Germany: Int’l Air Travelers Must Present Negative Covid‑19 Test Before Arrival

Photo source: BER – Berlin Brandenburg Airport

All international travelers arriving to Germany by air, as of today, March 30, are required to present a negative Covid‑19 test result before embarking on their journey, an announcement by the German Federal Foreign Office said.

This applies regardless of the country from where the individuals have traveled.

According to the announcement, the negative test result must be presented to the airline before departure.

The tests must be done at the relevant test centres abroad no more than 48 hours before entering Germany (time of the swab). In countries where such a test is not possible, airlines may carry out the tests or charge a third party with carrying them out.

Nucleic acid amplification technology processes (PCR, LAMP, TMA) and antigen tests are accepted. Antigen rapid tests are accepted if they meet the minimum criteria recommended by WHO. Antibody tests are not accepted.

The test result must be kept for at least ten days after entry and presented to the relevant authorities upon request.

The decision came as Germany struggles to mitigate a third wave of coronavirus infections in the country. Previously, only people returning from countries designated as high risk were required to present a negative test before traveling to Germany.

Persons under six years of age and aircraft crews are exempt from the measure.