Germany updates travel advice for Australia, reminds visitors of mandatory ETA and strict bio-security rules

The German Federal Foreign Office (Auswärtiges Amt) refreshed its travel and security guidance for Australia on 27 July 2026. While the advisory retains its lowest-risk “exercise normal safety precautions” status, it now emphasises two points of interest for German and EU business travellers: the continued requirement for an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) and Australia’s stringent bio-security inspections. The update warns that failure to obtain an ETA before check-in will result in denied boarding, as airlines are barred from carrying ETA-ineligible passengers to Australian ports. Mobility managers should therefore double-check that assignees with newly issued German travel documents still meet the ETA’s e-passport criteria. Separately, the advisory links to Australian Border Force resources outlining prohibited food, plant and animal products, noting fines of up to AUD 6,600 for undeclared items. With post-pandemic staffing shortages still affecting some international terminals, declaration processing delays can create knock-on effects for connecting domestic flights; travellers should allow additional buffer time when scheduling onward journeys. Although the content targets German citizens, the emphasis on electronic travel authorisations and customs enforcement is equally relevant to other visa-waiver nationalities. Companies running regional hubs out of Australia should circulate the revised guidance and ensure pre-departure checklists cover ETA approval, digital passenger cards (where piloted) and bio-security awareness training. No change has been made to health-related advice; Australia continues to recognise the EU Digital COVID Certificate for proof of vaccination if required in specific state jurisdictions.