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Old Mar 17, 2020, 12:54 am
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Coronavirus in Germany

Update on entry rules: Peoples Republic of China (excluding the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region) is classified as an area of variants of concern in which a variant of particular concern threatens to emerge

https://www.rki.de/DE/Content/InfAZ/...ublicationFile

Changes since last amendment As of 0 a.m. (midnight) on 9 January 2023, the Peoples Republic of China (excluding the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region) is classified as an area of variants of concern in which a variant of particular concern threatens to emerge (see below for information regarding corresponding obligations to furnish proof before entry and/or obligations for random testing after entry into Germany). On account of the dynamic development of infection rates, short-notice changes to classification are possible at any time.

Note: As of 0 a.m. (midnight) on 7 January 2023, with the entry into force of the Eighth Ordinance amending the Coronavirus Entry Regulations, the previous category of areas of variants of concern (an area of variants of concern in which a variant of particular concern already exists) is complemented by an additional, new category:

An area of variants of concern in which a variant of particular concern threatens to emerge. Classifying an area as such is associated with an obligation to furnish proof upon entry into Germany (through proof of testing using a nucleic acid test (PCR) or PoC antigen test).

To help detect potential newly emerging or re-emerging particularly dangerous virus variants, the newly introduced section 5a of the Ordinance on Coronavirus Entry Regulations enables the competent authorities to require additional random testing after entry into Germany from areas of variants of concern.

There is no obligation to register before entry into Germany.

An obligation to quarantine (obligation to self-isolate) upon entry into Germany or a ban on carriage still only applies for regions classified as areas of variants of concern, in which a variant of particular concern already exists. The criterion for distinction is therefore whether a variant of particular concern already exists or (only) threatens to emerge.

Since beginning of April almost all rules and restrictions have been lifted!

Currently, there are no general borders closure, but see link below for restrictions. There are still controls at certain borders, but in general free movement with the European Union is possible. Currently no country is listed as a high risk area or a virus variant area. Please always check the current list at Robert-Koch-Institut (RKI) since it can change.

There are also quarantine requirements if you travel to Germany from a virus variant country. Among those are all those, who are on the list of the

The Federal Ministry of Health as set up a homepage with FAQ for those travelling to Germany. Addition information could be found on the homepage of the ministry of foreign affairs (Auswrtiges Amt)


Corona rules in Germany
In general all restrictions have been lifted. Restaurants, bars, clubs, museums, sport venues are open and can be entered without a mask or any additional checks. Only exceptions are:
Public transport: Almost in every state a FFP-2 mask is required
Hospitals, assisted living homes or other institutions with vulnerable people: A FFP-2 mask is required

3G or 2G rule (currently not applied)
If you travel around Germany you will come across the 3G or 2G rules. The G stands for
- Geimpft / Vaccinated
- Genesen / Recovered
- Getested / Tested

3G means that you must be either fully vaccinated, recovered or tested to enter a location
2G means you must be either fully vaccinated or recovered to enter a location. A negative test is NOT sufficient
In addition you need will often need an FFP2 mask.

If you see something like 2G+ or 2G Plus it means that in addition to your fully vaccination or recovery you MUST provide a negative test!

The simplest way to proof your vaccination or recovery is a digital EU certificate. If you are a tourists without access to such a certificate the yellow WHO vaccination passport is sufficient or for Americans your CDC card. Always have some kind of identification ready. Some locations are not familiar with the CDC card and you might need to discuss with them.In addition the official rule is fuzzy and leaves open what a comparable proof of vaccination is. See below:

Es muss sich um ein digitales COVID-Zertifikat der EU oder einen vergleichbaren Impfnachweis in digitaler oder verkrperter Form (Papierform) in deutscher, englischer, franzsischer, italienischer oder spanischer Sprache handeln. Abfotografierte verkrperte Nachweise gelten nicht als digitale Nachweise. Nachweise in digitaler Form sollten vom berechtigten Aussteller digital ausgestellt und digital dem Berechtigten bermittelt worden sein.

