- Most travelers from third countries require a visa to enter Germany.
- Visitors from countries with visa waivers are exempt from the visa obligation and enjoy visa-free entry.
- Visa exemptions depend on the traveler’s citizenship and the type of visa (airport transit visa, short-term Schengen visa, German national visa).
- Third-country nationals with a residence permit for another EU or Schengen member state do not require a visa for short trips of up to 90 days (within 180 days) within the Schengen Area. For longer stays, they must apply for a national visa in advance if their country of origin is not subject to a visa waiver.
Visa obligations in the Schengen Area
The Schengen Agreement established the world’s largest travel zone without internal border controls. The Schengen area includes all the countries of the European Union except Ireland and Cyprus, as well as Switzerland, Iceland, Norway, and Liechtenstein—29 countries in total.
Citizens of the EU and the other Schengen countries enjoy complete freedom of movement in the entire Schengen zone. They do not need a visa, residence, or work permit to enter or remain in Germany or any other Schengen state. If they want to live in Germany for a longer period, they only have to register their German residence at their local registration office.
Third-country nationals, on the other hand, are generally subject to visa requirements for Germany and the Schengen Area. Visa exemptions are possible based on Schengen-wide or bilateral agreements.
Schengen visa types and visa exemptions
In practice, 3 general Schengen visa types are important, each with different visa waivers.
- Airport transit visa (A visa)
- Short-term Schengen visa (C visa)
- National Schengen visa (D visa)
The criteria for granting A and C visas, including visa exemptions, are uniformly regulated in all Schengen countries.
However, the conditions for national D visas are determined by the authorities of the individual countries, considering EU legislation and the Schengen Agreement.
Airport transit visa
This visa does not entitle the holder to enter the Schengen area but to stay in airports’ international transit areas. It is issued for a maximum of 12 hours.
The transit privilege applies to travelers from most countries — so they do not need a visa to transit via Schengen airports.
An airport transit visa is only required for citizens of 21 countries. However, this rule has some exceptions, for example, for travelers who hold entry visas or residence permits for certain countries.
A Schengen A visa only entitles the holder to 1 switchover at a Schengen airport. Travelers must apply for a short-term Schengen visa if further transit is necessary.
Short-term Schengen visa
The short-term Schengen visa allows a stay of up to 90 days in the entire Schengen Area. Travelers can apply for this visa in the country where they enter the Schengen zone.
A Schengen C visa can be issued for single or multiple entries. For a single entry, the competent German mission abroad issues the visa for the requested period or a maximum of 3 months. For multiple entries, a stay of up to 90 days within 180 days is possible. A residence permit is not required for short-term stays in Germany or other Schengen countries. Gainful employment is not allowed.
Short-term Schengen visas are issued for specific purposes. They can be used for tourist and private travel, business trips, short-term studies, or to participate in cultural or sports events.
Visa waivers for short-term Schengen visas apply to travelers from around 60 countries who can enter Germany and other Schengen countries for up to 90 days without a visa.
From May 2025, visitors who can enter Germany visa-free will need an ETIAS travel authorization. This authorization enables a standardized security screening of incoming travelers throughout the Schengen area. It is only required for short-term stays. The authorization is applied digitally, costs €7, and is valid for 3 years to enter all Schengen countries.
German national visa
The German Foreign Office regulates the granting of national visas (D visas), which authorize entry to Germany for an extended stay.
The process involves obtaining the consent of the German embassy and the local immigration office in Germany, which results in longer processing times than for a short-term Schengen visa.
National visas can be work or student visas, visas for vocational training, or family reunification. Since 2012, obtaining a national visa to seek employment in Germany is also possible.
A national visa is valid for 3 months to 1 year. If your planned stay is longer than the visa’s validity, you must apply for a German residence permit at the local immigration office before it expires.
If your reasons for staying in Germany change, you can often switch to a different visa and residence category. For example, the immigration office can convert a student visa into a job seeker or work visa after graduation.
