Germany

Germany has one of the strongest and best-connected aviation sectors in the world, with major hubs such as Frankfurt (FRA) and Munich (MUC). Regulation follows European rules. The main regulator is the Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA), which oversees safety and enforces passenger rights in the country; aviation policy belongs to the Federal Ministry of Transport, together with EASA (European Union Aviation Safety Agency). Passenger rights follow the European Union's Regulation (EC) No 261/2004, one of the strictest in the world.

• Passport: Must be valid for at least 3 months beyond the intended date of departure from the Schengen Area and must have been issued within the last 10 years.
• ETIAS: Not yet in operation (checked in October 2026). Visa-exempt travellers do not need to apply for any authorisation before travelling today: they enter with a valid passport for short stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. When ETIAS starts, the European Union will announce the date several months in advance on its official website. Be wary of websites that charge for it before then.
• Visas: Travelers from countries that do not have a visa-exemption agreement must apply for a Schengen Visa (Type C) for tourism stays of up to 90 days. Germany strictly enforces Schengen Area immigration rules.

In Germany, passengers are protected by Regulation (EC) No. 261/2004 and the case law of the Court of Justice of the EU.

• Delays: Delays of more than 3 hours at the final destination entitle passengers to compensation, unless caused by "extraordinary circumstances" (e.g., extreme weather, air traffic control strikes).
• Monetary Compensation: Ranges from €250 to €600, depending on the flight distance.
• Right to Care: In the event of a delay or cancellation, the airline is obligated to provide meals, refreshments, access to communication, and, if necessary, hotel accommodation and airport transfers free of charge.
• Refunds: For cancelled flights, passengers have the right to choose between a full ticket refund or re-routing to their final destination.

There is no federal law compelling airlines to provide free checked baggage; policies are set commercially by individual carriers.

• Carry-on Baggage: While there is no law mandating free carry-on luggage, recent European case law tends to view "essential hand luggage" (that fits in the overhead bin) as a necessary item for travel, which has led to ongoing legal disputes. It is recommended to verify the conditions of your specific fare.
• Damage and loss: the Montreal Convention governs airline liability. For loss, damage or delay of checked baggage, passengers can claim limited compensation (up to about 1,519 SDR - Special Drawing Rights). File a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) at the airport and send a written complaint to the airline within 7 days (damage) or 21 days (delay).

To enter Germany from non-EU countries (third countries), dogs, cats, and ferrets must comply with the following:

• Microchip: Electronic identification in accordance with ISO standards.
• Rabies Vaccination: Administered after the microchip, with a mandatory 21-day waiting period.
• Health Certificate: Document issued by an official veterinary authority in the country of origin.
• Antibody Test: For countries with a high risk of rabies, a serology test performed by an EU-approved laboratory is required.
• Note: There is no mandatory quarantine if all requirements are met.

• Unaccompanied Minors: German airlines maintain strict "Unaccompanied Minor" (UM) programs. It is mandatory to complete authorization forms and provide details of the person collecting the minor at the destination.
• Travel with Third Parties: While there is no specific law requiring a notarized "travel authorization" to enter or leave the country, it is strongly recommended that minors traveling with only one parent or third parties carry an authorization letter (in German or English) signed by the legal guardians, including copies of the parents' identification, to prevent potential allegations of international child abduction.

Germany adheres to Regulation (EC) No. 1107/2006, which guarantees the right of assistance for persons with disabilities or reduced mobility at airports and on board aircraft.

• Assistance: Must be requested from the airline at least 48 hours before the flight.
• Free of Charge: Assistance at airports (wheelchairs, escorting, boarding aid) is provided free of charge and is funded through airport taxes.
• Equipment: Electric wheelchairs and essential medical equipment must be transported free of charge, provided they comply with lithium battery safety regulations.

• Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA) - Federal Aviation Office: https://www.lba.de
• Official Tourism Portal of Germany: https://www.germany.travel
• Information on ETIAS (Official European Union Portal): https://travel-europe.europa.eu/etias
• Passenger Rights (European Commission): https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/travel/passenger-rights
• Pet Import Rules (Zoll/German Customs): https://www.zoll.de/EN/Private-individuals/Travel/Entering-Germany/Restrictions/Animals-and-plants-products-containing-animal-or-vegetable-substance/Protection-against-animal-diseases/Provisions-on-the-import-of-pet-animals/provisions-on-the-import-of-pet-animals_node.html