How can tourists and visitors in Germany get a Covid-19 test?
You'll probably need a negative Covid test if you're travelling into Germany, but what if you also need to get one while you're there? We take a look at how to go about it.
When do I need to get tested?
Due to its sinking infection rates, Germany is in the process of loosening up a number of its prior Covid-19 restrictions, but you're likely to still require a negative test to enter some attractions such as museums and galleries, attend city tours or enjoy the indoor areas of pubs and restaurants.
Equally, if you're travelling from state to state - i.e. from Bavaria to Baden-Württemberg - you may require a negative test result to enter, and at intervals during your stay in the new state.
Rules on this vary state by state, so it's worth looking up the website of the state or city you're visiting beforehand to get the latest on the Covid-19 rules.
The latest regulations for Berlin (in English) can be found here, while updates about Frankfurt and the state of Hesse can be found here, and the latest info on Munich can be found here.
Most - if not all - states provide Covid-19 updates in English on their websites, so a quick Google of the name of the state, plus 'Covid-19' should help you find what you need.
You can also find up-to-date information on the various state regulations, and links to state websites, on the Germany Travel website.
Do I still need a test if I'm fully vaccinated or have recovered from Covid-19?
In most cases, no. People who are fully vaccinated or can prove they have recovered from Covid are generally put on an equal footing with those who can present a negative test, so if you've got a vaccine certificate or PCR test to hand, you should be able to enjoy attractions freely.
If you fall into the "recovered" category, however, your PCR test must have been taken more than 28 days ago, and no longer than six months ago - so if you had Covid last year, for example, you will probably still need a negative test.
READ ALSO:
- How to prove you have recovered from Covid-19 in Germany
- Can I use a foreign vaccination certificate as proof in Germany?
Self-testing kits in shops and pharmacies
If you simply want to have peace of mind on your travels and don't have any Covid symptoms, one option for getting tested is to purchase a self-testing kit from a pharmacy, supermarket or local corner shop.
At the time of writing, a set of five self-tests costs around €10 from budget supermarket Netto, and €3.75 from drug store DM.
Be warned though: self-tests can't be used for entry to tourist attractions, gastronomy, or for travel - so if you're looking for a test for these purposes, you'll need to visit an official testing centre in your local area, or at an airport or train station.
Rapid testing centres
On March 8th this year, the German government said it would be paying for free antigen 'rapid' tests for German residents, and secured 925 million tests for the rest of the year (enough to test every resident approximately 12 times).
When asked by The Local if the free tests - known as Bürgertests - extended to non-residents and tourists, a spokesperson for the German Ministry of Health confirmed that they did.
States around Germany have implemented this policy differently, with some, like North Rhine-Westphalia operating test centres that require pre-booked appointments, and others, like Berlin, offering more casual walk-in centres.
READ ALSO: EXPLAINED - What you need to know about rapid Covid testing around Germany
In Berlin, you can use the 'Test to Go' search portal to find a testing destination near you, and find out whether booking beforehand is required.
With such a high concentration of testing centres, however - anywhere from in kebab shops to old gig venues - you'll probably stumble across one yourself before you know it.
Testing centres at airports
When leaving Germany, you'll probably need a negative PCR test in order to board your flight, and you may also require one to enter your next destination.
If you don't mind arriving at the airport early, most major airports in Germany - such as Berlin-Brandenburg, Frankfurt and Munich Airport - offer testing centres. Just be sure to leave enough time to get your results before you need to board your flight.
You should be able to find out how long it takes by looking up the airport testing centre online beforehand.
READ ALSO:
- Reader question: What are the Covid-19 test requirements for entering Germany?
- COMPARE: What are the Covid test requirements around Europe for child travellers
Will I need to pay for the test?
If you're getting a rapid antigen test during your stay in Germany in order to, say, visit a bar, you won't need to pay for it if you go to one of the testing centres for Bürgertests mentioned above.
However, if you need a PCR test before flying out of the country, you will have to pay for it yourself.
The cost of these varies from vendor to vendor, but you can expect to pay anywhere between €40 and €160 for a private PCR test.
Some providers also charge a premium for 'extra fast' tests at airports, which might be seen as a tax on the disorganised.
According to the spokesperson for the German Health Ministry, the variable prices reflect the fact that the government doesn't control or standardise the cost of tests.
"The Health Ministry has no influence on the prices of these PCR tests," she told us. "They are set by the providers."
If you have Covid symptoms, however, or have tested positive for Covid-19 with a rapid antigen test, you should be entitled to a free PCR test, paid for by the German state.
What if I have Covid symptoms?
If you start to feel unwell on your trip to Germany and notice any of the most common symptoms of Covid, such as exhaustion, dry cough, or a fever, the government advice is to stay at your accommodation and contact your local Health Authority.
The website of the Robert Koch Institute has a useful tool for finding out who the relevant Health Authority in your area is. Simply head here, enter the postcode of your hotel or accommodation, and you'll find all the contact details you need.
The Health Authority will be able to advise you on the next steps.
Further guidance for travellers on Germany's entry regulations can be found here.
What happens if I test positive for Covid?
If you test positive for Covid with an antigen test, and this result is confirmed with a PCR test, you will have to go into quarantine for 14 days. More information on what to do if you have Covid can be found (in English) on the Health Ministry website here.
Useful vocabulary
I want to get a Coronavirus test - Ich will mich auf Corona testen lassen
I got tested - Ich wurde getestet
Rapid test - Schnelltest
Self-test - Selbsttest
Testing centre - Testzentrum
(No) Symptoms - (Keine) Symptomen
Positive result - Positive Ergebnis
Negative result - Negative Ergebnis
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See Also
When do I need to get tested?
