Germany: Authorities to modify COVID-19 international entry requirements from Aug. 1 /update 58

Event

Authorities in Germany plan to update COVID-19-related international entry restrictions. From Aug. 1, all travelers over the age of 12 arriving by land must possess evidence of full vaccination against COVID-19, recovery from COVID-19, or a negative result from a PCR or antigen test taken within 72 hours or 48 hours before arrival, respectively; the requirement will not apply to cross-border commuters or travelers transiting Germany. Authorities are likely to conduct random spot checks on arrivals entering by land rather than institute blanket border checks. In addition, authorities will simplify their country-risk classifications from Aug. 1 by removing the “simple risk area” designation; countries of concern will now only be classified as “high risk” or “virus variant” areas. Officials have also announced that the southern African countries, including South Africa, will no longer be considered virus-variant areas.

Generally, Germany prohibits entry by non-vaccinated individuals from outside the EEA, except for those from Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Australia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Brunei, Canada, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kosovo, Lebanon, Macau, Moldova, Montenegro, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Qatar, Serbia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, and the US. Fully vaccinated travelers from outside the EEA and associated countries are allowed to enter Germany for nonessential purposes, provided at least 14 days have passed since they received a full dosage of an approved vaccine. Only travelers inoculated with vaccines approved by German authorities are allowed entry; for a full list of vaccines approved by German authorities, click here.

All arrivals must complete a digital entry registration form before entry; exceptions apply for transit passengers and cross-border commuters. As of July 30, only travelers arriving in Germany by air must present a negative COVID-19 test result from either a COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours before arrival or a COVID-19 antigen test taken within 48 hours before arrival.

Travelers who have spent any time in a designated high-incidence area or simple-risk area in the previous 10 days must also self-isolate for 10 days. Such travelers may end quarantine early by presenting a negative test result no earlier than five days after the beginning of self-isolation. Travelers who have either received the full course of a COVID-19 vaccine no less than 14 days before arrival or have recovered from COVID-19 within the previous six months are exempt from quarantine requirements. Exceptions are also in place for individuals in transit, transport workers, and cross-border commuters. For a full English-language list of locations designated by the German government as virus-variant, simple-risk, and high-incidence areas, click here.

Authorities maintain tighter restrictions for arrivals from virus-variant areas. As of July 30, virus-variant areas include Botswana, Brazil, eSwatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Uruguay, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Only German nationals and residents and certain essential workers are allowed to enter the country from these locations. The restrictions also apply to individuals who have spent any time in a virus-variant area in the previous 10 days. Permitted arrivals from virus-variant areas must possess a negative result from either a COVID-19 PCR test taken no more than 72 hours before arrival or a COVID-19 antigen test taken no more than 24 hours before arrival; they must also self-isolate for 14 days upon entry. Persons in self-isolation will not be permitted to end quarantine early after a subsequent negative COVID-19 test.

Domestic Restrictions
Working from home is encouraged. Employers must continue to offer all employees who work face-to-face two weekly COVID-19 tests except for fully vaccinated individuals or those who have recovered from COVID-19.

Other restrictions vary slightly between regions. Generally, gatherings are limited to 10 people, and nonessential businesses and services are permitted to operate subject to hygiene and social distancing requirements. Individuals who have received the full course of a COVID-19 vaccine more than 14 days ago or recovered from COVID-19 within the previous six months are exempt from certain restrictions, including the nightly curfew and limits on gatherings. Authorities require individuals to wear facemasks with a filtering facepiece protection class of at least 2 (FFP2) on public transport and in stores and public offices nationwide.

Authorities have legislation in place that will automatically impose tougher restrictions in districts where the seven-day incidence rate of new infections is greater than 100 people per 100,000 inhabitants for three days in a row. These tighter measures include a 22:00-05:00 curfew, closure of nonessential businesses, and strict limits on social gatherings.

Authorities could ease, tighten, or otherwise amend restrictions with little-to-no notice based on disease activity over the coming weeks.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements. Consider delaying traveling if experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, as they may prompt increased scrutiny and delays. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance. Maintain contact with your diplomatic representation. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions.

Resources

Government of Germany
COVID-19 Self-isolation and Testing Requirements
Map of Infection Rates per County
Regional Restrictions in Germany (in German)