This guide explains the Coronavirus situation in Berlin. It is updated at least once a day, when there is new information.

Coronavirus restrictions in Berlin

The full list of restrictions is on Berlin.de.

Changes on June 7

  • Company doctors (Betriebsärzte) can vaccinate employees1, 2

Changes on May 21

We can do more things, but only if there are less than 100 infections per 100,000 residents1.

  • Restaurants can offer dining outside
  • Open air cinemas, theatres and cultural events are allowed
  • City tours and tour ships are allowed
  • Open air sport is allowed again, with maximum 10 people

Useful link: Current infection numbers in Berlin (look for 7-Tage-Inzidenz)

Changes on May 19

We can do more things, but only if there are less than 100 infections per 100,000 residents1, 2.

  • There is no more curfew
  • There is no more ban on visitors between 22:00 and 5:00

Useful link: Current infection numbers in Berlin (look for 7-Tage-Inzidenz)

Changes on May 17

  • Doctors can offer any vaccine to anyone, not just AstraZeneca. You can get the AstraZeneca, BioNTech/Pfizer or Moderna vaccine at the doctor, even if you are not in priority group 1, 2 or 31. The vaccination centres (Impfzentrum) still vaccinate priority groups 1, 2 and 3 only.
  • The city will offer 150 million euros in help for solo freelancers. This is called the Neustarthilfe Berlin.

Useful link: Vaccine priority list

Changes on May 14

  • If you live in certain parts of Neukölln, you can get vaccinated between May 14 and May 16. You don't need an appointment, but your address must be registered. More information here.

Changes on May 9

There are new privileges for people who are fully vaccinated1, and people who already had the virus:

  • There is no curfew if you are fully vaccinated, or if you had the virus in the last 6 months.
  • There are no contact restrictions if you are fully vaccinated, or if you had the virus in the last 6 months. You can meet as many people as you want.

Even if you are fully vaccinated, you must still wear a mask. Other restrictions still apply to you.

To prove that you had coronavirus, you must have a positive PCR test that is between 28 and 180 days old. To prove that you are vaccinated, you must have a vaccination certificate.

Changes on May 1

There are new restrictions on May 11:

  • Meeting people: Outdoor meetings are limited to 5 people from 2 households. That means maximum 4 people from the same household, plus 1 person from another household. 4+1 people is allowed, but not 3+2 people, for example.
  • Home office: 50% of the staff can work at the office. The rest must work from home.
  • Testing: You do not need a test to go shopping if you were already infected and recovered. You must have a positive PCR test that is between 28 and 180 days old.
  • Quarantine: If you were vaccinated, or if you were already infected and recovered, you do not need to quarantine. This does not apply to hospital staff; they still have to quarantine.

Changes on April 24

There are new restrictions in all of Germany. They are called the federal emergency brake (Bundes-Notbremse). These are the new restrictions in Berlin1:

  • Curfew: There is a curfew from 22:00 to 5:00. You can't leave your house during that time, except for work, emergencies and walking your dog. You can walk and jog alone until midnight. Public transport still works during the curfew.
  • Meeting people: You can only meet 1 person from another household. For example, you can have a dinner with your room mates and 1 guest from another household. Children up to 14 years old are not counted.
  • Shopping: You need a test and an appointment to go shopping. If there are over 150 infections per 100,000 residents, only click-and-collect is allowed. Some businesses are exempt:
    • Food stores including direct sales
    • Beverage retailers
    • Health food stores
    • Specialised baby needs stores
    • Pharmacies, medical supplies stores and drug stores
    • Opticians
    • Hearing testing and hearing aid specialists
    • Petrol stations
    • Bookstores and newspaper sellers
    • Flower shops and garden centres
    • Pet supplies stores and animal food markets
  • Schools: If there are over 165 infections per 100,000 residents, schools must close.
  • Museums, theatres and galleries must close.

Useful links:

Changes on April 18

  • The current rules are extended until May 9.
  • To go shopping or to get a haircut, you need a negative test from the last 24 hours. Before, you had to get tested on the same day.
  • To attend an event or gathering, you need a negative test from the last 24 hours. Before, you had to get tested on the same day.
  • Children under 6 years old don't need a mask. Children up to 14 years old do not need FFP2 masks: OP masks are enough.
  • There is no test requirement for children under 7 years old.
  • 15 days after your second vaccine, you can visit stores, hair salons, cosmetic salons, massage parlours, museums, zoos etc. without a negative test.

There could be more restrictions coming soon. The German government is discussing harder restrictions for all of Germany. It would include a curfew if there are over 100 infections per 100,000 residents1. Stores might have to close again.

