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[Sitemap](https://medium.com/sitemap/sitemap.xml) [Open in app](https://rsci.app.link/?%24canonical_url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedium.com%2Fp%2F2fe9c7c98c93&~feature=LoOpenInAppButton&~channel=ShowPostUnderUser&~stage=mobileNavBar&source=post_page---top_nav_layout_nav-----------------------------------------) Sign up [Sign in](https://medium.com/m/signin?operation=login&redirect=https%3A%2F%2Fmedium.com%2F%40shannonchaluangco%2Ftravelling-to-germany-under-vtl-2fe9c7c98c93&source=post_page---top_nav_layout_nav-----------------------global_nav------------------) [Medium Logo](https://medium.com/?source=post_page---top_nav_layout_nav-----------------------------------------) [Write](https://medium.com/m/signin?operation=register&redirect=https%3A%2F%2Fmedium.com%2Fnew-story&source=---top_nav_layout_nav-----------------------new_post_topnav------------------) Sign up [Sign in](https://medium.com/m/signin?operation=login&redirect=https%3A%2F%2Fmedium.com%2F%40shannonchaluangco%2Ftravelling-to-germany-under-vtl-2fe9c7c98c93&source=post_page---top_nav_layout_nav-----------------------global_nav------------------)  # Travelling to Germany under the VTL [](https://medium.com/@shannonchaluangco?source=post_page---byline--2fe9c7c98c93---------------------------------------) [Shannon Lee Chaluangco](https://medium.com/@shannonchaluangco?source=post_page---byline--2fe9c7c98c93---------------------------------------) 7 min read · Sep 30, 2021 \-- 1 Listen Share Been fielding a lot of questions on travelling to Germany and the Vaccinated Travel Lane since I got back, so writing a how to post to avoid double work. I do dislike writing long posts, but I went through a fair amount of frustration and uncertainty over inconsistent information so I’m hoping this would help anyone else planning a trip so you all can worry less and have more fun. Note that I left Singapore before the whole VTL was introduced so I might be a little outdated, please let me know if I need to edit anything so this can be more helpful. I’ll add more questions/my understandings in as they come up. I’ve tried my best to arrange this in an order that moves from pre to post trip. *I won’t be sharing what to do in Germany since there are resources like Tripadvisor, but if you’re interested in what I did, it’s all compiled on my IG highlights “DE Bavaria” and “DE others” @shachalee in a series of low quality stories…* — **Do you need to take a special flight into Germany?** No, the VTL flight is only for coming back into Singapore. **Did you need to quarantine in Germany?** No, because Singapore is not classified as a risk zone with a variant of concern (yet? Haha). Check the Robert Koch Institute (Germany’s public health institute) website**,** it usually updates every Friday SGT and changes kick in Saturday (this schedule is so nice vs Asia where regulations come out at random days/times…). Btw, this also means you should try to get a flight in on days before updates happens? <https://www.rki.de/DE/Content/InfAZ/N/Neuartiges_Coronavirus/Transport/Archiv_Risikogebiete/Risikogebiete_aktuell_en.pdf?__blob=publicationFile> Also pay attention to EU’s third country list and if Singapore gets taken off, though it’s up to the individual countries to decide their entry restrictions and RKI seems quite thorough with assessing like every country in the world on their own. If we do become classified as a high risk country (without a variant of concern), you’ll need to submit proof of vaccination on an e-portal. However, this is subject to change so always check the RKI site for updates before travel. **Did you need to do any tests before leaving Singapore?** No, if you are fully vaccinated with Pfizer/Moderna/Janssen/AZ you’ll just need to show your vaccination certificate at airport check in. Actually I had to do a rapid test b/c it seemed the SG vaccination certificate was not yet accepted at that point, BUT I heard that travellers no longer need to. I printed my verify.gov vaccination certificate to pdf on my phone to be safe and I flashed that whenever requested for proof in Germany, it has all the information required. Whatever it is, check your emails for info/updates from the airline before flying since they decide whether to let you board/not. **Did you need to buy insurance?** I did (from SafetyWing) because I was traveling against the travel advisory, and my insurance agent told me I would therefore not be covered. However, Singapore’s travel advisory has been updated so you should check with your insurer. **Did you need to spend 21 days in Germany?