Germany has finally decided to permit unmarried partners of German citizens and residents to enter the Federal territory, who have been separated for over four months now, due to the Coronavirus entry ban introduced back in mid-March all across Europe.
After a vivid campaign on social media by separated couples, letters of European Parliament Members to the German Interior Minister Horst Seehofer, and calls of other officials including Swedish Commissioner Ylva Johansson and the German Minister of Foreign Affairs Heiko Maas, Germany has finally made a move.
The decision has been announced by the Press Secretary of the Federal Minister of the Interior, for Construction and Home Horst Seehofer Steve Alter through Twitter.
“Facilitations for unmarried couples travelling to Germany will be published later today. The rules should apply from next week. #Seehofer #LoveIsNotTourism #LoveIsEssential,” Secretary Alter tweeted.
Die Abstimmungen sind auf der Zielgeraden. Erleichterungen für Reisen unverheirateter Paare nach Deutschland werden im Laufe des heutigen Tages veröffentlicht. Die Regeln sollen ab kommender Woche gelten. #Seehofer #LoveIsNotTourism #LoveIsEssential
— Steve Alter (@BMISprecher) August 7, 2020
Later during the same day, the decision was confirmed by the German Minister of Interior Horst Seehofer.
“As of today, unmarried partners from third countries can return to Germany. I welcome the fact that we can now make this possible within a European framework,” said Minister Seehofer.
According to the Ministry, at least one previous personal meeting in Germany or proof of a previous commonplace of residence abroad is mandatory for entering Germany under this purpose. The following should be submitted:
- an invitation from the person residing in Germany
- a jointly signed statement on the existence of the relationship
- proof of previous meetings with passport stamps travel documents or plane tickets
Seehofer Responds to Commissioner Johansson
Announcing the decision, the Federal Ministry of Interior published a response of the Minister to the EU Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson who has raised the issue of unmarried partners separated by the EU-wide entry ban since early July.
“I would like to inform you that Germany will allow unmarried partners to visit Germany from August 10, 2020, 00:00. Based on the regulations of other member states that have been adopted so far, the prerequisite will be that the relationship is long-term without a minimum duration of the relationship being required,” the letter noted, further listing the requirements for proving the relationship.
He also noted that regardless of the decision, those coming from high-risk countries in Germany will be subject to a 14-day quarantine or the submission of a negative Covid19 test upon entry.
By the end of the letter, the Minister highlighted that he still wants EU-wide common solution on this matter.
EU Commission Encourages Member States to Do the Same
On the same day, the European Commission has called on the rest of the Member States to exempt this category of travellers from the entry ban.
“We encourage all EU countries to allow the entry of unmarried partners of EU citizens and residents into the EU without delay,” the Commission said in a video of the call share on twitter.
In the video, the EU Commission’s Spokesperson for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship and Security Union Adalbert Jahnz notes that the Commission supports the efforts of the German EU Council Presidency to clarify further the approach on a European level.
“As a first step, the Presidency has asked all Member States to report on their approach through a questionnaire,” Jahnz said, noting that the Commission will continue to call on all Member States to allow the entry of people in duly attested relationships with European citizens and residents without delay.
Countries as Austria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Norway, Switzerland, and the Netherlands have since reopened their borders to this category of travellers. Finland is the seventh and most recent EU/Schengen country to undertake such a move. With Germany, the number goes to eight.