Germany has updated its risk classification for the United States. Given the recent increase in COVID-19 cases in the last few weeks, all travelers who were in the US within 10 days prior to entering Germany will need to be fully vaccinated for nonessential visits.

Germany adds new entry requirements for Americans

As of Sunday, August 15th, the US is classified as a COVID high-risk area under Germany's classification system for international travel. With the new requirements in effect, passengers will need to provide proof of the following:

  • Digital registration on entry with a confirmation of the completion of the form when boarding a flight and when arriving in Germany
  • Passengers must provide proof of full vaccination or recovery from COVID-19 and may need to show this before boarding
  • Passengers who are not fully vaccinated or can prove recovery from the virus must quarantine at home for ten days. The quarantine can be shortened with a negative test result taken five days after entry

Travelers may still travel to Germany with a negative test result. However, those test results will not get a passenger out of the 10-day quarantine requirement.

CDC Card
Most people who get the vaccine in the US receive a white CDC card proving their vaccination status. Photo: Getty Images

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What fulfills the requirement?

Travelers will need to be vaccinated with an approved vaccine. This includes the two-dose Pfizer, Moderna, and AstraZeneca vaccinations. It also includes the one-dose Johnson and Johnson vaccine. Passengers are considered fully vaccinated if it has been at least 14 days since the administration of the final dose of the vaccine.

The proof of vaccination can be provided in a physical or digital form. This includes the white CDC card or a digital form. Please note that cellphone images will not be sufficient. Vaccinated travelers also must not show relevant symptoms of COVID-19.

For those who have recovered from COVID-19, the positive PCR test result will meet the exemption. The positive test must have been taken at least 28 days but no more than six months before entry. Like vaccinated travelers, recovered travelers must not be showing any relevant symptoms.

An important market

The Germany-US transatlantic air corridor is an important one for both business and leisure travelers. Lufthansa is a heavyweight in this market, but even major carriers, including United, American, and Delta, also fly to Germany. Lufthansa and United are close partners and members of the Star Alliance.

United B787-10
United Airlines is also a major carrier between the US and Germany. Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying

The last few weeks have seen a recent rise in cases from the US, with much of that attributed to the Delta variant. There was some concern that the EU may recommend restricting US travelers over case counts and lack of reciprocity for travel, though that has not come to fruition just yet.

Vaccination requirements are likely to be a major part of international travel. Most countries that have reopened have made it easier for fully vaccinated individuals to visit with limited restrictions. Still, some have also allowed unvaccinated travelers to arrive with proof of a negative test result or recovery from the disease.

In addition, Germany also is home to some large transit hubs. This includes Frankfurt and Munich, which are major Lufthansa hubs. From here, customers can go to other destinations in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. Transit passengers who do not leave the airport's international transit area do not need to provide a negative test before departure to Germany but must meet the requirements for entry for their destination.

Are you planning on traveling to Germany this year? Let us know in the comments!