It must be a digital EU COVID certificate or a comparable proof of vaccination in digital or physical form (paper form) in German, English, French, Italian or Spanish. Photographed embodied evidence is not considered digital evidence. Evidence in digital form should have been issued digitally by the authorized issuer and transmitted digitally to the authorized person.

"Local Hotspot meassures" in Germany are possible

In case of high incident rate each state can decided to reimplement additional measures. Please check the websites of the individual states for more information

Curfew / limitation of movement
There are NO curfews

Gatherings
There are NO limitations

Travel
Check the current travel rules at Re-Open Europe - Germany Document checklist

Travellers over the age of 12 must carry with them proof of vaccination, recovery or a negative test result (PCR or antigen). Documents equivalent to the 'EU Digital COVID Certificate' (EUDCC) are accepted if they meet the same requirements:
  • Proof of vaccination after receiving full vaccination. Vaccine certificates are valid for 270 days. Vaccines authorised by the European Union (EU) or vaccines which are licensed in a third country and identical in formulation to a vaccine in the EU are accepted.
Or
  • Proof of recovery showing a positive PCR test result carried out at least 28 days but no more than 90 days prior.
Or
  • Negative result to a test taken no earlier than 48 hours before the actual time or scheduled time of entry. Where entry takes place using a carrier, the scheduled time of departure is decisive.
Entry from high-risk and virus variant countries/areas

Special rules apply to travellers arriving in Germany from countries designated as "high-risk" or "virus variant." High-risk areas are where there is an increased risk of infection or where there are other indications that there is such risk; virus variant areas can be areas with widespread occurence of a mutant strain of the virus that is not prevalent in Germany. With only a few exceptions, including German citizens, airlines are prohibited from carrying persons from areas of variant concern.

Although no countries or areas are currently identified as high-risk or virus variant, this situation may change at short notice:
  • Travellers arriving from such international risk areas must complete the Digital Registration on Entry form before they arrive.
  • Travellers entering Germany following a stay in a high-risk area enter home quarantine for 10 days. Home quarantine can be ended early by submitting proof of vaccination or of recovery via the upload portal Digital Registration on Entry. If these documents were already submitted, no quarantine is necessary. For all others, quarantine can only end with a negative test result.
  • Travellers approved for entry from a stay in an area of variant concern enter home quarantine for 14 days. At the time of entry they must present their carrier with a negative PCR test result. Proof of vaccination or recovery does not suffice. In the context of cross-border traffic into Germany, this proof may be demanded by the Federal Police. If using a carrier to enter Germany, the PCR test result must be less than 48 hours old at the time of the scheduled start of the journey.
  • Furthermore, the German authorities may require travellers who spent time in an area of variant concern to take additional PCR tests after entry.
  • Children who have stayed in a high-risk area are no longer required to enter quarantine on arrival.
Learn more

Federal Ministry of Health



Social Life
No limitations.

Sport
No limitations

The general rules are summarized
  • FFP2 mask for public transportation and hospitals
  • General hygienic rules recommended

Federal Government
Information on the homepage of the Federal Government in Berlin

There might be some difference as of today for the federal states:

Federal States

Baden-Wrttemberg
Information on Homepage

Bavaria (Bayern)
Information on homepage

Mandatory to wear FFP2 mask in public transportation.

Berlin
Information on homepage

Brandenburg
Information on homepage. You need to look for the different information There seems to be no special page.

Bremen
Information on homepage

Hamburg
Information on homepage


Hesse (Hessen)
Information on homepage

Lower Saxony (Niedersachsen)
Information on homepage

Mecklenburg-Vorpommen
Information on homepage

North Rhine - Westphalia (Nordrhein-Westfalen)
Information on homepage

Rhineland Palantine (Rheinland-Pflaz)
Information on homepage

Saarland
Information on homepage.

