Current travel situation

 

Since October 1st, 2020 Germany has implemented country specific travel & safety information for all travellers due to COVID-19. 


There are currently some travel restrictions from certain countries in force in order to minimize the risk of infections brought into Germany.  Strict rules and measures are in place for those who are arriving from risk areas. Furthermore it is mandatory to complete the digital registration form , an obligation to test for the coronavirus and depending on the rules and regulations of the respective federal state authority the traveler might be obliged to go into quarantine.

 

Are there any travel restrictions on the students’ country of origin?

 

According to the German Government the risk areas have been divided into three categories with different regulations.

 

  • Risk areas (increased risk of infection)

  • High incidence areas (particularly high case numbers) and 

  • Virus variant areas (regions in which so-called mutations have spread). 

 

Entry by nationals of non-EU countries (third-country nationals) is permitted without restrictions on travel for persons residing in a country on the list of safe countries (“safe list”). The following applies to third-country nationals residing in third countries not on the list.

 

Third-country nationals from third countries who are not on the safe list are able to enter into German to begin vocational training meet the requirements listed below:

 

  • The individual has been issued a visa for purposes of training or education (after completing a language course, if applicable).

  • The individual is holding documentation from the training institution confirming that the in-person presence is necessary (in person and not only online) despite the COVID-19 situation.

  • Entry for the purpose of attending a language course to prepare for subsequent training is permitted if the person demonstrates upon entry that the training will begin directly after the completion of the language course (without any intervening travel home, which would require re-entry to start the actual training).


Students attending the university in order to complete the course or for individual semesters of study are also able to enter Germany if they present the university admission notice issued by the university. Since the universities are planning the winter semester 2020/20021 as a combination of online and in-person courses, it is not necessary to provide any additional documentation of the need and requirements of in-person attendance.


Do I need a PCR test? 

 

If you enter Germany by plane,  train, bus or car you are obliged to test for COVID-19 throughout Germany at the latest 48 hours after entry. The result of the test must be provided to the responsible health department. Depending on the risk status of the departure country of the individual, the traveller might need to present the respective authority a negative test upon arrival.

 

What is the quarantine situation?

 

If you enter German by plane,  train, bus or car you are obliged to test for COVID-19 throughout Germany at the latest 48 hours after entry. The result of the test must be provided to the responsible health department.  

 

Regardless of the test result, there is an obligation to quarantine in accordance with the regulations of the respective federal state. All people entering from risk areas are obliged to put themselves into a 10-day quarantine immediately. Quarantine can usually be terminated with a negative test result after five days at the earliest. However, the quarantine cannot be shortened if you are entering a virus variant area.


The detailed quarantine regulations depend on the regulations in each federal state.