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Quarantine & Covid Test Rules

Published 06. April 2021

During the Covid pandemic, the entry ban to Germany is widespread, and they’re only a few exemptions to the rule. If however, essential is travel is proven and entry to Germany is allowed, quarantine and test rules need to be followed. These change nearly every week and there is no common federal approach, rather each state has its own regulations.

We are updating this page as soon as there is new information available. As much as we try to have this page at the latest status, we cannot ensure some rules change prior to us updating this page. Please consult the source in any case. If you have any questions or would like to consult your specific case, contact us.

At the moment the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) the advisory health body of the German government lists all risk areas in three categories: risk regions/countries, high incidence areas/countries, and regions with a mutating virus strain. Depending on the risk level, different rules apply.

You can check the list directly on the RKI website here. 

If you spend any time in this region over the last 10 days (Hamburg 14 days), transit area excluded, you are obliged to follow the rules (exemptions apply):

HesseRisk AreasHigh IncidentVirus Variant
Registration on EntryMandatory at Einreiseanmeldung.de prior to arrivalMandatory at Einreiseanmeldung.de prior to arrivalMandatory at Einreiseanmeldung.de prior to arrival
Test ObligationPCR, TMA, LAMP, antigen 48hours before the entry to Germany (if entering by plane)

PCR, TMA, LAMP, antigen 48 hours after the entry to Germany (if entering by sea or land)

PCR, TMA, LAMP, antigen 48hours before the entry to GermanyPCR, TMA, LAMP, antigen 48hours before the entry to Germany
Quarantine Rule10 days, test-out possible after 5 days in Germany10 days, test-out possible after 5 days in Germany14 days, test-out NOT possible
BavariaRisk AreasHigh IncidentVirus Variant
Registration on EntryMandatory at Einreiseanmeldung.de prior to arrivalMandatory at Einreiseanmeldung.de prior to arrivalMandatory at Einreiseanmeldung.de prior to arrival
Test ObligationPCR, TMA, LAMP, antigen 48hours before the entry to Germany (if entering by plane)

PCR, TMA, LAMP, antigen 48 hours after the entry to Germany (if entering by sea or land)

PCR, TMA, LAMP, antigen 48hours before the entry to GermanyPCR, TMA, LAMP, antigen 48hours before the entry to Germany
Quarantine Rule10 days, test-out possible after 5 days in Germany10 days, test-out possible after 5 days in Germany14 days, test-out NOT possible
Baden-WürtembergRisk AreasHigh IncidentVirus Variant
Registration on EntryMandatory at Einreiseanmeldung.de prior to arrivalMandatory at Einreiseanmeldung.de prior to arrivalMandatory at Einreiseanmeldung.de prior to arrival
Test ObligationPCR, TMA, LAMP, antigen 48hours before the entry to Germany (if entering by plane)

PCR, TMA, LAMP, antigen 48 hours after the entry to Germany (if entering by sea or land)

PCR, TMA, LAMP, antigen 48hours before the entry to GermanyPCR, TMA, LAMP, antigen 48hours before the entry to Germany
Quarantine Rule10 days, test-out possible after 5 days in Germany10 days, test-out NOT possible10 days, test-out NOT possible
Nordrhein-WestfalenRisk AreasHigh IncidentVirus Variant
Registration on EntryMandatory at Einreiseanmeldung.de prior to arrivalMandatory at Einreiseanmeldung.de prior to arrivalMandatory at Einreiseanmeldung.de prior to arrival
Test ObligationPCR, TMA, LAMP, antigen 48hours before the entry to Germany (if entering by plane)

PCR, TMA, LAMP, antigen 48 hours after the entry to Germany (if entering by sea or land)

PCR, TMA, LAMP, antigen 48hours before the entry to GermanyPCR, TMA, LAMP, antigen 48hours before the entry to Germany
Quarantine Rule10 days, test-out possible at any time after entry10 days, test-out possible at any time after entry14 days, test-out NOT possible
BerlinRisk AreasHigh IncidentVirus Variant
Registration on EntryMandatory at Einreiseanmeldung.de prior to arrivalMandatory at Einreiseanmeldung.de prior to arrivalMandatory at Einreiseanmeldung.de prior to arrival
Test ObligationPCR, TMA, LAMP, antigen 48hours before the entry to Germany (if entering by plane)

PCR, TMA, LAMP, antigen 48 hours after the entry to Germany (if entering by sea or land)

PCR, TMA, LAMP, antigen 48hours before the entry to GermanyPCR, TMA, LAMP, antigen 48hours before the entry to Germany
Quarantine Rule10 days, test-out possible after 5 days in Germany10 days, test-out possible after 5 days in Germany14 days, test-out NOT possible
Rhineland-PalatinateRisk AreasHigh IncidentVirus Variant
Registration on EntryMandatory at Einreiseanmeldung.de prior to arrivalMandatory at Einreiseanmeldung.de prior to arrivalMandatory at Einreiseanmeldung.de prior to arrival
Test ObligationPCR, TMA, LAMP, antigen 48hours before the entry to Germany (if entering by plane)

PCR, TMA, LAMP, antigen 48 hours after the entry to Germany (if entering by sea or land)

PCR, TMA, LAMP, antigen 48hours before the entry to GermanyPCR, TMA, LAMP, antigen 48hours before the entry to Germany
Quarantine Rule10 days, test-out possible after 5 days in Germany10 days, test-out possible after 5 days in Germany14 days, test-out NOT possible
HamburgRisk AreasHigh IncidentVirus Variant
Registration on EntryMandatory at Einreiseanmeldung.de prior to arrivalMandatory at Einreiseanmeldung.de prior to arrivalMandatory at Einreiseanmeldung.de prior to arrival
Test ObligationPCR, TMA, LAMP, antigen 48hours before the entry to Germany (if entering by plane)

PCR, TMA, LAMP, antigen 48 hours after the entry to Germany (if entering by sea or land)

PCR, TMA, LAMP, antigen 48hours before the entry to GermanyPCR, TMA, LAMP, antigen 48hours before the entry to Germany
Quarantine Rule14 days, test-out possible after 5 days in Germany14 days, test-out possible after 5 days in Germany14 days, test-out NOT possible
Category: Relocation Blog

Ilona A. Keilich

Ilona founded ExpatsGuide in 2010, a Destination Service Provider in Germany servicing international clientele moving to and from Germany. She holds MBA in International Business and has gained, as one a few mobility professionals in Germany, the GMS designation (Global Mobility Specialist) of Worldwide ERC. Personally, Ilona has lived in four European countries and contributes often to global mobility magazines and media.

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