Germany Travel Advice

Threat level: Low-Medium

COVID - 19 Situation in Germany

Germany is on the UK government's amber list of countries that pose a COVID-19 risk, which means that travellers should not go unless it is for essential, family or business reasons. On their return to the UK, travellers are required to fill in a passenger locator form, to present a negative PCR COVID-19 test result before travelling, to quarantine at home for 10 days and to take a sequencing test on day 2 and day 8 after their arrival.

Germany has implemented a three-tier system of risk categories (virus variant areas, high-incidence areas and risk areas) with each tier having different applicable rules on entry and quarantine. The UK was designated as a virus variant area of concern and as such, entry to Germany is restricted for UK travellers as well as for people from designated variant areas and risk areas. Conversely, travellers from countries that are not listed on the German's travel corridor list will need to provide evidence of an urgent need for their travel. People who are authorised entry must register their travel before their departure by completing a pre-departure digital registration and quarantine for 14 days on their arrival unless they can present a negative PCR test, a certificate of vaccination evidencing that they have been fully vaccinated or a certificate of recovery from COVID-19.

The use of medical masks is compulsory on public transportation and in stores. Private gatherings are limited to one household plus another household up to a maximum of five people.

It is important to note that decisions can be taken at state-level rather than the federal government. In some German states, night curfews are in effect.

See our healthcare section for preventive measures against the virus including the mandatory use of face masks in public. Please check with local sources for regional variations in procedures.

There is high risk of terrorist activity in Germany and recent attacks have proved devastating for the country. The current travel advice for Germany is for visitors to the country to remain vigilant at public gatherings, events and public buildings.

On the 01/12/20, an SUV has ploughed through a pedestrian zone in Trier, in southwestern Germany, a town that usually hosts a Christmas market. The driver has been arrested and was under the influence of alcohol but it is unknown at this stage if there was any religious or political motives. Reports are that four people have been killed and more than ten people injured.

It is believed that Western nationals are most at risk to terrorist attacks in general and this risk can be extended to well-known British and US companies operating in Germany. You should remain cautious and report any suspicious behaviour to authorities.

If you are travelling to Germany for vacation or on business travel and are concerned about personal security, Intelligent Protection International Limited has been supplying security and protection services in Germany for international clients for more than a decade. For more information, see: Bodyguard Services in Germany.

Germany is welcoming to all tourists, despite the recent increase of the terror threat. Crime rates are relatively low and visits are usually without trouble, when the correct security measures are taken.

For travel advice specifically for Berlin, see: Berlin Travel Advice

On the 24th of February 2020, during a carnival parade in Volkmarsen a man drove a car into a crowd, injuring 60 people. The suspect was arrested after the incident.

On the 19th of February 2020, a gunman opened fire on two shisha bars in Hanau killing 9 persons and injuring others. The mass shooting is treated as a far-right extremist terrorist attack.

On the 09th of October 2019, a neo-nazi gunman who attempted to enter a synagogue in Halle during a Jewish celebration and failed to enter the building, shot dead two people outside.

On the 8th of October 2019, a hijacked truck was driven into a vehicle in the town of Limburg in western Germany. The attack injured 8 people and the attacker was arrested at the scene.

In mid-June 2018, a terrorist attack was foiled after the arrest in Cologne of a Tunisian man, Sief Allah H., suspected of manufacturing a biological weapon using a deadly substance called ricin.

On the 7th of April 2018, two people were killed and 30 injured as van ploughed into crowded open-air restaurant terrace, in the western city of Münster. The driver who was a German citizen, killed himself at scene. He had no Islamic extremist ties, but did have a history of mental illness.

On the 11th of April 2017, several small but viable explosive devices detonated around the Borussia Dortmund football team bus. The team were on their way to a match against Monaco, when the incident happened. One player was injured and police are investigating possible Islamic links. Whilst the devices were small, they were triggered by using a cell phone; a method that is seen as quite advanced.

In December 2016, a lorry drove into crowds of people at Berlin's Christmas market, killing twelve people and injuring many others. The so-called Islamic State claimed responsibility for this attack. The driver of the lorry was shot dead, days later in Italy. A polish citizen was also found murdered in the passenger seat of the lorry, he had attempted to stop the terrorist.

On the 24th July 2016, after being refused entry to a music festival in the town of Ansbach, near Nuremberg; a suicide bomber killed himself and injured 12 others outside a packed wine bar. It is understood that the attacker was a Syrian man, who was denied asylum in Germany and was due to be deported to Bulgaria. He had apparently been in contact with someone from the Middle East, moments before the attack; raising concerns that the attack was terror-related.

In Munich on the 22nd of July 2016, at a local shopping centre, a gunman shot and killed at least eight people, a further 16 were injured. It is understood that the motives were not terror-related and that the attacker acted alone.

