Mandatory testing or proof of immunity from COVID-19

As of 23 December 2021, every person from the age of 6 upwards is obliged to carry proof of their COVID‑19 status when entering Germany. Persons from the age of 6 upwards must therefore have a negative test result or proof of recovery or vaccination when entering Germany. As a rule, COVID‑19 test results (antigen or PCR tests) must not be more than 48 hours old at the time of the (planned) entry. However, if you are entering Germany with an airline, PCR tests may be taken a maximum of 48 hours before the scheduled  departure time. But antigen tests must not be taken more than 48 hours before the (scheduled) time of arrival in Germany even if travellers are being transported by a carrier.

Travellers who are only transferring at an airport in Germany are also required to present proof of their COVID‑19 status. This applies both to non-Schengen transit from or to third countries outside the EU and to transit from or to Schengen states.

The negative test result, proof of recovery or proof of vaccination must be shown to the carrier for examination prior to departure. Proof must also be shown to the German border authorities upon entry if requested.

Travellers entering Germany from areas of variant of concern (Canada is currently not defined as such an area) or persons who have travelled to areas of variant of concern within the last 10 days, must present a negative PCR test result: in this case a rapid antigen test or proof of recovery or vaccination is not sufficient. If using a carrier to enter Germany, the PCR test result must be less than 48 hours old at the time of the (scheduled) start of the journey. Furthermore, the German authorities may require travellers to take additional PCR tests after entering the Federal Republic of Germany, in particular at their point of arrival (e.g. at the airport).

Requirements for tests and proof of vaccination or recovery

Detailed information on the requirements for tests and proof of immunity is available on the website of the Federal Ministry of Health

In principle, the following forms of proof are accepted:

Proof of a negative test result:

A negative test result obtained using nucleic acid amplification technology (e.g. PCR, PoC- PCR) in German, English, French, Italian or Spanish. The test must have been carried out no more than 72 hours prior to entry (time of swabbing).

Alternatively, a negative antigen rapid test result in German, English, French, Italian or Spanish. Following a stay in a high-risk area, the test must have been carried out no more than 48 hours prior to entry. Following a stay in an area of variant of concern, the test must have been carried out no more than 24 hours prior to entry.

Details on the recognition of tests are provided on the website of the Robert Koch Institute.

Proof of vaccination

Proof of vaccination against COVID-19 in German, English, French, Italian or Spanish in digital or paper form. Note that a photo of a proof in paper form is not sufficient.

The requirements for fully vaccinated persons must be fulfilled.

For information on the digital certificate visit
https://digitaler-impfnachweis-app.de or the Website of the European Commission.

Proof of recovery:

A positive PCR test result carried out at least 28 days but no more than six months previously.