A special competitive advantage of German trade fairs is their international character. Trade fairs bring international markets to Germany. Approximately 60% of the 180,000 exhibitors a year are from overseas, with one-third of them from countries outside Europe. Of the 10 million visitors, approximately 30% are from overseas. Open borders and hassle-free and easy international travel are therefore of decisive importance for German trade fairs. However, due to the coronavirus pandemic, overseas travel has been significantly restricted. For this reason, it is important for international fair attendees to familiarize themselves with entry regulations before traveling to Germany.
If you are attending a fair from overseas, you may have questions such as:
Is it even possible to enter? Do trade fair participants need a visa? Are corona tests required? Do fair attendees need to quarantine after entering?
Can foreign trade fair participants travel to Germany?
In principle, it is possible to enter Germany as a trade fair participant from abroad.
There are no entry restrictions for people arriving from EU member states and countries on the positive list.
Fair attendees are considered legitimate business travelers and may participate from other countries.
Trade fair participants from these countries must present proof of trade fair participation when applying for a visa or entering Germany.
Employees of companies exhibiting at the fair must submit confirmation of fair participation from the fair organizer. Trade fair visitors must present their entry ticket to the trade fair and agree to discuss business with at least one exhibitor at the trade fair.
Do trade fair attendees need a visa?
If you are a national of a country that normally requires a visa and you wish to travel to Germany to visit or exhibit at a trade fair, you will still need a business visa. However, employees of companies exhibiting at trade fairs are exempt from visa fees.
Forced quarantine? Mandatory testing?
In Germany, quarantine regulations are issued by each federal region. Therefore, travelers from risk areas are currently exempt from quarantine obligations if they enter the country with a negative coronavirus test. Trade fair attendees should check what quarantine and testing requirements apply in the region they are visiting before entering the country.
In the future, quarantine should only be shortened and no longer skipped even if the coronavirus test result is negative upon entry. In the future, it should be possible to take a test as early as the fifth day after entering the country and end quarantine early. This was decided on August 27, 2020 by the Prime Ministers and Prime Ministers of the federal states. This new provision will come into force in the Federal Territory and will come into force from October 1, 2020.
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