Are you planning to travel to Germany soon? Here are a few things you’ll want to know.
While many European countries have been eliminating all covid travel restrictions, such as Iceland, Sweden, and Greece; Germany is continuing to keep their restrictions in place for all travelers.
Like many other countries, Germany created a list of all countries, then categorized them based on COVID risk. Not unlike the previous system from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention here in the united states, most countries were deemed high risk. As COVID infections, hospitalizations, and deaths started dropping Germany overhauled their listing. On March 3 all countries were removed from the high risk category. This opened up travel to Germany from most countries, assuming you meet the current rules.
Citizens of countries currently under the European Union or the Schengen associated countries of Switzerland, Norway, Liechtenstein, and Iceland are allowed to enter without restrictions. However depending on the current COVID risk level unvaccinated travelers from these countries might have to provide a negative covid test or quarantine upon entering.
Travelers from the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom are allowed to enter Germany only if they are fully vaccinated. This could change if for some reason one these countries are deemed a higher covid risk.
Those flying into Germany will need to provide proof of negative covid test taken within 48 hours, proof of full vaccination, or proof of recovery within the last 6 months. This doesn’t mean that unvaccinated travelers from the U.S., U.K., or Canada are allowed entry. As of right now the only unvaccinated travelers allowed into Germany must be a citizen of the E.U., or a Schengen associated country. Unvaccinated children under the age of 12 are allowed entry if traveling with a fully vaccinated adult.
Vaccinations are considered valid if the final dose or booster was administered within the previous 9 months. It’s important to note that you aren’t considered fully vaccinated until 14 days have passed since the final dose or booster. So if you’re thinking of getting vaccinated to travel to Germany make sure you get it taken care of more than two weeks before your trip. Of course not all vaccines are recognized, for American travelers the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are recognized, however the Johnson & Johnson vaccine isn’t. So if you received the one shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine Germany considers you unvaccinated, and for right now you will be unable to enter. For those in Canada and the United Kingdom the AstraZeneca vaccine is also accepted.
A possible problem travelers could face is traveling from a country considered high-risk into Germany. If your first destination isn’t Germany you will need to check before entry to make sure you will be allowed entry, and not required to quarantine.
