Support Persons from the US during COVID-19
Information for Those Needing Relatives to Help with a Birth and Postpartum
We often see questions popping up in regards to relatives needing to visit in support of the birth and in the early postpartum timeframe. This is the information we have gathered in regards to that.
Remember, there is always a risk that relatives would be turned away no matter the prepared documentation since it is still all up to the German border patrol agent that is on duty they day if they will allow entry to the country. They may turn people away at their own discretion.
Step One: Contact the German border patrol, explain the situation and ask them if your case qualifies to allow your relatives entrance into the country. They will likely ask for your paperwork to be sent to them. Below is an example email that can be used to contact border patrol:
Please contact the airport where your family is scheduled to arrive.
For Frankfurt: bpold.frankfurt.kost-covid-19.anfragen@polizei.bund.de
For Munich: bpol.muc.poc@polizei.bund.de
"To Whom It May Concern:
My XXX/XXX are United States Nationals who currently have round trip tickets from (departure airport) via Xxx to (Frankfurt/Munich) to visit me here in Germany from mm/dd/yyyy to mm/dd/yyyy. I am also a United States National that lives in Germany on SOFA status, and wondering if my parents/aunt/uncle/sibling qualify for entry based off “ Family members of third-country nationals travelling to Germany for the purposes of family reunification or for visits for urgent family reasons.” The intent of their visit is purely to assist me with my newborn child as I recover from giving birth. We will have them test for COVID-19 before and upon their arrival, quarantine them, and shall remain at my residence for the duration of their visit. I am willing to provide copies of military orders, marriage certificate, birth certificate to prove their relation, or any other documentation necessary. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to allow my parents visit to assist with my recovery from the birth of my child. Thank you for your time.
Step Two: Your relatives should contact the airline at the airport they are flying out of on their side to see if there were any additional requirements from them. It may be a good idea to take all of their paperwork in to the airport a week ahead of their flight to make sure they have all they needed. This is not a requirement but this can help since some of the airport staff is unfamiliar with the process and this extra step can help ensure that things go smoothly on the day of the flight.
Step Three: Your relatives will need to contact their physician about doing a COVID test 2 days before their flight.
Step Four: You can register for a second COVID test at Frankfurt airport
Website about the airport COVID test (instructions/where to go, etc.): Frankfurt Airport
Where you register: https://corona.centogene.com/login
Step Five: Send your relatives all the paperwork needed to print and carry on them (10 items):
Passports
Negative COVID tests
Registration for their second COVID test at Frankfurt airport
Orders proving you live here on SOFA status
Baby's birth certificate or proof of birth from the hospital (or if you are still pregnant letter from OB saying you are pregnant and when your due date/scheduled c section is)
Your own birth certificate (proving relationship to relatives and baby)
Your passport and SOFA stamp or card
Email correspondence with German border patrol
Letter "inviting" my parents to come to visit/help with the baby. Here is an example of said letter:
"To Whom It May Concern:
My father and mother, Xxxx and Xxxx Xxxx, are visiting Germany from mm/dd/yyyy to mm/dd/yyyy to support and help me with my post-partum recovery and care of my newborn child. Attached I have several documents: my birth certificate to prove their relation to me and my newborn child, my newborn child’s birth certificate, an email correspondence from Bundespolizei Flughafen Frankfurt/Main that details conditions in which my parents might be allowed to enter Germany, a copy of my military orders, a copy of my passport and SOFA stamp to prove my SOFA status, and test results from my parent’s doctor for COVID-19, as well as their registration to test with Centogene at the Frankfurt Airport upon their arrival. The sole purpose of their visit is to be with my newborn son and I. My parents will quarantine at my residence for 14 days, and we have no plans to travel outside our local area. I plead that you consider granting my parents entrance, if you have any questions you may call me at +49 xxxxx xxx xx xx. For personal contact, my husband, Xxxx Xxxx, will be at the airport hoping to pick my parents up and can be reached at +49 xxx xxx xx xx. Thank you for your time and consideration during these stressful times.
Sincerely,
Xxxx Xxxx"
10. Printout of the German rules for travel exceptions (this was more for my parents to reference/have on hand if they had trouble) here is the websites for that: https://www.bmi.bund.de/SharedDocs/faqs/EN/topics/civil-protection/coronavirus/travel-restrictions-border-control/travel-restriction-border-control-list.html#f14104798
Specifically, print out this part that speaks to:
"Short-term entry by first- and second-degree relatives who are third-country nationals only if urgent family reasons are demonstrated.
Third-country nationals who are first- or second-degree relatives but not members of the immediate family (including adult children, parents of adult children, siblings and grandparents) of citizens of Germany, EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland or the United Kingdom or of third-country nationals who already have a right of residence in Germany are generally not permitted to enter Germany for short-term family visits.
Exemptions are made only for urgent family reasons; the following cases and occasions are considered to constitute urgent family reasons:
births
weddings
deaths/funerals
special exceptional cases in which there is an urgent family reason (e.g. serious illness of a first- or second-degree relative who therefore urgently needs help).
Travelers are asked to carry with them suitable proof of an urgent family reason, which clearly demonstrates the need to cross the border. If there is a compelling family reason for entry, for example, if the third-country national parents-in-law wish to accompany the bridal couple, third-country nationals are allowed to enter Germany together with the reference person."
A Final Note: The policies pertaining to Covid-19 testing and quarantining are changing all the time for Germany and the US. Because of this, we encourage you to check the current and most up-to-date Covid 19 policies pertaining to testing within your state and region and follow those procedures.