Saxonia (Sachsen)
Information on Homepage

Saxony-Anhalt (Sachsen-Anhalt)
Information on Homepage / detailed information Homepage

Schleswig-Holstein
Information on Homepage

Thuringia (Thringen)
Information on Homepage


Related discussions threads about travel in / to Germany

Summer tourism in Germany
Quarantine rules relaxed (May 2021)
Covid19 testing in FRA / MUC


Updated on April 22st 2022










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Coronavirus in Germany

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Old Apr 20, 2022 | 4:46 pm
  #196  
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It's not just Germany, I know France and other EU countries only use mARN to count as a booster.
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Old Apr 23, 2022 | 12:16 pm
  #197  
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Is it still possible to get a German COVID certificate based on the US vaccination? Or did they stop issuing these to visitors (now that restrictions are being lifted)?
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Old Apr 23, 2022 | 2:47 pm
  #198  
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I am in the Novavax covid vaccine trial and although we are eagerly awaiting EUA with the slow walking FDA here in the USA, I understand that the Novavax vaccine IS approved in most if not all EU countries now?!
I got my Novavax booster on January 31 so I hope I am considered fully vaccinated and can enter Germany when I travel in July?
I understand I am in a very small cohort of people in North America, less than 30,000 so I have had a very difficult time finding answers to my question about having acceptable vaxx status.
Any suggestions are very welcome!
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Old Apr 23, 2022 | 7:25 pm
  #199  
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Originally Posted by sweetsleep
I am in the Novavax covid vaccine trial and although we are eagerly awaiting EUA with the slow walking FDA here in the USA, I understand that the Novavax vaccine IS approved in most if not all EU countries now?!
I got my Novavax booster on January 31 so I hope I am considered fully vaccinated and can enter Germany when I travel in July?
I understand I am in a very small cohort of people in North America, less than 30,000 so I have had a very difficult time finding answers to my question about having acceptable vaxx status.
Any suggestions are very welcome!

https://www.germany.info/us-en/coronavirus/2317268

Proof of vaccination against COVID-19 in German, English, French, Italian or Spanish in digital or paper form (e.g. EU Digital COVID certificate; WHO vaccination booklet). Note that a photo of a proof in paper form is not sufficient.

The vaccination must have taken place with one or different vaccines approved by the European Unionwith at least two doses. In countries outside the European Union equivalent vaccines may be used. A list of these vaccines is available here.
the Novavax vaccine is on the PEI list (it is approved and used in Germany):

https://www.pei.de/EN/medicinal-prod...19-list-1.html

With two doses you are considered fully vaccinated, so you should be fine.

Do you have one of those CDC Trial Participant vaccine cards? While they look very similar to the regular CDC cards, you might want to see if you can get a regular card issued (in my area the county public health department issues replacement cards; your PCP might be willing to do it, too, if they do Covid vaccinations).

Thank you for taking part in the trial!
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Old Apr 23, 2022 | 8:52 pm
  #200  
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Originally Posted by sweetsleep
I am in the Novavax covid vaccine trial and although we are eagerly awaiting EUA with the slow walking FDA here in the USA,
I dont quite believe that the FDA slow walked approval since Novavax only applied for EUA approval with the U.S. FDA on January 31, 2022.

https://ir.novavax.com/2022-01-31-No...VID-19-Vaccine
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Old Apr 24, 2022 | 10:21 am
  #201  
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notquiteaff- yes I do have a CDC card that says Trial Participant. I am due to return for a clinic visit on May 17 so crossing fingers I get the more official looking CDC card that does not say trial participant but I can also ask for a letter from the clinic physician stating whatever may be necessary. I have until July 7 before I leave so maybe I will be okay. It was my pleasure to be in the trial and it appears to be providing me with much better antibody protection with a much longer duration than many of the other kids on the block. I do home antibody tests and still detected IgG antibodies more than 8 months later.

FLYMSY- it is being widely mentioned about the slow walking approval by the FDA in many media outlets and when some of the other vaccines got speedy approval in less than a month after applying for EUA with the FDA many are scratching their heads about the true delay. January 31 was the filing and it is now April 24! Going on close to 3 months.
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Old Apr 24, 2022 | 11:07 am
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Is 270-day rule gone for sure?

