The Coronavirus - COVID-19 - in Germany: Helpful websites for international users
Information in English on COVID-19 measures in Germany
Like many countries around the world, Germany has been affected by the spread of the disease caused by the coronavirus, COVID-19. The national and federal state governments began taking measures as of March 13, 2020, to slow down the curve of the pandemic, invest in health services but also limit social contacts.
All areas of life are affected, not least because of school and daycare closures and the delay of the university summer semester in spring 2020. Employees have been working short-time and small businesses have had to temporarily close. Many people are working from home, and international student exchange programmes have been deferred.
In many areas of life, digital solutions have been created so that people can meet online or continue their studies, enjoy cultural events.
Below, you will find a collection of resources from official websites where you can find answers to corona-related questions in English and other languages. What about access to health information, information about visa, extended deadlines for applications.
And you can always use this time to learn German online or join cultural events on the web: the Goethe Institute invites people staying at home to make the best of the situation.
Official information by the German government
Information regarding COVID-19 in Germany: information from the Federal Ministry of Health 
The web dossier by the Federal Ministry of Health offers information in English, Russian, Turkish, including current figures, medical advice for educational institutions.
document from: Bundesministerium für Gesundheit
Coronavirus pandemic information for immigrant workers in Germany
The Federal Employment Service offers an English language website with links to information concerning coronavirus topics, e.g. short-time work compensation, residence regulations, hygiene, available in different languages.
Coronavirus pandemic information for immigrant workers in Germany: Read more
Coronavirus pandemic information for immigrant workers in GermanyReport a broken link
Covid-19: Questions relating to labour law
The Federal Ministry for Employment and Social Affairs has compiled a list of questions and answers relating to Covid-19 (coronavirus) and employee rights, e.g. short-time work, short-time allowance, health and safety in the workplace.
document from: Bundesministerium für Arbeit und Soziales
Covid-19: Questions relating to labour law: Read more
Covid-19: Questions relating to labour lawReport a broken link
Covid-19 in Germany: information for foreigners
Make it in Germany, a portal by the Federal Government, offers information about finding work and studying in Germany. Given the global Covid-19 pandemic, Germany has placed restrictions on entry that are explained here, alongside further info and links regarding visa and planning a stay in Germany.
document from: Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Energie
Covid-19 in Germany: information for foreigners: Read more
Covid-19 in Germany: information for foreignersReport a broken link
Effects of the Coronavirus pandemic on asylum seeking procedures and counselling
As of March 2020, the asylum seeking procedures and personal counselling were temporarily suspended by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees.
Learning German online
Couch potato: Learning German at home
The German language can be learned using a variety of videos, online games, apps, interactive devices. Different language levels are targeted and different thematic areas covered. This website by the Goethe Institute offers something for everyone learning German at home, regardless of their age.
Pump up your German with podcasts - Learning German via podcasts and vidcasts
Learning German online is highly popular - podcasts and vidcasts offer a way of combining language learning with entertainment. The portal lists a number of such learning opportunities ranging from language tutorials to news and entertainment.
Pump up your German with podcasts - Learning German via podcasts and vidcasts: Read more
Pump up your German with podcasts - Learning German via podcasts and vidcastsReport a broken link
Eight free apps to teach you German
A website offering access and information about apps you can use to learn and practice German, at all levels of proficiency.
TestDaf (test for German as a foreign language): Information in other languages
The website "TestDaf" offers information on the language certificate "DaF" (German as a foreign language). The site as such is available in German only, but a short overview of the test and different levels is available in English and other languages. As of October 2020, a digital version of the language test was offered – to be taken online, before entering Germany.
Further reading: the coronavirus in Germany
Germany's COVID-19 expert, Christian Drosten: For many, I am the evil guy crippling the economy
Christian Drosten, who directs the Institute of Virology at the Charité Hospital in Berlin, was one of those who identified the Sars virus in 2003. As the head of the German public health institute’s reference lab on coronaviruses, he has become the government’s go-to expert on the related virus causing the current pandemic. Drosten is generally popular owing to a radio podcast where he [...]
