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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
Relaxation of restrictions on entry to Germany for vaccinated persons from 25 June 2021
From 25 June 2021, entry to Germany will be possible for persons from Canada who have been fully vaccinated against the Sars-CoV-2 coronavirus with one of the vaccines approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA). Fully vaccinated persons will then once again be able to enter Germany for the purpose of visits and as tourists. Information on additional visa appointments will be provided here in the near future.
Only persons who have been vaccinated with one of the vaccines listed on the website of the Paul-Ehrlich-Institute (PEI) and whose last required vaccination was administered at least 14 days ago can enter Germany. This currently applies solely to vaccines approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA). The plan is to extend this to other vaccines with a comparable level of protection as soon as the necessary tests have been completed.
To enter Germany, 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),
- date of vaccination, number of vaccinations,
- name of vaccine,
- name of disease vaccinated against,
- name and address of the person/institution responsible for administering the vaccine, and
- 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.
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.
Travel restrictions apply for not fully vaccinated individuals when entering Germany from Canada. Entry is only permitted for a few narrow exceptions. Proof of urgent need to travel is required.
Exemptions from travel restrictions
Please find the most up to date regulations regarding travel exceptions here. Decisions on entry are made on a case-by-case basis and are at discretion of the German Federal Police. The German Foreign Missions in Canada have no authority in making decisions on entry to Germany.
Please note that travel restrictions do not apply to German citizens, EU citizens, nationals of Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Norway and Iceland and the members of their immediate family (spouse, unmarried minor children, parents of minors).
Information on visa applications
Entry restrictions 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.
- 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.
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.