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Important information regarding the use of the web-based visa-application form.

Important Information: If you are using a Microsoft Windows device with touchpad function, please make sure to disable this function before opening VIDEX in order to avoid freezing of the screen. Blank or handwritten application forms cannot be accepted!

VIDEX - General User Guidelines

Welcome to VIDEX, the software of the Federal Republic of Germany which enables you to complete your application form for a Schengen visa online. We want to make VIDEX as easy as possible, so here is all the relevant information on how to use VIDEX and how to submit your application.

You will find the link to download the application below.

Please read the following information carefully before starting to enter your data in VIDEX!

When can I use VIDEX?

VIDEX is designed only for applications for a short-term visa for a stay of up to 90 days in the Schengen states (Schengen visa). Applications for visas for longer stays in Germany (e.g. for studies, work, family reunion) cannot be completed using VIDEX, with the exception of diplomats who will be posted to Germany for more than three months (in the application, please state a period of stay for only up to three months after the intented day of entry).

Technical specifications

You will need the following hardware and software to use VIDEX:

• Microsoft Windows 7
• Firefox 8.0 or Internet Explorer IE 8
• Adobe Acrobat Reader 10

Preparing to complete your visa application

If you have started to complete the form but then stop working on it for more than 10 minutes, your data will be deleted! In order to avoid this, please have the following documents at hand before starting to complete the form:

• your travel document Please note that your travel document must be valid for at least three months after the end of your planned trip. Only travel documents that have been issued ( not extended! ) during the past 10 years can be endorsed with a visa.
• your travel or flight schedule
• an address in Germany
• hotel reservation, if applicable
• letter of invitation, if applicable

To complete the application

Choose a language.

Choose the language for your application form (only English or German).

Permitted characters

Please answer all questions using Latin letters. Applications completed using other characters cannot be saved or printed.

The following special characters are also permitted: ÄÖÜß.+-,’. In fields requiring an email address “@” is permitted as well.

Entering dates

If asked for dates, please enter the data as follows (Gregorian calendar): year (4 digits)-month (2 digits)-day (2 digits), separated with a hyphen (-).

To save an application

You can save your application on your computer once you have entered at least the family name and date of birth. The application will be saved in the file on your computer that you have chosen as the designated storage space for all data downloaded from the internet. If you would like to save it in a different location please choose one in your browser.

To print a visa application

In order to print a visa application you will have to fill in the form completely and answer all relevant questions.

Printing includes:

• the application form ( please remember to sign the form )
• instruction according to Section 55 (2) (1) of the Residence Act (please sign the instruction)
• barcodes with your VIDEX-encrypted data

To apply for a visa

You cannot submit your visa application online. You must apply for a visa at the responsible German Embassy or Consulate General.

To apply please bring the following documents with you:

• visa application form (please sign this form)
• complete supporting documents. The required documents depend on the type of visa you are applying for. Please refer to the information provided on the website of the German Missions.

Which German Embassy or Consulate General is responsible?

Where you can hand in your visa application depends on your place of habitual residence . To find out which of the nine German Missions in the US is responsible for you, please use our interactive consulate finder below.

Schengen Visa Application Form (VIDEX)

Download the application form using the link below.

Consulate Finder

Find out which German Mission can assist you by using our Consulate Finder.

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Essential Travel Documents for Germany: What You Need to Carry

Planning a trip to germany ensure a smooth journey by carrying the necessary documents. some essential documents include a valid passport, visa (if required), travel insurance, and proof of accommodation. don't forget to double-check the specific requirements based on your nationality and the purpose of your visit..

Key Takeaways:

• Valid passport and visa requirements must be met when traveling to Germany, depending on your country of origin.
• Health insurance coverage with a minimum of 30,000 euros is mandatory for tourists entering Germany.
• Having a travel itinerary, proof of financial means, and relevant documents can facilitate entry into the country.

Essential Documents for Traveling to Germany

Passport and visa requirements.

When planning your trip to Germany, the foremost document you need is a valid passport. Ensure that your passport has at least six months validity remaining from the date you plan to leave Germany. For many travellers, depending on your country of origin, you will also require a visa. Citizens of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA), and Switzerland can enter Germany without a visa. For non-EU/EEA nationals, it’s essential to check if a Schengen visa is required.

For comprehensive visa information, visit the official website of the Federal Foreign Office of Germany.

Health Insurance

It’s mandatory for tourists entering Germany to have valid health insurance coverage. This insurance should cover all risks for the entire duration of your stay. The health insurance policy should have a minimum coverage of 30,000 euros and be acceptable in all Schengen countries.

Travel Itinerary

While not always checked, having a copy of your travel itinerary can smooth entry into the country. This includes:

• Flight Tickets : For both your entry and exit from Germany.
• Hotel Reservations : Proof of where you will be staying during your visit.
• Tour Bookings : If applicable, show your planned activities and travel within the country.

Proof of Financial Means

One of the critical conditions when visiting Germany is the ability to prove that you have enough funds to support your stay. This could be shown through:

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Hawaii visa process: everything you need to know, guide to filling out the customs declaration form 6059b in the us.

• Bank Statements : Recent statements that show you have sufficient balance.
• Sponsor Letter : If someone is covering your costs, a letter from them confirming this support.

Invitation Letter

If visiting friends or family, an invitation letter can facilitate your entry into Germany. This document should detail the purpose of your visit, the relationship with the person inviting you, and the duration of your stay. The host may also need to provide proof of accommodation and financial stability.

Additional Documents for Specific Travelers

Different requirements may apply for various categories of travelers:

• Business Visitors : Should carry an invitation from a German company and details of their business contacts.
• Students : Require an admission letter from the German educational institution.
• Minors : Must have a signed travel authorization from their parents or legal guardians.

Final Checklist

Before you depart, do a final check to make sure you have all the necessary documents:

• Passport with 6 months’ validity
• Appropriate visa (if required)
• Valid health insurance policy
• Complete travel itinerary
• Proof of sufficient funds or sponsorship
• Invitation letter (if applicable)

Traveling with all the required documentation ensures a more seamless experience entering Germany and provides peace of mind so you can focus on enjoying your trip. Always check for any recent changes in travel requirements by consulting with the German Embassy or Consulate in your country, or by visiting Germany’s official immigration portal for the latest updates. Safe travels!

So there you have it, folks! The essential documents you need to conquer Germany like a pro. Don’t let passport woes ruin your bratwurst-eating, beer-sipping adventure. Remember to pack your passport, get that visa if needed, and don’t forget the all-important health insurance. Oh, and don’t be shy about inviting yourself to stay with friends, just make sure you have an invitation letter handy. For more travel tips and detailed info, check out visaverge.com. Happy exploring!

FAQ’s to know:

FAQ 1: What are the passport and visa requirements for traveling to Germany?

To travel to Germany, you will need a valid passport with at least six months of validity remaining from your planned departure date. Depending on your country of origin, you may also require a visa. Citizens of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA), and Switzerland can enter Germany without a visa. However, non-EU/EEA nationals should check if a Schengen visa is required. For detailed visa information, it is recommended to visit the official website of the Federal Foreign Office of Germany.

FAQ 2: Do I need health insurance when traveling to Germany?

Yes, it is mandatory for tourists entering Germany to have valid health insurance coverage. The health insurance should cover all risks throughout your entire stay and have a minimum coverage of 30,000 euros. The insurance must be acceptable in all Schengen countries.

FAQ 3: What additional documents should I prepare for traveling to Germany?

In addition to a valid passport, visa (if required), and health insurance, it is advisable to have the following documents:

• Flight tickets for both entry and exit from Germany.
• Hotel reservations as proof of accommodation during your visit.
• Tour bookings, if applicable, to demonstrate planned activities and travel within the country.
• Bank statements to prove sufficient funds or a sponsor letter if someone is covering your costs.
• An invitation letter, if you are visiting friends or family, detailing the purpose of your visit, relationship with the inviting person, and duration of your stay.

It’s important to note that specific additional requirements may apply to different types of travelers, such as business visitors, students, and minors. Before your departure, it is recommended to consult with the German Embassy or Consulate in your country, or visit the official immigration portal of Germany for any recent updates or changes in travel requirements.