Short stays of up to 3 months in other Schengen countries are possible with a German national visa without an additional visa or residence permit. Special regulations apply for longer stays for students and guest researchers within the European Union in the context of their studies or professional activities.
Visa waivers for German national visas apply to 14 countries, including Australia, Great Britain, the USA, Australia, Japan, and South Korea. Citizens of these countries can also travel to Germany visa-free for longer stays. They must apply for a residence permit within 90 days at their local immigration office.
Third-country nationals with residence in the Schengen area
Third-country nationals with a residence permit issued by an EU or Schengen country do not need a visa to enter Germany or another Schengen member state for short-term stays of up to 90 days.
Suppose you are a national of a country with a visa obligation. In that case, you will need a national visa for extended stays in Germany. It needs to be applied for in advance at the German embassy in the country for which you hold a residence permit.
Exceptions exist:
- For holders of an EU Blue Card (special residence permit for academics and some other highly qualified specialists) from another country in the European Union. After 12 months in the first EU country, they do not need a visa to apply for a German residence permit.
- For holders of a long-term residence permit EU. Unlike citizens of Schengen countries, they still need a residence permit for long-term stays in Germany. However, this can be obtained regardless of their citizenship without a visa.
The EU long-term residence permit grants its holders greater mobility rights than a permanent national settlement permit when moving to another EU country, including the removal of any visa requirement.
Conclusion
Germany’s visa requirements depend on various factors, including nationality, travel purposes, and existing residence permits. While most third-country nationals require a visa, numerous visa exemptions apply for short-term stays. The Schengen visa framework provides unified regulations for transit and short-term stays, whereas national visas follow country-specific rules.
Holders of residence permits from other Schengen states enjoy limited mobility, allowing short stays in Germany without a visa. However, long-term stays require a visa application unless specific exemptions, such as for EU Blue Card holders or those with an EU long-term residence permit, apply.
Germany offers a structured yet flexible visa system, balancing border security with facilitated entry for qualified individuals and certain nationalities.
Frequently Asked Questions — FAQ
For your visa application, you always need a valid passport, Schengen travel health insurance, and proof of financial resources for your stay. Depending on the purpose of your trip and your stay in Germany, further documents may be required. You can obtain further information about this from the German Embassy, where you apply for your visa.
Whether you are allowed to work in Germany depends on your visa type. A short-term Schengen visa does not allow you to take up paid employment in Germany. By contrast, with a few exceptions, a German national visa also includes a work permit. However, there are often restrictions on the number of hours you can work – usually limited to 20 hours per week. Whether you are allowed to work is stated in your visa.
Since Brexit, British nationals traveling to Germany or other Schengen countries have the status of third-country nationals. However, comprehensive visa facilitation is granted for them. Short stays of up to 90 days in other Schengen countries are generally visa-free. They do not need a visa to enter Germany for longer stays but must apply for a residence permit within 90 days after entry. British nationals must only overcome minor hurdles to obtain a German residence permit, provided they meet the basic requirements.
The processing time depends on the type of visa. Many German embassies can issue an airport transit visa within 3 days. It takes about 14 days to issue a short-term Schengen visa; shorter processing times are possible for repeated trips and urgent cases, depending on the country. Processing a German national visa can take up to 3 months or longer.
Stateless persons are always subject to visa requirements to enter Germany. Since they do not have citizenship, they do not benefit from visa waivers when entering from third countries. They can obtain a visa for Germany if they have a travel document from another country that Germany recognizes. With a residence permit issued from another Schengen country, the same rules apply to them as to other third-country nationals with this status.
You will initially receive a temporary residence permit with a German national visa. Its validity depends on the reason for your stay. For example, a work visa is issued for a maximum of 4 years and can be extended. You can receive a permanent German settlement permit or an EU long-term residence permit after 5 years if your livelihood is secured. Under certain conditions – for example, with an EU Blue Card or as a self-employed professional – receiving a German settlement permit earlier is possible.