Help interpreting Germany transit rules
 

I have not had to transit in Germany (from and to the U.S.) since January, and I just looked up the March update on covid rules. It says vaccination must have been no more than 270 days ago…. even for transit? Mine just passed that day limit, so will I and my spouse (U.S. citizen with the same issue with the 270 days) be allowed to transit? We always make sure to get an antigen test prior whether required or not.

It might be pertinent information to share that I have also a citizenship in another EEA nation, and in any case that appears to provide an exception for myself as well as my spouse (proof of family relationship required). Are we going to have an issue with transit, unless we rush to get boosted now (at least 14 days prior)???

It expires 270 after primary vaccination. If you’re boosted you’re fine. (For now)

I've just ploughed through various bits and pieces on the German foreign/health ministry sites and can't find a reference to the 270 day limit or to boosters, though I know it has been talked about and applies in some other EU countries. Have you got a link? On this site it specifically mentions "at least two doses" but nothing about boosters (noting that if you had the J&J vaccine you would need to have had a second dose of another vaccine in order to count as fully vaccinated): https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en/coronavirus/2317268

Are you transiting to another Schengen country, i.e. entering Schengen in Germany?

FWIW, you're considered boostered from day 1, not day 14 of your 3rd dose :)

Transit on the outbound will be to another Schengen country from the U.S. via Frankfurt. On the return, it says rule does not apply when transiting to a non-Schengen country (U.S.), so that is quite clear.

I looked at the page you mention above as well as https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/new...-from-march-3/ ("Germany accepts all vaccination certificates that prove that the holder that been fully vaccinated with one of the doses of the approved vaccine in the last 270 days.") and Lufthansa website, which took me to the Paul Ehrlich Institute and again to a German only version of the entry rules (there is a mention on page 2 of "no more than 270 days have passed since the second single vaccination"). So it appears there is a risk of a double vaccinated passenger who just passed 270 days since 2nd dose not being allowed to travel even to transit? Just trying to understand their bottom line.

Lufthansa https://www.lufthansa.com/us/en/long...ns-at-a-glance lists the exceptions very clearly, so I believe as a dual U.S./ EU citizen traveling with my U.S. citizen spouse with marriage certificate in hand we are covered under the last exception anyway and don't have to rush now to get a booster shot just for a 2-hour transit through Frankfurt. I can see this being a nightmare this summer when many not-so-frequent flyers travel if not updated or communicated very clearly!

(From LH page) Entry restrictions do not apply to:
-German citizens and their immediate family members traveling with them;
-German legal residents and their unmarried partners with proof;
-Transit travelers who stay in the airport transit area;
-EU permanent residents or long-term visa holders returning home;
-Citizens of the EU, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Norway, and Iceland and their spouse, unmarried minor children, and parents of minors.

Ah thanks. It is still hugely confusing with different "official" sites offering conflicting or at least incomplete information. Several different ministry sites still offer reams of info pertaining to the high-risk and virus variant area rules which don't apply any more and actually working out what is relevant in your situation is a nightmare.

Currently trying to ascertain whether non-EU-citizen under-12s have to provide a negative test result to enter Germany, or whether they are fully exempt from furnishing proof. The German embassy in the UK says they need a test, while the foreign ministry says they don't. Aargh!

Have a good trip.

I will be traveling with an under-12 as well, and actually gave up on trying to figure this out for her! She will just take a BinaxNow Home Test, which Germany has happily accepted over the past year. She has also been able to enter Lufthansa lounges over the last few months just by showing the home test certificate. I'm still curious to see where these rules land by the summer busy travel season.

Have a good trip as well!

You may need it for more than that, though. If anywhere in your destination country requires a Covid certificate, AFAIK same rules will apply, because there was an agreement on the Union level about the 270-day validity of vaccination certificates. So, if your destination requires certs to get into places, you'll either have to get tested, or get that booster shot.

My final destination in Scandinavia recently dropped all Covid restrictions for events, restaurants etc. Hence no other concerns other than the 2-hour transit layover in Germany.

Do I need to submit online any form(s) to Germany in order to transit through to a Schengen destination?
I am transiting FRA from US going to France. I was informed that I need to submit an online form for entry to France.
Thanks.

You don't need to submit anything for Germany, but need to carry proof of vaccination/recovery. Probably best to ask about French rules in the France forum - you'll still need to do whatever is required for France if it's your final destination.

Thank you. Much appreciate your reply.
I did get information on France from the trip sponsor so I’m good there. They do require “paperwork” which led me to be concerned about Schengen entry via Germany.

Germany updated rules again
 

I just looked up again https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en/v...eUndAufenthalt, and there was an update on March 31 related to “Details on requirements for the proof of vaccination”.

It now says: “The vaccination must have taken place with one or different vaccines approved by the European Union with at least two doses.” AND “ These requirements for vaccinations are in force until 30 September. From 1 October as a rule three doses of vaccine will be required.”

My interpretation is that the 270-day rule was dropped for the summer, and that booster shots are not required until October 1. Am I missing something?

Don’t think you are missing anything. And just to state what might be obvious - those who received a single-dose J&J vaccine and are considered fully vaccinated in the US (and perhaps elsewhere) do require a second dose of approved vaccine (booster in the US) to be considered fully vaccinated in Germany.

Flying through FRA and on to SIN next week. Fully vaccinated, but tested positive 2 weeks before my scheduled flight (and have PCR recovery cert). (I am now testing negative thankfully)

Would be really grateful if someone could confirm their understanding as follows:-
- I don't need to complete the online digital registration for Germany, as only transit
- I tested positive a couple of weeks ago, but proof of immunity (positive PCR) is only valid 28 days afterwards in Germany, and therefore...
- I still need to take an ART or PCR prior to the flight to Germany, even though my final destination SIN doesn't require it?

thanks in advance!