German entry requirements are confusing

I know in January they changed the time limit to 3 months for proof of recovery. Not sure what the status is now.

Are you vaccinated and boosted? If you are, then no need to worry about proof of recovery.

No vaccine here, that's why I was wondering about the proof of recovery. Also getting the vac is not an option, so if I have to stay home then so be it.

Hi, Sam. Welcome to the forum.

The current wording on the German Missions in the US website (German Embassy/Consulates website) is as follows:

Travelers who can prove they were previously infected with COVID
through a positive PCR test, taken at least 28 days but no more than
90 days prior, and who show no relevant symptoms are considered to be
fully recovered.

[Reference: https://www.germany.info/us-en/covid-19/2321562]

So, there is a window between 28 days and 90 days after your positive PCR test in which you are allowed to enter Germany.

It looks like you will likely be outside that window in May (unless your positive test was Jan 31, and you are entering on May 1).

The least problematic way ie, to avoid any confusion, hassle, etc, is to get all 3 shots, the third being the booster. As of the end of Dec 2021 I did all that , all Pfizer, in order to travel, for the health and safety reasons, etc., etc.

On the possibility of the 2nd booster, I really hope that necessity won't come to pass but will do that anyway if need be. , ie, having 4 shots behind me.

OK thanks. According to the embassy website it was 6 month for proof of recovery, but delta airlines info said 90 days so I'm still confused.

It used to be 6 months but the requirement was shortened to 3 months (90 days) in January.

OK it's strange that the embassy has not updated their website info. I guess the info on the airline website is probably the one to go by since they will be the first to check the papers. So I guess 90 days it is

I looked at the US Embassy in Germany website. You are correct. It says 6 months. It is 100% wrong and has old information.

I have given you the reference for the German Embassy in the US website. Now, I'll give you a URL for COVID-19 entry rules on Germany's Federal Foreign Ministry's website: https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en/coronavirus/2317268

Click on Box #3 and scroll down to...

Proof of recovery: A positive PCR test result carried out at least 28
days but no more than 90 days previously.

How about the German Federal Ministry of Health (https://www.bundesgesundheitsministerium.de/en/coronavirus/infos-reisende/faq-tests-einreisende.html)? Search for the word "recovery". At occurrence #7 of 16 on the webpage you will find...

What constitutes proof of recovery? Proof of immunity acquired through
previous infection with the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus issued in written
or digital form in German, English, French, Italian or Spanish.

This proof must comply with the following criteria published in
section 2 number 8 of the Ordinance on Coronavirus Entry Regulations:

-direct pathogen detection of the prior infection,
-The test to prove the prior infection was performed no less than 28 days
and no more than 90 days earlier.

So, there is 100% consistency among German government websites about what constitutes recovery. That should remove all doubt about what the rules for recovery are.

it's strange that the embassy has not updated their website info.

I will propose that the intern in charge of the US Embassy website is more interested in German beer than the fine details of US citizens' entry into Germany.

Oh yeah... to answer the entry with a negative test part of the question...

German Missions in the US website indicates:

Travelers who have spent time in the U.S. within 10 days prior to
entering the Federal Republic of Germany will have to be a) fully
vaccinated or b) need to demonstrate an important reason for entering
Germany

This echoes the German Interior Ministry's answer to FAQ #3 on its travel restrictions/border control FAQ page:

Residents of other non-EU countries [this includes US] are only permitted to enter
Germany if they serve in an important role or if they have an urgent
need to travel or if they are fully vaccinated

[Reference: https://www.bmi.bund.de/SharedDocs/faqs/EN/topics/civil-protection/coronavirus/coronavirus-faqs.html]

So a negative test gets you in without vaccination only if you serve an important role or if you have an urgent need to travel. Tourism is not an urgent need to travel, but the above FAQ webpage has a link to what is.

OK thanks that helps