Important information about border checks and travel restrictions due to the corona pandemic

type: News , Date: 21 March 2020

General information:

  • The Federal Ministry of the Interior, Building and Community is urging citizens to refrain from all non-essential travel. 
  • Cross-border commuting and transport of goods are to continue with as little disruption as possible.
  • In cases of suspected infection with the coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), measures may have to be taken in consultation with the responsible health authorities on the basis of the Protection against Infection Act (Infektionsschutzgesetz).
  • The decision whether to allow entry at the border is at the discretion of the border official.

The following principles apply to persons entering Germany by land, air or sea from
Italy, Spain, Austria, Switzerland, France, Luxembourg or Denmark

  • German citizens are not subject to any restrictions on entry. They are allowed to enter Germany.
  • Those who are not German citizens may enter Germany under the following conditions:

    • for work purposes or to carry out professional contractual services (including commuters, medical and health care workers, members of the European Parliament and accredited diplomats). In such cases, the need to cross the border for work must be proved by carrying appropriate documentation (e.g. work contract, project contract/documents, permit for frontier workers).
    • for other urgent reasons requiring entry (including medical treatment, the death of an immediate family member) depending on the individual circumstances. Entry for purposes of tourism is no longer allowed.
    • for persons returning to their home or legal residence in Germany.
    • for transit through Germany to return to one’s home country if no other travel connection is possible. 

The following principles apply to persons entering by air or sea from non-EU countries:

  • German citizens are not subject to any restrictions on entry. They are allowed to enter Germany.
  • Citizens of EU member states and their families, as well as citizens of the United Kingdom, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland and their families are allowed to travel through Germany to reach their home country if no other travel connection is possible. They will also be allowed to enter if their home or legal residence is in Germany.
  • Persons who are not EU citizens who have a long-term right of residence (residence permit or long-term visa) in an EU member state or the United Kingdom, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland and their families are allowed to travel through Germany to reach their home country if no other travel connection is possible. The same applies to holders of a German residence permit or long-term visa whose home or legal residence is in Germany.
  • Persons who are not EU citizens and who have no long-term right of residence are not allowed to enter unless they have an urgent reason to do so. Entry for purposes of tourism is no longer allowed.
  • The principles of the European Commission’s Communication of 16 March 2020 (COM(2020) 115 final) apply.

For more information, please see www.bundespolizei.de.