Catastrophic flash floods in July 2021 left much of Western Germany devastated – if you have loved ones in Germany that you’re hoping to visit, this is all the information we have on travelling to the country.
In England, international travel for leisure has been permitted since Monday 17 May 2021 – but the rules are still fairly complex, with a traffic light system in place for various destinations. Germany is currently on the amber list, but the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) no longer advises against all but essential travel to the country. Meanwhile, Germany itself has designated the UK as a high-incidence area. What does this mean for those wanting to visit the destination? This is all the information you need.
Yes. Since 4am on Monday 19 July, British citizens have been able to skip quarantine on their return from Germany and all amber list countries (apart from France due to the high incidence of the Beta variant, first identified in South Africa, there) if they are under 18 or have been fully vaccinated at least 14 days previously. Those that are not fully vaccinated must still isolate for 10 days at home. Everyone must take a PCR test before travelling back to England and on day two after landing, no matter their vaccination status, and those who test positive will have to quarantine at home. Those who are not fully vaccinated must also take a PCR test on day eight of quarantine (reduced to day five by paying for the cost of an extra test on that day, though this option is not available in Northern Ireland). That said, those who are not fully vaccinated are not currently able to enter Germany – see more below.
Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany
Getty Images
From Wednesday 7 July 2021, Germany has classified the UK as a high-incidence area, which means only fully vaccinated travellers, German citizens, their partners and children can enter the country. Anyone else visiting from the UK will be denied entry.
German citizens and their families travelling to Germany who haven’t been double jabbed will have to complete a 10-day quarantine (you can pay for a test via the Test to Release scheme after day five). Double-jabbed visitors can skip this requirement.
Unvaccinated children under 12 can enter with a negative PCR test, as long as they’re accompanied by at least one double-jabbed guardian. Everyone travelling from a high-incidence area such as the UK will also have to complete pre-departure digital registration to verify test results or proof of quarantine or vaccination.
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