- Most international tourists and other expats usually need a visa to enter Germany.
- Exceptions apply to EU citizens, citizens of all other Schengen member states, and travelers from countries exempt from visa requirements.
- A visa for Germany is always issued as a Schengen visa. This means that you can travel not only in Germany but also in all other Schengen countries. Exceptions may apply for certain visa types.
- There are different types of visas for entry and residence in Germany and the Schengen area. There is a distinction between C visas for short stays, which allow for a maximum of 90 days in a 180-day period, and D visas (national visas) for longer stays.
- To be issued a German Schengen visa, you must fulfill various requirements.
Schengen area and Schengen visa
The Schengen area, established by the Schengen Agreement since 1985, consists of 29 member states. They include all EU countries except Ireland and Cyprus and the non-EU-countries Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein.
In the Schengen zone, internal border controls have been largely abolished. Checks are normally only carried out at external borders. Its citizens enjoy extensive travel and, in most cases, freedom of establishment. Visas for the Schengen area are issued according to uniform criteria.
If you apply for a German visa, it will always be a Schengen visa, which allows you to travel throughout the entire Schengen area.
Your German visa’s validity period depends on the purpose of your stay. Stays in another Schengen state are limited to a maximum of 90 days in a 180-day period.
Schengen visa types
In general, Germany and the other Schengen countries issue visas in the following categories:
- Schengen visa A: Airport transit visa (not required for travelers from many countries due to the transit privilege)(not required for travelers from many countries due to the transit privilege)
- Schengen visa C: Short stay visa for a maximum of 3 months in any 180-day period. C visas can be issued to tourists, people visiting family members and friends, and those on business trips or short study programs. Normally, this visa cannot be extended. A residence permit for Germany is not required, and you are not allowed to work.
- Schengen visa D (national visa): You need a D visa to stay in Germany or other Schengen countries for over 3 months. After the first 90 days, you will need a residence permit for Germany. How long you can stay in Germany with a D visa depends on the reason for your stay. For example, the German missions abroad issue language learning visas for a maximum of 12 months without the option of renewal. In contrast, a work or student visa can be extended if you fulfill the requirements. It is usually possible to work in Germany with a national visa.
Who requires a Schengen visa?
All citizens of third countries who are not exempt from visa requirements must have a Schengen visa for entry and stay in Germany and the Schengen zone.
In principle, expats from the European Union and other Schengen countries do not need a visa to enter Germany, and they also do not need a national residence permit.
If you have a visa or residence permit from another Schengen country, you do not need a visa for Germany, regardless of your country of origin. If applicable, a permanent residence permit in the Schengen area establishes a longer-term right of residence in Germany.
Due to common legal regulations for all Schengen countries, citizens of around 60 other countries do not require an entry visa for Germany and the Schengen area for short-term stays (C visa).
For D visas, the Schengen countries have greater leeway in deciding which countries to grant visa-free entry. Currently, visa-free entry to Germany is possible for citizens of 14 countries, including the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada. They then have 90 days to apply for a national residence permit and fulfill the requirements, which depend on the purpose of their stay in Germany (study, work, etc.).
German Schengen visa application
You can apply for a German Schengen visa at the German Embassy or a German Consulate in your home country. Alternatively, you can commission a commercial service provider (visa center to compile the required documents and other formalities if necessary. This option is particularly interesting for business travelers.
Visa requirements and documents
If you apply for a Schengen visa, you must fulfill certain requirements and prove this by documents.
Relevant documents for visa application are:
- Valid passport
- Correctly completed application forms
- 2 biometric passport photos
- Declaration that all information is true (declaration of accuracy of information)
- Personal cover letter stating the reasons for the trip
- Schengen visa insurance (travel health insurance with a sum insured of at least €30,000 for the entire duration of the planned stay)
- Proof that you can finance your trip/stay from your financial resources – for example, through bank statements from the last 3 months or a declaration of commitment from a sponsor
- Proof of accommodation – especially for C visas for the entire duration of the stay, for example, through hotel bookings or an invitation from family members/friends with German residency
- Proof of flight reservations for the outward journey and, if applicable, for the return journey from the Schengen area (return journey: not for long-term student, work, or job-seeker visas)
- For employees: proof of employment and leave letter from employer
- For pupils and students: No-objection certificate from the educational institution
- If applicable: marriage certificate, birth certificates of children (as proof of civil status and personal roots in the home country)
- Proof of Residence: if no registration certificate is issued in the home country, for example, through utility bills or a driver’s license in the name of the visa applicant
- For minors: visa application signed by both parents, copies of both parents’ passports; for unaccompanied minors, a consent letter signed by both parents
- Proof of payment of visa fees
An invitation letter or a declaration of commitment from relatives or friends with their main residence in Germany can be used as proof of accommodation and financing of your stay. An invitation letter also requires a current registration certificate from the inviting person. Your sponsor submits a declaration of commitment to the local immigration office in Germany — it is only accepted with proof of sufficient financial resources.
The German missions abroad may require further documents, including notarization if necessary. For student and work visas, for example, proof of educational and professional qualifications and knowledge of the German language are required. Please also check the German Embassy website in your home country before you apply for a visa.
The documents for the visa application must be submitted in the original and with 2 copies each.
Visa application process
The visa application process requires you to submit the visa documents in person at an embassy or consulate of the Federal Republic of Germany and complete an interview with an embassy official. You’ll need to schedule an appointment with enough notice.
Exceptions to this may be given if you apply through a visa center – in this case, you usually do not need to appear in person at the embassy.
Conclusion
Obtaining a Schengen visa for Germany involves a structured application process and compliance with specific requirements. Understanding the visa categories and their conditions is essential for short-term visits, extended stays, or specialized purposes such as work or study. With a German Schengen visa, travelers gain access to Germany and the broader Schengen area, facilitating seamless exploration and mobility. Preparing early and ensuring all necessary documents are in order can significantly enhance the likelihood of a successful application.
Frequently asked questions
If Germany is your only travel destination in Europe, if you mainly want to stay there or are entering the Schengen area via Germany, you can apply for a visa at a German mission abroad.
The visa application can be made 6 months before the planned trip. However, especially with national visas for a longer stay, you also have to expect a processing time of up to 3 months. Tourist visas and private visits can sometimes be obtained after just 3 weeks. The latest possible time for the visa application is 14 days.
Visa fees are standardized throughout the Schengen area. A C visa costs €90, and a D visa costs €75. In certain countries, children and young people pay reduced fees.
This depends on the type of Schengen visa you have obtained. With a C visa, you can neither change the visa type nor receive an extension. After the visa has expired (after 90 days at the latest), you must leave Germany and apply for a new visa to stay. With a D visa (national visa), it is possible to change to another category under certain conditions. For example, a German language course visa is issued for a maximum of 12 months without the option of changing or extending. In contrast, a student application visa can be seamlessly converted into a regular student visa for your studies after university admission. International students can obtain a work visa or a job-seeker visa after graduation without having to leave the country first.
For study visits of up to 360 days in a calendar year, you do not need a separate visa to study in other Schengen member states, for example, for a semester abroad. The only requirement is to enroll at a foreign university or other educational or research institution for this period. For study visits of up to 90 days, you do not need any such proof, as your German Schengen visa automatically covers them.