Germany Country Travel Advice Report - ASU Global Education Office
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Intelligence and Analysis Services
Country Travel Advice Report
Germany
Overall Risk Rating: Low | 2.00
Drum Cussac Group Limited Last Updated: 4 Aug 2021, 21:55 (UTC)Intelligence and Analysis Services
Contents
Country Risk Rating Breakdown ................................................................................................................................................................................ 3
Country Overview ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 4
Security
Overview ............................................................................................................................................................................................................... 4
Political
Overview ............................................................................................................................................................................................................... 4
Infrastructural
Overview ............................................................................................................................................................................................................... 4
Environmental
Overview ............................................................................................................................................................................................................... 4
Medical
Overview ............................................................................................................................................................................................................... 4
Fact Box ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 6
Travel Risk Advice ...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 7
Threat Scale Reference ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 9
Drum Cussac Group Limited 2 Last Updated: 4 Aug 2021, 21:55 (UTC)Intelligence and Analysis Services
Country Risk Rating Breakdown
Country Overall Risk Rating Low | 2.00
Security Environmental Infrastructural Political Medical
Low | 2.00 Low | 2.00 Low | 2.00 Negligible - Low | 1.50 Low | 2.00
Drum Cussac Group Limited 3 Last Updated: 4 Aug 2021, 21:55 (UTC)Intelligence and Analysis Services Country Overview Low | 2.00 Germany is a developed and highly industrialised country located in Western Europe. It is the most populated country in the European Union and has the third-highest number of international migrants in the world. The government is a highly stable federal republic, and transfers of power occur peacefully. Germany has a robust democracy which contributes to stability and political legitimacy. However, democratic freedoms likewise allow expression of a wide range of ideologies, often in the form of passionate and occasionally violent demonstrations. The primary threat to foreign travellers is from petty theft. There is growing concern over terrorism, particularly from the Islamic State (IS), which has claimed several attacks against civilians, including in Berlin; further attacks are likely. Germany's infrastructure is highly developed and technologically advanced, with safe and reliable transportation, advanced health care and reliable communication services throughout the country. Security Low | 2.00 Overview Criminal activity in Germany directed at foreigners most commonly consists of non-confrontational street crime such as purse-snatching and pickpocketing. Violent crime is rare, but it does occur. There is a latent terror threat, including from Islamist militants. IS has both threatened Germany and been involved in recent attacks in the country. Protests occur occasionally in city centers over various political and socio-economic grievances. The EU-wide migrant crisis has been a recent trigger for unrest, with both pro- and anti-migrant protests occurring. Rallies are typically peaceful. Political Negligible - Low | 1.50 Overview Germany is politically stable. Corruption is not a significant concern or obstacle for businesses in Germany. Police are well-trained and competent. Infrastructural Low | 2.00 Overview There are no safety concerns over air travel. There are increasing concerns over the threat from cyber-attacks, which can cause damage to the country's economy and public services. Roads in Germany are generally in excellent condition, with the exception of some older, rural roads in the eastern parts of the country. Utilities are very good. Environmental Low | 2.00 Overview Germany's climate is moderate with seasonal variations in temperature, including warmer summers and colder winters. Explosive remnants of war (ERW) from the Second World War are periodically found, especially in the country's western industrial regions. Earthquakes occur periodically, especially in the seismically active zone associated with the Rhine Rift Valley, but are usually low-level. Flooding can be a problem in low-lying areas following storms and heavy rains. Dangerous avalanches occur regularly in Germany's mountainous regions in winter. Medical Low | 2.00 Overview Drum Cussac Group Limited 4 Last Updated: 4 Aug 2021, 21:55 (UTC)
Intelligence and Analysis Services Medical care is of excellent quality in Germany. Pharmacies are prevalent in major urban centers. Most ordinary prescription drugs are widely available. Tap water is safe to drink. Travelers' diarrhea is the most common ailment among travelers to Germany. Drum Cussac Group Limited 5 Last Updated: 4 Aug 2021, 21:55 (UTC)
Intelligence and Analysis Services
Fact Box
Government
Federal Parliamentary Republic
Type
Population 81,413,145 (2015)
Currency EURO
Languages German (official) 100%
Time Zone UTC+1
Religions Protestant 34%, Roman Catholic 34%, Muslim 4%, unaffiliated or none 28%
Traffic Drives on the right
Plug Types Type C and Type F
Ethnicities German 92%, Turkish 2%, other 6%
Drinking
Safe to Drink
Water
2019 Significant Dates:
January 1 - New Year’s Day January 6 - Epiphany April 10 - Good Friday April 13 - Easter
Additional
Monday May 1 - Labour Day May 21 - Ascension Day June 1 - Whit Monday June 11 -
Information
Corpus Christi Day August 15 - Assumption Day October 3 - Reunification Day October 31 -
Reformation Day November 1 - All Saints’ Day December 24 - Christmas Eve December 25-
26 - Christmas Holiday December 31 - New Year’s Eve
International
Country +49
Code
Drum Cussac Group Limited 6 Last Updated: 4 Aug 2021, 21:55 (UTC)Intelligence and Analysis Services
Travel Risk Advice
Vaccinations and Key Health Risks
You should visit a health care professional at least four to six weeks prior to the trip. Travellers should ensure that they have routine vaccination
courses and boosters. Routine vaccines include measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis, varicella (chickenpox), polio, and
annual flu vaccine.