What did you learn? Answer below to know:

• What is the minimum validity period required for a passport when traveling to Germany? a) 3 months b) 6 months c) 9 months d) 12 months
• What is the minimum coverage amount required for health insurance when traveling to Germany? a) 10,000 euros b) 20,000 euros c) 30,000 euros d) 40,000 euros
• Which of the following documents is required for minors traveling to Germany? a) Bank statements b) Proof of accommodation c) Invitation letter d) Signed travel authorization from parents or legal guardians

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Travel documents

Information about rights & duties, documents required from eu citizens, their family members who are not eu citizens, minors travelling alone and non-eu citizens when travelling across borders within the european union (id card, visa, passport).

The obligation to carry a valid passport or identity card when crossing the border continues to apply for travel within the European Union and to third countries. If you do not, you will be committing an administrative offence The amount of the corresponding fine may not be less than EUR 5.00 and may not exceed EUR 1.000. For third-country nationals and persons entitled to freedom of movement, the fine is EUR 3.000 (cf. Section 98 V in conjunction with III No 3 of the Residence Act (AufenthG) or Section 10 III in conjunction with IV of the Freedom of Movement Act/EU (FrizügG/EU).

Within the European Union, citizens with a nationality of a Member State of the European Union may also travel exclusively with their valid identity card and use it as a travel document. Concerning the necessary documents (passport and visa) enabling third-country nationals to travel within the European Union , please consult the website of the European Commission ( Your Europe Portal ).

For trips outside the European Union , a passport is usually required. It should be noted that some countries set certain requirements regarding the minimum validity of the passport. Various rules are applicable in this regard. In some countries, the passport must still be valid for at least 3 months, in others for 6 months.

Travel documents in the case of multiple nationalities

For visa-free travel within the European Union, citizens of the EU and of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland who hold more than one nationality must carry and present at checks a passport or identity card issued by the Member State of the European Union of which they are nationals. In such cases the passport of a non-EU country is not sufficient . The same applies to entry into or departure from third countries. Travellers may therefore be required to carry two passports or identity cards when travelling between the European Union, on the one hand, and a non-EU country, on the other: on the one hand, a passport of the EU Member State and, on the other hand, a passport of the country of destination.

Travel documents for minors

To facilitate travel, minors travelling alone and entering or leaving Germany - although not required by law - should carry a declaration of consent signed by the persons with legal custody of the child, in addition to their own valid travel document (passport, children's passport or identity card). Where possible, such declaration should be issued in the languages of the home country and of the country of destination.

It should specify:

• that the minor may travel alone
• the contact details of the parents with custody
• the route being travelled 
• the contact details of the accompanying adult(s), if applicable

Before the departure, it is important to make photocopies of the identity documents being used for the journey by the minor travelling alone and which could potentially be lost. This will make it easier to obtain a passport substitute while abroad if the passport/identity document is lost.

In the case of minors travelling alone or accompanied by only one parent, it is advisable to have the non-accompanying parent with custody issue a power of attorney with the contact details of the latter. This makes it possible to avoid delays at border controls, such as lengthy enquiries, and to deal with exceptional situations. This allows border guards to contact the non-accompanying parent if there are any doubts about the situation.

Border checks on minors are carried out in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/399 . ( Schengen Borders Code ). Under Article 20(1)(f) of this Regulation, in conjunction with Annex VII, border guards must pay particular attention to minors. This is to prevent the minor from being unlawfully removed from the parent with custody or to prevent the minor from leaving the territory against the wishes of the parent with custody. In addition, in certain situations it may also be sensible, as a precautionary measure, for the minor to carry a power of attorney from the non-accompanying parent with custody, for example in the event of illness during the journey. In this way, for example, the doctor can clearly establish who has authority to make decisions on behalf of the travelling child for the initiation of any necessary medical treatment.

Validity of travel documents for minors

If you want to apply for a document that will remain valid for several years for your child, you can apply for an identity card or a passport . With an identity card, your child can easily travel across borders within the EU. Identity cards for children are valid for a maximum of 6 years. If you are planning an international trip beyond the EU, you should apply for a passport for your child. Passports for children are valid for a maximum of 6 years.

Please note : The facial appearance of infants and very young children can change so much within six years that identification with the original identity document is sometimes no longer possible even well before the printed end of validity is reached, rendering the identity document prematurely invalid. In this case, please apply for a new identity card or passport for your child in good time before the start of your journey.

If you need an identity document for your child for only one journey, you can also apply for a child passport . The child passport has a maximum period of validity of 12 months. If the twelfth year of life is completed within these twelve months, the validity may not extend beyond the completion of the twelfth year of life.

Lost passport or ID card

If a passport or identity document has been lost abroad, citizens should obtain a police statement confirming the loss, and submit this to their embassy or consulate general along with their application for a travel document as a passport substitute. Authorities in Germany cannot be contacted for queries at weekends or on public holidays, so please remember that documents can only be issued on the next working day. EU citizens who lose their passports in a third country (non-Schengen countries) where there is no diplomatic or consular representation of their home country can turn to the consulates or embassies of other EU countries for the issue of an emergency travel document.

Any photocopies of lost identity documents that you have brought with you for the trip will facilitate the issuing of a passport substitute abroad, as well as the process of reapplying before the passport/identification authority in Germany.

Please note : Identity documents that have been reported lost or stolen should not be used as travel documents if they are found again. Even if a lost travel document has in the meantime been reported as recovered to the passport authority, this does not automatically lead to the immediate deletion of the loss record in the Interpol database or to this deletion being reflected in national databases of states around the world. For this reason, border police frequently confiscate recovered identity documents because the documents in question are still registered as missing in the system.

Expired passport or ID card

In the case of an expired passport or identity card, the Federal Police can issue a travel document as a passport substitute for German nationals to enable them to travel for a limited period of time. This only applies if the issuance of a (temporary) travel document at a passport office can no longer be expected in time. In order to be able to return to Germany after completing their journey, German nationals must apply for a travel document as a passport substitute at the competent embassy or consulate in good time before returning. Please refer to the comments under lost passport or identity card.

The German Federal Police can also issue an emergency travel document for EU citizens if their passport or the ID card issued by their home country has expired. EU citizens whose travel document has been lost or stolen in Germany should first try and obtain replacement identity papers from the embassy of their home country; it is only in the event that this would cause an undue burden that the German Federal Police or local immigration authorities may issue emergency travel documents upon request and upon presentation of a police report attesting to the loss. Replacement documents may usually only be issued to children and persons under the age of 18 with the consent of their legal representative. Proof of identity and nationality must be evidenced by official documents. These can be, for example, an expired passport or passport substitute.

Germany has agreements with certain EU Member States under which German travel documents may in principle be recognised by those countries as proof of identity for up to 1 year after expiry. Further information about this can be found on the Council of Europe website under the European Agreement on the Regulations governing the Movement of Persons between Member States of the Council of Europe (CETS No. 025).

However, this European agreement does not guarantee travel, nor does it make recognition of the expired documents mandatory, for example by transport companies. In order to avoid any problems when travelling with expired documents, it is advisable to always travel with valid documents .

Further information

For information about specific rules in certain destination countries and about travel and safety information for German nationals, please check the website of the German  Federal Foreign Office (in German).

You can also obtain information about the applicable rules in the destination country from the relevant country's mission (in German).

The German Federal Foreign Office website provides information on the application documents required and consular assistance available in the event of l oss of your passport (in German).

Further information is available from the Bundespolizei (German Federal Police).

Documents you need for travel in Europe

Check what travel documents you'll need to cross the border into another EU country. And find out what documents you need for your spouse, children or other relatives if they are not EU nationals.

Legal basis

Act on the Residence, Economic Activity and Integration of Foreigners in the Federal Territory, Residence Act

Aufenthaltsverordnung  (German)

Act on the General Freedom of Movement for EU Citizens, Freedom of Movement Act/EU

European Agreement on Regulations governing the Movement of Persons between Member States of the Council of Europe (ETS No. 025)

Responsible for the content Federal Ministry of the Interior and Community

Last update or date of publication 20.02.2023

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• Passports, travel and living abroad
• Travel abroad
• Foreign travel advice

Entry requirements

This advice reflects the UK government’s understanding of current rules for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK, for the most common types of travel.

The authorities in Germany set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact Germany’s embassy or consulate in the UK .

