NOTE: This guide was last updated in January 2025. Please check the authenticity and validity of the information on this website before proceeding with your visa application. Use Timatic for the most up-to-date information.

With its traditional cuisine, historic cities and green nature, Germany is a dream destination for all types of visitors. If you’re ready to set off on an expedition to the land of castles, sausages, and outdoor sports, this Germany visa guide will provide you with the vital information regarding German visa process.

Do I Need a Visa to Travel to Germany?

Whether you need a visa to travel to Germany depends on your citizenship and passport. You can check the page prepared by the Federal Foreign Office of Germany to learn more about your visa requirements.

Did you book a flight to Germany?

You can secure your flight ticket to Germany with Pegasus Airlines’ affordable fares. With a myriad of destinations in Germany, including Berlin, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Munich, and Cologne, Pegasus Airlines allows its guests to travel all around Germany.

If you’re seeking to shape your travel itinerary, our comprehensive Germany travel guide will provide you with insightful tips.

You may be interested in these articles:

Berlin Travel Guide

Frankfurt Travel Guide

Dusseldorf Travel Guide

Munich Travel Guide

Cologne Travel Guide

Germany Visa Types

Federal Republic of Germany is a member state of the European Union and the Schengen Area. Therefore, visa regulations of Germany are compliant with the Schengen Agreement and depends on the applicant’s nationality, as well as their passport. Nationals of EU/EEA/EFTA countries have the freedom of movement within Germany and are exempt from visa requirements.

Germany Schengen Visa (Category C Visa – For Short Stay Visits)

Uniform Schengen Visa is the short-stay visa provided by the member states of the Schengen Area to foreign nationals. This visa allows the visitors to stay and travel within the area for up to three months (90 days) within a period of six months (180 days).

Schengen Visa is a visitor visa; therefore, the holders of this visa cannot carry out gainful activities within an EU country. However, students, whose education will last shorter than 90 days, and visitors who will participate in a business event can apply for this visa.

Germany National Visa (Category D Visa – For Long Stay Visits)

Germany National Visa allows its holder to stay in Germany for longer than 90 days and apply for a residence permit. This visa is often issued to long-term students, job seekers, non-EU national employees of Germany-based companies, and non-EU family members of Germany residents or citizens.

General Requirements to Apply for German Visa

Below, you can find an overview of German touristic visa requirements and application procedures.

• A valid passport,
• Fully filled out and signed application form,
• One (1) recent biometric passport photo compliant with the standards,
• Proof of address,
• Confirmed flight, round-trip,
• Travel reservations and proof of accommodation in Germany (a hotel booking etc.),
• Proof of travel health insurance with a coverage of at least EUR 30,000,
• Proof of sufficient funds to cover your trip to Germany.

What Is Visa Sponsorship for Germany?

Applicants who wish to travel to Germany but do not have the necessary funds to cover their stay in the country can be sponsored by a relative, friend, or business. The sponsor must prepare a letter called the “Declaration of Commitment,” or Verpflichtungserklärung, and pledge that they will cover the entire stay of the applicant.

Germany Visa Rules

Besides the required documents, there are several rules that an applicant must be aware of when applying for a Germany visa:

• Your passport must not be older than 10 years; it must have at least two blank pages and be valid for a minimum of 3 months after the expected date of departure from the Schengen area,
• You must not overstay your visa as it is a serious offence that might cause you get fined or temporarily banned from entering the Schengen area.

Germany Visa Requirements

Due to the bilateral agreements with countries, Germany visa requirements vary for the citizens of different nations. In this section, you can find specific Germany visa requirements for various countries.

German Visa Requirements for Non-Europeans

Citizens of the non-EU countries may or may not need a visa to enter Germany, and the EU. You can check the official page prepared by the Federal Foreign Office of Germany to find out whether you need a visa to Germany.

German Visa Requirement for Citizens of the USA, the UK, and Canada

Citizens of the USA, the UK, and Canada can travel to Germany without a visa for up to 90 days.

German Visa Requirements for Russians

Citizens of the Russian Federation need a visa to travel to Germany and the Schengen Area.

Germany Visa Fees

You can find below a list of Germany visa fees for different categories of visas and applicants.

You can find the detailed informations and latest update about visa fee by visiting the page of the German Missions in the United States