Dependent on work, reason for travel, or underlying health conditions, some travellers may require vaccines from:
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis B
Rabies
Pre-departure
Travellers should provide friends and family a copy of their travel itinerary and carry any important travel and identification documents on their
person.
On Arrival
There are no significant measures to undertake when arriving in Germany.
In Transit
Public transport is generally safe, and self-driving may be conducted without any non-standard precautions.
At Your Hotel
There are no extraneous measures that should be undertaken at the hotel.
In the Street
While the terrorism threat is generally low in Germany, Islamic extremist groups, including the Islamic State (IS), pose a threat to travellers in the
country. Terrorist activity should be monitored using intelligence sources and local media. Travellers should exercise increased vigilance in
crowded areas. If travellers observe anything suspicious they should leave the area immediately and subsequently report their concerns to the
authorities. Travellers should heed all advice issued by the police and security services.
Demonstrations and protests can occur in most major German cities, although these are rarely violent. Travellers should avoid demonstrations,
protests and rallies, particularly those that involve far-right groups such as the AfD and counter protesters as there represent a volatile
environment. Travellers should also be aware that such incidents may disrupt local transport networks.
Crime rates are generally low, although travellers are sometimes targeted by opportunistic thieves. They should avoid overt displays of wealth
and dress discreetly and appropriately to environment. Do not publicly display money, jewellery or other valuables and keep a low profile.
Travellers should use only small denominations of currency, and keep large amounts of cash and cards in a separate place on your person.
Reduce the contents of your wallet or purse contents, particularly cards which may denote affiliations, memberships and accounts.
Travellers should ensure that their mobile phone is carried with sufficient battery life and programmed with appropriate emergency numbers.
Travellers should also carry an ID card or passport and emergency medical information.
Travellers should be aware of their location and surroundings. Avoid high-crime areas and walking on through dimly lit streets after dark.
Travellers should know their planned route and carry a map if necessary, but keep it concealed.
In crowded situations and busy tourist locations, travellers should be aware of jostling as this may be a ploy for pick-pockets. They should also be
aware of people loitering, and that attackers may first pass their victim to attack from behind.
