DON’T MISS
IamExpat FairIamExpat Job BoardIamExpat Webinars
Newsletters
EXPAT INFO
CAREER
HOUSING
EDUCATION
LIFESTYLE
EXPAT SERVICES
NEWS & ARTICLES
Home
Expat Info
German news & articles
Söder: Compulsory testing for all arrivals in Germany from August 1
Never miss a thing!Sign up for our weekly newsletters with important news stories, expat events and special offers.
Keep me updated with exclusive offers from partner companies
By signing up, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy

Söder: Compulsory testing for all arrivals in Germany from August 1

Never miss a thing!Sign up for our weekly newsletters with important news stories, expat events and special offers.
Keep me updated with exclusive offers from partner companies
By signing up, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy
or
follow us for regular updates:



Related Stories

Germany scraps all COVID entry rules for non-EU passengersGermany scraps all COVID entry rules for non-EU passengers
What to do if your digital COVID certificate expires before your holidayWhat to do if your digital COVID certificate expires before your holiday
June 2022: 10 changes affecting expats in GermanyJune 2022: 10 changes affecting expats in Germany
Germany to suspend 3G entry rules for travel from June 1Germany to suspend 3G entry rules for travel from June 1
3G travel entry rule extended until end of May in Germany3G travel entry rule extended until end of May in Germany
Germany removes all countries from COVID high risk travel listGermany removes all countries from COVID high risk travel list
Germany to relax international travel rules from March 4Germany to relax international travel rules from March 4
What's changing with the EU's new travel rules for COVID certificates?What's changing with the EU's new travel rules for COVID certificates?
For expats of all colours, shapes and sizes

Explore
Expat infoCareerHousingEducationLifestyleExpat servicesNews & articles
About us
IamExpat MediaAdvertisePost a jobContact usImpressumSitemap
More IamExpat
IamExpat Job BoardIamExpat HousingIamExpat FairWebinarsNewsletters
Privacy
Terms of usePrivacy policyCookiesAvoiding scams

Never miss a thing!Sign up for expat events, news & offers, delivered once a week.
Keep me updated with exclusive offers from partner companies
By signing up, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy


© 2025 IamExpat Media B.V.
© 2025 IamExpat Media B.V.
Jul 28, 2021
Abi Carter

Editor in chief at IamExpat Media

Abi studied German and History at the University of Manchester and has since lived in Berlin, Hamburg and Utrecht, working since 2017 as a writer, editor and content marketeer. Although she's happily taken on some German and Dutch quirks, she keeps a stash of Yorkshire Tea on hand, because nowhere does a brew quite like home.Read more

It seems pretty certain that Germany will expand its compulsory testing requirement to all unvaccinated travellers, no matter where they are coming from or which means of transport they are travelling with. The state premier of Bavaria, Markus Söder, has even announced a provisional start date for the new regulation. 

New travel rules into Germany from August 1

“The federal government assured us today that it will now do everything to bring in a general test requirement from August 1,” Söder told ARD on Tuesday evening. “The rule is relatively simple: everyone needs a test if they return [to Germany], whether they are coming by car, train or plane.” 

He said the original plan to change the rules as of September 11 would have been a “joke”: “Then the school holidays are over, even in the states with late holidays.” 

No test obligation for vaccinated or recovered travellers

Up until now, unvaccinated travellers have been able to cross the border into Germany from some countries such as France without providing a coronavirus test, if they are driving or travelling by train. The obligation to test has only applied to air passengers and travellers from high-risk areas who have not been fully vaccinated against coronavirus or recovered from the disease. 

Interior Minister Horst Seehofer told Bild that the new rules would not apply to those who can prove they are fully vaccinated or have recovered from coronavirus. The rules will be enforced on a point-by-point basis, rather than by stationary border controls.

By Abi Carter