Source: European Commission
18.06.2020
Travel from third countries
Germany has implemented the Council of the European Union's recommendation on the phase out temporary restrictions on 2 July 2020.
Since 17 March 2020 entry restrictions have applied throughout the EU for non-essential travel from third countries. These restrictions also specifically apply to travel to Germany.
On 30 June 2020, in view of the improved global epidemiological situation in some regions, the Council of the European Union adopted a recommendation on relaxing the entry restrictions on the basis of a draft drawn up by the Commission. Germany will implement this recommendation from 2 July 2020 as follows:
Third countries without travel restrictions
From 2 July 2020, unrestricted travel to Germany is once again possible from the following third countries with low rates of infection:
- Australia
- Georgia
- Canada
- Montenegro
- New Zealand
- Thailand
- Tunisia
- Uruguay
For China, Japan and South Korea a lifting of entry restrictions is subject to confirmation of reciprocity.
This list of countries is to be regularly updated. The question of whether travel to Germany is permitted depends on where the person travelling has previously been staying, not on their nationality.
Options for travellers to Germany from all third countries
Travel to Germany is also possible from third countries not included in the above list if there are important grounds for doing so. On this basis, travel to Germany is possible for the following groups or travel purposes:
- German nationals and nationals from other EU countries, countries associated with Schengen (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland) and the United Kingdom;
- Third-country nationals with a valid residence permit for Germany;
- Family members of third-country nationals travelling to Germany for the purposes of family reunification or for visits for urgent family reasons;
- Healthcare professionals, health researchers and elderly care professionals;
- Foreign experts and highly qualified personnel whose work is necessary from an economic point of view and which cannot be postponed or carried out abroad;
- Transport personnel engaged in haulage of goods and other transport staff;
- Seasonal workers in agriculture;
- Sailors;
- Foreign students whose studies cannot be continued entirely from outside Germany;
- Persons in need of international protection or seeking protection for other humanitarian reasons;
- Diplomats, staff of international organisations, military personnel and humanitarian aid workers in the exercise of their functions;
- Late repatriates;
- Passengers in Transit.
Travel within the EU or the Schengen area
The temporary entry restrictions for travellers from other EU countries, states associated with Schengen (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland) and the United Kingdom have been removed entirely since 21 June 2020. Travel to Germany from other EU states, the Schengen area and the United Kingdom has been possible without restriction since then.
Start date:
02.07.2020
Further information: https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en/-/2320738
More info:
https://www.bundesregierung.de/breg-de/themen/coronavirus/ausbreitung-...
WCO/Central Customs Authority
01.04.2020
Measures for Protection and Self-protection of frontline Customs Officers:
Both the German Central Customs Authority and the local customs authorities have set up crisis
teams to ensure the overall performance of customs tasks. In order to guarantee personnel
availability in the long term, the official tasks of the organizational units, which are in direct
contact with those involved (e.g. customs clearance), have been reduced to the necessary core
areas. The use of personal protective equipment such as gloves, masks etc. is mandatory for
these personnel. In addition, the relevant hygiene measures must be observed. Employees who
are not absolutely necessary are put on standby duty. Persons returning from risk areas may
not enter the office for 14 days after their return. This applies accordingly to employees who live
in the same household as the aforementioned holiday returnees. Employees who belong to the
groups of persons who have a higher risk of developing a serious illness (for example with
relevant underlying diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, diseases of the
respiratory system, liver and kidney as well as cancer) in principle work on a mobile or telework
basis. All employees are obliged to check their own status (confirmed infections or officially
confirmed ordered and voluntary quarantine) to their superior(s) immediately.
Measures regarding fumigation of containers and parcel consignments:
The German Robert Koch Institute currently estimates an infection with the novel coronavirus
via imported goods as unlikely, since contamination would have to have taken place beforehand
and the virus would still be active after the long transport route.
https://www.zoll.de/SharedDocs/Fachmeldungen/AktuelleEinzelmeldungen/2020/uebergreifend_coronavirus.html?nn=280764#doc368868bodyText1
Measures to fight illicit trade with counterfeited or stolen medical supply goods:
Customs ensures that the quality standards applicable in the EU are observed for commercially
imported drugs. Import is only possible with the necessary documents and permits.
Despite its efforts to facilitate the smooth movement of goods, the customs administration
continues to carry out risk-based controls, with a particular focus on protective equipment (Trotz
des Bestrebens, den Warenverkehr reibungslos zu ermöglichen führt die Zollverwaltung
weiterhin risikoorientierte Kontrollen durch und hat dabei auch einen besonderen Fokus auf
Schutzausrüstungen).
Other COVID related best practice:
* Just like the Federal Chemicals Agency at the Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and
Health, the customs administration has already reacted to the crisis in the disinfectant market
with exemptions:
All persons who already hold a permit for the tax-free use of undenatured alcohol for the
production of pharmaceuticals according to § 28 in connection with § 27 Para. 1 No. 1 AlkStG,
may also use this permit for the production of disinfectants since 20 March 2020. Accordingly,
the improper use of undenatured alcohol, which is actually to be seen therein, is temporarily
tolerated. Proof of entitlement is the existing permit. Deliveries must be made in accordance
with § 35 AlkStV.
More details, please see: https://www.zoll.de/SharedDocs/Fachmeldungen/AktuelleEinzelmeldungen/2020/uebergreifend_coronavirus.html
Temporary border checks at the land borders with Austria, Switzerland, France, Luxembourg and Denmark (15.03.2020)
The checks will come into force on Monday, 16 March 2020 at 08:00. The cross-border flow of goods will continue to be permitted. Cross-border commuters will also continue to be allowed to enter and leave the country. People travelling for other reasons should expect restrictions on travel both into and out of Germany. Travellers with symptoms that may indicate a coronavirus infection will not be permitted to enter/leave Germany, in coordination with the authorities in the relevant neighbouring country.
Start date: 16.03.2020
End date: not available
Further information: https://www.bmi.bund.de/SharedDocs/pressemitteilungen/DE/2020/03/grenzsc...
Temporary and limited relaxation of the enforcement of driving and rest times for the drivers of vehicles transporting essential goods
Germany has notified a temporary and limited relaxation of the enforcement of driving and rest times for the drivers of vehicles transporting essential goods such as food, medicine, medical protective equipment and fuels. This relaxation is granted pursuant to Article 14(2) of Regulation (EC) No 561/2006.
Start date: 18.03.2020
End date: 17.04.2020
Further information: https://ec.europa.eu/transport/sites/transport/files/temporary-relaxatio...