Drum Cussac Group Limited 7 Last Updated: 4 Aug 2021, 21:55 (UTC)Intelligence and Analysis Services COVID-19 Information Total Cases (ECDC) (Updated on Monday): 3,756,856 Weekly percentage increase in cases:0.31% Travel Restrictions: Internal Restrictions Working from home is encouraged. Employers must continue to offer all employees who work face-to- face two weekly COVID-19 tests except for fully vaccinated individuals or those who have recovered from COVID-19. Other restrictions vary slightly between regions. Generally, gatherings are limited to 10 people, and nonessential businesses and services are permitted to operate subject to hygiene and social distancing requirements. Individuals who have received the full course of a COVID-19 vaccine more than 14 days ago or recovered from COVID-19 within the previous six months are exempt from certain restrictions, including the nightly curfew and limits on gatherings. Authorities require individuals to wear facemasks with a filtering facepiece protection class of at least 2 (FFP2) on public transport and in stores and public offices nationwide. Authorities have legislation in place that will automatically impose tougher restrictions in districts where the seven-day incidence rate of new infections is greater than 100 people per 100,000 inhabitants for three days in a row. These tighter measures include a 22:00-05:00 curfew, closure of nonessential businesses, and strict limits on social gatherings. International Travel Restrictions Authorities in Germany plan to update COVID-19-related international entry restrictions. From Aug. 1, all travelers over the age of 12 arriving by land must possess evidence of full vaccination against COVID-19, recovery from COVID-19, or a negative result from a PCR or antigen test taken within 72 hours or 48 hours before arrival, respectively; the requirement will not apply to cross-border commuters or travelers transiting Germany. Authorities are likely to conduct random spot checks on arrivals entering by land rather than institute blanket border checks. In addition, authorities will simplify their country-risk classifications from Aug. 1 by removing the “simple risk area” designation; countries of concern will now only be classified as “high risk” or “virus variant” areas. Officials have also announced that the southern African countries, including South Africa, will no longer be considered virus-variant areas. Generally, Germany prohibits entry by non-vaccinated individuals from outside the EEA, except for those from Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Australia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Brunei, Canada, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kosovo, Lebanon, Macau, Moldova, Montenegro, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Qatar, Serbia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, and the US. Fully vaccinated travelers from outside the EEA and associated countries are allowed to enter Germany for nonessential purposes, provided at least 14 days have passed since they received a full dosage of an approved vaccine. Only travelers inoculated with vaccines approved by German authorities are allowed entry; for a full list of vaccines approved by German authorities, click here. All arrivals must complete a digital entry registration form before entry; exceptions apply for transit passengers and cross-border commuters. As of July 30, only travelers arriving in Germany by air must present a negative COVID-19 test result from either a COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours before arrival or a COVID-19 antigen test taken within 48 hours before arrival. Travelers who have spent any time in a designated high-incidence area or simple-risk area in the previous 10 days must also self-isolate for 10 days. Such travelers may end quarantine early by presenting a negative test result no earlier than five days after the beginning of self-isolation. Travelers who have either received the full course of a COVID-19 vaccine no less than 14 days before arrival or have recovered from COVID-19 within the previous six months are exempt from quarantine requirements. Exceptions are also in place for individuals in transit, transport workers, and cross-border commuters. For a full English-language list of locations designated by the German government as virus-variant, simple-risk, and high-incidence areas, click here. Authorities maintain tighter restrictions for arrivals from virus-variant areas. As of July 30, virus-variant areas include Botswana, Brazil, eSwatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Uruguay, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Only German nationals and residents and certain essential workers are allowed to enter the country from these locations. The restrictions also apply to individuals who have spent any time in a virus-variant area in the previous 10 days. Permitted arrivals from virus-variant areas must possess a negative result from either a COVID-19 PCR test taken no more than 72 hours before arrival or a COVID-19 antigen test taken no more than 24 hours before arrival; they must also self- isolate for 14 days upon entry. Persons in self-isolation will not be permitted to end quarantine early after a subsequent negative COVID-19 test. Additional Information: https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en/einreiseundaufenthalt/coronavirus Drum Cussac Group Limited 8 Last Updated: 4 Aug 2021, 21:55 (UTC)
Intelligence and Analysis Services
Threat Scale Reference
Threat Rating Implication
The operating environment is benign and there are only isolated threats to business
1 - Negligible
and/or travel.
The operating environment is generally permissive, although there are a limited
2 – Low
number of threats to business and/or travel that requires basic mitigations.
The operating environment is challenging and there are serious threats to business
3 – Moderate
and/or travel that requires some mitigations.
The operating environment is hostile and there are significant threats to business,
4 – High
personal safety and/or travel, requiring comprehensive mitigations and planning.
The operating environment is characterised by pervasive direct threats to business,
5 – Extreme
personal safety and/or travel, requiring strict risk management procedures.
Drum Cussac Group Limited 9 Last Updated: 4 Aug 2021, 21:55 (UTC)Intelligence and Analysis Services
Disclaimer
Drum Cussac Group Ltd makes no representation, warranties or assurance against risk with respect to the contents or use of this document, and
specifically disclaims any express or implied warranties or usefulness for any particular purpose of this publication. Recommendations made are based on
information available at the time of writing. No express or implied warranty is given in respect of any judgment made or to changes, or any unforeseen
escalation of any factors affecting any such judgment.
Copyright
Copyright 2016 Drum Cussac Group Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the express prior consent of Drum
Cussac Group Ltd.
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