Changes on April 8

  • On April 8, Kitas return to emergency operation (Notbetrieb). They can only accept children of single parents and parents in essential jobs. There is an exception if there is an urgent pedagogic reason. Kitas are limited to 50% capacity.

Changes on April 6

  • You can only meet one person from another household, indoors or outdoors. Children under 14 years old are not counted1.

Changes on April 2

  • Between 21:00 and 5:00, you can't meet people from other households, indoors or outdoors. You can still meet your spouse or life partner. Children under 14 years old are not counted.

Changes on March 31

There will be new restrictions on March 311:

  • FFP2 masks are required in shops, hospitals and public transit. Surgical masks are not allowed.
  • To go shopping or to get a haircut, you must have a negative test from the same day. Rapid antigen tests are allowed. Self-tests are not allowed1, unless you do them at the store while an employee is watching1. You don't need a test to go to supermarkets, pharmacies and drug stores.
  • To attend an event or gathering, you must have a negative test from the same day. Rapid antigen tests are allowed. Self-tests are not allowed1. You don't need a test to attend demonstrations and religious events.
  • Click and meet is not required. You can go shopping without an appointment, but you must bring a negative test.
  • Employers must allow their employees to get tested 2 times per week.
  • Employers must allow their employees to work from homes. Offices can't be more than 50% full.

If you want to know where to get tested, use this map.

Changes on March 23

In Berlin, the current lockdown is extended to April 181.

There will not be harder restrictions during the Easter holiday (April 1 to April 5)1.

  • Almost all shops will close from April 1 to April 5 (Thursday to Monday). Supermarkets can open on April 3 (Saturday) only1. This was cancelled.
  • Only 5 adults from 2 households can meet, and bring their children with them.
  • Public gatherings are not allowed1.
  • Travellers returning from another country must get tested before they fly to Germany.
  • Testing and vaccination centres will stay open.
  • Churches are asked to hold Easter ceremonies online.

Those restrictions apply from April 1 to April 5. If the infection rate is above 100 per 100,000, there could be more restrictions1.

Changes on March 3

The government announced a step-by-step plan to end the lockdown. You can read more about it here.

The lockdown plan (translated by IAMEXPAT)

15 kilometre travel restriction

After January 161, if there are over 200 infections per 100,000 residents, you can't travel more than 15 kilometres from Berlin1.

If the infections return below 200 per 100,000 for more than 7 days1, 2, the 15 km rule is cancelled.

If the 15 km rule is active, you can still leave1 the 15 km zone...

  • ...to do your job
  • ...to attend school1
  • ...to visit a doctor
  • ...to go to a court or administrative (Ausländerbehörde, Bürgeramt) appointment
  • ...to take care of your dependents
  • ...to get medical help
  • ...to take care of to your weekend home (Datsche)1

You can't leave the 15 km zone1...

  • ...to visit family and friends
  • ...to go shopping
  • ...to go to church or attend religious services
  • ...to do sports or exercise in the forest1
  • ...to go to the airport, unless it's an international flight or an emergency1, 2

If the infections go above 200 per 100,000, Catholic religious services will also be cancelled1. It's a decision from the Church, not a rule.

Remember: even without this rule, you can only leave your home if you have a good reason§2.3.

Related links:

Full list of restrictions

Travel restrictions in Berlin and Germany

Non-essential travel is discouraged. It's not a good time to visit Berlin. Tourism is forbidden1, §7. Restaurants and bars only offer take-out1, 2. Theatres, amusement parks and cinemas are closed1. Most stores are closed.

    Quarantine requirements in Berlin

    The quarantine rules are different for each borough (Bezirk), and the rules change every few days. You must look at the quarantine requirements for your borough. If you do not understand the rules, call the coronavirus hotline or contact your local Gesundheitsamt.

    Official page on Berlin.de ➞

    Official information for travellers ➞

    Schools and Kitas

    Schools will slowly reopen in January, and regular classes will start in February. Kitas are currently closed, except for emergency situations1.

    Information from Berliner Zeitung (in English) ➞

    Coronavirus tests in Berlin

    You can get tested for coronavirus in many locations. There are PCR tests that take a few days (0-150€), and rapid antigen tests that only take a few minutes (25-75€).

    Coronavirus testing information for Berlin ➞

    Coronavirus vaccine in Berlin

    A coronavirus vaccine is coming in early 2021. Around 360 000 Berliners will get the vaccine before April. People over 80 years old, nursing home personnel and healthcare workers will get the priority.

    Coronavirus vaccine information for Berlin ➞

    Corona hotlines for Berlin

    If you have coronavirus symptoms, or questions about getting tested, call one of the coronavirus hotlines.

    You can also call your local Gesundheitsamt: