Do you need a visa to go to Germany?

23.07.2023 - 16:45 / lonelyplanet.com

For many visitors, entering Germany will be a straightforward procedure, especially for those who wish to stay fewer than 90 days.

Here's what you need to know about visas and entry requirements.

Germany is part of both the European Union and the Schengen Area, a bloc of 27 member nations that allows freedom of movement. EU citizens do not require a visa to visit Germany for any amount of time, but they will need to carry a valid passport or national identity card.

Many non-EU nationals, including citizens of Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the UK and the USA, who are visiting Germany as a tourist do not require a visa for stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. However, your passport must be valid for three months beyond your intended departure date and it must have been issued within the last 10 years.

Germany's Auswärtiges Amt (Federal Foreign Office) website has an official list of visa exemptions for short-term stays. Check this list well ahead of your travel departure date in case you do need to organize a visa before your trip.

If you’re arriving in Germany from a Schengen member nation, you do not have to show your passport or go through customs – no matter your nationality. If you're arriving from a non-Schengen country, full border procedures apply.

Non-EU nationals who are not eligible for a short-stay visa exemption will need to apply for a Schengen Visa before traveling to Germany. Applications for a Schengen Visa must be filed with the embassy or consulate of the country that is your primary destination in the Schengen Area. It’s recommended that you apply at least 15 days in advance but no earlier than six months before your intended date of arrival.

EU nationals who wish to stay in Germany longer than three months must register with the authorities at the local Bürgeramt (citizens' registration office).

Non-EU nationals who plan to stay in Germany longer than 90 days, including those who wish to work or study, will require a visa. As a general rule, you will need to contact your nearest German embassy or consulate before entering Germany, and begin your visa application well in advance.

If you’re aged between 18 and 30 years old and a citizen of Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, Hong Kong SAR, Taiwan or Uruguay, you may be eligible for the working holiday visa programme, which allows you to work and travel in Germany for one year. Young Canadians have access to a similar scheme called the Youth Mobility Visa.

The working holiday visa is a bilateral agreement and the specific conditions of your visa will depend on your citizenship. As a general rule, working holiday visas should be applied for before arrival