Federal Minister of the Interior Horst Seehofer will permit unmarried partners to enter Germany from third countries as of 00:00 on 10 August 2020. The Federal Interior Minister informed European Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson and his counterparts in the EU member states of this today. The current EU-wide restrictions on travel from third countries were put in place throughout Europe on recommendation of the European Commission to contain the coronavirus pandemic.

Federal Minister Seehofer said: "From next Monday, unmarried partners will be able to enter Germany again from third countries. I am delighted that we are now able to make this possible within a European framework. Coordinated European action is very important to me for the German Council Presidency. I would like to thank the European Commission in particular for the constructive cooperation in this regard."

According to the German decision to facilitate entry, the partner entering Germany will be required to provide documentation that the relationship is long-term, with the couple meeting personally in Germany at least once previously, or documentation of the couple having lived together outside Germany.

The following documents are to be presented:

• an invitation from the partner residing in Germany
• a jointly signed declaration on the existence of the relationship, and
• proof of previous visits in the form of passport stamps, travel documents or airline tickets.

Irrespective of the above, specific provisions still apply to anyone entering Germany from a risk area.