** No, 21 days in Germany/SG. But if you leave Germany you’ll need to do a 21 day washout in Germany like I did (I went to Austria). **Did you need to wear a mask in Germany?** Yes, indoors and on public transport. You don’t have to wear a mask outdoors/on the street. Previously you needed to wear a FFP2 mask (N95/KN94 types) but that was relaxed and surgical mask are fine now. Still, pack a few FFP2 masks in case things change. It’s quite easy to buy one from vending machines at the train station, in pharmacies or the supermarket. However, the cheapest I saw was 0.65 Euros in Germany with limited designs, whereas in Singapore you can get one for 0.40 SGD with so many cute prints to choose from… **Do you need to download any apps?** No, it seemed all voluntary. I downloaded a few but the only one I used much was the luca (contact tracing) app for checking into e.g. restaurants, and only one person in your travel group needs it. You don’t need to do a “safe check-in” everywhere you go though. However, even if you don’t have the app you can just fill in paper forms the venue will provide you with. Obviously, having the app is more convenient. **Do you need an EU COVID Certificate and can you get one?** No, you don’t need one, using the verify.gov certificate page saved as pdf was enough. I tried to get EU cert at a pharmacy but wasn’t able to, but I heard of others who had success earlier, not sure if it’s a matter of trying at different places till someone gives it haha. **Is it complicated coming back to Singapore?** It was quite fuss free as a PR (same for citizens). For others, I think there is an additional Vaccinated Travel Pass, which unfortunately I’ve no clue about. Oh yes, in total you must do 4 PCR tests, which costs in total at least 500 SGD pp (I’ll update w/ the exact numbers when I get my cc statement). 1\. Book a VTL flight, there are specific flight codes and it will be stated. They fly out of Frankfurt (SQ and Lufthansa) and Munich (only SQ), the former has more options. You can use miles to redeem these flights but Business and Premium Econ usually don’t have anything left to book out of Munich. Btw, economy was so empty I think everyone had a row to themselves. 2\. Submit your health declaration to the ICA. It can be updated. You can only submit it 72h before arrival, not before and must flash it at check-in and later back in SG, so may want to also save an offline copy to phone. <https://eservices.ica.gov.sg/sgarrivalcard/> 3\. Take a PCR test 48h before departure, which is anywhere from 90–200 Euros for non-(German)residents. The results must be in English (not the default German!) from an accredited lab. The list of accepted labs in Germany was removed but afaik most the testing centres would send to an accredited lab? I just googled for “English PCR test in Munich” haha. It must also be a nasal/pharyngeal (throat) swab, saliva samples are not accepted. When in doubt about conflicting info online on tests, always refer to the MOH site. <https://www.moh.gov.sg/covid-19/general/faqs---border-measures-and-changes-to-stay-home-notice-requirements> In any case, at the Munich and Frankfurt airports where the VTL flights go out from, there is a rushed “Test & Fly” option that is right beside the check in counters and other options at the airport. It’s more expensive but definitely accepted if you need a backup, so don’t worry if all fails just go to the airport earlier. Btw, the testing center I went to forgot to send my test results and sent it password protected, but with the wrong password… so try to keep the 24h before you fly chill so you can manage mess ups like that. Germany is surprisingly low tech and inefficient with some things, but all my German friends joke that it was apparently way worse before Covid. 4\. You’ll need to show your negative PCR test, health declaration email confirmation from the ICA(arrival card), vaccination certificate, TraceTogether. Digital format is OK. For PRs, also REP and NRIC. 5\. On-arrival PCR test — prepayment is optional. You can also pay by credit card on arrival, but you’ll be overtaken by a few people in the queue to be swabbed. I think it cost 180 SGD. <https://safetravel.changiairport.com> 6\. Self-isolation — You need to take a cab/private car app to isolate until your PCR test results are out, which is usually within 10h, but up to 48h. It can be done at home, but you need to isolate in a room with an adjoining bathroom if you’re living with people who do