COVID-19 travel restrictions: Germany

This article was published on January 3, 2022, and all the information in the article is correct as of this time. Before you book your trip, we highly recommend that you also check official sources for the most up-to-date travel requirements, as they are subject to constant change.

Can I enter Germany?

As of December 2021, it is possible to enter Germany. However, be aware that requirements vary depending on your vaccination status and on where you are coming from. Please take your time to go through the German COVID-19 restrictions presented below.

Can I enter Germany if I am vaccinated?

You can enter Germany for tourism if you are vaccinated. You are considered fully vaccinated if you have received all the doses necessary for your vaccination schedule at least 14 days before arriving in Germany.

As of December 2021, five vaccines are approved in Germany:

Moderna
Pfizer
Oxford / AstraZeneca
Janssen (Johnson & Johnson)
Novavax

Travel documents if I am vaccinated

If you are vaccinated, present one of the following documents:

Travelers from the EU countries — the EU digital COVID certificate
Travelers from outside the EU countries — another document confirming vaccination status

Please note that vaccinated travelers also need a negative COVID-19 test result no older than 24 hours (antigen test) or 72 hours (PCR test) if they come from the “virus variant of concern” areas. Scroll down to the Traveling to Germany from the “virus variant of concern” areas section to see the list of these countries.

Can I enter Germany if I am unvaccinated?

Please note that unvaccinated travelers cannot enter Germany for tourism. If you are unvaccinated, you will only be permitted to enter Germany if you have an urgent reason to travel. You can find the list of accepted urgent reasons to travel on the official state website.

Travel documents if I am unvaccinated

If your reason for travel is considered urgent, you will need to present one of the following documents:

A negative COVID-19 test result no older than 48 hours at the point of entering Germany
Documentation of recovery from COVID-19 no more than 180 days old

Traveling to Germany from “low risk” areas, “high risk” areas and “virus variant of concern” areas

Currently, the German government divides countries into “low risk” areas, “high risk” areas and “virus variant of concern” areas. German entry requirements vary depending on the country you are traveling from.

Traveling to Germany from “low risk” areas

Presently, travelers from “low risk” areas can enter Germany without needing to self-isolate upon arrival. “Low risk” areas are those not included in either of the other two categories.

In addition, travelers from the following countries can enter Germany without any restrictions:

Argentina
Australia
Bahrain
Canada
Chile
Colombia
Hong Kong
Indonesia
Kuwait
Macao
New Zealand
Peru
Qatar
Rwanda
Saudi Arabia
South Korea
Taiwan
United Arab Emirates
Uruguay

Traveling to Germany from “high risk” areas

Please note that the first thing you have to do when going to Germany from a “high risk” area is complete the Digital Registration on entry. You will then have your covid-related data in PDF format to show when needed.

If you are traveling to Germany from a “high risk” area, you have to self-isolate for 10 days upon your arrival. Your isolation period can be cut short if you:

Submit your proof of vaccination or recovery through the official portal
Submit a negative test result after the fifth day via the official portal

The list of “high risk” areas includes the following countries:

Andorra
Austria (with the exception of the municipality of Mittelberg and Jungholz and Rißtal in the municipal area of Vomp and Eben am Achensee)
Barbados
Belarus
Belgium
Bonaire
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Burundi
Cameroon
Congo
Croatia
Czech Republic
Denmark (including the Faroe Islands and Greenland)
Dominica
Egypt
Ethiopia
France
Georgia
Greece
Haiti
Hungary
Ireland
Jordan
Korea
Laos
Lebanon
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Malaysia
Mauritius
Mexico
Montenegro
Norway
Norway
Papua New Guinea
Poland
Russian Federation
Saba
Serbia
Seychelles
Sint Eustatius
Slovakia
Slovenia
Sudan
Switzerland
Syrian Arab Republic
Tajikistan
Tanzania
The Netherlands
Trinidad and Tobago
Turkey
Turkmenistan
Ukraine
Venezuela
Vietnam
Yemen

Note that the list of “high risk” countries changes regularly; make sure to check it in advance.

Traveling to Germany from “virus variant of concern” areas

Please be aware that it is mandatory to complete the Digital Registration on entry before traveling to Germany from a “virus variant of concern” area.

If you are traveling to Germany from a “virus variant of concern” area, you have to self-isolate for 14 days upon your arrival. Your isolation period can be cut short if you:

Submit your proof of vaccination or recovery through the official portal
Submit a negative test result after the fifth day of isolation through the official portal

In addition, please note that both vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers must present a negative COVID-19 test result no older than 24 hours (antigen test) or 72 hours (PCR test).

The list of “virus variant of concern” areas includes the following countries:

Botswana
Eswatini
Lesotho
Malawi
Mozambique
Namibia
South Africa
The UK (including the Isle of Man, the Channel Islands and all British overseas territories)
Zimbabwe

This list will be valid at least until January 3, 2022.

Can I leave Germany?

You can leave Germany regardless of your vaccination status. Please take some time to learn about the entry requirements of your destination country.

Can I leave Germany if I am vaccinated?

Vaccinated travelers can leave Germany.

Travel documents if I am vaccinated

A certificate of full vaccination against COVID-19 in paper or electronic format

Please be aware that your destination country may also require you to have a negative test result.

Can I leave Germany if I am unvaccinated?

Unvaccinated travelers can leave Germany.

Travel documents if I am unvaccinated

A certificate of recovery from COVID-19 (no more than 180 days old before the day of crossing the border)
A negative COVID-19 test result (the relevant period and type of test may vary; please check the requirements of your destination country)

Traveling from Germany to “low risk” areas, “high risk” areas and “virus variant of concern” areas

Presently, the German Ministry of Health asks people to avoid traveling to other countries, especially “high risk” areas and “virus variant of concern” areas. If you need to go to any of these countries, you have to self-isolate when returning to Germany for:

10 days after traveling to “high risk” areas
14 days after traveling to “virus variant of concern” areas

COVID-19 situation in Germany currently

International travel to Germany is possible as of December 2021. Please be aware of the COVID-19 regulations to ensure your safety.

FAQs

Is it safe to travel to Germany right now?

Many places, including different attractions, restaurants and hotels, are open in Germany and welcome tourists. Your travel will be safe if you follow common covid-related rules:

Wearing a mask indoors
Keeping social distance

Is Berlin open for travel?

Presently, Berlin is open for travelers. Covid-related restrictions in the capital are the same as those in the rest of the country.

Do I have to be quarantined if I go to Germany?

Regardless of your vaccination status, you are obliged to self-isolate for:

10 days if you come from a “high risk” area
14 days if you come from a “virus variant of concern” area

Your isolation period can be cut short if you:

Submit your proof of vaccination or recovery
Submit a negative test result after the fifth day of isolation

Please scroll up to the Traveling to Germany from “low risk” areas, “high risk” areas and “virus variant of concern” areas paragraph to check the lists of countries.

How do I get a health pass to travel to Germany?

Regardless of your vaccination status, you are obliged to self-isolate for:

For travelers from the EU and the Schengen Area — the EU Digital COVID Certificate
For travelers from outside the EU and the Schengen Area — please carry paper documentation with you

In addition, all arrivals must complete the Digital Registration on Entry. You will then have your covid-related data in PDF format to show when needed.