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Germany Visa and Passport Requirements

Passport required Return ticket required Visa Required
EU See below No No
USA Yes Yes No
Canadian Yes Yes No
Australian Yes Yes No
British Yes Yes No

Passports

EU nationals: You are not required to show a passport or national ID card when entering Germany. However, transport providers like airlines, train operators and ferry companies will require you to show your passport or ID card to prove your identity.

Non-EU nationals: To enter Germany, you must have a valid passport issued within the past ten years and with at least three months left (after the day you plan to leave). You must also have a return ticket and sufficient funds for the length of your stay.

Germany is a Schengen country, but beware that EU members such as Bulgaria, Cyprus, Ireland and Romania are not part of the Schengen area, so a passport or ID card is required if travelling to/from these countries.

Visas

EU nationals: You don't need a visa for Germany if the stay is less than 90 days. Those who plan to live in Germany longer, please see the information below the header Temporary Residence.

Non-EU nationals: Nationals mentioned in the chart above (Americans, Australians, British and Canadians) can travel to Germany, and any other Schengen countries, without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. This applies if you travel as a tourist, to visit family or friends, to attend business meetings, cultural or sports events. For other purposes, you need to check with the embassy, high commission or consulate of Germany in your home country on what type of visa and/or work permit you may need.
 
The complete list of countries and territories whose nationals can visit Germany and any other Schengen countries for up to 90 days in a 180-day period are as follows: Albania, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominica, El Salvador, Georgia, Grenada, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong*, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Liechtenstein, Macao*, Malaysia, Marshal Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Montenegro, New Zealand, Nicaragua, North Macedonia, Palau, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Serbia*, Seychelles, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan*,Timor-Leste, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America, Uruguay, Vanuatu* and Venezuela.
 
* Hong Kong and Macao: holders of SAR passports do not need a visa.
* Taiwan: holders of passports issued by Taiwan which include an identity card number do not need a visa.
* Serbia: holders of biometric passports do not need a visa, excluding holders of passports issued by the Serbian Coordination Directorate.
* Vanuatu: holders of passports issued on or after 25 May 2015 do not need a visa.
• Nationals from micro-states within an EU country (Andorra, Monaco, San Marino and Vatican City) also do not need a visa.
 
For nationals from countries not listed here, please contact the nearest embassy to check the visa requirements for Germany.
 
 

Visa Note

For more information about Schengen visas, follow the link to the article A guide to Schengen visas.

From 2024, all visitors who currently do not need a visa to visit the Schengen countries will need to apply for ETIAS travel authorisation. For more information, follow the link to the article Applying for ETIAS.

Types and Cost

Schengen visa €80 for those who are above 12 years old, €40 for children aged six to 12, and free for children below six.

Nationals from Armenia, Azerbaijan and Kosovo pay €35.

In addition, the visa fee is waived for the following applicants:
• School pupils, students, postgraduate students and accompanying teachers who undertake stays for the purpose of study or educational training.
• Researchers from third countries travelling for the purpose of carrying out scientific research.
• Representatives of non-profit organisations aged 25 years or less participating in seminars, conferences, sports, cultural or educational events organised by non-profit organisations.
• Family members of EU/EEA (European Economic Area) citizens, falling under Directive 2004/38.

Validity

Up to 90 days in any 180-day period.

Transit

Citizens of some countries need an airport transit visa when transiting through international parts of any airports within the Schengen countries, whereas citizens of certain countries are only required a transit visa for some of the Schengen countries. If you are not from a Schengen visa exempt country, please check with a German consulate near you.

Application to

Contact the embassy, high commission or consulate.

Schengen Visas

Germany is a Schengen country, so the Schengen visa scheme applies.

Temporary residence

EU nationals and citizens of EEA (Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein): Will need a residence permit for more than 90 days. However, please note that citizens of Romania and Bulgaria will require a work permit issued by the Employment Agency.

Non-EU nationals: Will need a visa to stay in Germany for more than 90 days.

Working days

Schengen visa applications usually take 15 to 21 calendar days, but sometimes up to 45 days. Be mindful of the national holidays in Germany as they may affect the processing time. It is recommended to submit applications at least four weeks prior to departure.

Sufficient Funds

Schengen visa applicants must be able to provide proof of funds to cover their stay.

Extension of stay

Schengen visa holders with a visa valid for less than 90 days can only extend their visas in exceptional circumstances, such as force majeure or for humanitarian reasons.

Entry with pets

When bringing a pet from another EU country, the animal must have a microchip or tattoo, an EU pet passport and a valid rabies vaccination certificate (the vaccination must have taken place at least 21 days prior to travel). Animals from outside the EU must also have an ISO 11784/11785 compliant 15-digit microchip. Depending on whether your pet is from a high-rabies country or a rabies-controlled country, your pet either has to be vaccinated first or microchipped first. For pets from high-rabies countries, a rabies titer test also has to be administered 30 days after the vaccination. A veterinary certificate issued by an authorised veterinarian is also required when entering Germany with a pet from outside of the EU.

Please check with the consulate directly for the appropriate procedures.


This page reflects our understanding of current rules for the most common types of travel to the said country. However, please note that each authority sets and forces entry rules, hence we strongly recommend that you verify critical information with the relevant embassy before travel.

Embassies and tourist offices

British Embassy in Germany


Telephone: 49 (0)30 204 570
Website: http://www.gov.uk/government/world/germany
Address: , Wilhelmstraße 70/71, Berlin, 10117,
Opening times:

Mon-Fri 0900-1730.

Embassy of Germany in the USA


Telephone: (202) 298 4000/4224 (visa & passport enquiries)
Website: http://www.germany.info
Address: , 4645 Reservoir Road NW, Washington, 20007,
Opening times:

Mon-Thu 0800-1200 and 1300-1500; Fri 0800-1200 and 1300-1400.

Embassy of Germany in the UK


Telephone: (020) 7824 1300
Website: https://uk.diplo.de/uk-en
Address: , 23 Belgrave Square, London, SW1X 8PZ,
Opening times:

Mon-Fri by appointment only.

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