This is a 2020 article with information about Germany's first reopening in June, 2020. ——> for updated 2021 information please go to “Germany's Covid-19 Entry Requirements Guide”
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Germany announced that it will be officially reopening to tourists on June 15th, allowing 31 countries to cross its borders for the purposes of tourism. Germany is the 8th most visited country in the world with over 37 million visitors per year.
Even though Germany is opening on June 15th to visitors from 31 countries, the government has clearly stated that countries might be removed from the approved list if their case numbers get too high.
November Update: Since this news story was published, entry rules, requirements, and countries allowed to visit Germany have continued to change. This ‘reopening' news story will no longer be updated.
All Germany updates will be published on our guide: “Germany's Covid-19 Entry Requirements”
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Which Countries Can Visit Germany?
On June 15th Germany is lifting travel restrictions on 31 countries.
Included are the 26 countries of the European Union, the UK (which is its transition period out of the EU) and 4 members who are not in the EU, but are Schengen members; Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.
On July 2, 2020, Germany will also lift travel restrictions on 8 additional third-party countries, upon recommendation of the EU.
Here's the full EU/EFTA list that can currently visit Germany:
- Austria
- Belgium*
- Bulgaria* (Blagoevgrad region)
- Croatia* (Šibenik-Knin, Split-Dalmatia, Zadar, Dubrovnik-Neretva, Pozega-Slavonia, Grad (city) Zagreb und Međimurska regions)
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic* (Prague metro region)
- Denmark
- Estonia* (Idu-Viru region)
- Finland* (Ostrobothnia region)
- France*
- Greece
- Hungary* (regions Csongrád, Veszprém, Vas and Pest)
- Iceland*
- Ireland* (border region, Mid-West, South-West, Mid-East, West and Midlands regions)
- Italy* (Campania and Liguria regions)
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania* (Šiaulių region)
- Luxembourg
- Malta*
- Netherlands*
- Norway
- Poland* (Kujawsko-Pomorskie, Małopolskie, Podlaski, Pomorskie and Świętokrzyskie regions)
- Portugal* (region Norte)
- Romania*
- Slovakia*
- Slovenia* (Koroska region, Jugovzhodna Slovenija, Pomurska and Podravska regions)
- Spain*
- Sweden* (Jämtland, Örebro, Uppsala, Stockholm provinces)
- Switzerland* (Geneva and Waadt regions, Fribourg, Jura, Neuchâtel, Nidwalden, Schwyz, Uri, Zurich und Zug areas.)
- United Kingdom* (Northern Ireland and Whales areas. East midlands and west midlands)
*now considered high risk and must take PCR test on arrival or quarantine for 14 days.
Here is the full third-party, non-EU list:
- Australia
- New Zealand
- Thailand
- Uruguay
The Foreign Minister of Affairs, Heiko Mass, made a statement to the press outlining the relaxing of Germany’s borders. He reminded hopeful tourists: “We must not weigh ourselves in false security. Covid is far from over. Together we must prevent tourism from leading to a second wave. It depends on the personal responsibility of each individual”
Wir dürfen uns aber nicht in falscher Sicherheit wiegen. #Covid_19 ist noch längst nicht vorbei. Wir müssen gemeinsam verhindern, dass eine Wiederaufnahme des Tourismus zu einer 2. Welle führt, bei uns oder anderswo. Es kommt auf die Eigenverantwortung jedes Einzelnen an. (3/4)
— Heiko Maas 🇪🇺 (@HeikoMaas) June 3, 2020
Will visitors into Germany be required to isolate?
No. Any visitor entering from the 31 pre-approved EU/EFTA countries and the 8 third-party countries listed above will NOT have to do any self-isolation once they arrive in Germany.
No mandatory tests are required either.
However, if case numbers start to climb, they will change these rules. The Ministry of the Interior Government of Germany states:
“Persons travelling from the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland or the UK can be ordered into quarantine if over the last seven days the number of new infections in the respective country amounted to more than 50 per 100,000 inhabitants.”
Can the United States, Canada, Australia and other countries visit Germany?
Canada and Australia have been approved for travel into Germany as of July 2, 2020. Canada has since been removed effective October 27.
The United States still remains banned for an unknown amount of time.
Is Germany Making Entry Exceptions For Couples Separated By Bans?
Yes, Germany is the latest country to allow un-married couples to reunite, despite the EU travel ban. As of August 10th, partners who have been separated can now be together again on German soil.
This will work well for an American who has a German partner and hasn't been able to reunite to due current travel bans.
See all the information, how to apply, and all documents needed
What's Open In Germany?
Each city and state of Germany has its own rules to what is officially open/closed, but generally here’s what is open right now in most of the country:
- Shops, boutiques and stores
- Museums and art galleries
- Restaurants, cafes and snack kiosks
- Churches and places of worship
- Hotels (Some. Starting May 25 into June and July)
- Gyms (starting June 3rd, ongoing)
What Are The Rules For Germany?
- Visitors must wear a mask/face covering when taking public transit or inside a shop
- Visitors must respect social distancing at all times
Tourists will see lots of spread-out dining tables, hand-washing stations, plexiglass barriers and sanitizing protocols throughout their visit.
The Top 5 Countries that visit Germany the most are: Netherlands at 4.5 million per year, Switzerland at 3.2 million per year, United States at 2.6 million per year, United Kingdom at 2.6 million per year and Austria at 1.8 million per year.
Germany’s new tourism rules will allow 4 out of those 5 top countries to now visit, which will greatly help their battered tourism industry.
Read More: See a complete list of countries now reopen for international tourism and Germany's decision to reopen to 8 countries outside the EU
Sources – Germany.travel / bmi.bund.de / Wikipedia / ekathimerini/ Heiko Maas/ high-risk areas
Article originally published June 4, 2020
CAROLYN
Thursday 12th of November 2020
What about a South African with a lengthy transit in Frankfurt en route to Tirana, can I take a day trip into the city?
Kashlee Kucheran
Thursday 12th of November 2020
No sorry, it will not be permitted at time
Benjamin
Saturday 10th of October 2020
I am a Canadian citizen living in Asia (Myanmar) for the last two years. I assume I cant get into the EU even though they are allowing Canadians in, is that correct? Thank you so much!
Kashlee Kucheran
Saturday 10th of October 2020
Yes, most countries that are allowing Canadians have it in their fine print they want the Canadian coming directly from Canada, or another safe EU nation. YOu would have to ask border police on a case-by-case basis, but I assume the answer will be no
Scott
Sunday 4th of October 2020
I am a Canadian flying from Toronto to Dresden on Fri Oct 09... growing more and more concerned about the numbers coming out of Ontario. We are not on the Robert-Koch Institute list of high-risk areas yet, but I'm getting nervous.
Kashlee Kucheran
Sunday 4th of October 2020
As of today, Canada is still on the green, but yes anything can happen. Fingers crossed for you!
Federico
Tuesday 22nd of September 2020
What about individuals making connecting flights through German airports?
Kashlee Kucheran
Wednesday 23rd of September 2020
Here is everything we know about transits: (Click HERE to read)
John
Thursday 10th of September 2020
This list needs an update - it is missing Greece. As an EU country, arrivals from Greece are welcome and there is no quarantine requirement. I safely made this journey today with no problems.
Kashlee Kucheran
Thursday 10th of September 2020
Yes, this actually was a typo that it was not there :)