Gathering information on changes in Germany post-COVID-19 crisis

Germany did well until now but infection rates have been going up in much of the country so there is the possibility of measures getting tightened. At the moment one has to wear a mask in shops and in public transportation. Socially distancing is encouraged but is mostly being ignored. Many schools have summer vacation and there seems to be a lot of worry about how well things will go when they re-open; masks and an attempt at distancing are of course going to be fundamental requirements when they do. Universities have not reopened yet.

I suspect that the first measures that might happen if things continue to deteriorate is that masks will finally become mandatory on the street and social distancing will again be tightened and only if that is not enough will they go back to closing shops except for essential ones.

Germany is not as bad off as some countries but there is of course more unemployment now especially since large events are not allowed. As a performer, over 90% of my gigs have been cancelled. I got a bit of money a couple of months ago but the program that helped me has been radically changed. One needs an official tax advisor to fill out the new forms and they are all so overworked that none will take on new clients - and I file my own returns. Thus I am presently shut out from applying for money I should be getting. There is another program for a kind of assistance that I could be eligible for under the special circumstances but my wife refuses to fill out and sign those forms, so I cannot get it.

I would say that for most fields the employment situation could not be worse. Lucky if one holds on to their job but expecting to find a new one in the near future is very unlikely. And for foreigners hoping to immigrate here to take a new job or to study – well one should probably forget it and set their hopes on 2021 or 2022.

I haven’t seen a noticeable change in prices although the VAT has been slightly lowered until the end of the year. I don’t really know about real estate prices. I can imagine there is less turnover of properties since many things have been complicated but I doubt prices have changed much.

What are the current regulations for entering Germany? (quarantine, health checks, fees involved…)
Anyone entering from a risk area (as declared by the Robert Koch Institute RKI) has to quarantine for 14 days or show a negative test result for Covid-19. Test can be gotten on major border crossings and airports, sometimes free of charge (but one has to wait a few days for the results). For risk areas within the EU, the rules might differ (Please get informed!).
The situation may change at any time without notice, with areas being added or removed and rules relaxed or tightened.

Have there been visa changes recently? (new visas, cancelled visas etc…)
Most German missions abroad and most foreigner offices within Germany are still closed or on reduced worktime, so getting any visa is difficult.
Some types of visa, e.g. Aupair or Work Holiday, are not issued at all.

Is it easy to find work in Germany following the crisis? (working conditions for foreigners, quotas, new areas of work, incentives for remote working…)
Unemployment is up and due to the "Hire EU citizens first" rule, you can expect a difficult job search if you do not already have a work permit (e.g. by marriage to a German).

How would you view the local healthcare system in light of the crisis? (response to the COVID-19, how to get tested for COVID-19…)
Some shortcomings of the system became apparent due to the crisis, but altogether it is still one of the best in the world. Tests are now widely available and often free or covered by your health insurance.

Has anything changed regarding universities and schools? (safety for foreign students, changes regarding student visas or conditions…)
Universities mostly offer distant learning only. Schools are supposed to fully open again after the summer break, with strict hygiene rules (and the possibility of regional closures if hotspots show up nearby).

How is the real estate market following the crisis? (price, availability…)
The property market is very quiet, but prices have apparently not fallen (yet?).

Has the cost of living changed because of the crisis in Germany?
Apart from the token reduction of GST from 19% to 16% (or 7% to 5% on foodstuff and essentials), no change is perceptible.

Is there information relevant to expat retirees? (new measures for the elderly, visas for foreign retirees…)
See the visa section above. I think any such plans shuld be parked until the situation returns to some kind of normal!

How about lifestyle? Have there been major changes in habits following the sanitary crisis? (measures in public spaces, new habits to adopt…)
German's general aversion to masks has evaporated and they became part of anyone's day. Public life has still not returned to normal - especially cultural and social venues (e.g. festivals) are still vanishingly rare and restricted. These are such a big part of Germany's identity, that it currently feels like a country in hibernation.

Hello Tom and Beppi,

Thank you so much for your help.

We will definitely include your insights in the article. I shall notify you when it's published.

Have a great week ahead!

Kind regards,
Veedushi