COVID-19 and German Universities: Information for International Students

To understand how the German Higher Education System reacted to the spread of the coronavirus, there are some organizational things you should know about. Germany has got a federalist political system: There are 16 states, or Bundesland, that are in charge of passing regulations regarding the universities in each state. Therefore, regulations may differ slightly from place to place. On top of that, each university has the freedom to individually define policies that allow them to react appropriately to the current circumstances. Therefore it is absolutely essential that you check directly on the university’s website which rules and regulations are in place and how they affect you.

Even though universities and federal states have some freedom to decide on which regulations they decide to pass, there are some nation-wide rules in place that each university has to adhere by, as well. The mandatory social-distancing regulations that were put in place Germany-wide heavily affected university life last year.

Studies in the last year have been a mix of virtual/remote and in-person studies, depending on the respective Covid-19 case numbers and state social distancing policies. The policies have varied across German universities. Our best advice: Confirm directly on the university website how your university will organize upcoming semesters.

Since June 2022, students can freely travel to Germany, in most cases without a need to meet any of the previously existing preconditions. In particular, students do not have to provide proof of vaccination, proof of recovery or a negative test upon entry to Germany. Moreover, no digital entry registration is required. What is also new is that the students do not have to quarantine any more. 

However, if you are entering Germany from the areas of variant concern, all of the above-mentioned rules apply. Put another way, you need to

• provide a negative test (PCR, PoC-NAAT or other nucleic acid amplification test methods), which was conducted no longer than 48 hours ago, (proof of recovery or proof of vaccination is not enough);
• fill in the electronic form upon entry;
• self-isolate for 2 weeks after entering Germany.

As of 12.09.2022, none of the countries are classified as the virus variant areas.

Unlike the previous semesters, the upcoming winter semester 2022/23 is planned to be the most "normal" since the pandemic started, as the universities intend to hold classes in person without any regulations related to masks, proofs of vaccination and/or proofs of recovery. However, this will largely depend on the direction the pandemic takes.

International students living and studying in Germany have to get insurance with a German insurance provider and are thus covered in the German system. You have the same entitlements that everybody else does. If you get the virus, your treatment will be covered. Besides, you can get the vaccines for free at the doctor's office, and at some places you can even get them without any prior appointment.

The rules pretty much remain the same as in any other situation: If you have a health issue, contact your doctor. If you have questions about your insurance, contact your insurance provider.

This is the best advice we can leave you with. Stay informed, check for updates, and stay in touch with the German universities you are interested in. The web-links we have compiled for you above are a great place to start.