What's happening?
In view of falling coronavirus infection numbers in Germany and other parts of Europe, the German government has removed a major hurdle to summer holidays abroad by easing the quarantine requirement for 'risk' areas.
The new regulation, which came into force on May 13th and was agreed by Chancellor Angela Merkel’s cabinet, means people who are fully vaccinated, can prove they have recovered from Covid-19 or can show a recent negative test will no longer have to quarantine after arriving from a coronavirus risk area.
READ ALSO: Germany eases quarantine rules with eye on summer travel
The rules have also been relaxed even further for immune groups.
What does that mean?
The move will make trips to and from dozens of countries easier for German residents.
Previously, everyone who arrived in Germany from an area classed as ‘risk’ or ‘high incidence’ by the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) had to self-isolate for 10 days. People were usually able to end the quarantine after a negative Covid test result taken at the earliest five days into self-isolation.
Under the new rules, people entering Germany from 'risk' countries can be exempt from quarantine by showing a negative coronavirus test. This is a general requirement from all passengers when arriving in Germany by plane, however there are exceptions for immune groups (more on that below).
The government says: "Quarantine at home may be ended prematurely if proof of recovery, proof of vaccination or a negative test result is submitted via the Federal Republic of Germany entry portal https://www.einreiseanmeldung.de."
Germany allows an antigen test no older than 48 hours or a PCR test no older than 72 hours. For more information on test requirements check out this RKI information sheet.
The Local contacted Germany's Health Ministry who confirmed that one negative Covid-19 test shown before boarding the plane is sufficient proof to free travellers who are not vaccinated from having to quarantine.
For unvaccinated people, the 10-day quarantine and option to end it after five days still applies when coming from countries or regions listed as 'high incidence areas'.
What about virus variant areas of concern?
Some countries outside Europe, including India, Brazil and South Africa, are currently classed as 'virus variant areas of concern'.
As of May 23rd, the UK was also classed as a virus variant area of concern due to the prevalence of the Delta variant, first discovered in India.
There is a general entry ban on anyone coming from these countries but there are some exceptions such as for German residents and citizens.
Anyone coming from these countries - regardless if vaccinated/recovered from Covid or not - has to show a negative Covid-19 test before boarding and then quarantine at home for 14 days. There is no option to shorten the quarantine.
Restrictions relaxed further for immune groups
For the fully vaccinated, or those who can produce a positive PCR test that is at least 28 days old and no older than six months to show they have recovered from Covid-19, the relaxations go even further. These groups only have to quarantine if they come from an area classed as a 'virus variant area of concern'. If coming from other countries, they do not face a quarantine.
Vaccinated and recovered people who arrive in Germany from the approximately 190 other countries in the world also no longer have to be tested for coronavirus before boarding their flight or after entering the country (except if coming from a virus variant region).
As part of the new rules the government says: "Proof of vaccination or of recovery from Covid-19 can replace a negative test certificate and exempt you from quarantine on entry."
The decree is the largest far-reaching relaxation of travel regulations since restrictions were brought in at the start of the pandemic last year.
Are vaccination certificates from other countries recognised in Germany?
Talks are ongoing on recognising foreign vaccine certificates.
If you were vaccinated in Germany you can show proof of your vaccination passport or the document they gave you when you got your shots.
The EU is finalising details of its ‘digital green pass', which is expected to come into force in June. So if you were vaccinated in another EU country, you will likely to be able to show proof through that soon.
But there may be some added complications if you were vaccinated in a non-EU country such as the UK, USA, Australia or Canada as the EU and the non-EU country needs to recognise each other's vaccine certificate.
The EU has already said it has opened talks with the USA. Recently, EU ambassadors for the 27 member states reached an agreement to allow vaccinated holidaymakers from outside the EU, including the UK, to visit the bloc.
The EU currently has a small “safe list” of countries from where travellers are allowed in for non-essential reasons due to its infection rates. The list includes Australia, New Zealand and Israel.
People who have German residence or citizenship, however, are allowed to enter Germany.
The German Health Ministry told The Local that the internationally recognised 'yellow booklet' for vaccinations is recognised in Germany.
READ ALSO: How do you prove you've been vaccinated or have recovered from Covid-19 in Germany?
What else should we know?
Germany splits countries or regions up according to risk. These are as follows:
- Virus variant areas of concern: Anyone entering Germany from these countries, including India, Brazil and South Africa, must self-isolate for 14 days. There is still no exception here: even vaccinated people and those who’ve recovered from Covid-19 must quarantine at home. Everyone coming from these countries must also show a negative Covid test before boarding their flight.
- High-incidence areas: This category applies to countries with more than 200 new infections per 100,000 residents in seven days (7-day incidence). It currently includes some popular holiday destinations such as Egypt, Tunisia, Mexico and the Maldives. Here, a quarantine obligation of 10 days still applies, from which you can be released from after five days with a negative Covid test result.
Fully vaccinated people and those who’ve recovered from Covid-19 are exempt from the quarantine and testing obligations as they can show proof of their status.
- Basic risk areas: These are countries where the 7-day incidence is above 50. Anyone coming from one of these countries doesn't have to quarantine if they can present a negative Covid-19 test result (or proof of vaccination/recovery). These currently include much of Spain, most of Switzerland, the USA and Turkey.
- 'Risk free' areas: There are only a few countries that are not classified in any of the three coronavirus risk categories, but their number is increasing. In Europe, Malta, Albania and Iceland are classed as 'risk free'. Italy and Czech Republic were also added recently. For these countries and regions, too, the obligation to test before boarding the flight to Germany for unvaccinated air travellers still applies, but otherwise there are no longer any restrictions.
As we touched on above, if you have stayed in a basic risk, high incidence or virus variant area within 10 days prior to coming to Germany, you have to register online at the website www.einreiseanmeldung.de.
For further details on the rules check out the German government website (rules also in English).There's also a helpful question and answer sheet (in German).
The RKI regularly updates a list showing which countries are risk areas, high incidence areas and virus variant areas of concern so keep an eye on this if you are planning to travel. Please also keep in mind that countries you want to travel to may still have entry restrictions in place.
READ ALSO: How did Germany turbocharge its vaccination rollout – and what can it do better?
The quarantine obligation is initially in place until June 30th.
So can people travel?
Travel isn’t banned in Germany but the government is still strongly urging people against all non-essential travel abroad - despite bringing in the new entry rules on May 13th.
Foreign Minister Heiko Maas has not confirmed when the travel warning will be lifted. However, during his recent visit to Italy - the second most popular holiday destination for Germans - he said he was "very, very confident" that German tourists will be able to go on holiday in Italy and other European countries this summer.
What’s the reaction?
The German Travel Association said the new entry regulations were positive for the travel industry as well as holidaymakers.
"Nothing more stands in the way of the summer holiday on the Mediterranean that so many people are longing for,” said association president Norbert Fiebig.
Summer holidays begin in Germany on June 19th in some federal states.
Please keep in mind that this article, as with all of our guides, are to provide assistance only. They are not intended to take the place of official legal advice.
***We updated this story on May 19th to include information about recognition of vaccine certificates.
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