Due to its sinking infection rates, Germany is in the process of loosening up a number of its prior Covid-19 restrictions, but you're likely to still require a negative test to enter some attractions such as museums and galleries, attend city tours or enjoy the indoor areas of pubs and restaurants.
Equally, if you're travelling from state to state - i.e. from Bavaria to Baden-Württemberg - you may require a negative test result to enter, and at intervals during your stay in the new state.
Rules on this vary state by state, so it's worth looking up the website of the state or city you're visiting beforehand to get the latest on the Covid-19 rules.
The latest regulations for Berlin (in English) can be found here, while updates about Frankfurt and the state of Hesse can be found here, and the latest info on Munich can be found here.
Most - if not all - states provide Covid-19 updates in English on their websites, so a quick Google of the name of the state, plus 'Covid-19' should help you find what you need.
You can also find up-to-date information on the various state regulations, and links to state websites, on the Germany Travel website.
Do I still need a test if I'm fully vaccinated or have recovered from Covid-19?
In most cases, no. People who are fully vaccinated or can prove they have recovered from Covid are generally put on an equal footing with those who can present a negative test, so if you've got a vaccine certificate or PCR test to hand, you should be able to enjoy attractions freely.
If you fall into the "recovered" category, however, your PCR test must have been taken more than 28 days ago, and no longer than six months ago - so if you had Covid last year, for example, you will probably still need a negative test.
READ ALSO:
- How to prove you have recovered from Covid-19 in Germany
- Can I use a foreign vaccination certificate as proof in Germany?
Self-testing kits in shops and pharmacies
If you simply want to have peace of mind on your travels and don't have any Covid symptoms, one option for getting tested is to purchase a self-testing kit from a pharmacy, supermarket or local corner shop.
At the time of writing, a set of five self-tests costs around €10 from budget supermarket Netto, and €3.75 from drug store DM.
Be warned though: self-tests can't be used for entry to tourist attractions, gastronomy, or for travel - so if you're looking for a test for these purposes, you'll need to visit an official testing centre in your local area, or at an airport or train station.
Rapid testing centres
On March 8th this year, the German government said it would be paying for free antigen 'rapid' tests for German residents, and secured 925 million tests for the rest of the year (enough to test every resident approximately 12 times).
When asked by The Local if the free tests - known as Bürgertests - extended to non-residents and tourists, a spokesperson for the German Ministry of Health confirmed that they did.
States around Germany have implemented this policy differently, with some, like North Rhine-Westphalia operating test centres that require pre-booked appointments, and others, like Berlin, offering more casual walk-in centres.
READ ALSO: EXPLAINED - What you need to know about rapid Covid testing around Germany
In Berlin, you can use the 'Test to Go' search portal to find a testing destination near you, and find out whether booking beforehand is required.
With such a high concentration of testing centres, however - anywhere from in kebab shops to old gig venues - you'll probably stumble across one yourself before you know it.
Testing centres at airports
When leaving Germany, you'll probably need a negative PCR test in order to board your flight, and you may also require one to enter your next destination.
If you don't mind arriving at the airport early, most major airports in Germany - such as Berlin-Brandenburg, Frankfurt and Munich Airport - offer testing centres. Just be sure to leave enough time to get your results before you need to board your flight.
You should be able to find out how long it takes by looking up the airport testing centre online beforehand.
READ ALSO:
- Reader question: What are the Covid-19 test requirements for entering Germany?
- COMPARE: What are the Covid test requirements around Europe for child travellers
Will I need to pay for the test?
If you're getting a rapid antigen test during your stay in Germany in order to, say, visit a bar, you won't need to pay for it if you go to one of the testing centres for Bürgertests mentioned above.
However, if you need a PCR test before flying out of the country, you will have to pay for it yourself.
The cost of these varies from vendor to vendor, but you can expect to pay anywhere between €40 and €160 for a private PCR test.
Some providers also charge a premium for 'extra fast' tests at airports, which might be seen as a tax on the disorganised.
According to the spokesperson for the German Health Ministry, the variable prices reflect the fact that the government doesn't control or standardise the cost of tests.
"The Health Ministry has no influence on the prices of these PCR tests," she told us. "They are set by the providers."
If you have Covid symptoms, however, or have tested positive for Covid-19 with a rapid antigen test, you should be entitled to a free PCR test, paid for by the German state.
What if I have Covid symptoms?
If you start to feel unwell on your trip to Germany and notice any of the most common symptoms of Covid, such as exhaustion, dry cough, or a fever, the government advice is to stay at your accommodation and contact your local Health Authority.
The website of the Robert Koch Institute has a useful tool for finding out who the relevant Health Authority in your area is. Simply head here, enter the postcode of your hotel or accommodation, and you'll find all the contact details you need.
The Health Authority will be able to advise you on the next steps.
Further guidance for travellers on Germany's entry regulations can be found here.
What happens if I test positive for Covid?
If you test positive for Covid with an antigen test, and this result is confirmed with a PCR test, you will have to go into quarantine for 14 days. More information on what to do if you have Covid can be found (in English) on the Health Ministry website here.
Useful vocabulary
I want to get a Coronavirus test - Ich will mich auf Corona testen lassen
I got tested - Ich wurde getestet
Rapid test - Schnelltest
Self-test - Selbsttest
Testing centre - Testzentrum
(No) Symptoms - (Keine) Symptomen
Positive result - Positive Ergebnis
Negative result - Negative Ergebnis
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