This guide explains the Coronavirus situation in Berlin. It is updated when there is new information.

Coronavirus restrictions in Berlin

The full list of restrictions is on Berlin.de. I follow rbb24 and Tagesspiegel's coronavirus live blog.

2G, 2G+ and 3G rules

  • 2G means vaccinated or recovered (geimpft oder genesen). You must also wear a mask. This means that you are either fully vaccinated (Vollgeimpft), or that you have a positive PCR test that is 28 to 180 days old. A recent negative test is not enough.
  • 2G+ means vaccinated or recovered, AND tested. This means that you must also have a negative test with you. A proof of vaccination or a proof of recovery alone is not enough.
  • 3G means vaccinated, recovered OR tested (geimpft, genesen oder getestet). This means that a recent negative test is also accepted, instead of a proof of vaccination or a proof of recovery..

The 2G rule does not apply to people under 18 years old, or people who can't get vaccinated for medical reasons. Those people just need a negative test. The test must be less than 24 hours old.

Changes on December 1

  • Events with over 1000 people: There are more restrictions for these events. More information here.

Source: Berlin.de

Changes on November 27

  • 2G rules: when the 2G rules apply, you must also wear a mask.
  • Shopping: the 2G rules apply in stores. There are exceptions for essential shops like supermarkets and pharmacies1.
  • Hotels: the 2G rules apply.
  • Restaurants and bars: the 2G rules apply, and you must wear a mask when you are not at your table1. You don't need a test1.
  • Clubs: the 2G+ rules apply. Clubs are limited to 50% capacity. Everyone must be tested.
  • Schools for adults: the 2G rules apply. This includes Volkshochschulen, driving schools and music schools.
  • Close contact services: the 2G rules apply. If it's impossible to wear a mask, you must be tested. This includes hair dressers, massage parlours and manicurists.
  • Christmas markets: the 2G rules apply at Christmas markets. Some Christmas markets are cancelled1.
  • Indoor sports: the 2G rules apply. If it's impossible to social distance, you must be tested.
  • Other indoor events: the 2G rules apply. If it's impossible to wear a mask, you must also be tested.

Source: Berlin.de

Changes on November 24

  • Public transport: the 3G rules apply in public transport. You must be vaccinated, recovered or tested to use public transport.

Source: Berlin.de

Changes on November 17

  • Booster vaccines: you can get a booster vaccine 5 months after your last vaccine. Before, it was 6 months1.

Changes on November 15

  • Indoor restaurants must enforce the 2G rule.
  • Indoor events must enforce the 2G rule. This includes private events like birthday parties.
  • Outdoor events with more than 2000 people must enforce the 2G rule.
  • Indoor tourism must enforce the 2G rule. This includes bus tours and cruises, for example. It also include the indoor areas at the zoo and the botanical garden.
  • Indoor cultural events must enforce the 2G rule. This includes clubs, museums, theatres and art galleries, for example.
  • Sports facilities must enforce the 2G rule. This includes gyms, sport halls, dance studios and swimming pools.
  • Close contact services must enforce the 2G rule. This includes hair dressers, massage parlours and manicurists.
  • Hotel and pension guests must have a negative test on the day they arrive, and every 3 days after that.
  • Office spaces must operate at 50% capacity or less.
  • Employees who are in contact with customers must be vaccinated, recovered or tested.

Sources: Berlin.de, Tagesspiegel, rbb24

Changes on November 13

  • Tests: you can get tested for free 3 times per week.

Changes on November 2

  • Booster vaccines: If were fully vaccinated over 6 months ago, you can get a booster vaccine1. If you had the Johnson&Johnson vaccine, you can get a booster shot after 4 weeks.

Source: rbb24

Changes on October 11

  • Tests are not free any more1. Some people can still get tested for free: children under 12, people who get ALG I and ALG II, people who get Bafög, and a few more.

Changes on October 4

  • In schools, students from grade 1 to grade 6 don't need to wear a mask1.

    Full list of restrictions

    Travel restrictions in Berlin and Germany

      Quarantine requirements in Berlin

      Official information for Berlin ➞

      Official information for all of Germany ➞

      Coronavirus vaccine certificates

      You must bring your vaccination certificate with you when you go out. You can also use the CovPass app. Foreign vaccine certificates are not accepted. Some places don't follow the rules, and accept foreign certificates. Some places don't check certificates at all.

      If you come from outside the EU, your vaccine certificate is valid in Germany, even if it doesn't have a QR code. You can convert your foreign vaccine certificate into a EU certificate at any pharmacy (Apotheke). You will need your certificate, your passport, and sometimes a registration certificate. Many pharmacies don't convert vaccine certificates, so you must try different pharmacies1, 2, 3. Some Americans find it hard to convert their American vaccine certificates. The pharmacy at BER airport converts American vaccine certificates1.

      Coronavirus booster vaccines in Berlin

      After some time, your vaccine does not work so well. This calculator tells you if you vaccine still works well. If you got your second vaccine more than 5 months ago, you can get a booster vaccine (Auffrischungsimpfung)1.

      Where to get a booster vaccine in Berlin?

      You can get a booster vaccine in those places1:

      Coronavirus tests in Berlin

      Coronavirus testing information for Berlin ➞

      Corona hotlines for Berlin

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