Based on a recommendation of the Council of the European Union, Germany has implemented and updated its entry restrictions. The list of non-EU countries and territories is regularly reviewed and updated as necessary.

Germany allows unrestricted entry for residents of the following countries and territories:

• Hong Kong
• Indonesia
• Macao
• New Zealand
• South Korea
• Taiwan

In addition, the list is to be expanded to include

• China

as soon as the possibility of mutual entry is confirmed.

Residents of other non-EU countries are only permitted to enter Germany if they serve in an important role or if they have an urgent need to travel (please see "What constitutes an urgent need for travel?") or if they are fully vaccinated (please see “What rules apply for fully vaccinated people?”). A person is considered a resident of a country if they have their domicile or habitual residence there. A person is specifically considered to have their domicile in a country if they have spent the past six months there.

These entry restrictions do not apply to German citizens or members of their immediate family (spouses, children under 18, parents of children under 18).

EU citizens and citizens of Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Norway and Iceland and the members of their immediate family (spouses, children under 18, parents of children under 18) are exempted from the entry restrictions.

The same applies to citizens of non-EU countries who have a current long-term residence permit from an EU or Schengen country and their immediate family members, as long as they comply with passport and visa regulations.

First-time entry by citizens of non-EU countries, however, is only permitted if they demonstrate that one of the exceptions to the entry restrictions applies to them, that is, if they are residents of a country who are allowed unrestricted entry into Germany, or if they are fully vaccinated (please see “What rules apply for fully vaccinated people?”) or if there is an urgent need for the entry (see “What constitutes an urgent need for travel?”). Regarding entry by family members, see also “What special conditions apply to entry into Germany by family members who are nationals of a third country that is not on the save list?”