Deutsche Welle (English edition)
Who can currently travel to Germany?
Who is allowed to visit Germany? And who must quarantine on arrival? We provide answers to the most important questions.
All individuals arriving in Germany aged 12 and older must show proof of either full vaccination, recovery from COVID-19, or a negative test result. This rule, effective since August 1, applies to individuals from all countries, regardless whether they are travelling by road, rail, boat or airplane.
Commuters, individuals transiting though Germany, and those staying in the country for less than 24 hours, are exempt.
High- risk regions, dangerous virus mutant regions
German authorities now only distinguish between high-risk and virus mutant regions. Highrisk regions are characterized by high SARS-CoV-2 virus incidence rates, thus posing a significant infection risk. Virus mutant re
gions, in turn, are marked by the prevalence of concerning coronavirus variants.
Currently, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, the United Kingdom, Cyprus and numerous nonEuropean countries are classified as high-risk areas.
Right now, Brazil and Urugay are deemed dangerous virus mutant regions. Only Germans and foreigners with Germany residency permits are permitted to enter from such virus mutant
regions.
For a comprehensive list of high-risk and virus mutant regions, please consult the Robert Koch website.
Arrivals from high-risk or dangerous virus mutant regions must fill out a digital entry declaration. They must also show proof of either full vaccination, recovery from COVID-19, or present a negative test result.
Who must quarantine upon arrival?
Upon arrival, individuals from high-risk regions are obliged to self-isolate at home, or at an accommodation of their choice, for a period of ten days — unless they have been fully vaccinated or recovered from COVID-19. They may, however, end self-isolation after five days if they test negative for the virus.
Arrivals from dangerous virus mutant regions must quarantine for 14 days without exception.
Arrivals from the EU and Schengen zone
Entering Germany from most EU states and the Schengen zone is relatively hassle-free, as many countries are seeing low infection rates and are classified as neither high-risk nor virus variant regions.
On July 1, the EU-wide digital vaccination certificate 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.
Arrivals from third countries
While tourism within the EU has been possible for a long time, holidaymakers from third countries had so far not been allowed to travel to Germany. But that is changing.
Individuals from 26 third countries — including Israel, Australia and the USA — may visit Germany provided they can either show proof of either full vaccination, recovery from COVID-19, or present a negative test result.
The same freedoms, however,
do not automatically apply to German travelers. For example, the US 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, US authorities recently declared.
German tourism sector cautiously optimistic
The fact that entry restrictions have been eased for many EU states and 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 yearning for 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 university town of Heidelberg was especially popular with Americans.
However, Mathias Schiemer, managing director of Heidelberg Marketing, says that the easing of entry requirements has not been noticeable yet. "This primarily affects hotels that specialize in international guests," Schiemer told DW. He added that Heidelberg 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."
As a result of the coronavirus pandemic, many Germans are once again preferring to spend their summer holidays inside the country. In many places, hotels and holiday homes are already fully booked, especially in the coastal regions and southern Germany.
According to a recent survey by opinion research institute YouGov, two thirds of Germans are avoiding trips to risk areas. A large majority of respondents also support current quarantine regulations.