COVID-19 rules

Countries may restrict travel or bring in rules at short notice. Check with your travel company or airline for changes.

If you test positive for COVID-19, you may need to stay where you are until you test negative. You may also need to seek treatment there.

Visit TravelHealthPro (from the UK’s National Travel Health Network and Centre) for general COVID-19 advice for travellers .

Passport validity requirements

If you plan to visit an EU country (except Ireland), or Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino or Vatican City, you must follow the Schengen area passport requirements .

Your passport must be:

• issued less than 10 years before the date you enter the country (check the ‘date of issue’)
• valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave (check the ‘expiry date’)

You must check your passport meets these requirements before you travel. If your passport was issued before 1 October 2018, extra months may have been added to its expiry date.

Contact the German Embassy in the UK if you think that your passport does not meet both these requirements. Renew your passport if you need to .

If you hold a valid residence permit, passport validity requirements are less strict. In this case, your passport only needs to be valid for the duration of your stay (check the ‘expiry date’). Before applying to extend a German residence permit , you will need to renew an expired passport and present your new passport to the local Foreigners Authority (Ausländerbehörde).

Passport stamping

At German border control, you may need to:

• show a return or onward ticket
• show you have enough money for your stay

Check your passport is stamped if you enter or exit the Schengen area through Germany as a visitor. Border guards will use passport stamps to check you’re complying with the 90-day visa-free limit for short stays in the Schengen area. If relevant entry or exit stamps are not in your passport, border guards will presume that you have overstayed your visa-free limit.

You can show evidence of when and where you entered or exited the Schengen area, and ask the border guards to add this date and location in your passport. Examples of acceptable evidence include boarding passes and tickets.

If you live in Germany, read our Living in Germany guide for passport stamping information.

Visa requirements

You can travel to countries in the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. This applies if you travel:

• as a tourist
• to visit family or friends
• to attend business meetings, cultural or sports events
• for short-term studies or training

If you are travelling to Germany and other Schengen countries without a visa, make sure your whole visit is within the 90-day limit. Visits to Schengen countries within the previous 180 days before you travel count towards your 90 days.

To stay longer (for example, to work, study or for business), you must meet the German government’s entry requirements. Check which type of visa or work permit you need with the German Embassy in the UK .

If you are travelling to Germany for work , read the guidance on visas and permits. The German Embassy has detailed information on employment regulations.

If you stay in Germany with a residence permit or long-stay visa, this does not count towards your 90-day visa-free limit.

Proof of residence

If you live in Germany, read our Living in Germany guide for information on carrying proof of residence while travelling.

Vaccination requirements (other than COVID-19)

At least 8 weeks before your trip, check what vaccinations and vaccination certificates you may need in TravelHealthPro’s Germany guide .

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods you can take into and out of Germany . You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

Taking food and drink into the EU

You cannot take meat, milk or products containing them into EU countries. There are some exceptions for medical reasons, for example certain amounts of powdered infant milk, infant food, or pet food needed for medical reasons. Check the rules about taking food and drink into the EU on the European Commission website.

Taking money into Germany

British nationals have been arrested for having counterfeit currency. Only change money in banks or legitimate currency exchange offices.

You must declare any amount above 10,000 euros in cash or other payment types. You can find more information on the German Federal Foreign Office website.

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Travelling Abroad for Refugees

Can i travel outside germany.

Do you wish to pack your bags and go away for a while? Whether you want to travel for work- or family-related reasons or would like to have a holiday abroad, it is not always clear which countries you are permitted to go to as a refugee. Here, we try to clarify which countries you are allowed to travel to with your residence status and travel document as a refugee.

In principle, Foreign citizens in Germany are required to have a valid passport or a substitute passport. The issuing and renewal of foreign citizens' passports is usually the responsibility of the embassy or consulate of their country of origin. 

However, certain groups of people are exempt from this regulation, for whom a passport substitute could be issued:

• Persons entitled to asylum and recognised “refugees” according to the Geneva Refugee Convention
• Stateless persons
• People who have subsidiary protection
• People for whom a national ban on deportation has been established and who have no reasonable opportunity to obtain a passport from their home country.

The mentioned groups are often issued a passport replacement document ("Passersatzpapier") in Germany, which exists in three forms:

• The travel document for refugees (Known as "Blauer Pass" or " Blue Passport ")
• The travel document for stateless persons
• The travel document for foreigners

In principle, you will be handed the travel document for refugees together with your residence permit at the Immigration Office. Learn more about the travel document for refugees in our chapter " Blue Passport ". As a stateless person or someone who is residing in Germany under subsidiary protection or due to a national ban on deportation, you must apply for the travel document for foreigners and stateless persons ("Grey Passport" or "Grauer Pass") at the relevant Immigration Office. You will need to prove to the authorities that it is not likely or feasible for you to obtain a passport from your home country. You can find the relevant Immigration Office at  bamf.de .

Can I travel abroad?

You will find all the essential information about the travel document for refugees in our chapter " Blue Passport ".

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In principle, you can travel abroad if you hold a travel document for foreigners or stateless persons (the so-called "Gray passport"). For most countries, however, you need a visa, plus, not all countries recognise the "Grey Passport" as a valid travel document. Before planning a trip, you should contact the embassy of the country in question to see whether they recognise your travel document and issue you a visa or not.  On the last page of this UNHCR report , you can see a list of countries which recognise the "Gray Passport". Whether you will be issued a visa depends on various factors such as your country of origin, nationality, your situation in Germany and alike, so it is difficult to predict the result of your visa application.

As someone who holds a "Grey Passport", you can go to all the Schengen States without a visa and stay there for up to three months. You can find a list of Schengen states at  auswaertiges-amt.de.

Please note:  You could lose your residence permit in Germany if you travel to your home country while residing in Germany under subsidiary protection or due to a national ban on deportation. If the Immigration Office learns about your trip, they can initiate a revocation procedure, and you could lose your protection and right of residence in Germany.

Important: What are the “Schengen states”?

The " Schengen States " are a group of countries in Europe that have agreed to keep their shared borders open to free travel. This means that residents of these countries can travel from one Schengen country to another without passport controls or visa requirements as if they were in their own country. This means that you are allowed to enter and travel within the Schengen States as a tourist for three months within a period of 180 days.

Not all European countries belong to the Schengen area. Some countries have decided against joining and are maintaining their own border controls. Therefore, it is always a good idea to find out before travelling whether the country you want to travel to is part of the Schengen area. If you are unsure whether you need a visa for your trip, visit our community platform “ Together in Germany ”– our community managers will be happy to help you with your questions.

If you reside in Germany under subsidiary protection or due to a national ban on deportation and still have a valid passport from your home country, you can use this passport to travel abroad and present your German residence permit to be allowed back into Germany. Whether you need a visa for your destination country depends on your country of origin.

In principle, you must not travel abroad during your asylum procedure and when holding a tolerated stay permit ("Duldung") . However, you can try to apply for an exemption– you might be allowed to travel, for example, and go on school trips (for school children). Or spend time with family on important occasions such as weddings or funerals.

Please note: You must definitely apply for your trip abroad to the Immigration Office in advance. You can find the Immigration Office responsible for you at bamf.de . Be sure to submit your application as early as possible, as processing your application can take a long time. Each application is examined individually.

A “ Fiktionsbescheinigung ” is a document issued when a decision has not yet been made regarding the residence permit for which one has applied, for example, when you want to extend your residence permit or apply for a new one.

In such cases, you will either receive a “ Fiktionsbescheinigung ” in accordance with Section 81, Paragraph 4 of the Residence Act or Section 81, Paragraph 3 of the Residence Act . With a “ Fiktionsbescheinigung ” in accordance with Section 81, Paragraph 4 of the Residence Act , you can move freely within the Schengen area and re-enter Germany with your recognised passport or passport substitute. However, the prerequisite for it is that you present the officially issued “ Fiktionsbescheinigung ” and the third box on page 3 of your “ Fiktionsbescheinigung ” is checked. Entry and exit stamps are affixed in the passport or passport substitute, not in the “ Fiktionsbescheinigung ”.

Unfortunately, this rule does not apply to “ Fiktionsbescheinigung ” issued in accordance with Section 81, Paragraph 3 of the Residence Act .

