Germany

Travel restrictions

International regulations Statewide regulations

International Travel

All travelers aged six or older who have been in a risk area in the past 10 days prior to entry must carry proof of a negative test, and must carry it with them to present as requested.

Germany has entry restrictions for travelers who are not German nationals. Travelers entering Germany following a stay in a risk area within the past 10 days must immediately self-isolate for 10 days. All travelers to Germany have to register online prior to their entry on the website,if they have stayed in a risk area within the last 10 days prior to their entry to Germany. Also they must be able to present proof of this registration when entering Germany. If, in exceptional cases, a registration is not possible through the website mentioned above, travellers must instead fill in a substitute registration In the future, everyone arriving in Germany from a risk area may be required to undergo a COVID-19 test. Several airports are already offering tests onsite for arriving travelers.

Germany has not implemented formal domestic travel restrictions, but hotel stays for tourists are prohibited.

Americans in Germany whose visas are set to expire during this time should apply for an extension to the relevant immigration office by email before the expiry date. Their residence in Germany will remain legal until the immigration office reaches a decision. They should carry a printed version of this application in addition to the expired visa and a valid passport if they must travel.

Travel restrictions for people coming from outside Germany

Germany has restricted the entry of travelers who are arriving from outside the European Economic Area, except for nationals of Germany, residents with a residence permit, and D-Visa holders. Travelers arriving from Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland or the United Kingdom may enter Germany. All travelers except those arriving from countries in the EEA must proceed directly to their own homes or other suitable accommodation to self-isolate for 14 days.

Previous land border closures with neighboring countries and entry restrictions with other European countries have now been removed. This applies to the 26 EU Member States, plus the UK, Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland.

Germany has lifted entry restrictions for travelers coming from the following countries: Australia, Georgia, Canada, New Zealand, Thailand, Tunisia and Uruguay. Restrictions will also be lifted for entry from South Korea, China and Japan if this can be agreed on a reciprocal basis. Germany has not yet lifted restrictions on entry from Serbia, Morocco, Algeria and Rwanda, although these four countries were included on the European Commission list. The list will be reviewed every two weeks. The question of whether travel to Germany is permitted depends on where the person traveling has previously been staying, not on their nationality.

The current travel warning the 160 or so countries outside the EU and the Schengen area will end on September 30. After that, according to a decision by the Federal Cabinet, there will be assessments tailored to the situation in the individual states.

Exemptions

Entry from any third country is possible for travelers who can demonstrate an important reason for their travel. The list of important reasons covers German and EU citizens and any third-country nationals with a right of residency in Germany. It also includes healthcare and health researchers, skilled workers whose economic activity is necessary and cannot be postponed or performed from abroad, freight and transport staff, seasonal workers, students who cannot continue their studies from abroad, travelers making visits for urgent family reasons, diplomats and staff at international organizations, and persons transiting Germany. Quarantine requirements in Germany differ depending on the German state.

All travelers arriving from high-risk areas (over 50 cases per 100,000 inhabitants) are required to stay in quarantine for 14 days on arrival in Germany. The quarantine requirement does not apply to travelers in transit through Germany who show no symptoms of infection with COVID-19, or to people who have a doctor's certificate stating that they show no signs of infection. This must come from a doctor in an EU member state or in a country listed on this site, and it must have been issued within the past 48 hours.

More information can be found here.

Quarantine policy

All travelers arriving from high-risk areas (over 50 cases per 100,000 inhabitants) are required to stay in quarantine for 10 days upon arrival in Germany, and notify the relevant public health office (Gesundheitamt) of their arrival. A stay in a risk area means a stay in that area any time within 10 days prior to arrival. Click here for more information about contacting this office. See the full list of risk area countries here. Travelers can get tested onsite at many German airports, and will be exempt from the remainder of the quarantine if they receive a negative result, no earlier than 5 days after their arrival.

Destinations you can travel to now

For those destinations that may have current travel advisories issued by authorities, we’re including alerts on our site when you search that will let you know there could be an issue with your route.

Domestic travel

There are no domestic travel restrictions in Germany, but a second lockdown is in place until December 23. Essential businesses like shops and hospitals are open, as are schools and day care centers. Hair salons also remain open with safety protocols. Religious services may continue with social distancing.

You are only allowed to meet privately with members of your own household and members from another household, for a maximum of 5 people. Children up to the age of 14 are excluded in this total. You should refrain from unnecessary trips in and outside of Germany, including visits to relatives. Masks are required in all stores and in designated high traffic areas, including streets and plazas. Whenever possible, employees should work from home. See here for full details.

Over the Christmas holiday, up to 10 people can meet (children up to the age of 14 do not factor into this total). For now, this exception does not apply to Berlin. A total of five people can meet, not including children up to the age of 14.
Embassy and consulate contact information
Website: US Embassy & Consulates in Germany
Phone number: US Embassy Berlin emergency number : +49-30-8305-0

Quick answers

Yes – only German nationals, permanent residents, and D-Visa holders may enter the country. Travelers in transit to their home countries who have no other option and have proven entry requirements for each country may also enter. More
Sort of – there are no official nationwide travel restrictions within Germany, but hotel stays for tourists are prohibited. Additionally, Germany is under a second lockdown until December 23. See above on this page for full details. More
No – the land borders between Germany and its neighboring countries were temporarily closed, but are now open. More
Germany’s major airports in cities like Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt, Hamburg, and Dusseldorf all remain open, but some have consolidated passenger traffic to fewer terminals, and travelers can expect a greatly reduced number of available airlines. More
Yes – all arriving travelers in Germany from a risk area must immediately quarantine for 10 days upon arrival. See the full list of risk area countries here. Travelers can get tested onsite at many German airports, and will be exempt from the remainder of the quarantine if they receive a negative result, after at least 5 days spent in quarantine. More
Sort of – Germany has entered a second lockdown until December 23. See above for full details. More
For press inquiries, corrections and any data-related questions, please email us at travel-restrictions@kayak.com.
If you’re looking for personalized travel advice, like whether or not you should travel, please consult your local government’s resources (we won’t be able to offer advice).