Originally Posted by notquiteaff

With two doses you are considered fully vaccinated, so you should be fine.
Can anyone confirm that Germany has recently allowed entry with just 2 doses, even if 270 days have lapsed?

I last traveled to Germany in January when there was no expiration to shots. Then all of a sudden sometime I think in February a 270-day rule appeared. Then March 31 the official pages outlining Germany rules dropped the rule, at least until October 1. What had me worried is how long it took for other sites, such as IATA, Lufthansa, and United to catch up and drop the 270 verbiage. Has anyone been challenged or denied entry since March 31 without booster? Wondering how much documentation to print out for my next flight!
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Old Apr 24, 2022 | 12:20 pm
  #203  
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Originally Posted by FlyingfromDC
Can anyone confirm that Germany has recently allowed entry with just 2 doses, even if 270 days have lapsed?

I last traveled to Germany in January when there was no expiration to shots. Then all of a sudden sometime I think in February a 270-day rule appeared. Then March 31 the official pages outlining Germany rules dropped the rule, at least until October 1. What had me worried is how long it took for other sites, such as IATA, Lufthansa, and United to catch up and drop the 270 verbiage. Has anyone been challenged or denied entry since March 31 without booster? Wondering how much documentation to print out for my next flight!

Well, there is unfortunately one recent report in this thread of a traveler having problems getting in with just two doses.

https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/34167615-post186.html

My reading of the law and various webpages is that the Bundespolizei officer in that case was mistaken. Obviously the opinion and interpretation of a stranger on the internet isnt going to help you if you end up in that situation (or similar).
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Old Apr 24, 2022 | 12:55 pm
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You could remove all doubt and get boosted. There is no delay with recognition, it counts from the day of the jab.
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Old Apr 24, 2022 | 3:43 pm
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Originally Posted by notquiteaff
Well, there is unfortunately one recent report in this thread of a traveler having problems getting in with just two doses.

https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/34167615-post186.html

My reading of the law and various webpages is that the Bundespolizei officer in that case was mistaken. Obviously the opinion and interpretation of a stranger on the internet isnt going to help you if you end up in that situation (or similar).
Yes, I saw that. At that time many sources still referenced the 270-day rule. It was only a few days ago that I noticed many websites got updated to reflect 2 doses only (this includes United info on my reservation and IATA Timatic). So one would hope the information would have been cascaded to Bundespolizei etc. by now, and certainly by the time summer travel is in full swing. Interesting enough Lufthansa travel regulations have still not been updated.
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Old Apr 24, 2022 | 9:51 pm
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Originally Posted by sweetsleep
FLYMSY- it is being widely mentioned about the slow walking approval by the FDA in many media outlets and when some of the other vaccines got speedy approval in less than a month after applying for EUA with the FDA many are scratching their heads about the true delay. January 31 was the filing and it is now April 24! Going on close to 3 months.
What you say is true, but its not the whole story. As, also, has been widely mentioned by many media outlets, some of the blame for this situation can be laid squarely at the feet of Novavax itself, i.e., poor management decisions and manufacturing problems. Heck, even a well known professor at a highly regarded D.C. university, who is a frequent critic of the FDA including this slow walking, acknowledges that Novavax is partially to blame. And, now, the conspiracy theory crowd is jumping on this slow walking bandwagon. (A simple internet search will confirm this.) And, Im not inferring that you are part of this, obviously, since youre taking part in the trial of the vaccine, for which you are to be commended. Ill be happy when Novavax is approved in the U.S. because it will provide another vaccine option for people. If it convinces even one more person to get vaccinated, thats progress.

Now, to bring this back to a relevant discussion of Germany. I think youll find out that the anxiety that youre feeling about your vaccination status will be far greater than the reality when you actually begin your Germany trip. Ive been to Germany 3 times in the last 9 months and just returned from my latest trip about 10 days ago. The only time that I had to show proof of vaccination was at check in at my originating U.S. airport. The check in agent glanced at it for about 2 seconds. Was asked for it zero times in Germany.

