The Ministry of Foreign Affairs states that the German authorities have adopted new measures on the conditions of entry into the territory of the Federal Republic of Germany, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Germany has declared a state of pandemic.
Thus, according to the information provided by the German authorities, it is forbidden to enter the territory of this state of persons who were previously in the so-called "areas special of risk" - 1 category (states where new strains of SARS-CoV-2 virus have been detected) and in “areas special of risk" - 2 category (high incidence states).
The MFA recalls that Romania is included in the list of "risk areas" (category 3). The full classification made by the German authorities can be consulted at official page.
Careful! The German authorities will introduce, in the next period, a general obligation whereby airlines will no longer allow passengers to embark in Germany in the absence of evidence of prior testing for SARS-CoV-2 virus infection. Pending the settlement of the situation, it is recommended to contact the airlines to verify the applicability and possible specific conditions of this obligation.
As a general rule, it is not allowed to enter Germany from the areas special of risk (categories 1 and 2). The following are allowed exceptions to the measure prohibiting access: German citizens and their family members, persons residing or having the right to reside in Germany, carriers of goods, medical personnel, persons having an urgent humanitarian or medical reason, persons traveling on behalf of the IAEA or the UN and workers deemed necessary for maintaining the functionality of some companies in systemically relevant industries.
Obligation of those traveling in risk category 3 in Germany, including those traveling in Romania
All persons, regardless of nationality, who enter the Federal Republic of Germany after being in one of the other "risk areas ”(category 3, inclusive Romania) at any time during the last 10 days before arrival must present a PCR or antigen-negative molecular test for SARS-CoV-2 virus infection, in German or English, performed no more than 48 hours before entry into German territory, or to be tested no later than 48 hours after arrival.
They are forced to move directly, minimizing contacts, and to isolate themselves at home or in other suitable accommodation for a period of 10 days from arrival (the legal term used is "quarantine"). Compliance with this self-isolation obligation is verified by the Land authorities both randomly and in the usual epidemiological investigations.
The quarantine measure may be suspended earlier than the usual 10-day period only if a new test is performed from the 5th day after entry into Germany and only from the time of communication of a negative test result. More information can be obtained on the dedicated telephone line 116 117.
The main exceptions to the quarantine measure
The main exceptions to the quarantine measure apply to persons who: it is in tranzit; no more than 24 hours on German territory; make visits from family reasons (to first degree relatives or spouses with different residences) up to 72 hours; ensure professional transport of persons and goods, etc. A number of other exceptions are also applied, with differences from one state to another, in duly justified situations, for example in the case of professional categories whose presence and concrete activity on German territory are considered absolutely necessary to maintain the functionality of some critical social systems or infrastructures: diplomatic and consular relations, security and public order, medical care, etc., in compliance with protection and hygiene measures and, in some cases, with written justification of urgency by the employer.
These exemptions are neither definitive nor exhaustive, and if there are good reasons, derogations may be granted in other situations, with the occasional consent of the local health authorities. The local regulations of the Länder and the specific decisions of the health authorities remain decisive in this regard.
Travelers from all risk areas must inform the responsible Local Health Authority. For this purpose, all the requested personal data are registered online, after which a confirmation document is received in pdf format. It must be available and can be presented (on request) upon entry into Germany. The entire procedure is performed on the website: www.einreiseanmelde.de.
The mere transit through German territory is not conditional on the above-mentioned obligations
The mere transit through German territory is not subject to the abovementioned obligations - except those applicable to persons arriving from "areas special ” of risk. Transit involves leaving the German territory as directly as possible, avoiding any close contact with other people and observing specific protection measures: social distancing, hygiene, mask, etc. Short stops are allowed for the purchase of food or fuel, but not those of a tourist or business type, visits, accommodation, concluding contracts, etc.
The following categories allowed entry into Germany
At the same time, according to information communicated publicly by the German authorities, it is permitted, exceptionally, entry into the Federal Republic of Germany for the following categories of persons:
- German citizens and their family members;
- persons residing or having the right of residence in the Federal Republic of Germany;
- freight carriers;
- medical staff;
- persons who have an urgent humanitarian or medical reason;
- persons traveling on behalf of the IAEA or the UN;
- certain categories of workers necessary to maintain the functionality of companies in systemically relevant industries, the list of which will be established at the level of the land authorities.
Persons falling within the above exceptions must comply with the following conditions for entry into German territory:
- present a negative test for SARS-CoV-2 virus infection in the last 48 hours prior to arrival. Both biological-molecular RT PCR and antigen tests performed in accordance with criteria established by the Robert Koch Institute. Certificates attesting to the test result may be submitted in German, English or French, printed or in electronic format;
- to register online on the website www.einreiseanmelde.de;
- carry out a ten-day quarantine period (which may be suspended only after a negative result of a new test has been obtained from the fifth day of arrival).
With regard to the international carriage of passengers from "special risk areas" (categories 1 and 2) or transiting through the Federal Republic of Germany, in the context of the new measures, carriers may embark only persons falling within the above exceptions and in compliance with conditions of entry into German territory (mentioned above).
Also, with effect from 14 February 2021, following the inclusion of the Tyrolean region of the Republic of Austria and the Czech Republic in the category of special with new strains of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, it was decided to introduce temporary controls at the common borders with these states to ensure the systematic implementation of the travel restrictions related to the new classification.
According to official information provided by the German authorities, transit through German territory, entering from the Czech Republic or the Tyrolean region of the Republic of Austria, is subject to the same special restrictions and exceptions. In such cases, transit is permitted only to persons who fall within one of the established exceptions, with the obligation to present upon entry into German territory evidence of a negative test for infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus, carried out within the last 48 hours. , as well as to pre-register the trip.
More information about conditions of entry into Germany!