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Destination · Europe · Schengen area

Germany visa requirements (2026)

Of 198 passports, 93 can travel to Germany without arranging a visa in advance. 0 can apply online for an e-Visa and 105 need a visa from an embassy or visa centre.

Who can visit Germany: passports by requirement

How to enter Germany: official routes

Checked November 2026

⚠️ German missions warn that some private visa agencies make false claims about the process and that forged bookings or documents lead to refusal; in the US they work only with one contracted provider. Use only the official links below.

Official route

ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System)

Fee
EUR 20 once the system starts (raised from the originally planned EUR 7); applicants under 18 or over 70 pay nothing
Valid for
3 years, or until the passport used to apply expires if that is sooner; covers multiple trips of up to 90 days in any 180-day period
Processing
Most decisions within minutes; some applications can take up to 30 days
Status
Not yet live. As of November 2026 the official ETIAS site says the system is not in operation and no applications are being taken; the EU says it will give the start date several months ahead. No start date was found on the official pages checked. Applies to visa-exempt travellers only.
Official site →
Official route

Schengen short-stay visa (type C), for nationalities that need a visa

Fee
EUR 90 for adults; EUR 45 for children aged 6 to under 12; free under 6. Some nationalities pay reduced rates under EU agreements (for example EUR 35; EUR 67.50 for Cabo Verde). External service-provider charges are extra.
Processing
Up to 15 calendar days for a complete application (longer in peak season); apply no earlier than 6 months and normally no later than 15 days before travel.
Official site →

At the border

  • Passport (or travel document) must have been issued within the last 10 years and stay valid for at least 3 months after the date you plan to leave the Schengen area.
  • Visa-free and visa holders alike may stay no more than 90 days in any rolling 180-day period, counted across all Schengen countries together.
  • Entry/Exit System: on your first crossing since EES started, border officers record your passport data, a facial image and fingerprints; passports are no longer stamped since 10 April 2026.
  • Visa applicants need travel medical insurance valid across the Schengen area with at least EUR 30,000 cover, including emergency care and repatriation.
  • You must be able to pay for your stay and travel from your own funds or income; Germany's pages do not set a fixed daily amount.
  • Schengen visa applications cannot yet be filed online; you can fill the form online but must apply in person (often at an external visa centre). The Consular Services Portal (digital.diplo.de) is for long-stay visas.

Recent changes

  • October 2025: the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) began a phased rollout at external borders on 12 October 2025.
  • April 2026: EES became fully operational on 10 April 2026 and replaced manual passport stamping for short-stay non-EU visitors.
  • July 2025: the European Commission set the future ETIAS fee at EUR 20 instead of EUR 7; ETIAS itself has not launched.

Official source: Federal Foreign Office (Auswärtiges Amt) - visa information · Not yet confirmed officially: No fixed daily funds amount found for Germany

Do I need a visa for Germany?

Entry requirement Choose a passport and a destination.

Popular passports

PassportRequirementStay
United States Visa-free 90 d
United Kingdom Visa-free 90 d
India Visa required –
Philippines Visa required –
Nigeria Visa required –
Pakistan Visa required –
Canada Visa-free 90 d
Australia Visa-free 90 d
China Visa required –
France Visa-free –

Access by passport region

Passports that enter visa-free, with a visa on arrival or an eTA.

RegionPassports
Europe 43/45
Asia 12/50
Africa 2/54
North America 18/23
South America 8/12
Oceania 10/14

Germany is in the Schengen area: visa-free visitors may stay 90 days in any 180-day period across all Schengen countries. Calculate your remaining days.

Passports that can enter Germany visa-free

93 passports

Passports that need a visa for Germany

105 passports

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a visa to visit Germany?

It depends on your passport. 93 passports can enter Germany visa-free, 0 get a visa on arrival, 0 need an eTA, 0 can apply for an e-Visa online and 105 need a visa from an embassy or visa centre.

Which countries can enter Germany without a visa?

93 passports can enter Germany visa-free, including Albania, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados and others.

Is Germany part of the Schengen area?

Yes. Short stays in Germany count toward the Schengen limit of 90 days in any 180-day period, shared across all Schengen countries.

Holding a Germany passport? See where the Germany passport can travel visa-free.

Data last updated February 2026. Rules can change at short notice and may differ by purpose of travel. Confirm with the embassy or official immigration website of Germany before you book.