A “ Fiktionsbescheinigung ”, according to Section 81, Paragraph 3 Residence Act , is issued if you do not yet have a residence permit or your identity has not yet been verified. With a “ Fiktionsbescheinigung ” according to Section 81, Paragraph 3 Residence Act, staying in the federal territory and travelling within Germany is permitted. However, re-entry after a stay abroad is not allowed. This “ Fiktionsbescheinigung ” often reads "gilt nicht für Auslandsreisen"  to indicate that the holder is not allowed to travel abroad.

If you believe that your “ Fiktionsbescheinigung ” was issued incorrectly and needs to be changed, please contact your local Immigration Office.

Important : If you are not sure what type of “ Fiktionsbescheinigung ” you have, ask your local Immigration Office whether you are allowed to re-enter Germany or not. If you are planning a trip outside the Schengen area, also check with the authorities of the destination country whether you are allowed to enter and leave with the “ Fiktionsbescheinigung ”.

Please note that a visa may be required in addition to the “Fiktionsbescheinigung” depending on the destination . If you are unsure whether you need a visa for your trip abroad, you can visit our community platform, “ Together in Germany ”– our community managers will be happy to help you with your questions.

Important preparations before your trip

Travel health insurance is a type of insurance that covers your medical treatment costs during your trip. Since German health insurance at best only partially covers medical costs abroad, it always makes sense to take out an affordable travel health insurance that covers medical emergencies abroad. It is important to read the insurance conditions carefully and select the insurance cover according to your individual needs.

If you receive social benefits such as “Bürgergeld” from the Jobcenter, you are legally obliged to report your absence to them in good time. Contact your local Jobcenter before your trip and inform them about your absence . You can also do so online . After the Jobcenter has checked your application and if your absence is approved , you will receive your “Bürgergeld” and your health insurance payments will continue during your absence. However, if you are away for longer than 3 weeks or cannot be reached by the Jobcenter, your “Bürgergeld” and health insurance benefits will be cut.

If you reside in Germany as an asylum-seeker, recognised refugee, or an individual entitled to subsidiary protection or a national ban on deportation, you should not travel to your home country. If the Immigration Office or the BAMF learn about you visiting your country, they can initiate a revocation procedure as a result of which you could lose your right of residence in Germany.

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Do You Need A Visa To Travel To Germany?

• Last updated May 06, 2024
• Difficulty Beginner

• Category Travel

Traveling to Germany can be an exciting and enriching experience, but before packing your bags and booking your flights, it's important to understand the visa requirements for your visit. In this article, we will explore the question, Do you need a visa to travel to Germany? Whether you're planning a short-term visit or a long-term stay, understanding the visa process will ensure a smooth and hassle-free trip to this fascinating European destination. So, if you're curious about the visa requirements for Germany, read on to discover everything you need to know before embarking on your German adventure.

What You'll Learn

Visa requirements for travel to germany, exemptions from visa requirements for germany, applying for a visa to travel to germany, important information to know about visas for germany.

If you are planning to travel to Germany, it is important to understand the visa requirements before making any travel arrangements. Germany is a part of the Schengen Area, which allows for free movement of travelers within its member countries. However, depending on your citizenship, you may still require a visa to enter Germany. In this article, we will outline the visa requirements for travel to Germany.

Citizens of certain countries are exempted from obtaining a visa for Germany if their stay is for less than 90 days within a 180-day period. These countries include the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, and many others. However, it is important to note that even though a visa may not be required, travelers must still meet certain entry requirements, such as having a valid passport and a return or onward ticket.

If you are not a citizen of one of these exempted countries, you will need to apply for a visa before traveling to Germany. The type of visa you need depends on the purpose of your visit. The most common types of visas for Germany are:

• Schengen Visa: This visa allows for short-term stays in Germany and other Schengen Area countries for purposes such as tourism, business meetings, or visiting family and friends. The Schengen Visa is valid for a maximum of 90 days within a 180-day period.
• National Visa: This visa is required for long-term stays in Germany, exceeding 90 days. It is meant for purposes such as employment, study, research, or marriage to a German citizen. The National Visa allows you to stay in Germany for a specific period of time, as stated on the visa.

To apply for a visa, you will need to visit the German embassy or consulate in your home country. The application process usually involves filling out an application form, providing necessary documentation (such as a valid passport, recent passport-sized photographs, travel insurance, proof of accommodation, and financial means to cover your stay), and paying a visa fee. It is advisable to start the application process well in advance of your planned travel date, as it may take some time to process the visa.

It is important to note that the visa requirements and application process may vary depending on your country of citizenship. It is recommended to check the website of the German embassy or consulate in your home country for specific information and guidelines. Additionally, if you are traveling to Germany for a specific purpose, such as work or study, it may be helpful to consult with the relevant German authorities or your employer or educational institution for any additional requirements or procedures.

In conclusion, understanding the visa requirements for travel to Germany is crucial to ensure a smooth and hassle-free trip. If you are a citizen of an exempted country, you can enter Germany for up to 90 days without a visa. If you are not exempted, you will need to apply for a visa before your trip. Make sure to gather all the necessary documentation and complete the application process well in advance to avoid any last-minute complications. Remember to check the specific requirements for your country of citizenship and the purpose of your visit. Safe travels!

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Germany is a popular destination for travelers from all over the world. Whether you are planning a vacation, a business trip, or visiting loved ones, it is important to know if you need a visa to enter Germany. Thankfully, there are several exemptions from visa requirements that you may fall under.

Citizens of European Union (EU) countries, as well as citizens of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland, are not required to obtain a visa to travel to Germany. These individuals have the right to freedom of movement within the EU and can enter and stay in Germany for up to 90 days without a visa.

Similarly, citizens of certain non-EU countries are also exempt from visa requirements for short stays in Germany. These countries include the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and South Korea, among others. Citizens from these countries can enjoy visa-free travel to Germany for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. It is important to note that the purpose of the visit must be for tourism, business meetings, or visiting friends and family. If you plan to work, study, or stay in Germany for longer than 90 days, you will need to apply for a visa.

In addition to the aforementioned exemptions, there are other categories of travelers who do not need a visa to enter Germany. These include:

• Diplomatic passport holders: Holders of diplomatic passports, as well as certain other categories of official passports, are exempt from visa requirements for Germany. They can enter and stay in Germany for as long as their official assignment requires without a visa.
• EU Blue Card holders: This visa category is specifically for highly skilled professionals from outside the EU. If you hold an EU Blue Card issued by another EU country, you can enter Germany without a visa and work there for up to 90 days. After that, you will need to apply for a national residence permit.
• Family members of EU citizens: If you are a non-EU national who is a family member of an EU citizen, you can enter Germany without a visa if you are accompanying or joining the EU citizen. This applies to spouses, children, and certain other family members.
• Transit passengers: If you are transiting through Germany to another Schengen country or a non-Schengen destination, you do not need a visa as long as you do not leave the international transit area of the airport.

It is important to remember that even if you are exempt from visa requirements, you will still need to meet certain criteria upon arrival in Germany. This includes having a valid passport, sufficient funds to cover your stay, and proof of return or onward travel. It is also advisable to carry any necessary supporting documents, such as invitation letters, hotel reservations, or travel itineraries, to avoid any complications during the immigration process.

While these exemptions can simplify the entry process for many travelers, it is always recommended to check the latest information and requirements with the German Embassy or Consulate in your country of residence before making any travel arrangements. By doing so, you can ensure a smooth and hassle-free journey to Germany.

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Traveling to Germany can be an exciting adventure, whether you're planning to explore the vibrant city of Berlin, visit the picturesque Bavarian Alps, or immerse yourself in the rich history and culture of the country. However, before you embark on your journey, it's essential to determine whether you need a visa to travel to Germany.

Germany is a member of the Schengen Agreement, which allows for visa-free travel within the Schengen Area for citizens of certain countries. If you are a citizen of one of these countries, you can enter Germany and stay for up to 90 days without the need for a visa. Examples of countries in this category include the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and many others.

