Entry Requirements Germany

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Entry to Germany

In order to be prepared for your entry into Germany, the subsequent vacation and also the departure, we have created an overview with the most important travel regulations for Germany.

Here you will find all the information you need to prepare for your vacation in Sweden and to enjoy your trip relaxed.

To the overview page

General travel advices

  • ID requirement: A valid passport or ID card of an EU country with a photo is required for travel. Please note that children also need their own identification documents.
  • Corona regulations: Entry restrictions related to the Corona pandemic were lifted in Germany on April 7, 2023. There is no longer a testing or quarantine obligation.
  • Customs and import regulations: When entering Germany, there are some import regulations to consider regarding food, alcohol, weapons, pets, plants and many more. Here you can read the exact regulations.
  • Please inform yourself before your trip directly at the German authorities or at the Federal Foreign Office about valid travel warnings, security advices, daily updated information about Corona and virus variant areas. All information without guarantee.

Swedish Embassy in Berlin

Swedish citizens can contact the embassy if their passport or money has been stolen, in case of traffic accidents or illness. It is also important to contact your insurance company. The embassy can advise you on how to transfer money out of Sweden and contact relatives, local authorities in the country and at home in Sweden if necessary.
Here you can find more information and contact the embassy.

Entry with child

When entering the country, it should be noted that children up to the age of 12 are required to have identification. Newborns need a passport to leave the country.

Transportation of unaccompanied minors under the age of 14 is not permitted. Unaccompanied minors between the ages of 14 and 17 inclusive require the written consent of a parent or guardian for the action, which must be presented to TT-Line upon request.

Entry with pet

Travel with dogs, cats and ferrets is subject to identification marking, valid rabies vaccination, valid EU pet passport and registration with customs in the destination country. Your pet must be at least three months old at the time of entry. Special regulations also apply to travel with more than five animals. You can read more about this here.

Please note that special rules apply to so-called dangerous dog breeds when entering Germany. You can find more information about this on the website of the German customs.The pet owner is obliged to comply with all home country and German entry regulations. 

Driving in Germany

  • Daytime running lights are recommended, but are a requirement for motorcycles. In tunnels and poor visibility, all vehicles must be equipped with dipped headlights/daytime running lights.
  • Warning vest, warning triangle and first aid kit must be carried. Otherwise a fine of 15€ will be imposed.
  • It is forbidden to talk on a cell phone and send SMS while driving. Hands-free phone calls are allowed, but should be avoided.
  • The German per mille limit is 0.0 per mille for people who have held a driving license for less than 2 years or are under 21 years old. Otherwise, 0.5 per mille applies.
  • The police impose and collect fines on the spot. In unclear cases, a larger amount is paid as security before the journey is allowed to continue. A review will then take place and the amount of the fine will be determined and sent by mail to your address in the respective country.
  • Driving with studded tires is prohibited in Germany.
  • Heavy traffic is prohibited on Sundays.
  • Speed cameras are common for temporary speed reductions - and they are not signposted.
  • Yellow town sign means 50km/h unless otherwise posted.
  • On the freeway the speed is free (guideline speed 130 km/h).

Parking in Germany

Prohibition to stop and park 5 m before pedestrian crossing, 10 m before road/street crossing. Prohibition to park 15 m before bus stop and in spaces reserved for residents Anwohner/Bewohner mit Parkausweis.

Kurzparkzone means time-limited parking. The additional sign indicates when you can park and for how long. For example, Parkdauer 3 Std means permitted parking for up to three hours.

Gebührenpflichtig means paid parking. Parkschein means parking ticket. Werktags means weekdays, Sa or Samstag Saturdays, Feiertage Sundays and public holidays. Payment at the parking machine or through the Parkster and EasyPark apps.

In places with time-limited free parking, a parking disk, Parkscheibe, is sometimes used.

An EU-labeled disability permit is required. In the absence of other parking facilities, it entitles you to three hours of parking on public land where parking is prohibited or restricted. Also applies to pedestrian streets and pedestrian zones. A parking disc must be used. There is no charge for paid parking. Special rules apply to private parking lots.

Low Zones in Germany

In order to be allowed to drive in the so-called German Low Zones (Environmental zones), a fine dust sticker must be affixed to the windshield, otherwise you risk a fine of €80. The sticker requirement also applies to cars registered abroad, but not to motorcycles or vehicles with a disabled pass. No environmental sticker is required in most German cities or on normal country roads and highways. The environmental zones are signposted with a special traffic sign. Read more about the German environmental zones and how to get an environmental badge here.

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