Impact of the coronavirus pandemic on travel and stays abroad

Last update: 10 March 2020

Until further notice, there is a ban on both domestic and international work-related travel for all employees of Universität Hamburg. Taking part in further training and continuing education in person is also not allowed. Exception: Locations and institutions outside the University can be used to carry out research projects if they cannot be postponed. This does not apply to locations and institutions abroad. You must provide the respective office of the dean with an explanation of why it is absolutely necessary.

The current travel warnings mean that any consequences arising from private travel abroad (e.g., self-quarantine at home) is the responsibility of the employee.

Last update: 18 March 2020

Check if your travel can be canceled. Contact the Travel Management Team(reisemanagement"AT"verw.uni-hamburg.de) regarding a possible refund.

Last update: 28 July 2020

Students who are planning to study abroad or are already staying abroad should keep themselves informed of the situation at their destination and/or in their host country. Register with Elefand, the Federal Foreign Office’s electronic record of Germans abroad. Be aware, however, that the Federal Republic of Germany is not considering any further repatriation campaigns. Before they travel, international students should contact their local registration office for foreigners.

As a rule, students are strongly discouraged from studying in countries for which the Federal Foreign Office has issued a warning and/or that the Robert Koch Institute has designated as a high-risk area. The decision should be based on the country’s status on the date of departure. In these countries, mobility will not be funded by the University’s exchange and funding programs.

Last update: 20 April 2021

There will be no field trips or field training until further notice.

Decisions about excursions will be made later. These include field training and short field trips with limited ranges of movement (e.g., in the earth system sciences, biology, archeology, and art history).

Last update: 12 January 2021

Staff and students returning from high-risk areas must observe the respective state-specific quarantine requirements. Before entering University premises, staff and students must inform themselves about the requirements established by the City of Hamburg and conduct themselves accordingly.

See the RKI website for the current list of high-risk areas. Due to the unusually high risk of contagion, supervisors are entitled to ask employees whether they have spent any period of time abroad and when. The president and the deans are entitled to ask professors about periods spent abroad.

In case of travel warnings, any consequences arising from private travel abroad (e.g., self-quarantine at home) are the sole responsibility of the employee. This means that if working from home is not possible due to self-quarantine measures, vacation days or accumulated overtime must be taken to cover the working hours not completed. Those who are self-quarantined at home must contact the Department of Human Resources and their supervisor immediately. Professorial staff must notify HR and the respective office of the dean.

The regulations set forth in these instructions refer to international high-risk areas. There are currently no further restrictions with regard to trips to or returnees from other areas in Germany that exceed the critical incidence rate established by the Robert Koch Institute. Staff and students will be informed immediately if the development of the pandemic requires any changes to or reevaluation of this position.

Last update: 18 March 2021

Visits by guests or delegations must be canceled until further notice.

Visiting scholars who have already begun their stays can continue their work here. They are required to comply with the University’s coronavirus regulations and to conduct their research work accordingly. The hosting institution is responsible for keeping their visiting scholars and guests informed.

Planned stays by visiting scholars can be granted only if the infection rate and the conditions stipulated by the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg and Universität Hamburg allow. Preparations may be made with the caveat that the stay might not be authorized.

Last update: 18 March 2020

Universität Hamburg staff members who are unable to return due to travel restrictions may work remotely (home office) from abroad.

Last update: 16 November 2020

People entering Germany from abroad must inform themselves about the current testing requirements and quarantine provisions in their federal state upon their return. They must comply with the respective quarantine provisions until they can provide a negative result for a coronavirus test.

Everyone entering Germany who has spent time in a high-risk area in the 10 days prior must report their return in advance and spend the next 10 days in quarantine.

See the RKI’s current list of high-risk areas. See the Federal Ministry of Health website for more information.

Last update: 16 November 2020

People entering Germany from abroad must inform themselves about the current testing requirements and quarantine provisions in their federal state upon their return. They must comply with the respective quarantine provisions until they can provide a negative result for a coronavirus test. Everyone entering Germany who has spent time in a high-risk area in the 10 days prior must report their return in advance and spend the next 10 days in quarantine.

See the RKI’s current list of high-risk areas. See the Federal Ministry of Health website for more information.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, many student jobs have disappeared. International students especially should check whether they can finance their studies in Hamburg even without a part-time job. Contact the Campus Center if you have more questions. In urgent cases, contact the advising service for international students(international.student.support.uhh"AT"uni-hamburg.de) directly.

Last update: 30 October 2020

Apply by email to extend your permit before it lapses! Contact your local registration office for foreigners.

Your permit remains valid until the registration office makes a decision on your application (presumption of law pursuant to Section 81 subsection 4 of the Act on the Residence, Economic Activity and Integration of Foreigners in the Federal Territory [Residence Act]). Probationary certificates in paper form are now being issued again. If you leave the territory of the Federal Republic of Germany without a valid residence permit or probationary certificate, you may not simply return.

Please check any recent changes online.

Contact the Campus Center if you have more questions. In urgent cases, email the advising service for international students(international.student.support.uhh"AT"uni-hamburg.de) directly.

Last update: 6 January 2021

In principle, it is possible to begin in-person studies at a later date. Ask your academic office about delayed entry to the country, and arrange an individual study plan. In Winter Semester 2020/21, many courses are being conducted online.