If you are not a citizen of a Schengen Agreement country, you will likely need to apply for a visa before your trip. The type of visa you need will depend on the purpose of your visit. Here are a few examples of different types of visas for traveling to Germany:

• Tourist Visa: This visa is suitable for individuals traveling to Germany for tourism or visiting family and friends. To apply for a tourist visa, you will need to provide proof of accommodation, travel insurance, a round-trip flight itinerary, and sufficient funds to cover your stay. The visa is usually valid for up to 90 days.
• Business Visa: If you are planning to visit Germany for business-related purposes, such as attending meetings, conferences, or negotiating contracts, you will need to apply for a business visa. You will need to provide a letter from your employer stating the purpose of your trip, an invitation letter from your business partners in Germany, and proof of sufficient funds. The business visa is also typically valid for up to 90 days.
• Study Visa: If you are planning to pursue higher education in Germany, you will need to apply for a study visa. You will need to provide an acceptance letter from a German educational institution, proof of health insurance coverage, and proof of financial means to support yourself during your studies. The study visa allows you to stay in Germany for the duration of your program.

To apply for a visa to Germany, you will typically need to visit the German embassy or consulate in your home country. The application process may involve filling out a visa application form, paying a fee, providing the necessary documents, and attending an interview. It's essential to check the specific requirements and procedures for your country of residence, as they may vary.

It is advisable to initiate the visa application process well in advance of your planned travel dates, as the processing times can vary. It's recommended to start the process at least two to three months before your intended departure date.

Once you have obtained your visa, make sure to check its validity and any conditions attached to it. Adhere to the duration of your stay and any other regulations specified by the visa to avoid any legal issues during your time in Germany.

In conclusion, traveling to Germany may require a visa depending on your nationality and the purpose of your visit. Make sure to determine whether you need a visa and follow the appropriate application process to ensure a smooth and hassle-free trip to this beautiful European country.

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If you are planning to travel to Germany, it is important to know whether a visa is required for your trip. Germany is a member of the Schengen Agreement, which allows for visa-free travel for citizens of certain countries. However, citizens of other countries will need to obtain a visa before they can enter Germany.

Here is some important information to know about visas for Germany:

• Visa-free travel: Citizens of the European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA), and Switzerland do not need a visa to enter Germany. They are allowed to stay for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Additionally, citizens of certain countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, and many others can also enter Germany without a visa for tourist or business purposes. However, it is important to check the latest visa requirements and restrictions before your trip as they might change.
• Schengen visa: If you are not from a visa-exempt country, you will need to apply for a Schengen visa to enter Germany. The Schengen visa is a short-stay visa that allows you to visit Germany and other countries within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. To apply for a Schengen visa, you will need to submit your application at the German embassy or consulate in your country of residence.
• Types of Schengen visas: There are different types of Schengen visas depending on the purpose of your trip. The most common types are:
• Tourist visa: This visa is for those who are visiting Germany for tourism purposes, such as sightseeing, visiting family or friends, or attending cultural events.
• Business visa: This visa is for those who are traveling to Germany for business purposes, such as attending meetings, conferences, or trade fairs.
• Transit visa: If you are transiting through Germany to another Schengen country, you might need a transit visa.
• Required documents: To apply for a Schengen visa, you will need to provide certain documents, including a valid passport, a completed application form, a recent passport-sized photograph, travel insurance, proof of accommodation, proof of financial means, and a detailed travel itinerary. It is important to check the specific requirements for your country of residence, as they may vary.
• Application process: The application process for a Schengen visa usually involves submitting your documents, paying a visa fee, and attending an interview at the German embassy or consulate. It is recommended to apply for the visa well in advance of your planned travel dates, as the processing time can vary.
• Long-stay visas: If you plan to stay in Germany for more than 90 days, you will need to apply for a long-stay visa or a residence permit. Long-stay visas are issued for purposes such as studies, work, family reunion, or research. The application process and requirements for long-stay visas are different from those for Schengen visas.

It is important to remember that visa requirements can change, and it is always a good idea to check the latest information before your trip. The German embassy or consulate in your country of residence will be able to provide you with the most up-to-date information and guidelines for visa applications.

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Frequently asked questions.

Yes, most travelers from countries outside the European Union will need a visa to enter Germany.

You can apply for a visa at the German consulate or embassy in your home country. You will need to provide required documents, such as a valid passport, proof of accommodation, travel insurance, and financial means.

The processing time for a visa application can vary depending on the country and the type of visa you are applying for. It can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks.

Yes, citizens of certain countries, such as the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and many European Union countries, do not need a visa to enter Germany for tourism or short-term business purposes. However, it is always recommended to check the latest visa requirements before traveling.

It may be possible to extend your visa while you are in Germany, depending on the type of visa and your circumstances. However, it is important to consult with the local immigration authorities or your embassy in Germany for specific instructions.

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What are you looking for?

Visa and entry to germany, welcome to germany.

Short-term visas are also called “Schengen-Visa” as they allow a stay up to 90 days in a 180-day timeframe in the Schengen area. A short-term visa is needed for any stay shorter than 90 days.

If you intend to stay longer than 90 days, you would have to apply for a long-term visa (also called “national visa”).

You can check here if you have to apply for a visa to travel to Germany.

You can check here if you need an Airport Transit visa.

You can check here if you need a visa if you have an Irish travel document.

In order to apply for a visa, you must make an appointment. Please check the relevant page below to find out how to book an appointment.

Visa Navigator

Short-term visa for germany, long-term visa for germany, visa applications faqs, skilled immigration act (fachkräfteeinwanderungsgesetz), complaints regarding the schengen-visa application process, general data protection regulation.

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What are you looking for?

I am a foreigner living in germany and am planning a trip abroad. do i need a valid passport and visa.

As a foreigner you are requested to hold a valid passport or document in lieu of a passport at any time. In general, the issuance and extension of foreign passports have to be applied for at the competent foreign missions in Germany, except for recognized asylum seekers, recognized refugees according to the Geneva Refugee Convention, stateless persons or those entitled to subsidiary protection. The mentioned groups are mostly issued a passport in lieu of a passport (Passersatzpapier) by the local Immigration Office (Ausländerbehörde) at the place of residence. There are three types of those documents:

- Travel document for refugees (“Blue Passport”)

- Travel document for stateless persons

- Travel document for foreigners

Holders of Blue Passports are in general allowed to travel to all the countries which have signed the Geneva Refugee Convention. Please note that for many of these countries, however, you may have to apply for a visa in advance. Information on visa provisions for non-German citizens wanting to travel to a third country can only be provided by the respective foreign mission of the country concerned. The addresses of the foreign missions in Germany are available here:

Foreign Missions in Germany

However, you are not allowed to travel to your country of origin - this would imply that you no longer need humanitarian protection; you risk losing your asylum in Germany if you travel to your home country.

Foreign nationals who are in possession of a valid German residence title (Aufenthaltstitel) may travel for a period of up to 90 days within 180 days to other Schengen-States, so do not need a visa. This applies as well to holders of a German Visa of the category “D”.

In both cases, general entry requirements of Article 6 Section 1 letters a, c and e of the Regulation ( EU ) 2016/399 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 March 2016 on a Union Code on the rules governing the movement of persons across borders (Schengen Borders Code) are fulfilled and the person is not listed by the relevant Member State as not permitted.

In case of doubt please get in touch with the competent mission of the country in Germany.

• Who are Member States of the Schengen Agreement?
• Vertretungen anderer Staaten: Länder A-Z
• Schengen Border Code
• Travelling abroad for refugees (Handbook Germany)
• Visa regulations
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Update April 12, 2024

Information for u.s. citizens in the middle east.

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U.S. Visa: Reciprocity and Civil Documents by Country

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Reciprocity Schedule

Select a visa category below to find the visa issuance fee, number of entries, and validity period for visas issued to applicants from this country*/area of authority.

Explanation of Terms

Visa Classification: The type of nonimmigrant visa you are applying for.

Fee: The reciprocity fee, also known as the visa issuance fee, you must pay. This fee is in addition to the nonimmigrant visa application fee (MRV fee).

Number of Entries: The number of times you may seek entry into the United States with that visa. "M" means multiple times. If there is a number, such as "One", you may apply for entry one time with that visa.

Validity Period: This generally means the visa is valid, or can be used, from the date it is issued until the date it expires, for travel with that visa. If your Validity Period is 60 months, your visa will be valid for 60 months from the date it is issued.

Visa Classifications

Country specific footnotes.

Although care has been taken to ensure the accuracy, completeness and reliability of the information provided, please contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you plan to apply if you believe this information is in error or if you have further questions.

