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What are Germany’s new quarantine rules after travel?

If you are returning or travelling to Germany, you should keep in mind new rules coming into force.

Published: 3 November 2020 13:41 CET
Updated: 4 November 2020 16:36 CET
What are Germany's new quarantine rules after travel?
People in Düsseldorf airport in June. Photo: DPA

What are current quarantine rules?

In Germany, individual states are responsible for quarantine regulations. Although the rules are largely the same, there can be some small differences between states.

At the moment, upon entry to Germany from a risk area, whatever the mode of transport, the general rules are:

  • You must go directly to your destination following entry into Germany (this can be done after a test – see below)
  • You have to self-isolate at home until a negative test result is available
  • Provide proof of the negative test result to the authorities (the health office or Gesundheitsamt).
  • Notify the health office by email or phone in your place of residence/accommodation.

You do not have to self-isolate at home if you are travelling through Germany. However, that means you do of course have to leave the country immediately (to get to your destination).

A stay in a risk area means that you stayed in the area concerned at any point within the 14 days prior to entry to Germany.

If you can prove that you are not infected with Covid‑19, no quarantine is necessary in most states, However, some states require you to take another test after a few days.

This proof must take the form of a medical certificate. The test must have been carried out more than 48 hours prior to entry, and carried out in an EU member state or a state with comparable quality standards.

READ ALSO:

Test on arrival

The Covid-19 test can also be taken on arrival into Germany.

So you can do it at the airport, for example, or in the area you are staying.

The test is free for travellers from risk areas up to 72 hours after entry

What's new then?

The states now have to issue new quarantine regulations which must be in force by November 8th. Some states have already introduced this regulation. Initially it was to be a nationwide rule in October but the date was pushed back.

So from November 8th these are the new general rules:

  • A stay in a 'risk zone 'means you stayed in the area concerned at any point within 10 days prior to entry to Germany
  • After arriving at your destination in Germany, you must self-isolate at home for 10 days (this is mandatory)
  • If no other grounds for exception apply (such as if you are an essential worker) you may only be released from the obligation to quarantine at home – no earlier than five days after entering Germany– if you provide proof of a negative test result. So a test can be taken five days into the quarantine at the earliest.

The regulations will be implemented by the states so you should check with the area you're going to before travelling.

READ ALSO: What you need to know about changes to travel and quarantine rules in Germany

When is an area in classed as a ‘high-risk zone' by Germany?

Countries or regions are declared risk regions when there have been more than 50 new cases per 100,000 citizens in the past seven days.

The decision is made by the Federal Foreign Office, the Interior Ministry, the Health Ministry and the RKI.

Other factors are taken into account such as which measures are being taken to halt the spread of Covid-19, if it's a local or widespread outbreak plus testing strategies and rules in place such as hygiene or contact tracing.

A list of the regions considered risk areas can be found on the RKI website, which is updated regularly.

Helpful websites for each state:

Please keep in mind that this article, as with all of our guides, are to provide assistance only. They are not intended to take the place of official legal advice. If you found this helpful or you have any questions we can try and answer, email us: [email protected]

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LIVING IN GERMANY

Living in Germany: Battles over Bürgergeld, rolling the ‘die’ and carnival lingo

From the push to reform long-term unemployment benefits to the lingo you need to know as Carnival season kicks off, we look at the highlights of life in Germany.

Published: 14 November 2022 09:54 CET
Living in Germany: Battles over Bürgergeld, rolling the 'die' and carnival lingo

Deadlock looms as debates over Bürgergeld heat up 

Following a vote in the Bundestag on Thursday, the government’s planned reforms to long-term unemployment benefits are one step closer to becoming reality. Replacing the controversial Hartz IV system, Bürgergeld (or Citizens’ Allowance) is intended to be a fair bit easier on claimants.

Not only will the monthly payment be raised from €449 to €502, but jobseekers will also be given a grace period of two years before checks are carried out on the size of their apartment or savings of up to €60,000. The system will also move away from sanctions with a so-called “trust period” of six months, during which benefits won’t be docked at all – except in very extreme circumstances. 

Speaking in parliament, Labour Minister Hubertus Heil (SPD) said the spirit of the new system was “solidarity, trust and encouragement” and praised the fact that Bürgergeld would help people get back into the job market with funding for training and education. But not everyone is happy about the changes. In particular, politicians from the opposition CDU/CSU parties have responded with outrage at the move away from sanctions.

CDU leader Friedrich Merz has even branded the system a step towards “unconditional Basic Income” and argued that nobody will be incentivised to return to work. 

The CDU and CSU are now threatening to block the Bürgergeld legislation when it’s put to a vote in the Bundesrat on Monday. With the conservatives controlling most of the federal states – and thus most of the seats in the upper house – things could get interesting. Be sure to keep an eye out for our coverage in the coming weeks to see how the saga unfolds. 

Tweet of the week

When you first start learning German, picking the right article to use can truly be a roll of the “die” – so we’re entirely on board with this slightly unconventional way to decide whether you’re in a “der”, “die”, or “das” situation. (Warning: this may not improve your German.) 

Where is this?

Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Boris Roessler

Residents of Frankfurt am Main and the surrounding area will no doubt recognise this as the charming town of Kronberg, which is nestled at the foot of the Taunus mountains.

This atmospheric scene was snapped on Friday morning, when a drop in temperatures saw Kronberg and surrounding forests shrouded in autumnal fog.

After a decidedly warm start to November, the mercury is expected to drop into single digits over the weekend. 

Did you know?

November 11th marked the start of carnival season in Germany. But did you know that there’s a whole set of lingo to go along with the tradition? And it all depends on where you are. First of all, the celebration isn’t called the same thing everywhere. In the Rhineland, it’s usually called Karneval, while people in Bavaria or Saxony tend to call it Fasching. Those in Hesse and Saarland usually call it Fastnacht. 

And depending on where you are, there are different things to shout. The ‘fools call’ you’ll hear in Cologne is “Alaaf!” If you move away from Cologne, you’ll hear “Helau!” This is the traditional cry in the carnival strongholds of Düsseldorf and Mainz, as well as in some other German cities.

In the Swabian-Alemannic language region in the southwest of the country, people yell “Narri-Narro”, which means “I’m a fool, you’re a fool”. In Saarland at the French border, they shout “Alleh hopp!”, which is said to originate from the French language. 

Lastly, if someone offers you a Fastnachtskrapfe, say yes because it’s a jelly-filled carnival donut. And if you’re offered a Bützchen? It’s your call, but know that it’s a little kiss given to strangers!

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