Beginning December 25, Germany will add 6 new countries to its list of “high-risk” travel destinations, including the United States, Spain and Portugal.
Finland, Monaco and Cyprus have also been added to the list by the Robert Koch Institute.
Listing these countries adds to the requirements for arrivals from these countries, making it difficult for unvaccinated travelers to visit. Travelers must complete a digital entry registration and provide proof of a negative PCR test, proof of vaccination or recovery from the virus.
Travelers are then required to undergo quarantine for ten days. Vaccinated and recovered travelers do not need to go through quarantine if they upload proof of vaccination or recovery along with digital registration. Unvaccinated travelers can be tested for COVID-19 on the fifth day and end quarantine early if the test is negative.
Currently, the country has 56 countries classified as high-risk areas.
Germany Targets New Years Celebration With Post-Christmas Restrictions
In an effort to tackle the massive New Years celebrations that could lead to the spread of the omicronic variant of COVID-19, the federal and state governments of Germany will tighten restrictions on COVID-19, even for vaccinated individuals after the Christmas holidays.
German broadcaster Deutsche Welle says the new restrictions will take effect from 28 December. According to the new rules, private gatherings of vaccinated and recovered people will be limited to 10 people. If someone in the group is not vaccinated, then the meeting is limited to one family.
Fireworks are prohibited and clubs will be closed. Large gatherings will be banned and spectators will not be allowed at venues such as concerts and sporting events.
Germany has already imposed restrictions on 2G across the country. The abbreviation 2G stands for “geimpft oder genesen” – vaccinated or recovered – and represents a de facto lockdown for the unvaccinated, limiting their access to most places except for essential places such as pharmacies and grocery stores.
Previously, 3G restrictions allowed unvaccinated people to choose “getestet” – or testing – as an alternative way to access events.
What do the new rules for travel to Germany mean?
Germany has restricted access to the country for people traveling from certain “problem option” countries who are not permanent residents or citizens. Travelers from these countries, which currently include the UK and some southern African countries, must be quarantined for 14 days, even if vaccinated.
Arrivals from other countries must register online prior to arrival and, depending on where they are arriving from, provide proof of vaccination, recovery or testing. For example, travelers from the United States must present proof of vaccination to enter.
While the federal government may allow entry, keep in mind that states have the power to set additional restrictions that may affect your travel. Bavaria and Saxony, the two German states that have been hit hardest by the recent rise in cases, have imposed restrictions on tourism. In November, the Munich Christmas market was canceled due to the inability to regulate entry to the market in accordance with 2G rules.