Visa Category Footnotes

The validity of A-3, G-5, and NATO 7 visas may not exceed the validity of the visa issued to the person who is employing the applicant. The "employer" would have one of the following visa classifications:

• G-1 through G-4
• NATO 1 through NATO 6

An E-1 and E-2 visa may be issued only to a principal alien who is a national of a country having a treaty, or its equivalent, with the United States. E-1 and E-2 visas may not be issued to a principal alien if he/she is a stateless resident or national of a country without a treaty.  *When the spouse and children of an E-1 or E-2 principal alien are accorded derivative E-1 or E-2 status and are themselves a national of a country that does not have a treaty with the United States – the reciprocity schedule, including any reciprocity fees, of the principal alien’s country of nationality should be used.  **Spouse and children of an E-1 or E-2 visa principal applicant, where the spouse and children are also nationals of a country that has a treaty with the United States – the reciprocity schedule, including any reciprocity fees, of the spouse and children’s country of nationality should be used.  

*Example 1: John Doe is a national of Country A that has an E-1/E-2 treaty with the U.S. however his wife and child are nationals of Country B which has no treaty with the U.S. The wife and child would, therefore, be entitled to derivative status and receive the same reciprocity as John Doe, the principal visa holder. **Example 2:  Mike Doe is a national of Country Y that has an E-1/E-2 treaty with the U.S. however his wife and child are nationals of Country Z that also has a treaty with the U.S. The wife and child would, therefore, be entitled to derivative status and receive the reciprocity issued to nationals of Country Z.

The validity of H-1 through H-3, O-1 and O-2, P-1 through P-3, and Q visas may not exceed the period of validity of the approved petition or the number of months shown, whichever is less.

Under 8 CFR §214.2, H-2A and H-2B petitions may generally only be approved for nationals of countries that the Secretary of Homeland Security has designated as participating countries. The current list of eligible countries is available on USCIS's website for both H-2A and H-2B visas. Nationals of countries not on this list may be the beneficiary of an approved H-2A or H2-B petition in limited circumstances at the discretion of the Department of Homeland Security if specifically named on the petition.  

Derivative H-4, L-2, O-3, and P-4 visas, issued to accompanying or following-to-join spouses and children, may not exceed the validity of the visa issued to the principal alien.

There is no reciprocity fee for the issuance of a J visa if the alien is a United States Government grantee or a participant in an exchange program sponsored by the United States Government.

Also, there is no reciprocity fee for visa issuance to an accompanying or following-to-join spouse or child (J-2) of an exchange visitor grantee or participant.

In addition, an applicant is eligible for an exemption from the MRV fee if he or she is participating in a State Department, USAID, or other federally funded educational and cultural exchange program (program serial numbers G-1, G-2, G-3 and G-7).

However, all other applicants with U.S. Government sponsorships, including other J-visa applicants, are subject to the MRV processing fee.

Under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Canadian and Mexican nationals coming to engage in certain types of professional employment in the United States may be admitted in a special nonimmigrant category known as the "trade NAFTA" or "TN" category. Their dependents (spouse and children) accompanying or following to join them may be admitted in the "trade dependent" or "TD" category whether or not they possess Canadian or Mexican nationality. Except as noted below, the number of entries, fees and validity for non-Canadian or non-Mexican family members of a TN status holder seeking TD visas should be based on the reciprocity schedule of the TN principal alien.

Canadian Nationals

Since Canadian nationals generally are exempt from visa requirement, a Canadian "TN' or "TD" alien does not require a visa to enter the United States. However, the non-Canadian national dependent of a Canadian "TN", unless otherwise exempt from the visa requirement, must obtain a "TD" visa before attempting to enter the United States. The standard reciprocity fee and validity period for all non-Canadian "TD"s is no fee, issued for multiple entries for a period of 36 months, or for the duration of the principal alien's visa and/or authorized period of stay, whichever is less. See 'NOTE' under Canadian reciprocity schedule regarding applicants of Iranian, Iraqi or Libyan nationality.

Mexican Nationals

Mexican nationals are not visa-exempt. Therefore, all Mexican "TN"s and both Mexican and non-Mexican national "TD"s accompanying or following to join them who are not otherwise exempt from the visa requirement (e.g., the Canadian spouse of a Mexican national "TN") must obtain nonimmigrant visas.

Applicants of Iranian, Iraqi, Libyan, Somalian, Sudanese, Syrian or Yemeni nationality, who have a permanent resident or refugee status in Canada/Mexico, may not be accorded Canadian/Mexican reciprocity, even when applying in Canada/Mexico. The reciprocity fee and period for "TD" applicants from Libya is $10.00 for one entry over a period of 3 months. The Iranian and Iraqi "TD" is no fee with one entry over a period of 3 months.

Q-2 (principal) and Q-3 (dependent) visa categories are in existence as a result of the 'Irish Peace Process Cultural and Training Program Act of 1998'. However, because the Department anticipates that virtually all applicants for this special program will be either Irish or U.K. nationals, the Q-2 and Q-3 categories have been placed only in the reciprocity schedules for those two countries. Q-2 and Q-3 visas are available only at the Embassy in Dublin and the Consulate General in Belfast.

No S visa may be issued without first obtaining the Department's authorization.

V-2 and V-3 status is limited to persons who have not yet attained their 21st birthday. Accordingly, the period of validity of a V-2 or V-3 visa must be limited to expire on or before the applicant's twenty-first birthday.

Posts may not issue a T-1 visa. A T-1 applicant must be physically present in the United States, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands or a U.S. port of entry, where he/she will apply for an adjustment of status to that of a T-1. The following dependents of a T-1 visa holder, however, may be issued a T visa at a U.S. consular office abroad:

• T-2 (spouse)
• T-3 (child)
• T-4 (parent)

The validity of NATO-5 visas may not exceed the period of validity of the employment contract or 12 months, whichever is less.

The validity of CW-1 and CW-2 visas shall not exceed the maximum initial period of admission allowed by DHS (12 months) or the duration of the transition period ending December 31, 2014, whichever is shortest.

The validity of E-2C visas shall not exceed the maximum initial period of admission allowed by DHS (24 months) or the duration of the transition period ending December 31, 2014, whichever is shortest.

General Documents

Civil status certificates from former German areas east of Oder and Neisse (boundaries of 1938), now belonging to Poland or Russia, are difficult and sometimes impossible to obtain. After World War II, a number of these documents were returned to Germany. Information regarding these documents can sometimes be requested from local registrars' offices. More detailed information pertaining to these documents can be obtained at the Standesamt I in Berlin, Rueckerstr. 9, 10119 Berlin.

The following substitutes may be used for unavailable personal documents:

• The Familienstammbuch which some German families maintain. Births, marriages and deaths are entered in such books, and officially certified at the time of the event;

Extracts from church books and parish registers. Access to or copies of these books can be requested from the following archive offices: Evangelische Kirchenbuecher: Evangelisches Zentralarchiv Jebensstr. 3 10623 Berlin Katholische Kirchenbuecher: Bischoefliches Zentralarchiv St. Petersweg 11-13 93047 Regensburg

If the desired documents cannot be obtained, these archive offices will furnish a negative response (Negativbescheinigung). In such cases, it is generally recommended that the document-seeker apply for a Familienbuch under the provisions of section 15a of the German Law on Civil Status (Personenstandsgesetz), which is maintained by the civil registrar having jurisdiction over the family's place of residence. The civil registrar issues extracts or copies from these books that are fully recognized as formal certificates of birth, death, or marriage.

Birth, Death, Burial Certificates

Birth certificates.

Fees:  There is a fee for each certificate and for any additional copy. The same amount is charged for certificates issued on an "international" form.

Document Name: Geburtsurkunde

Issuing Authority: Local registrar's office (Standesamt) where the birth occurred.

NOTE: For former East Germany, this applies only to those civil status cases that occurred after October 2, 1990. For events occurring prior to this date, documents from this part of Germany are issued by the district office where the event occurred.

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Local registrar’s office official seal, signed by the recording official/ white paper/ different formats depending on issuance date

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Standesbeamter (recording official)

Registration Criteria: To be checked with issuing authority

Procedure for Obtaining: The requested certificates are usually mailed out by the registrar's office with the fees being collected on delivery. The applicant may enclose a self-addressed and stamped return envelope and use German postage stamps or a collection-only check for payment.

