Germany has become a somewhat confusing destination for travelers this year, in terms of COVID-19 requirements. After announcing they would end all COVID restrictions on May 26, they enacted tighter rules on June 1. Then, they completely ended all COVID restrictions on June 11. Now, Germany is set to further muddy the waters by reintroducing mandatory mask requirements in certain places as early as October 1.

According to the German Ministry of Health, the mask mandate will run from October 1, 2022 to April 7, 2023, and will be required in airports, on German-bound flights, and on long-distance public transport including trains and buses. 

As people tend to congregate indoors more during the colder months of the year, the Ministry of Health is hopeful that this temporary mandate will help curb another surge of COVID-19 cases. 

What will this mean for visitors to Germany? Will there be mask requirements in public spaces and private establishments? 

That depends. Germany’s government gives each of the 16 German states the leeway to enact their own rules. So, masks and social distancing could be required in restaurants and bars in one German state, yet not required in another. Reading up on local ordinances before your trip is the best course of action. 

Will German Insurance and Entry Requirements Change?

As of now, it does not appear so. Germany ended all COVID-19 vaccination, testing and quarantine requirements on June 11, and there has not been any indication that they will be reenacted. However, with the number of times Germany has changed their requirements so far, the possibility of them changing again certainly exists. Those planning on traveling to Germany should make sure they stay updated on German entry restrictions as their travel date approaches.

Germany only requires travel health insurance for those who need a Schengen visa to enter the country. If this is the case for you, it is mandated that you purchase Schengen-compliant insurance. If you don’t need a Schengen visa to visit Germany, you are exempt from the insurance requirement, and coverage is optional.

Although international insurance coverage is not required for many visitors to Germany, there are still compelling reasons to have it. Your domestic health insurance is unlikely to provide coverage in Germany. This means you would be solely responsible for any medical expenses you may incur due to an injury or illness. As it’s impossible to guarantee that you won’t get hurt or sick during your German trip, it is critical to have travel medical insurance coverage. 

If you’re traveling to Germany from the US and want protection for mishaps such as trip cancellation, trip delay, loss of baggage, emergency medical coverage, medical evacuation, and other valuable benefits, consider purchasing trip cancellation insurance.