Germany is a versatile country to visit. It does not only have to offer many beautiful landscapes, but can also score with its wide range of cities, all having different flairs. However, before you actually start planning a trip to Germany, you should look out for general travel restrictions. This article will guide you through the all the travel restrictions you need to know of.
Travel restrictions: COVID-19
The pandemic has yet to end in Germany. Though most of the restrictions have been lifted, face masks are still a huge part of the daily life of people in Germany.
If you are traveling to Germany, however, it is easier than it was a couple of months ago. Entering the country does not require you to have a proof of vaccination or get tested.
In terms of high risk areas, there are now called virus variant area. In these areas, a specific COVID-19 variant is dominant. If this variant differs from the predominating one in Germany, this area is considered a virus variant area. When wanting to enter Germany, people from such areas need to get tested – nucleic acid test only and not older than 48 hours! – in case they stayed in such an area up until 10 days before. This does not apply to children under the age of 12.
However, people traveling from these virus variant areas are required to register digitally. This does also oblige to children under the age of 12. This registration is necessary because you need to fulfil a 14-day quarantine period, to make sure you are not infected with the COVID-19 variant and cannot spread it.
Restrictions only apply to people traveling from China. Until now, it is not possible for people from there to travel to Germany just for fun. Instead, there needs to be a significant reason. For example, traveling for work businesses might be one of these reasons.
General travel restrictions
General travel restrictions are mostly concerning whether travelers need a visa to enter Germany or not. This is an important matter because if you do not take the time to inform yourself about visa regulations, you might not be able to enter Germany.
In general, EU citizens can travel to Germany without a visa. Instead, an ID card suffices. These countries are part of the Schengen states, meaning they have abolished any border control to ensure an easy traveling experience for EU citizens. These countries do not need a passport when traveling to Germany:
- Austria
- Belgium
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- The Netherlands
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
Other countries, as for example Albania or Venezuela, do not need a visa in case they do not plan to stay longer than 90 days within a 180-day period. You can find the entire list and more information here. So if you are simply going on a 2 weeks vacation, you simply need your passport and preferably an ID card, so you can always identify yourself in any case. Identifying yourself is also a must in Germany at any time.
Keep in mind that this does not hold true for people from most third countries. In this case, these people need to obtain a Schengen visa before they can enter Germany. If they are simply switching planes in a Schengen area, a special airport transit visa to be able to do so.
Travel to Germany does not have to be difficult
Germany is a fairly easy country to travel to. COVID-19 regulations are almost all banned. Travelers have a huge benefit if they are EU citizens and want to visit one of the countries that belong to the Schengen areas. They simply do not need neither a passport nor a visa, but can travel freely within these countries and without border controls. For other travelers, a Schengen visa is also not required if they are staying no longer than 90 days within a 180-day period.
FAQ for travel restrictions of Germany
No, unless you are traveling from an area of variants of concern.
You need a visa in case you are from one of the third countries or want to stay longer than 90 days within a 180-day period.
Yes, absolutely. You need to be able to identify yourself when traveling at all times.
