If you want to study in Germany during the epidemic, having a visa may not guarantee you a smooth entry, because there are certain restrictions on entering Germany at present, so you should know the relevant policies in advance before entering Germany.
Today, I will introduce the precautions for entering Germany during the epidemic. If you are interested in this topic, please click here.
Important Note: l Visas do not guarantee entry — you still need to be aware of Germany’s entry restrictions.
Entry to Germany is currently restricted due to the pandemic.
The visa itself does not fully entitle you to enter Germany.
Even if you have obtained a visa, you will only be allowed to enter Germany in exceptional circumstances where you are not subject to entry restrictions.
Unless you are in exceptional circumstances, you will not be allowed to enter Germany and will be refused entry at the German border.
It is recommended that you visit the website of the Federal Ministry of Interior, Construction and Home Affairs (homepage article “COVID-19: Q&A” with “Travel restrictions/Border checks”) before each trip for the latest information on whether you will be allowed to enter the country.
l Only after you arrive at an airport or border in Germany can the relevant federal police decide whether to grant you entry.
Please note that you will always have proof of the purpose of your trip with you at each entry into Germany and present it at border checks as needed.
Proof of COVID-19 for entry to Germany: l Starting from 0:00 CET on 23 December 2021, all persons over the age of 6 are obliged to bring COVID-19 proof with them when entering Germany.
People over the age of 6 are required to bring a COVID-19 test certificate, a COVID-19 recovery certificate or a vaccination certificate when entering Germany.
(The certificate of vaccination should show that the vaccine was approved and registered by the Paul Ehrlich Institute.
A Chinese vaccine has not yet been approved.)
l Passengers arriving by air can be tested for the virus as early as 48 hours before departure.
The time of swab sampling was used as a measure.
The test certificate must clearly indicate the date and time of swab sampling.
The date/time when the sample arrives at a laboratory or the date/time when the test certificate is issued cannot be used as a standard to measure the 48-hour time limit before departure and the test certificate will not be accepted.
Please NOTE THE TIME difference OF 6 hours (SUMMER) or 7 HOURS (WINTER).
l The 48-hour limit will be strictly enforced without any accommodation.
Even if the swab is taken a little more than 48 hours from the scheduled departure time of the plane, the airline will deny the passenger boarding.
l Test results shall be retained for at least 10 days after entry and presented to the relevant authorities if necessary.
l If an approved vaccine has been administered (see above), proof of vaccination must reflect that at least 14 days have elapsed since the last vaccination for complete immune protection.
A COVID-19 recovery certificate must be issued by a doctor and state that the recovery test was performed by a laboratory using nucleic acid amplification technology (PCR).
The test will take at least 28 days and up to six months from entry.
l Proof of vaccination, Covid recovery or CoVID testing can be in paper or electronic form in German, English, Spanish, Italian or French.
Certificates in pure Chinese will not be accepted.
The original copy of the certificate cannot be used as an electronic version of the certificate.
Before entering Germany: l Please arrive at the airport at least 3 hours in advance according to the requirements of the airline for relevant check-in.
l Secure the baggage card for checked baggage.
Take photos of your checked luggage and confirm it with the airport staff in case it gets lost.
Keep a small Fanny pack or backpack with you, cash, passport, bank card, mobile phone, and immigration documents in a handy bag.
l No chargers, computers, or raw fruits in checked baggage.
If you get airsick, be sure to get medicine for airsickness.
After entry: l China is not currently a high-risk region for COVID-19.
Therefore, you do not need to be quarantined upon entry.
l It is recommended to prepare some 1 or 2 euro coins in advance. Luggage carts in German airports require coins to be inserted in order to move them, and the coins can be directly retrieved after use.
Tips: (1) According to the current epidemic prevention policy, nucleic acid test certificate is required for entry into Germany. Please follow the official website of the German Embassy in China for the latest entry requirements regarding the time-limit of the test certificate and the sampling time.
(2) Please take the nucleic acid test certificate with you for airline, customs and border inspection.
Please pay close attention to the change of entry policy and requirements on the official website of the German Embassy and Consulates.
1. It is recommended to clear up relevant matters and organize relevant articles before going out: record the address of the school, the name and telephone of the contact person or the person who picks up the plane;
Have a small amount of change, international credit cards, money orders or traveler’s checks;
Prepare passport, visa, air ticket, school admission notice, health certificate, education and other important information and copies;
Bring your mobile phone, laptop and other communication tools.
Bring the transformer, converter plug, plug board, common medicine, clothing, personal ID photo and some common computer software.
2. There is plenty of time to go through all kinds of exit check procedures at the port, which should be paid attention to by friends and relatives of overseas students.
3. Carefully check whether you have brought all your passports and visas before leaving.
Some “old students” who have applied for a new passport after returning home from vacation often find it difficult to go through customs because they only hold the new passport and forget to bring the old passport with a valid visa.
International students in this situation are reminded to bring their old passports with valid visas to avoid affecting their exit itinerary.
At the same time, it is necessary to pay attention not to unstick the visa on the old passport on the new passport, which belongs to the entry and exit illegal behavior, as invalid documents.
4. According to the regulations of the Customs, when leaving the country, the cash should not exceed 20,000 Yuan or foreign currency in cash equivalent to 5,000 U.S. dollars.
If you want to exceed this standard, you need to declare to the customs in advance, otherwise you will be punished by the corresponding administrative penalty.
5. Many parents worry about their children’s inadaptability and inconvenience to living abroad, so they prepare a lot of food and daily necessities for their children, which leads to overweight luggage. Therefore, they will be fined a lot of money when they pass the customs.
Therefore, remember that the carry-on luggage should not exceed 20 kilograms per person.
6, in advance to understand the destination country on the relevant restrictions on carrying goods, so as not to suffer losses.
Some students want to take some domestic specialties abroad, but some items will be banned by the country to enter.
For example, Australia bans dairy, egg and meat products from entering the country.
