latest updates
07/04/23: Ordinance on Coronavirus Entry Regulations expires.
22/02/23: No risk areas worldwide anymore, therefore test obligation for China removed
09/01/23: Exception China: test obligation before entering Germany
13/06/22: As of June 11 all COVID-19 related entry restrictions are lifted.
01/06/22: Germany recognizes vaccines approved by World Health Organization, proof of vaccination, recovery or negative test upon entry no longer necessary as of 01/06/22
03/04/22: Access restrictions for trade fairs are lifted.
03/03/22: All risk areas worldwide are eliminated.
Since June 11, 2022, COVID-19 related entry restrictions to Germany are lifted. A proof of vaccination, proof of convalescence, proof of testing or proof of trade fair participation is no longer required to enter Germany. On April 7, 2023 the ordinance on coronavirus entry regulations will expire. Consequently no COVID-19 entry restrictions will be possible anymore.
Exception China
Persons residing in the People's Republic of China continue to require an important reason to enter Germany, so that trade fair participants must still prove their exhibitor or visitor status when applying for a visa. (see also information from German embassy here)
From January 9, 2023 to February 21, 2023 it was mandatory for travelers entering Germany from China to present a negative corona test upon departure.
Further information on the German entry regulations specifically applicable to China is available on the website of the German Embassy in Beijing.
Germany qualifies no countries as areas of virus variants of concern.
Business Visa are Still Necessary
Citizens from countries with visa requirement who travel to Germany to visit a trade fair or exhibit need a business visa. Employees of exhibiting companies are exempt from the visa fee.
Especially in India, Pakistan and Turkey, the visa appointment situation at the embassy and consulates of Germany is particularly tense. Therefore, it is important that trade fair participants take care of a visa application appointment as long as possible before entering Germany.
German Trade Fairs are International
The competitive advantage of German trade fairs is their internationality: trade fairs bring the world markets to Germany. Around 60% of the approximately 180,000 exhibitors each year come from abroad, a third of them from countries outside Europe. Almost 30% of the 10 million visitors come from abroad. Therefore, AUMA advocates open borders for trade fair participants.
Open borders and the smoothest possible international travel are therefore essential for German trade fairs. International travel is partially restricted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For this reason, trade fair participants from abroad must carefully inform themselves about the entry requirements before their trip.
Participants from non-EU countries play an important role at German trade fairs.
Due to the dynamic infection and thus also legal situation, trade fair participants should always inform themselves about the regulations currently applicable to them specifically before starting their journey. As a service of AUMA, the information is only intended to provide initial advice and therefore does not claim to be complete. Although the greatest possible care has been taken in the preparation of this information, AUMA disclaims all liability for the accuracy of its content.