Certified Copies Available: Yes, “beglaubigte Abschrift aus dem Geburtsregister“

Alternate Documents: Auszug aus dem Geburtseintrag (extract from birth registration). This document is also issued by the German registration office (Standesamt) where the birth was registered.

Exceptions: None

Comments: In lieu of the birth certificate, you may also request an “Auszug aus dem Geburtenregister” (extract from the birth register). This document is a certified copy of the birth register listing name, date of birth, place of birth, name of parents, in case of adoption, name of adoptive parents.

Death Certificates

Fees: There is a fee for each certificate and for any additional copy. The same amount is charged for certificates issued on an "international" form.

Document Name: Sterbeurkunde

Issuing Authority: Local registrar's office (Standesamt) where the death occurred.

Certified Copies Available: Yes “ beglaubigte Abschrift aus dem Sterberegister“

Alternate Documents: Auszug aus dem Sterberegister; Extract from death registration; this document is also issued by the German registration office (Standesamt) where the death was registered.

Exceptions:  None

Comments:  None

Marriage, Divorce Certificates

Document Name: Heiratsurkunde, Eheurkunde

Issuing Authority: Local registrar's office (Standesamt) where the marriage occurred.

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: local registrar’s office official seal, signed by the recording official/ white paper/ different formats depending on issuance date

Certified Copies Available: Yes, “beglaubigte Abschrift aus dem Eheregister“

Alternate Documents: Auszug aus dem Heiratsregister; Extract from marriage registration; this document is also issued by the German registration office (Standesamt) where the marriage was registered.

Comments: None

Divorce Certificates

Fees: administration fee (about 25 Euro)

Document Name: Scheidungsurteil,  Scheidungsbeschluss

Issuing Authority: The divorce certificate can be obtained from the law court which made the decision of the dissolution of the marriage.

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: official seal, signed by the official registrar/ white paper/ different formats depending on issuance date

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Judicial Official as Registrar of the Court

Registration Criteria:   To be checked with issuing authority

Procedure for Obtaining:   Divorce certificates can be requested at the local district court

Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are available

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents

Comments: The annotation about the divorce listed on the Extract from marriage registration is not acceptable. 

Adoption Certificates

Fees:  Yes, different fees depending on the respective state

Document Name: Adoptionsbeschluss

Issuing Authority: The adoption certificates can be obtained at the law court where the adoption was finalized.

Procedure for Obtaining: Adoption certificates can be obtained at the law court where the adoption was finalized

Comments: A certified copy of the adoption court order is sent to the German registration office (Standesamt) which notes the adoption in the extract from birth registration. A certified copy of the adoption court order can also be obtained from the family law court (Familiengericht) where the adoption was finalized.

Identity Card

Fees: 22, 80 Euro or 28, 80 Euro depending on the age of the applicant.

Document Name: Personalausweis

Issuing Authority: Federal Republic of Germany (city or county of applicant’s current residency)

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: covered with multi-color  guilloches , appears green-brown from a distance/ plastic card with an embedded  RFID  chip in credit card size.

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Administrative clerk at local registrar’s office

Registration Criteria: Compulsory for everyone in Germany age 16 or older to possess either an identity card or a  passport

Procedure for Obtaining: Can be obtained in the registrar office of the district the person is residing.

Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are not available

Comments: Not required for immigration purposes

Police, Court, Prison Records

Police Certificates

Fees: The fee for every certificate of conduct is €13.

Document Name: Führungszeugnis, certificate of conduct, also referred to as a “police check”, “background check” or “criminal records check”

Issuing Authority: Bundesamt für Justiz (Federal Office of Justice)

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Printed on special green paper/ German Eagle in the background/ no signature or seal/ DIN A4 format

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Administrative Clerk at Federal Office of Justice

Registration Criteria: If a person is aged 14 or over, they are able to apply for a certificate of conduct.

Procedure for Obtaining: The application can be made verbally by personal appearance or in simple written form to the registration authority at the following addresses mentioned below. Former residents of Germany, no longer registered in Germany, can apply for an individual record through the German Embassy or Consulate in their country of residence, or directly with the Bundeszentralregister in Bonn. The application form is available at the German Embassy/Consulate, or directly from the Generalbundesanwalt beim Bundesgerichtshof Dienststelle Bundeszentralregister. Personal appearance: Besucherservice, Adenauerallee 99-103, 53113 Bonn. Their office hours are Mondays - Wednesdays: 7:30 - 16:00; Thursdays: 7:30 - 15:30; and Fridays 7:30 - 14:00. Written requests may be sent to: Der Generalbundesanwalt beim Bundesgerichtshof, Dienststelle Bundeszentralregister, Sachgebiet BZR 32 - Internationale Rechtshilfe, 53094 Bonn.

Alternate Documents: Strafregisterbescheinigung or Auszug aus dem Strafregister (extract from criminal record registration)

Exceptions None

Comments: More detailed information, in particular about application, fees and processing time on the website ( https://www.bundesjustizamt.de/EN/Topics/FederalCentralCriminalRegister/CertificateofConduct/CertificateofConduct_node.html

Military Records

Fees: There are no fees

Document Name: Wehrdienstbescheinigung, Wehrpass, Dienstzeugnis

Issuing Authority:  Bundeswehr

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: No special seal or signature/ white paper/ different formats depending on issuance date

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Administrative clerk at “Karrierecenter”

Registration Criteria: Must have served in military

Procedure for Obtaining: Please contact online:  „Karrierecenter der Bundeswehr“, then search by State (i.e. Hesse, Bavaria….), then you will be directed to the authorities to apply.

Alternate Documents: Wehrpass, Dienstzeugnis

Comments: Documents can no longer be obtained from the Kreiswehrersatzamt 

Passports & Other Travel Documents

Types Available (Regular, Diplomatic, Official, etc.):

Fees: Depending on the document type

Document Name:

Biometric Passport (ePass) : A Bordeaux-red, hard cover booklet with biometric chip and machine-readable zone.

Regular passport (Reisepass) : A bordeaux-red, hard cover booklet with a machine-readable passport card.

Temporary passport: A green, hard cover booklet with machine-readable zone, fully acceptable, issued to individuals who urgently need a passport, but cannot wait the processing time needed to issue the ePass.

Diplomatic passport : A dark blue, hard cover booklet, with or without machine-readable zone.

Departmental passport (Ministerialpass) : A black, hard cover booklet, issued to some higher federal and state officials, certain employees of the Foreign Office, other governmental employees on assignment abroad who do not qualify for diplomatic passports, as well as their spouses and children.

Service (official) passport (Dienstpass) : A red, hard cover booklet, issued to the majority of governmental officials for official travel, with or without machine-readable zone.

Children's Passport : Similar to the new temporary passport, dark red cover passport.

Issuing Government Authority: Federal Republic of Germany (city or county of applicant’s current residency)

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Please see above under document name

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Administrative clerk of local registration office

Registration Criteria: Issued to nationals of Germany

Procedure for Obtaining: Please contact the local registration office or citizen center (Bürgeramt) for further assistance (city or county of applicant’s current residency).

Comments: Children's Travel Document in Lieu of Passport (Kinderausweis): A light-green tri-fold with or without photo, issued to children under sixteen years of age. A child may have a normal passport (Reisepass). A Kinderausweis may be issued to non-FRG citizens permanently or temporarily residing in the FRG. Nationality is noted in the document. Please note this document is not acceptable for immigrant visa purposes.

Other Documents Available:

Travel Document for Recognized Refugees (Reiseausweis): A medium-blue hardcover booklet, issued in accordance with the 1951 Geneva Convention to asylees, refugees, and stateless persons who reside permanently or temporarily in the FRG. This document does not guarantee the holder an indefinite right to return to the FRG. The date until which return is guaranteed is specified in the document. (The German government also issues a Travel Document for Stateless Persons in accordance with the Geneva Convention of September 28, 1954.).  The document may contain a notation (“Die Personendaten beruhen auf den eigenen Angaben des Antragstellers”) stating that the individual’s identity has not been confirmed by German authorities and that identifying information is based solely on statements made by the alien. In those instances, a consular officer should request other evidence in order to establish the applicant’s identity.

