从六月中旬开始Since mid-June, all federal states in Germany report less than 700 new COVID-19 cases per day. This has decreased the 7-day incidence rate to less than 20 infections per 100k people and has led to the ease of a lot of covid restrictions in Germany.
Entry in Germany
Entry in Germany is currently possible from all EU states, Schengen countries and other areas, with no widespread occurrence of corona variants of concern. There is a travel ban for entry from countries with widespread corona virus variants of concern, with the exception of German citizens, people with a valid residence permit in Germany, as well as their spouses, partners living in the same household and minor children. Until 30 June 2021, the self-quarantine requirements are still in place for travellers coming from risk and high incidence areas or an area of variant of concern (with 10 or 14-day self-isolation respectively). Check the FAQ, updated by the Federal Ministry of the Interior, Building and Community for more information.
Entry requirements
In general, everyone over the age of six entering Germany by plane – from any country in the world – must show a recent negative Covid-19 test result. It should be no older than 48 hours for antigen tests and 72 hours for PCR tests. Note that for ‘areas of variants of concern’, the time-frame is only 24 hours for antigen tests. In addition, you should complete the free digital entry registration form, if you have spent time in a risk area within the last ten days before your trip. More information on current entry requirements can be found in this brochure.
There are some instances when people do not have to show a negative test. For example, if you are fully vaccinated or can show proof of recovery from a COVID-19 infection from the last six months. The proof of vaccination can be in German, English, French, Italian or Spanish in a digital or paper form (e.g. WHO vaccination booklet). The vaccine used must be one of those listed on the website of the Paul-Ehrlich-Institut. A period of at least 14 days must have elapsed since receiving the last vaccine dose.
Tourist travel in Germany and Europe
Due to the falling corona case numbers, tourist travel within Germany is once again possible. There are currently no hot-spot areas in the country and all federal states allow tourist stays in hotels. Hotel guests must provide a negative COVID-19 test result upon check-in. Alternatively, they can show they are fully vaccinated or offer a valid proof of recovery from a COVID-19 infection. Travel between the different federal states via bus, train and plane is also possible and unimpeded.
After more than a year, the German government will lift the warning for tourist travel to corona risk areas on 1 July. Travel warning will only apply from an incidence above 200 and for states where dangerous virus variants have spread strongly. Currently, these are about 40 countries worldwide. The countries classified as risk areas, areas of variants of concern or high-incidence areas are listed on the following page of the Robert Koch Institute and an up-to-date list is also linked at the top of that page in English.
Recommended measures before any trip include contracting a valid health insurance (valid in your destination), doing a corona test prior travel and downloading the free Corona-Warn-App (App Store or Google Play), which is also valid in many European states.
Germany’s vaccination campaign
By mid-June, half of Germany’s population will have received a first vaccine and every fourth person is already fully vaccinated. On average, there are more than 700k doses from various vaccines administered daily. An updated overview of all COVID cases and administered vaccines in Germany can be found here.
Since 7 June , everyone residing in Germany can register for a free COVID-19 vaccine, as the priority groups have been lifted. Thus, everyone over the age of 12 can apply for an appointment either via a vaccination centre (book your appointment here), a general practitioner (Hausarzt), or a company physician. Please note that receiving an appointment may take some time due to the large number of requests and constraints related to the quantity of available vaccines.
COVID vaccines are free and all costs are covered by a German health insurance. For Fintiba Plus customers, who have the governmental DAK insurance included in the package, the vaccination is always covered. More reliable information and practical advice about the COVID-19 virus and vaccines can be found in English, Turkish, Arabic and French here. Moreover, the Federal Ministry of Health is operating a free-to-call number 0800 0000837, available in English, Turkish, Russian and Arabic.
Digital vaccination pass
Germany has also begun the roll-out of a digital vaccination pass. It will be valid in all European states and can be downloaded voluntarily. The CovPass-App is now available in both the App Store and Google Play.
Daily life in Germany
Emergency covid restrictions, including a curfew measure in some locations, are lifted in all federal states in Germany. Please note that every federal state has specific regulations, which may slightly differ, thus we recommend that you check the current guidelines in your area. For areas where the 7-day incidence rate is below 35, max. 10 people from two to three households can meet. Fully vaccinated people and children under the age of 14 years do not count towards this number.
Schools & universities
Schools and universities in all states can fully open after the summer holidays. However, some universities would offer a fully digital or hybrid teaching model for the winter semester.
Shops
Since May, retail stores in all federal states are allowed to open with reinforced health and safety measures. Many require a negative COVID-19 test from the same day and a reservation booked in advance to allow entrance. For current requirements, check directly with the business you would like to visit.
Indoor and outdoor dining
The rules on outdoor dining are set by the individual states and may differ in the various parts of Germany. Generally, guests are allowed to sit outside and do not need to provide a negative test result, but in many areas are encouraged to check-in and out in the LUCA or a similar app. For indoor dining, guests may be required to show a negative COVID-19 test result from the same day. Fully vaccinated people must show their yellow vaccination card (or a digital version in the CovPass-App or the Corona-Warn-App). Guests who have recovered from COVID-19 within the last six months can show a valid proof of recovery.
Leisure activities
Museums, galleries, theatres, concert halls and cinemas are gradually opening in many states. Visitors can attend events with a negative COVID-19 test from the same day and a reservation booked in advance. If the cases continue to decline, it is possible that the regulations will continue to relax. Zoos and open-air parks are also open and there is no longer a mandatory negative test result necessary to enter.
Fitness studios and outdoor sports
Fitness studios and gyms are also allowed to reopen across Germany. In some states you need to book a specific time-slot to visit ans/or show a negative test result upon entry. Here is an overview of the current regulation in all federal states as of mid-June. Group sports outside are also now possible with up to 20 participants.
Stay safe
It is still recommended to take some precautions in your daily life in Germany to prevent the infection from spreading again. In public transport and retail trade it is still obligatory to wear FFP2 or KN95 masks. Moreover, you can wear a mask outdoors, where the social distancing requirements cannot be followed.
Another precaution is to make use of the free citizen COVID-19 tests (kostenloser Bürgertest). You can search and book a test online in a test centre in your area. You can also activate the Corona WarnApp or use the LUCA App to ease tracing in case the cases increase again.
