Germany allows non-married couples to reunite

BERLIN: Germany announced Friday it will allow unmarried partners separated by coronavirus travel restrictions to once again see each other — on the condition that couples can prove their relationship, foreign media reported.

Following pressure from the European Commission, visitors from a list of non-EU "third countries" will be able to travel to Germany from Monday if they have a partner there.

Unmarried partners from a separate list of "high-risk" regions and countries will also be allowed in, but will have to undergo mandatory testing and must quarantine until they have a negative test.

Countries on the high-risk list include the US, Turkey and Iran. Couples will have to provide proof of their long relationship, either with a previous joint residence abroad or a documented previous in-person meeting in Germany.

The partner living in Germany will also have to provide a formal visit invitation and the couple must sign a joint declaration, affirming the existence of their relationship.