Frankfurt Airport offers a streamlined, efficient, and relatively safe system for performing coronavirus testing. My post-flight test was processed quickly and results delivered within hours. This review will provide a step-by-step guide of how to obtain coronavirus testing at Frankfurt Airport.
Coronavirus Testing At Frankfurt (FRA) Airport – A Review
Step One – Register In Advance
Onboard my flight to Frankfurt, I received a form containing information on testing. Germany provides complimentary testing on arrival from high-risk areas, including the United States.
I scanned the QR code, which took me to registration page from Centogene, a company which conducts testing for arriving and departing passengers in Frankfurt. While I set up an account, I could not figure out how/where to register an appointment at a specific time. I did register for an appointment without a time attached and a .pdf confirmation generated with an individualized QR code.
Step Two – Proceed To Test Center In The Squaire
The testing center is located near New Work City / The Squaire, an annex to the airport near the long distance train station.
After leaving Terminal 1, I proceeded across the check-in lobby, following the light blue COVID-19 testing signs. You’ll proceed up an escalator, turn left, walk down the corridor, turn right, walk down another corridor, then turn left into The Squaire. Just follow the blue signs.
Minutes later, I reached the testing center. On the left was the German Red Cross and on the right was Centogene. While I could have used either one, Lufthansa partners with Centogene.
Although I had no appointment time, because I had my first class boarding pass I was given access to an expedited line and ended up waiting less than 10 minutes to be screened.
Social distancing markers on the ground denoted where travelers were to stand, but it was a bit of a gaggle. I’m not afraid of the virus, but if I was I tend to think I would be most afraid of the testing center. What a perfect place to catch the virus than a testing center full of travelers from high risk areas…
The screening was via throat swab and performed efficiently by a man in a full body suit. The specimen was placed in a vial, which was handed to a woman who then scanned my individualized QR code and let me know the results would be ready within 24 hours.
Step Three – Wait For Results
When the results did come via email, I was able to generate a card in my Apple Wallet that presumably could be used in more venues to demonstrate my negative test result:
CONCLUSION
I just love German efficiency, which was on full display here. The process was painless (except for my gag reflex kicking in…) and Frankfurt’s approach to testing provides a blueprint for others to follow.
Next up: “prison” (quarantine) in Mainz.
Very cool. I’ll be entering through Frankfurt in a few weeks. I understand that even though you may have not traveled with your wife, who is a German citizen, that you may still enter for short term visits. I assume you had to present documentation such as marriage certificate to enter based on the Bundesministerium des Innern Website? Please touch on this process if you went through it. Thanks!
So can US citizens without a spouse/residency in EU book a flight to Frankfurt and use this process under the current rules to enter Germany? (After this month’s specific lockdown which resulted in hotel shutdown ends, I mean in general under October covid rules and presumably under post-Nov lockdown covid rules).
No. My spouse is German. Visitors from the USA are still not permitted without a spouse/immediate family member.
False, check http://www.bmi.bund.de/SharedDocs/faqs/EN/topics/civil-protection/coronavirus/coronavirus-faqs.html, specifically the section “Short-term entry by immediate family members who are third-country nationals”
I’m not talking about me, but “B”, who indicated he has no marital/familial ties to Germany.
Is this accessible for transit passengers? I have EU citizenship, so clearing customs wouldn’t be an issue. Have a 6hr layover next month, and wouldn’t mind the peace of mind upon my return to North America.
Yes, you’ll be able to take the test.
You cannot book a timeslot – it is first come, first serve. If you pay significantly more (around 139 Euros) then you can get an express test that guarantees you express admittance, administration and results (within 6 hours) while the normal test for 59 Euros takes about 12-24 hrs. Centogene can be used by anyone who pays and has the right to enter Germany but I am not sure that you could have used the red cross testing facility as it is paid for by the German government / Health insurers and presumably only for German citizens…the armed forces register you inside while the Red Cross and others take your sample.
So can a military spouse who has their husband station in Germany use this process to visits .
Likely. Has your husband checked with the base commander?