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Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Covid-19 / Coronavirus, © Colourbox
Important information on the impacts of COVID-19 on travelling to Germany and consular services
Important information
Introduction of a general COVID proof obligation starting from 12 years of age upon entry into Germany from Sunday, 01 August, 2021, 0.00h CET
From Sunday, 01 August, 2021, 0.00h CET, there is a general obligation to carry a COVID proof when entering Germany. Persons aged twelve years and older (previously six years) must then have proof of testing, proof of recovery or proof of vaccination when entering Germany. A negative test may be no more than 72h (PCR test) or 48h (rapid antigen test) old at the time of entry.
Lifting of entry restrictions from Canada to Germany
The German government has lifted all entry restrictions for Canadian residents starting Sunday, July 4, 2021. Travel to Germany by Canadian residents will therefore be permitted again for all travel purposes as of this date. For entry by air, proof of testing, proof of recovery from Covid-19 or proof of vaccination is required.
Information on visa applications
Entry restrictions, testing and quarantine regulations in Germany
Test Requirements for Entering Germany
All air travellers six years and older who are neither fully vaccinated nor fully recovered must continue to present a negative COVID test prior to departure.
Both PCR tests and rapid antigen tests are accepted. A list of approved rapid antigen tests that meet the requirements of the Robert Koch Institute for entry can be found here. The PCR test must be taken no more than 72 hours prior to entering Germany (time of swabbing); the rapid antigen test no more than 48 hours.
The test is waived for fully vaccinated or recovered air travellers. These persons no longer have to present a negative test prior to departure.
- Passengers who received all the required doses of a COVID-19 vaccine cited on the website of the Paul Ehrlich Institute are considered fully vaccinated. It must be at least 14 days since the last vaccine dose was administered. On entry, travellers must have proof of vaccination in written or digital form (a cellphone photo is not sufficient). Vaccinated passengers must additionally show no relevant symptoms.
Several vaccine or combination of vaccines against the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus have been approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA). These are listed on the Paul Ehrlich Institute Website (PEI - search for "Kanada") including the vaccine names used in Canada (AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine (AZD1222), Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine, Covid-19 Vaccine Moderna Dispersion for injection).
In addition, vaccine protection is also considered proven for versions of EMA-approved vaccines approved in third countries (original or licensed productions), as well as those vaccines with WHO emergency listing that correspond to EU-approved vaccines. Currently, from the WHO list, these are only AZD1222 (equivalent to AstraZeneca vaccine), Covishield (ChAdOx1_nCoV-19, AstraZeneca vaccine), BNT162b2/COMIRNATY Tozinameran (INN) and mRNA-1273 (Moderna vaccine).
Expansion to other vaccines with comparable standards of protection is planned once the necessary tests have been completed.
The last required single vaccination/vaccination dose must have been administered at least 14 days ago.
A digital EU COVID certificate or comparable proof of vaccination in digital or analogue form (paper form) in German, English, French, Italian or Spanish must be presented. This must always include:
- the personal data of the vaccinated person (at least family name, first name and date of birth or or passport/ID card number),
- date of vaccination, number of vaccinations,
- name of vaccine,
- name of disease vaccinated against,
- written documentation or electronic confirmation with a qualified electronic signature or a qualified electronic seal from the person responsible for administering the vaccine; if such information is not possible for administrative reasons, the confirmation provided by the person/institution responsible should appropriately be made clear, specifically through the use of a stamp or a state symbol.
- Travellers who can prove they were previously infected with COVID through a positive PCR test, taken at least 28 days but no more than six months prior, and who show no relevant symptoms are considered to be fully recovered.
In the case of a person who has recovered from infection, a single dose of a vaccine is sufficient. As proof of full vaccination for a recovered person, proof must also be provided that they had the SARS‑CoV‑2 coronavirus before their vaccination. As proof of this illness, a positive PCR test dating back at least 28 days and at most six months must be presented. The proof of illness must be written in German, English, French, Italian or Spanish and available in digital or analogue form (paper form).
Further information is available here.
Transit passengers who do not leave the international transit area at Frankfurt or Munich airport do not need to provide a negative test prior to departure.
Quarantine Regulations
The requirement for travellers from Canada to quarantine in Germany upon arrival has been waived.
Rules for incoming passengers to Germany
Digital Entry Registration
Travellers arriving from Canada are exempt from the requirement of a digital registration prior to entering Germany. Transit passengers who are entering Germany and then immediately travelling onward to another country also do not have to register their entry online.