So many people asked whether it would be OK to return to Germany from their overseas trip now that Germany has closed down its borders. We have a somewhat vague answer for you – it’s not bulletproof. There might be hope. But your flight will probably get cancelled anyway.
Even the foreigner’s office could only speculate, but the information on the Ministry of the Interior website gives us hope.
Here are some of the factors in play (sources: correspondence with a public authority in Berlin, official website of the Ministry of the Interior and the German national news (Tagesschau)).
- Non-EU citizens are not permitted to enter Germany at the moment, for the next 30 days
- Excepted are family members of German citizens and third country nationals with residence permits or “long-term visas” issued for a European country
- It is not clear what is considered “long-term” – 6 months? 1 year?
- Exceptions to the above rules are only permitted in emergencies, e.g. a funeral. Evidence is required.
- In case of doubt, the Federal Police make the final decision
- Non-EU citizens who have landed in Germany have already been ordered to return and sent back on the next flight.
- Most flights are being cancelled anyway, which might help to make the decision for you!
We’ll keep this up-to-date! In the meantime, stay safe, stay well, wash your hands and dream of summer.
Kathleen
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