quarantine. If travelling by air, individuals must complete a health declaration form. Arrivals from high-risk, very high risk and virus variant regions remain obliged to show a negative COVID-19 test result and to quarantine, and must have an important reason for travel.
Tighter contact restrictions are once again in place in the Netherlands: night clubs have also been closed, while other recreational facilities operate with capacity restrictions and limited opening hours, subject to hygiene and social distancing rules. These include restaurants, museums and retail stores. Visitors are also required to leave their contact information for tracking purposes in most places. Masks remain mandatory.
These stricter rules are set to apply until at least August 13. Authorities plan to reevaluate the outlook on restrictions then.
People returning from the Netherlands might face restrictions such as having to quarantine when they're back home. Germany is among the countries that has introduced a ten day-quarantine for those coming back from the Netherlands.
More information here
Portugal
Portugal is a good example of how quickly the situation can change. The country seemed to be on its way back to normality when the Delta variant was found to have reached Lisbon last month. Urban areas are now subject to certain restrictions.
The Portuguese government has reintroduced nighttime curfews in parts of of the country; residents of Lisbon and of 45 other municipalities have to stay at home from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. on weekends until further notice. There is also a travel ban be
tween the capital region, which is particularly affected, and the rest of the country.
In certain areas, restaurants have to close at the weekends as early as 15:30. In addition to Lisbon, there are 16 other cities that are affected by this particular restoration — as well as Albufeira region in the Algarve, which is popular with tourists.
Portugal had opened its doors to visitors from the rest of the EU and the UK only in June under the provisor that people from these countries where the COVID infection rate is below 500 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in a 14-day period are allowed to enter without quarantine requirements. A negative test or a vaccination or recovery record, however, is still required upon entry.
Also, due to the high incidence rate in Portugal, you might face quarantine rules or other restrictions when you return back home. Travellers to Portugal from Germany, for instance, have to quarantine for at least five days and take a test if they are not fully vaccinated. The quarantine obligation does not apply to those who are fully vaccinated or have recovered from a COVID infection in recent months.
More information here
Switzerland
Switzerland has reopened its hotels, museums, stores, theaters, cinemas, zoos and amusement parks to visitors in early June already. Since June 28, the mask requirement has been lifted in outdoor areas including train stations.
There are no more limitations on group sizes in restaurant terraces, and those who have the EU COVID certificate you are even allowed to go to nightclubs and attend events with up to 5,000 participants.
Everyone entering Switzerland must register electronically and show a negative test. Vaccinated and recovered people do not need to register — for the time being.
Only those coming from a country designated by Switzerland as a risk area have to go into quarantine. To decide whether a country or area has an increased risk, Switzerland looks at the incidence of new infections per 100,000 people in the last 14 days. If the incidence rate of a country is at least 60 higher than the incidence rate in Switzerland, the country is put on the "black list."
More information here
Denmark
Due to increased infection rates, you a valid reason for entering Denmark. Tourist travel from Germany, for example, is currently not allowed. Denmark also requires a negative COVID-19 test from everyone entering the country. Visitors are also required to take a second COVID-19 test free of charge, which must be done before leaving the airport if this is your method of arrival.
The country follows the EU's traffic light system, which means that fully vaccinated residents from a green, yellow or amber country are exempt from this mandatory testing upon arrival. In addition, children under the age of 15 are not required to be tested, nor are fully vaccinated people if the last dose was more than two weeks ago.
Rather uniquely, Denmark only accepts people who got
AstraZeneca for their first vaccination as a fully vaccinated if their second vaccination dose was an mRNA vaccine (Moderna, Pfizer/BioNTech).
In Denmark, masks are no longer compulsory, the only exceptions being airports and public transport. In public transport, the mask requirement is scheduled to be dropped on September 1. Restaurants and pubs are allowed to stay open until 2 am. Shops are open throughout Denmark, and cafés, restaurants and bars are all allowed to serve customers indoors as well — however, only if the guests can prove full vaccination or recovery status or show a negative test result.
More information here
These are complex correlations, which Sven Friedrich wants to demonstrate in the Wagner Museum. "We also owe it to the victims of the Shoa that we don't stay fixed in a superficial mode of confession, but that we engage with this ideological history seriously and in suitable measure."
This article was translated from German.