not have the same travel history. Btw, a certain app has a SHN cab option that is useless and you’ll end up waiting for nothing, so just go straight for the general booking option if you do intend to use app, it is not compulsory to use SHN transport options. You need to declare where you are self isolating on the health declaration, so if you opt to do it in a hotel, you need to book your accom before departure (most normal people would anyway). There seems to be some confusion due to the wording of opting in/out but afaik this is based off where you’re flying in from, and since Germany is fine you just declare where you will stay before arriving. I booked a hotel (from the list of SHN hotels) for a day with the intention to extend another day if it took longer than 24h. As my flight was supposed to arrive at 7am, I confirmed with the hotel before arrival that I only needed to book for one day and not two days for the purposes of isolation. I actually have no idea if you actually need to inform the hotel you’re booking for isolation and I could not find information on that. I did to be safe and because I was checking in early. Also, not all hotels accept travelers coming in on the VTL. The hotel then informed me that I would not be able to book a room with a balcony/outdoor area/open windows. In any case, due to avoiding the Afghan airspace the flight only arrived after 8am and including everything else, I reached the hotel only at 10+ am and then waited in my room for my results while enjoying the jacuzzi… Like in quarantine, an ICA officer will call at some point and ask you to switch on your video feed to check that you’re in isolation. I did not get any email to say I was negative, which the hotel I was isolating at said I would receive and requested for. I just kept refreshing HealthHub and TraceTogether and then informed the hotel and they requested for evidence etc. Free to leave after but you can also just book a nice hotel room and check out the next day and treat it like a staycation. 7\. 2 more PCR tests on days 3 and 7. They will send you a ton of reminders for this with the booking link and exact date so you have no excuse for forgetting or getting the date wrong. I started to receive the alerts about 14h after my first swab so don’t worry if you don’t get the booking link immediately. Iirc it was 90 SGD per swab. My first was at Raffles Holland V, it was hands down the most painful swab I’ve ever done (I’ve done more than 10 in diff countries) and I cried. Eventually you’ll get an SMS saying your day 7 test is negative and to click a link to acknowledge it. That’s it\! \-- \-- 1 [](https://medium.com/@shannonchaluangco?source=post_page---post_author_info--2fe9c7c98c93---------------------------------------) [](https://medium.com/@shannonchaluangco?source=post_page---post_author_info--2fe9c7c98c93---------------------------------------) [Written by Shannon Lee Chaluangco](https://medium.com/@shannonchaluangco?source=post_page---post_author_info--2fe9c7c98c93---------------------------------------) [12 followers](https://medium.com/@shannonchaluangco/followers?source=post_page---post_author_info--2fe9c7c98c93---------------------------------------) ·[4 following](https://medium.com/@shannonchaluangco/following?source=post_page---post_author_info--2fe9c7c98c93---------------------------------------) ## Responses (1) See all responses [Help](https://help.medium.com/hc/en-us?source=post_page-----2fe9c7c98c93---------------------------------------) [Status](https://status.medium.com/?source=post_page-----2fe9c7c98c93---------------------------------------) [About](https://medium.com/about?autoplay=1&source=post_page-----2fe9c7c98c93---------------------------------------) [Careers](https://medium.com/jobs-at-medium/work-at-medium-959d1a85284e?source=post_page-----2fe9c7c98c93---------------------------------------) [Press](mailto:pressinquiries@medium.com) [Blog](https://blog.medium.com/?source=post_page-----2fe9c7c98c93---------------------------------------) [Privacy](https://policy.medium.com/medium-privacy-policy-f03bf92035c9?source=post_page-----2fe9c7c98c93---------------------------------------) [Rules](https://policy.medium.com/medium-rules-30e5502c4eb4?source=post_page-----2fe9c7c98c93---------------------------------------) [Terms](https://policy.medium.com/medium-terms-of-service-9db0094a1e0f?source=post_page-----2fe9c7c98c93---------------------------------------) [Text to speech](https://speechify.com/medium?source=post_page-----2fe9c7c98c93---------------------------------------)