No more free corona tests – although the number of new infections is increasing. Does everyone really have to pay for rapid tests now?
Frankfurt – While everyone – whether with or without symptoms – could previously be tested for Corona free of charge once a week, this is no longer possible with immediate effect (June 30). The Federal Ministry of Health decided this last week as part of the Corona Test Ordinance – although the seven-day incidence in Germany is increasing again.
However, the new regulation does not apply to everyone without exception: some people will continue to be tested free of charge, for others there are three-euro tests. What’s it all about?
For some people, corona tests will remain free of charge
The reason why the free corona tests are being discontinued is very simple: According to the federal government, it was simply too expensive. According to Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD), the tests had cost one billion euros per month – and that almost without a break since spring 2021. After the adjustment, the costs for the tests by the end of the year would “only” amount to 2.7 instead of five billion euros.
Not everyone has to pay for a corona test from now on. Caregiving relatives, people with disabilities and their carers as well as people who are not allowed to be vaccinated with one of the corona vaccines for medical reasons, for example women in the first trimester of their pregnancy, can continue to be tested free of charge.
- Who gets free tests:
- caring relatives
- People with disabilities
- carers of people with disabilities
- People who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons
- People who want to test themselves from the quarantine
- People living with infected people
- children up to five years
- Residents and visitors of care facilities
- Residents and visitors of disabled facilities
- visitors to clinics
According to information from the Federal Ministry of Health, the same applies to those who want to test themselves again after a corona infection, people who live in a household with infected people and children up to five years of age. Residents and visitors of care and disabled facilities as well as clinics continue to receive free corona rapid tests, which should be stored properly.
In terms of PCR tests, nothing will change for the time being. Anyone who can present a positive rapid antigen test gets the laboratory test free of charge – regardless of whether the rapid test made beforehand is a public test from a pharmacy or test center or a self-test bought in the supermarket.
No more free corona tests: These people can be tested for three euros
As a further innovation, there will be three-euro tests from July – but, like the free tests, only for specified groups of people. This is intended to prevent so-called super spreader events. Anyone who wants to attend family celebrations, concerts and other indoor events should now pay three euros per rapid corona test. People whose Corona warning app turns red or who want to meet pre-ill people over the age of 60 also get the three-euro tests. This is no longer possible without a good reason.
- Three euro tests for:
- visitors to family celebrations
- concert goers
- Visitors to other indoor events
- Persons with a red Corona warning app
- Individuals who want to meet people over the age of 60 with pre-existing medical conditions
In order to get a three-euro test, signatures should be provided – according to the federal government, this should be sufficient as a control and deter fraudsters. Concert tickets and, in the case of pregnant women, the maternity pass can also be presented as proof. You will still need to bring your ID or passport with you to the test. (Lea-Sophie Mollus)
