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7 ways to enter

Germany visas

Germany tourist visa

For a short holiday, you may need a Schengen visa. Some travellers can visit without one.

Ways to get a Germany tourist visa

  1. Schengen short-stay visa

    Visa needed

    Travellers who need a visa for a short holiday in Germany.

    Stay
    Up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen Area.
    Valid for
    Up to five years; normally limited to the intended trip for new applicants.
    Entries
    One, two or multiple entries.
    Fee
    Normally €90; €45 for children aged 6 to 12; free for children under 6. Other exemptions and reductions apply. An outside application service may charge up to €120 extra.
    Processing
    15 calendar days for an application accepted for processing with no issues; delays can occur.
    1. Choose the embassy or consulate of your main destination, or your first Schengen entry country if there is no main destination.
    2. Apply no earlier than six months before entry.
    3. Attend in person for your first application and interview.
    4. Give fingerprints and a digital photo if required, and pay the applicable fee.

  2. Visa-free short visit

    No visa needed

    Ordinary passport holders from the listed countries and territories can visit for pleasure without a visa.

    Stay
    Up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen Area.

  4. Travel with an existing visa or residence permit

    No visa needed

    Holders of a long-stay visa or residence permit from another Schengen state, Gibraltar or Monaco can visit Germany without another visa.

    Stay
    Up to 90 days in any 180-day period.

  5. Visa-free visit for refugees and stateless people

    No visa needed

    Germany grants visa-free entry to refugees and stateless people who reside in Ireland or in one of the listed visa-free countries or territories.

  6. Australian and New Zealand bilateral visa waivers

    No visa needed

    Australian and New Zealand citizens have separate visa-waiver arrangements with Germany.

    Stay
    Up to 90 days in Germany without counting time spent in other Schengen countries under these arrangements.

    Passports that qualify (2)

  7. Diplomatic and official passport exemptions

    No visa needed

    Germany exempts diplomatic and official passport holders from the ordinary visa-free list, except Georgia, and grants additional exemptions to the countries listed here.

    Stay
    Short stays; the general diplomatic and official passport exemption is for 90 days.

Who needs it

Travellers whose nationality requires a visa must get a Schengen visa unless another exemption applies.

Who doesn't

Citizens of the listed visa-free countries and territories can visit for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Other exemptions apply to European free movement rights, certain residence documents and special passport holders.

How to apply

  1. Apply to Germany's embassy or consulate if Germany is your only or main destination.
  2. If there is no main destination, apply to the Schengen country you will enter first.
  3. Submit your application no earlier than six months before your planned entry. Some embassies use an outside application service.
  4. Attend in person for your first application and a consular interview. Provide fingerprints and a digital photo if required.
  5. Pay the applicable fee and wait for the decision.

What to bring

  • A travel document accepted for a Schengen visa.
  • Fingerprints and a digital photo, if required.

Good to know

  • Count short visits across the Schengen Area together.
  • A visa's validity period does not allow you to stay for that entire period.
  • Germany does not allow work under the ordinary short-stay visa exemption.
  • A Schengen visa normally covers all Schengen countries unless it says otherwise.
  • Children under 12 do not give fingerprints. Fingerprints supplied within the previous 59 months may not need to be supplied again.
  • Some applicants qualify for reduced fees, fee waivers or easier application procedures. In specified cases, the application fee can rise to €180, except for children under 12.
  • A shared online visa application platform is planned. This does not establish an available German online visa programme.

Questions

Do I need a tourist visa for Germany?

Travellers whose nationality requires a visa must get a Schengen visa unless another exemption applies. Citizens of the listed visa-free countries and territories can visit for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Other exemptions apply to European free movement rights, certain residence documents and special passport holders.

What are the ways to get a tourist visa for Germany?

There are 7 options: Schengen short-stay visa (a visa from an embassy); Visa-free short visit (no visa at all); European free movement (no visa at all); Travel with an existing visa or residence permit (no visa at all); Visa-free visit for refugees and stateless people (no visa at all); Australian and New Zealand bilateral visa waivers (no visa at all); Diplomatic and official passport exemptions (no visa at all).

Who can go to Germany without a tourist visa?

Ordinary passport holders from the listed countries and territories can visit for pleasure without a visa. Citizens of European Union countries, Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Switzerland can enter, live and work in Germany without a visa. Holders of a long-stay visa or residence permit from another Schengen state, Gibraltar or Monaco can visit Germany without another visa. Germany grants visa-free entry to refugees and stateless people who reside in Ireland or in one of the listed visa-free countries or territories. Australian and New Zealand citizens have separate visa-waiver arrangements with Germany. Germany exempts diplomatic and official passport holders from the ordinary visa-free list, except Georgia, and grants additional exemptions to the countries listed here.

How long can I stay on a Germany tourist visa?

Up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen Area.

How much does a Germany tourist visa cost?

Normally €90. Children aged 6 to 12 pay €45. Children under 6 pay no fee. Other reductions and exemptions apply. An outside application service may charge up to €120 extra.

How long does a Germany tourist visa take?

15 calendar days after an application is lodged, if it is accepted for processing and has no issues. Appointment shortages and longer processing times can occur.

How long is a Germany tourist visa valid?

Up to five years. First-time applicants normally receive a visa covering their intended trip. Entries: One, two or multiple entries..

What documents do I need for a Germany tourist visa?

A travel document accepted for a Schengen visa.; Fingerprints and a digital photo, if required..

How do I apply for a Germany tourist visa?

1. 1. Apply to Germany's embassy or consulate if Germany is your only or main destination. 2. 2. If there is no main destination, apply to the Schengen country you will enter first. 3. 3. Submit your application no earlier than six months before your planned entry. Some embassies use an outside application service. 4. 4. Attend in person for your first application and a consular interview. Provide fingerprints and a digital photo if required. 5. 5. Pay the applicable fee and wait for the decision.

What rules do I have to follow on a Germany tourist visa?

Count short visits across the Schengen Area together. A visa's validity period does not allow you to stay for that entire period. Germany does not allow work under the ordinary short-stay visa exemption.

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