News

With effect from 19 September 2021 the Federal Republic of Germany no longer lists South Africa, Lesotho and Eswatini as countries with a significantly elevated risk of infection (high risk area).

Nevertheless, EU-wide travel restrictions remain in place when entering Germany from South Africa, Lesotho or Eswatini.

Who is exempted from the entry restrictions?

• 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);
• 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;
• Fully vaccinated people (please see “What rules apply for fully vaccinated people?”) as long as they comply with passport and visa regulations;
• People with important reasons to travel, such as:
  • Urgent needs for travel (please see: “What constitutes an urgent need for travel?”);
  • Certain business travellers, trade fair visitors and exhibitors, participants of congresses etc. (please see: “Which skilled and highly qualified foreign workers are permitted to enter Germany from a non-European foreign country?”);
  • Unmarried partners under certain circumstandes (please see the section “Under what circumstances are unmarried partners permitted to enter Germany for short-term visits from third countries which are not on the safe list, and what special provisions apply?” in Section IV of the FAQ-list on the website of the Federal Ministry of the Interior, for Building and Infrastructure.
• Residents of a country who are allowed unrestricted entry into Germany (please see the list of countries here).