Information on the coronavirus by the Federal Academic Exchange Service
The Federal Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) has compiled a website to inform about the coronavirus pandemic and university consequences. Whilst universities and libraries in Germany will remain closed in the summer semester 2020 and international scholarships are suspended, many students in Germany are looking for sources of income. Therefore, the site also offers links to job opportunities and support [...]
Information on the coronavirus by the Federal Academic Exchange Service: Read more
Information on the coronavirus by the Federal Academic Exchange ServiceReport a broken link
Germany alumni speak about coronavirus
Germany alumni talk about their experiences with the coronavirus pandemic and changes in their lives.
Das Alumniportal Deutschland hat ehemalige Stipendiatinnen und Stipendiaten gebeten, ihre Erfahrungen und ihren Umgang mit der Corona-Epidemie zu schildern. Wie haben sich ihr Leben und ihre Arbeitswelt verändert?
Compendium of cultural policies and trends: extensive report on Germany and covid-19
Corona and culture in Germany: Timeline, support measures and discussions . In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic caused the closure and cancellation of cultural events across Europe with severe impacts on the financial situation of the arts industry and its employees. The contribution outlines the effects on cultural education and current debates as well as funding measures.
Coronavirus in Germany: What you need to know
The English language magazine informs about restrictions, cancellations, extended periods of application for visa and entry, due to the coronavirus pandemic in Germany, with a focus on international students.
Multinational organisations with links to Germany
Regional Europe website of the WHO on COVID-19
Information by the World Health Organisation for Europe, concerning coronavirus and COVID-19 disease, measures for Europe.
Regional Europe website of the WHO on COVID-19: Read more
Regional Europe website of the WHO on COVID-19Report a broken link
Tackling the coronavirus COVID-19 crisis together: OECD policy contributions
Website by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) with statistical and policy information showing how countries are attempting to contain the coronavirus, how the countries are prepared for intensive emergency care, and how international efforts might be focused.
Tackling the coronavirus COVID-19 crisis together: OECD policy contributions: Read more
Tackling the coronavirus COVID-19 crisis together: OECD policy contributionsReport a broken link
European Schoolnet and Covid-19: E-Teaching resources for teachers
The European Schoolnet offers links to resources related to digital education and teaching. You will find strategies for online teaching, platforms for sharing e-resources, the European Schoolnet Academy Blog, webinars and much more. The compilation of links originated in the wake of the coronavirus crisis, in which school closings around the world are forcing students to teach and learn digitally from home.
Contributions on coronavirus and Germany at University World News
The coronavirus and the COVID-19 disease have affected university life across the world, and the University World News can be searched for articles and related contributions regarding Germany, e.g. closure of institutions.
Contributions on coronavirus and Germany at University World News: Read more
Contributions on coronavirus and Germany at University World NewsReport a broken link
Supporting the continuation of teaching and learning during the Covid-19 Pandemic. Annotated resources for online learning.
In early 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic lead to school closures worldwide. The OECD presents a compilation of annotated online educational resources intended for students, teachers and parents. It aims to support governments and other education leaders as they research and assess different ways to continue educating students during the COVID-19 Pandemic. The online learning and teaching resources can also be [...]
COVID-19 and its impact on education: information from Eurydice , the European network for information on education
Eurydice, the network for information concerning education policies and systems in Europe, has published a series of documents and guidance concerning the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact across Europe, e.g. school closures, guidance for parrents and caregivers, admittance to higher education in autumn 2020.
Worldwide effects on education caused by the Coronavirus (Covid-19)
The coronavirus epidemic of 2020 has an impact on education worldwide, as Unesco reports.
Meanwhile, 850 million students (as of March 18th, 2020) cannot go to school due to school closures due to the corona virus. On its website, Unesco provides a world map showing in which countries schools are closed either nationwide or at a regional level.
In order to remedy this situation, Unesco recommends the use of distance learning and digital learning programmes and platforms. For this purpose, an extra page with lists of e-learning platforms, apps and more is provided.
The links to the Unesco pages can be found here:
