Germany VISA Information, Requirements & Application Form

Travelling to Germany has never been more organized and stress-free, no matter what the purpose of your travel is. Due to the Schengen Agreement reached in 1985, the citizens of the Schengen member states can travel visa-free throughout the territory. On the other hand, nationals of non-Schengen countries are permitted to enter the whole area with one unified document known as the Schengen Visa.

Schengen Area Countries The Schengen’s main purpose is to abolish border control between member states, which allows free and equal access to the citizens of any of the below-mentioned countries, including Germany.

When in Germany, you are allowed to visit all the other members of the Schengen Zone: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and Liechtenstein.

Nevertheless, there are always exceptions to the rule. Depending on your nationality, you may or may not be required to obtain a Schengen visa first to be permitted to enter the Schengen Zone and Germany at the same time.

The short-stay Schengen visa allows its holders to enter and reside in Germany for a maximum period of 90 days (3 months) within a 180-day period. However, you are not entitled to engage in a paid activity during this time.

Here you will understand whether you need a visa to enter Germany and, if yes, how to apply for and obtain one.

Do I need a German visa?

This is the first question that should pop into your mind when you decide to make a trip to Germany. Currently, citizens of 62 countries can enter Germany visa-free for the purpose of tourism/visiting and business doing for periods shorter than 90 days within a 180-day period. Starting from May 2025, you will be required to apply for ETIAS to enter Germany.

If you are not a national of any of these 62 countries that have established a visa-free regime with the European Union, then you will need to obtain a visa first, to be permitted to enter Germany. On the other hand, even if you are a passport holder of any of these countries, but your purpose is other than tourism or business, and you need to remain in Germany for more than 90 days within a 6-month period, then you will still need to obtain a visa.

Germany Visa Types

Depending on the purpose of your travel to Germany, different types of visas will apply to your situation. Whether you are planning to visit Germany, study or work, or even settle there permanently, you will have to apply for a different Schengen visa, accordingly.

These are the most frequent German visa types:

Tourist & Visitor Visa – for people who wish to visit Germany to visit friends and relatives or just to sightsee and experience the country and its culture.
Family Reunion Visa to Join a Relative or a Partner – which is a visa for family members of German residents who wish to join them in Germany.
Job Seeker Visa – gives its holder the opportunity to come to Germany and seek a job.
Studying & Language Learning Visa – for foreigners who wish to enter the country with the sole purpose of attending a language course or to continue their studies at an educational institution in Germany.
Working Visa – for people who have gotten a job in Germany.
Business Visa – for business people who need to remain in Germany for a period longer than 90 days within 6 months, with the purpose of doing business.
Airport Transit Visa – which is required for a very limited number of third-world nationals who need to pass through one of the German airports on their way to their final destination.
Guest Scientist Visa – for scientists or researchers who have been invited by an institution to carry out a study or research.
Training/Internship Visa – a visa that allows nationals of third-world countries to attend a training or internship.
Medical Treatment Visa – has been established to permit foreigners with different illnesses and medical conditions to enter Germany and seek medical treatment
Trade Fair & Exhibitions Visa – for people planning to participate in a trade fair or exhibition.
Visa for Cultural, Film Crew, Sports, and Religious Event Purpose – for people who are planning to enter Germany under the purpose of participating at a Cultural, Sports, and Religious event or as part of a Film Crew.

Germany Visa Requirements

Although a unified document, requirements for obtaining a German Visa differ from one Schengen country to another. Germany, however, is quite demanding on the issue, and it is recommendable to fulfil each request meticulously to the last detail. Usually, the German embassy in each country has an updated checklist of the Germany Visa requirements for each type of visa.

The following documents are required for any Germany visa application:

Application Form – duly completed with correct and honest answers that comply with the information in the other required documents. Do not forget that you can download the Germany Visa Application form here on our website.
Passport – according to the passport requirements of the German embassy, among which validity of three months beyond your planned stays in the Schengen.
Photo – which must be taken within the last three months and according to the other photo standards set by the German embassy.
Health Insurance – a document that confirms you have obtained travel health insurance that covers illnesses and accidents, and even repatriation in case of death, as well as the whole Schengen Area with a minimum coverage of € 30.000.
Travel Itinerary – that includes proof of your round trip flight/travel reservations or other documents that show intended transport, as well as proof of what you are planning to do in Germany within the period that you wish to Remain
Proof of Financial Means – a document that proves you have the money to finance yourself during your planned stay in Germany. This can be a recent bank statement that shows you have enough funds to spend at least 45€ per each day spent in Germany. If proof of owner financing is not possible, the applicant can submit a formal declaration of a third person who is willing to finance their travel and stay in Germany alongside with proof of their financial means.

Depending on your visa type and in some cases in your country of residence and nationality, there are also other Germany visa requirements which you will need to submit as required by the embassy or consulate where you will be applying in your home country.

Germany Visa Application Process

Applying for the Schengen visa includes a sequence of events in-between yourself and the designated Embassy, in this case the German Embassy in your home country. Between handing the proper documentation and getting an answer, here is a step-by-step guideline of the Germany visa application process.

Ask the embassy for a checklist of the required documents for the visa type you wish to apply for.
Fulfil the application form with the correct information and obtain the required documents for your visa.
Appoint an interview at the German embassy in your country of residence. The earliest you can schedule the appointment is six months before your trip.
Pay the visa fee and save the receipt to show later to the consular officer during the interview.
Show up on time at the embassy for your meeting with all the required documents with you arranged in the given order. The meeting will last around ten minutes, during which the consular officer will look at your documents and ask a few questions regarding your background and the purpose of your trip to Germany.

Germany Visa Fee

Germany Visa fees differ depending on the type of visa you are applying for, thus the motif of your travel. German and Europe visas, in general, are quite cheaper than visas to the US, Canada, or even India. Moreover, you can explore most of the old continent with a single visa.

Generally, a German short-stay visa fee is EUR 80, whereas a long-stay visa is EUR 75. However, you should check it out since there are some visa fee exemptions for a few categories of applicants.

Germany Visa Processing

It is a general rule that the German embassies around the world, which are the only competent bodies to assess the applications, shall process a German visa application for about 10 to 15 working days.

There may be delays depending on the number of applications or, in some cases, depending on the applicant’s specific situation.

Germany Visa Information