On the 18th July 2016, a teenage Afghan refugee carried out a violent attack on a train, near the city of Wurzburg - 70 miles north of Nuremberg in southern Germany. 19 people were injured in the attack and the attacker was shot dead after he fled the scene. Police have found some ISIS-related paraphernalia at the teen's accommodation; they do believe the attacker was quickly radicalised and worked alone.

On the 30th of March 2016, Al Farat (ISIS publication) has published threats towards Germany. Depicting German facilities in a picture published, followers were encouraged to carry out further attacks in light of the Brussels attacks. Mostly concerned are the German energy and nuclear structures. There have been over 11 thwarted attacks against Germany since 2001. One such being a planned New Year's Eve 2015 attack. French and British Intelligence agencies had informed Germany that suicide bombers were said to have been planning a co-ordinated attack on train stations in the area at midnight. An extra 550 Police officers were deployed to the central districts, and no attack occurred.

However, on the same night, large scale co-ordinated attacks on women had taken place in Cologne, a third being sexually-motivated. It was said that approximately 500 men were believed to be behind the attacks.

The general level of crime in Germany is comparable with the UK and the rest of Europe. German police have a reputation for being tough when dealing with public order issues, such as football hooliganism. There have in the past been issues with far right and left extremist groups within Germany. Discrimination based on racial, religious and sexual grounds is still a widespread issue. Take care to avoid large gatherings, as it may be subject to demonstrations that could turn violent.

Islamic extremism has become more of an issue in recent years; although Germany did not take part in the 2003 Iraq war, views towards Germany as a Western superpower has made it as likely a terrorist target as with the rest of Europe.

Visitors to cities and large towns should take care at night. As with other countries, muggings and bag-snatching can be an issue.

The current mood has shifted in Germany and it is still facing challenges with regards to its immigration influx and neighbouring countries.

As a member of the EU, Germany holds strong relations with other neighbouring countries of the EU and is seen as a major power in European and global affairs.

When travelling by car in Germany, British nationals do not need an International Driving Permit (IDP) but a motor insurance green card issued by their car insurer is required to drive a UK-registered car in the EU.

Police can demand papers as proof of identity at any time, it is advised these are carried and kept safe. Germany is known for some of the best road and transport networks anywhere in the world. The only issue in Germany being the high death rate on the roads; twice that of the UK, mostly due to issues such as speed, where there is no speed limits in parts of the autobahns.

If you are hiring a car, this can be done either with an EU Member State driving licence or with an International Driving Permit. Your licence and insurance documents should be kept with you at all times when driving.

Police emergency: 110 or 112
Fire emergency: 112
Medical emergency: 112
Air Ambulance: 0711 707 070

Official languages: German
Religion: Christianity
Currency: Euro
Time now in Berlin:

U.S. Embassy Berlin
Clayallee 170,
14191 Berlin,
Germany
Telephone: +49 30 8305 1200
Telephone: +49 30 8305 0 (Emergency only)
Telephone: +49 21 1788 8927 (Düsseldorf)
Telephone: +49 69 7535 0 (Frankfurt)
Telephone: +49 40 4117 1100 (Hamburg)
Telephone: +49 40 4117 1300 (Hamburg - Emergency only)
Email: ACSBerlin@state.gov

British Embassy Berlin
Wilhelmstraße 70/71,
10117 Berlin,
Germany
Telephone: +49 (0) 89 211090
Telephone: +49 (0) 211 94480 (Düsseldorf)
Email: ukingermany@fco.gov.uk

Visitors to Germany from the UK, EU and US can enter Germany visa-free. Further advice can be found here: Visa advice Germany

As the UK is no longer part of the EU, British nationals can travel without a visa to countries in the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. However, to stay longer than 90 days in Germany whether for work, study, business travel or any other reasons, a visa will be required. Please note that visits to other Schengen countries within the previous 180 days will be cumulative and will count towards the 90-day limit.

If you are a British citizen, your UK EHIC card remains valid when travelling to an EU country until it expires, providing access to state-provided healthcare in Germany. After that, British citizens must apply for a UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) which will cover them for state-provided healthcare in the EU. Nevertheless, you will be required to show proof on arrival that you have travel insurance for your trip.

Due to the coronavirus outbreak that is affecting the country, it is recommended to apply good hygiene practices, maintain social distancing, avoid gatherings and unncessary travel. If you are coughing and have fever, it is required to quarantine yourself and only call emergency services if you have severe respiratory issues.

It is advised that visitors to Germany are up-to-date with primary boosters such as MMR. It is further recommended that most travellers also get a Tetanus vaccination. Check with your local health professional prior to travel if you are unsure.

The medical health care and facilities in Germany are of a good standard. Make sure to take out essential medical and health insurance in order to cover the necessary costs abroad as medical treatments are quite expensive. If visiting from the UK, be sure to take your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) with you.

In 2020, Intelligent Protection International Limited opened an office in Berlin, to better serve our clients across Germany.

For further information on our services in Germany, see: Bodyguard Services in Germany.

Intelligent Protection International Limited - Germany