Immigration update: Germany | Latest Coronavirus entry regulations
Latest Coronavirus entry regulations
The government has provided an update regarding the Coronavirus Entry Regulations on November 28th, 2021, with considered 8 countries now as an area of variant of concern. Remaining in effect is that all travellers need to confirm the entry regulations and possible register electronically via the digital entry registration Digital Registration on Entry before entering Germany.
Who will be affected?
People planning to travel to Germany regardless of citizenship or purpose of travel from the countries considered an area of variant of concern.
Entry regulations
The government issued a statement that a temporary limitation shall be imposed on carriage of travellers from countries designated as regions with widespread occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 virus variants of concern (referred to as “areas of variant of concern”).
Areas of variant of concern: Please note that currently the following states are considered as areas of variant of concern: Botswana; Eswatini; Lesotho; Malawi; Mozambique; Namibia; South Africa; Zambia; Zimbabwe
Travel from these regions is at the moment not possible, there are only a few, strictly defined exceptions to this travel ban namely for:
1) People who are residents in Germany with a current right to reside in the country
2) People with connecting flights, who do not leave the transit zone of an international airport
3) Few other special cases, one being German Citizens who do not have a residency in Germany currently.
Federal quarantine obligations
The quarantine obligations are based on the classification of the area from which the travellers come. You can find out which countries are currently classified as risk areas, high incidence areas or virus variant areas in this list from the International Risk Areas – RKI
The following applies to entry from a high incidence area: After a stay in a high incidence area, quarantine is obliged for 10 days and can be ended prematurely at the earliest after the fifth day by a negative test. Please also note quarantine may be ended early if proof of recovery, proof of vaccination is submitted via upload portal of the digital registration on entry.
When entering from a virus-variant area, the following applies: Everyone – including convalescents or vaccinated persons – must adhere to a strict 14-day quarantine; there is no “free testing option” here against the background of the dangerousness of the virus variants. The person in quarantine will be allowed to leave the apartment or accommodation to be tested. Anyone wishing to be tested should go to the test centre by the most direct route and comply with the protective and hygiene regulations.
Proof of vaccination or of recovery from COVID-19: This can replace a negative test certificate and exempt travellers from quarantine on entry. This does not apply if they have spent time in an area of variant of concern prior to entry.
For more information on the foregoing obligations, exemptions and requirements regarding the relevant proofs please click here.
How to conduct yourself when in Germany?
Mouth and nose must be covered in public areas such as public transport, stores and busy outdoor places or where the minimum distance to others cannot be kept. Masks must fulfill the requirements of FFP2, KN95/N95 or surgical masks.
Rules in daily life (3G, 2G, 2G+): The “3G” rule (geimpft, genesen oder getestet — “vaccinated, recovered, or tested”) now applies at the workplace and on public transport. The “2G” rule (geimpft, genesen – “vaccinated, recovered”) applies to restaurants, bars, hotels, theatres, and hairdressers. In addition, these places can require a negative test when, in that state, a high number of people are hospitalised with COVID. Extensive information in English and other languages on current regulations is available here
Watch out for local regulations: Measures for fighting the spread of COVID-19 are subject to local regulation, please find your federal state here
Source: RKI, German State Department and German Department of Health
Next Steps (or) Actions Required
Based on the evolution of COVID-19, the situation is continuously evolving. Should you have any questions, please contact the following:
Claudia McDaniel
Immigration Team Lead
Santa Fe Relocation Germany
D: +49 6190 8993 800
E: claudia.mcdaniel@staging.santaferelo.com
To read more immigration updates, click here
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