The COVID-19 Pandemic and Religion in Germany

Similar to the situation across Europe, the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent government-imposed restrictions had a profound impact on both individual and collective religious practices and overall religiosity in Germany. As physical gatherings became perilous, religious institutions swiftly adapted by transitioning to digital platforms, offering online religious services, creating virtual memorial pages, and broadcasting ceremonies and funerals live. This unexpected shift forced a re-evaluation of the relationship between the state and religious communities in Germany, demonstrating that religion was not solely a personal matter but also a concern of the state.

The federal structure of Germany meant that COVID-19 restrictions differed across the country, but the historically cooperative relationship between the state and religious groups facilitated compliance with COVID-19 measures. A small number of legal cases were tried in the courts, but in general the restrictions on collective religious life found broad acceptance among major religious authorities. Though protests against restrictions as well as conspiracies and vaccine hesitancy occurred, most religious authorities actively supported state regulations and also contributed to public vaccination campaigns.