According to the will of the federal and state governments, those who are not vaccinated have to pay for their corona rapid tests themselves from autumn if they want to take part in public life.
The previously free citizen tests are no longer to be subsidized from October.
According to SPIEGEL information, Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) and the Prime Ministers agreed on this at a joint video link.
Exceptions are planned for people who cannot be vaccinated and for whom there is no general vaccination recommendation (especially pregnant women, children and adolescents under 18 years of age).
The main aim of the measure is to stimulate the stalled vaccination campaign.
Those who have not been vaccinated or have recovered will still need a negative test when staying in indoor public spaces - such as restaurants or cinemas - in order to participate in public life.
This can be a rapid antigen test that is not older than 24 hours or a negative PCR test that is not older than 48 hours.
Up until now it was possible for citizens to have free quick tests carried out several times a week.
In the meantime, a direct vaccination offer has been made to all citizens, according to the paper from the Corona switch, which is available to SPIEGEL.
A permanent assumption of the costs for all tests by the federal government and thus the taxpayer is therefore »not indicated«.
How much the rapid tests will cost in the future is in the hands of the providers of private test centers.
In the past there were offers between 20 and 30 euros per rapid test.
More soon on SPIEGEL.de