All you need to know about the Germany Schengen Visa

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Discover Europe with the Germany Schengen Visa

Last updated: April 2024

Please note: We currently don't offer this visa, but you can find more information on the Germany Embassy website.

Join our waitlist to be notified as soon as we offer this visa.

Planning to travel to Germany soon and wondering if you need a visa?

If you hold a passport from a non-EU or non-Schengen country, and you're planning on staying in Germany for less than 90 days, you may need the Germany Schengen Visa.

What is a Germany Schengen Visa?

The German Schengen Visa is one of the most sought-after visas to visit the Schengen area.

It allows travelers to enter the Schengen member states in Europe and explore the continent without worrying about border crossings or obtaining separate visas for each member country.

With the Germany Schengen Visa, you can enter the following Schengen states:

Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

The flexible nature of the visa makes this visa appealing to many travelers.

What can I do with a Germany Schengen Visa?

• Visit the Schengen Area for tourism
• See your family or friends
• Make stopovers at an airport in the Schengen zone
• Do non-remunerated business
• Attend business meetings, conferences, or other business activities
• Do a recreational course of up to 30 days (for example, a dance course)
• Participate in congresses as a listener or speaker (without charging fees)

What can I not do with the Germany Schengen Visa?

• Remunerated business (paid work)
• Receive medical treatment
• Marry or register a civil partnership

Who can apply for a Germany Schengen Visa?

Most foreign travelers must go through all the requirements and interview procedures to obtain a Schengen visa.

Passport holders from the following countries can visit the Schengen zone without a Schengen Visa:

• EU citizens
• Schengen citizens
• United States
• United Kingdom
• Australia
• New Zealand
• Canada

How long is the Germany Schengen Visa valid?

If you have a Schengen visa, you can visit Germany and the Schengen zone for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.

This means you can enter the Schengen zone and Germany and travel between them as often as you like, as long as you do not exceed the cumulative 90-day limit.

Which documents do I need to apply for the Germany Schengen Visa?

Some of the documents you need for the Germany visa application are:

• A copy of your valid passport: It must be valid for at least 6 months after your planned arrival date and have at least 3 blank pages.

• Proof of your travel plans: This can be a return ticket to your home country or confirmed hotel reservation(s).

• Proof of sufficient funds: Bank statements or a letter from your employer stating your income.

• Travel/medical insurance: This travel health insurance must cover medical expenses and repatriation in an emergency.

• Two passport-sized photos

• Visa application form: Completed in English or German. The form should be correctly and honestly filled out, printed, and signed.

You may need to provide additional documents for any dependents traveling with you, such as children.

Those who meet these basic requirements should have no problem getting their Germany visa applications approved. The German authorities will place your Schengen visa in your passport after approval.

How to apply for the German Schengen Visa

To apply for the Germany Schengen Visa, visit the website of the German Embassy or Consulate in your home country.

Costs and processing times of the Germany Schengen Visa

The government visa fee is €80 (about US$85).

A visa for children between 6 and 12 years of age costs half the government fee, and children younger than 6 are free.

Do I need a German Schengen Visa if I’m transiting through the country?

Transit Schengen visas are issued to some nationals who only want to enter the Schengen area to change transportation means.

There are two transit visa categories:

1. Airport Transit Schengen Visa
2. Transit Schengen Visa for Seafarers

Check with your nearest German Embassy if you must apply for a transit visa.

Entry requirements and restrictions in Germany

Currently, there are no COVID-19 testing, vaccination, or quarantine requirements to enter Germany or the Schengen Zone.

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