Germany and the neighboring countries want to gradually ease the border controls that exist due to the corona pandemic: a gradual opening began on May 16 – the controls are to be finally ended on June 15.
In order to slow down the spread of the coronavirus, Germany ordered border controls in mid-March. Since May 16, they have been gradually loosened.
But the worldwide travel warning still applies. The Federal Cabinet decided on Wednesday to remove the current worldwide travel warning from To cancel June 15 for most European countries. This should apply to the EU countries, other member states of the Schengen Agreement and Great BritainForeign Minister Heiko Maas (SPD) said. However, this does not automatically mean that tourist trips to the named countries are then possible again in all cases.
- Allowed: Travelers may return to neighboring countries for business reasons and for family visits.
- Not allowed: Entry for tourist reasons, shopping or refueling is still not permitted.
You can read here what the situation is at the borders with the neighboring countries (after the border controls have been lifted).
Luxembourg: transitions already open – increased control measures
Internal border controls on the Luxembourg border ended on 15 May. At this section of the border, the Federal Police are moving towards increased control and search measures in the 30-kilometer border area.
Netherlands: No controls – but citizens from Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg need a health certificate
No border controls were carried out between Germany and the Netherlands during the Corona high phase. However, surveillance in the 30-kilometer border area was intensified and holidaymakers were not desired.
Air travelers from airports in risk areas as listed by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency must carry a health certificate that must be completed before departure at the airport. In Germany, the airports in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg are affected. If one of the questions in the form is answered with "yes", entry will be refused. Travelers from these areas should also go to a two-week quarantine.
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Belgium: Border controls until June 8th – Ban also for people with second homes
The Belgian authorities have been checking their borders since 20 March. According to the Federal Foreign Office, border crossings that are not absolutely necessary and entry for tourist purposes are still prohibited – also for people with second homes in Belgium. The border controls are to continue until at least June 8th.
There is great displeasure about this, especially in East Belgium. The provisions should only be relaxed in consultation with the neighboring country and when the virus situation on both sides of the border is comparable.
Lufthansa and ICE operate between Germany and Belgium, but at a significantly lower frequency. Brussels Airlines has canceled all regular flights up to and including June 6th.
Also read: Live ticker on the Corona crisis
Austria: border to Germany will be fully opened on June 15th
Since May 15th there have only been random checks, and from June 15th the border between Germany and Austria is to be fully opened again. Who then travels to Austria should, according to the current status, already get a lot of the well-known holiday experience of previous years. The hotel industry is closing on May 29th. their restart. In view of the low number of corona infections, Austria will largely relax the requirement for masks in the middle of next month.
South Tyrol is currently promoting holidaymakers from Germany. Governor Arno Kompatscher emphasized that Germans can pass through Austria. However, foreigners are not allowed to enter the Italian province until June 3.
Read also: Travel warning for 31 countries removed from June 15th – with restrictions
France: border controls abolished on 15 June
France continues to abolish controls on the border with Germany by June 15. The French interior minister Christophe Castaner made it clear that he would not strive for any exceptions – such as for German tourists – by this date. Castaner looks at the ongoing risk of infection. The border region with Germany is particularly affected by the pandemic.
The border controls currently still in existence consist of random checks. All transitions can be used.
Denmark: Cross-border commuters can already enter – tourists from June 15th
Denmark will reopen its borders, closed due to the Corona crisis, from June 15 to tourists from Germany, Norway, Iceland and Scandinavia. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen announced on May 29. known. Federal Interior Minister Seehofer is also ready to stop border controls there from this point in time.
People with residence and work permits are currently allowed to enter Denmark. These include cross-border commuters who work in Denmark. Danish family members, children or life partners can also be visited. Travelers must be able to prove these reasons with documents at the border crossing upon entry and must be able to present a valid passport or identity card.
Switzerland: Opening to Germany, Austria and France on June 15th
In addition to the planned opening of the borders to Germany, Austria and France on June 15, Switzerland also wants to restore freedom of travel to other Schengen countries, including Italy, by July 6 at the latest.
As of March 25, Switzerland had extended entry restrictions to all states except the Principality of Liechtenstein. Direct transit through Switzerland to reach your place of residence is also possible before June 15, but must be proven.
Poland: Possible opening in mid-June – concrete date is still pending
Poland will hold border controls with other EU countries until June 12. Foreigners are not allowed in. All other coronavirus restrictions could then be lifted on July 1st. Federal Foreign Minister Heiko Maas recently appealed to Poland to reopen the borders soon, because the Federal Government wants to restore freedom of travel throughout the Schengen area from June 15.
So far there are exceptions for people with permanent residence permits, for truck drivers and diplomats. Hotels and shopping centers, restaurants and cafes have been reopening since May 4th.
Czech Republic: Traffic light opening – Germans are allowed to enter from June 15th
The Czech Republic will reopen its border to tourists from Germany on June 15th. The basis for this decision is a new traffic light model that divides countries according to risk groups. In addition to Germany and all other neighboring countries of the Czech Republic, Switzerland and Croatia are also given the green light. This also removes the previous restrictions for cross-border commuters.
Foreigners from countries marked in red and orange must submit a negative laboratory test for the corona virus when entering the Czech Republic. These include Great Britain, France, Italy, Spain and Sweden.
When the number of corona infections rises sharply: loosening of loosening at the borders
Federal Minister of the Interior Horst Seehofer did not rule out a withdrawal of easing at the borders, however, if the number of corona infections rose again sharply. If the infection event slips away from the authorities, i.e. there are more than 50 new infections per 100,000 inhabitants within a week in the border area, the easing would have to be withdrawn again, said the CSU politician.
Seehofer hopes for Europe-wide Corona warning app in June
According to Seehofer, the German Corona warning app should be available around mid-June – at the same time as the goal is to open the borders to European neighbors completely. The aim is to make the warning app usable across Europe: "People are mobile. And the app has only a limited effect if we only use it in the Federal Republic of Germany," says Seehofer. To do this, however, some problems with the interfaces would have to be solved with the groups Google and Apple.
You can find more information on the website of the Federal Ministry of the Interior.
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