Enjoy your time in Germany.
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Old Apr 25, 2022 | 7:59 am
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Originally Posted by FLYMSY
Now, to bring this back to a relevant discussion of Germany. I think you’ll find out that the anxiety that you’re feeling about your vaccination status will be far greater than the reality when you actually begin your Germany trip. I’ve been to Germany 3 times in the last 9 months and just returned from my latest trip about 10 days ago. The only time that I had to show proof of vaccination was at check in at my originating U.S. airport. The check in agent glanced at it for about 2 seconds. Was asked for it zero times in Germany.

Enjoy your time in Germany.
May I ask where you were in Germany? We have a trip to Berlin less than two weeks, and my wife and I qualify for a second booster shot in the US. We're hesitant about not having 2 weeks between recent 2nd booster and travel, but from folks on another thread, it seems our concern is unwarranted. If people really aren't taking the card seriously right now, as you point out, we may simply just get the jab.

Last edited by northinsouth; Apr 25, 2022 at 7:59 am Reason: Grammar
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Old Apr 25, 2022 | 9:11 am
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Originally Posted by northinsouth
May I ask where you were in Germany? We have a trip to Berlin less than two weeks, and my wife and I qualify for a second booster shot in the US. We're hesitant about not having 2 weeks between recent 2nd booster and travel, but from folks on another thread, it seems our concern is unwarranted. If people really aren't taking the card seriously right now, as you point out, we may simply just get the jab.
I was in the state of Baden-Wrttemberg, farther south and west than Berlin. Therefore, you may have a bit of a different experience. It would be better if one of the German residents chimed in with their knowledge about Berlin. We are eligible for the second booster, but even though we have another European trip in two weeks, we arent going to get it at this point. We are both in good health and prefer to wait until Fall. If youre concerned, best to talk with your physician and see what they recommend in your situation. I hope yall have a wonderful time in Berlin.
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Old Apr 26, 2022 | 3:48 am
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Official German definition of "fully vacinated" Infektionsschutzgesetz / Infectionprotection law

GERMAN
Ein Impfnachweis ist ein Nachweis hinsichtlich des Vorliegens eines vollstndigen Impfschutzes gegen das Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 in deutscher, englischer, franzsischer, italienischer oder spanischer Sprache in verkrperter oder digitaler Form. Ein vollstndiger Impfschutz gegen das Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 liegt vor, wenn
  1. die zugrundeliegenden Einzelimpfungen mit einem oder verschiedenen Impfstoffen erfolgt sind, die
    1. von der Europischen Union zugelassen sind oder
    2. im Ausland zugelassen sind und die von ihrer Formulierung her identisch mit einem in der Europischen Union zugelassenen Impfstoff sind,
  2. insgesamt drei Einzelimpfungen erfolgt sind und
  3. die letzte Einzelimpfung mindestens drei Monate nach der zweiten Einzelimpfung erfolgt ist.
Abweichend von Satz 2 Nummer 2 liegt ein vollstndiger Impfschutz bis zum 30. September 2022 auch bei zwei Einzelimpfungen vor

ENGLISH
Proof of vaccination is proof of the existence of complete vaccination protection against the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 in German, English, French, Italian or Spanish in embodied or digital form. Full vaccination protection against the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 occurs when.
  1. the underlying individual vaccinations have been carried out with one or different vaccines which are
    1. are approved by the European Union, or
    2. are authorised abroad and are identical in wording to a vaccine authorised in the European Union;
  2. a total of three individual vaccinations have been carried out and
  3. the last individual vaccination has been carried out at least three months after the second individual vaccination.
By way of derogation from sentence 2 number 2, full vaccination protection is available until 30 September 2022 for two individual vaccinations

There are additional exceptions where only two shots are acceptable (for example if you are recently recovered from an infection). I focused on the basic rule.

Summary:
Until September 30th 2022 fully vaccinated means TWO individual vaccinations with the last one at least three months after the second one.
From October 1st 2022 you need THREE individual vaccinations
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Old Apr 26, 2022 | 2:01 pm
  #210  
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So is J&J considered acceptable for one of the two shots? We are headed there in a month or so, will likely get a second booster just in case.
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