Alien's Passport (Travel Document for Foreigners and Stateless Individuals - Fremdenpass): A medium-gray hardcover booklet issued to persons who evidently do not possess a passport or passport substitute and for whom it is unreasonable to demand that they obtain such a document. The document may include a notation (“Die Personendaten beruhen auf den eigenen Angaben des Antragstellers”) stating that the individual’s identity has not been confirmed by German authorities and that identifying information is based solely on statements made by the alien.  In those instances, a consular officer should request other evidence in order to establish the applicant’s identity.

Other Records

Certificates of residence.

Fees: Approx. 10 Euro

Document Name: Auszug aus dem Melderegister or Meldebescheinigung formerly Aufenthaltsbescheinigung

Issuing Authority: Registration office (Einwohnermeldeamt) of the applicant's place of residence

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Official seal and signature of local registration office

Registration Criteria: Must be registered with German authority

Procedure for Obtaining: Note:  Former residents of Germany may request personal documents from the proper German authorities in writing, or authorize residents of Germany to obtain such documents on their behalf.

Exceptions:   None

Comments: This document is not needed for immigrant visa purposes.

• Visa Issuing Posts

Post Title: U.S. Embassy in Berlin, Germany

Mailing Address: PSC 120 Box 3000 APO AE 09265

Street Address: Clayallee 170 14195 Berlin-Dahlem

Tel: +49 (0)30 8305-0 Fax: +49 (0)30 831-4926

E-mail: [email protected]

Visa Services: Nonimmigrant Visas Only

Comments / Additional Information: None

Post Title: U.S. Consulate General in Frankfurt, Germany

Street Address: Giessener Strasse 30 60435 Frankfurt am Main

Tel: +49-(0)69-7535-0

Fax: +49-(0)069-7535-2277

E-mail: [email protected] ; [email protected]

Visa Services: All categories, including K and E visa applications

Post Title: U.S. Consulate General in Munich, Germany

Street Address: Koeniginstrasse 5 80539 Munich

Tel: 49-(0)89-2888-0 Fax: 49-(0)89-280-9998

E-mail: [email protected]

Visa Services

All IV, E-1/E-2 and K NIV applications are serviced at Frankfurt.

Additional Information for Reciprocity

• Reciprocity: What's New
• Temporary Reciprocity Schedule
• Country Acronyms
• Terrorist Designation Lists
• State Sponsors of Terrorism
• Treaty Countries

Afghanistan

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Burkina Faso

Cayman Islands

Central African Republic

Congo the Democratic Republic of the

Curaçao

Czech Republic

Côte d'Ivoire

Dominican Republic

El Salvador

Equatorial Guinea

Guinea-Bissau

Iran, Islamic Republic of

Israel, Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza

Korea, Democratic People's Republic of

Lao People's Democratic Republic

Liechtenstein

Marshall Islands

Micronesia, Federated States of

Moldova, Republic of

Netherlands

New Caledonia

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Palestinian Authority

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Philippines

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Turkmenistan

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Visiting Germany as a foreign tourist: Who needs a visa?

What documents do tourists need to visit germany will a valid identity card or passport do and is any additional paperwork needed.

Whether you're into high culture, beer festivals or football — Germany makes for a fabulous holiday destination. But who needs a visa to visit?

Germany is a fantastic holiday destination year-round. With more medieval castles than you can count, vibrant cities, a rich history, famously hearty fare and Oktoberfest, the world's biggest beer festival, Germany offers something for everyone. Plus, this summer, it's playing host to the UEFA 2024 European Football Championship . So that's plenty of good reasons to spend a vacation in Germany.

ALSO READ: How to travel in Germany—an essential guide for tourists on the sights, weather and more

But what documents do tourists need to visit the country? Will a valid identity card or passport do? And is any additional paperwork needed?

Well, that depends on your nationality.

Last year, most foreign tourists staying in German holiday accommodation hailed from the Netherlands.

Dutch tourists, like all EU nationals, can visit Germany without any particular visa.

EU tourists

That is because EU citizens have the right to freedom of movement within the bloc, meaning they can enter and stay in any member state they choose for up to three months, provided they hold a valid identity card or passport.

So that makes it very easy for any citizen of the EU's 27 member states — which include France, Italy, Spain, Poland and others — to spend a holiday in Germany.

Swiss tourists

What about Swiss nationals? After all, last year, Swiss citizens made up the second-largest group of tourists in Germany, according to holiday accommodation stays.

Although Switzerland is not a member of the EU, its nationals enjoy freedom of movement in the bloc and vice versa. This means they, too, don't need a visa to visit Germany.

US tourists

In 2023, US nationals constituted the third largest group of tourists in Germany. Do they need a visa to enter the country? No, all that is required is a valid US passport.

This document is enough to freely enter and stay in any European Schengen area state — including Germany — for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.

The Schengen area currently comprises 29 European countries that do not conduct checks at their internal borders, thereby enabling easy cross-border travel.

US tourists should check, however, that their passports are valid for at least three months after the intended date of departure from Germany.

UK tourists

Although Britain left the EU in 2020, British passport holders may still visit any European Schengen area state — including Germany — without needing a visa, provided they do not stay for more than 90 days in a 180-day period.

Chinese tourists

Last year, Germany was also very popular with Chinese visitors, who made up the largest group of Asian tourists in the country.

Chinese nationals, however, require a Schengen area visa.

To apply, Chinese nationals need a range of documents, including two recent passport-style photos, a Chinese passport that has been issued in the last 10 years, proof of medical travel insurance and proof of sufficient financial means for the entire stay, a travel itinerary and proof of accommodation.

A Schengen visa costs €80 ($85) for adults and usually takes 15 to 30 days to be processed.

For a full list of visa requirements, please consult the VFS Global website.

What about tourists from other non-EU countries?

Many other nationalities, such as Indian and Indonesian citizens, must also obtain a Schengen visa if they want to visit Germany.

Please visit Germany's foreign office website for a comprehensive overview of visa requirements and exemptions for many more countries.

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COVID-19: travel health notice for all travellers

Germany travel advice

Latest updates: The Need help? section was updated.

Last updated: March 25, 2024 15:08 ET

On this page

Safety and security, entry and exit requirements, laws and culture, natural disasters and climate, germany - exercise a high degree of caution.

Exercise a high degree of caution in Germany due to the threat of terrorism.

Back to top

Petty crime

Petty crime, such as pickpocketing and bag snatching, occurs.

Organized groups of pickpockets often use distraction techniques and are particularly active in:

• major cities
• transportation hubs
• public transportation
• Christmas markets
• tourist attractions

There is a significant increase in stolen passports on trains, particularly during the summer and winter holiday season. 

Ensure that your belongings, including your passport and other travel documents, are secure at all times.

Violent crime

Violent crime is uncommon, but does occur.

Crimes committed by far-right extremists against individuals belonging to ethnic, religious or political minorities occur.

While tourists are not specifically targeted, you could find yourself in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Always be vigilant and aware of your surroundings.

Cybercrime occurs. Perpetrators may compromise public Wi-Fi networks to steal credit card or personal information.

• Avoid using unsecured public Wi-Fi networks
• Avoid making purchases on unencrypted websites
• Be cautious when posting information on social media
• Be particularly vigilant when contacting or meeting individuals known over the internet

Overseas fraud

There is a threat of terrorism in Europe. Terrorists have carried out attacks in several European cities. Terrorist attacks could occur at any time.

Targets could include:

• government buildings, including schools
• places of worship
• airports and other transportation hubs and networks
• public areas such as tourist attractions, restaurants, bars, coffee shops, shopping centres, Christmas markets, hotels and other sites frequented by foreigners

The Government of Germany maintains a public alert system on terrorism. Alert level changes are communicated through local media.

• Always be aware of your surroundings when in public places
• Be particularly vigilant if attending sporting events and during religious holidays and other public celebrations, as terrorists have used such occasions to mount attacks

More information about public security - Germany’s Federal Ministry of the Interior, Building and Community

Demonstrations

Demonstrations take place regularly. Even peaceful demonstrations can turn violent at any time. They can also lead to disruptions to traffic and public transportation.

• Avoid areas where demonstrations and large gatherings are taking place
• Follow the instructions of local authorities
• Monitor local media for information on ongoing demonstrations

Mass gatherings (large-scale events)

Strikes occur regularly, particularly in key sectors including aviation and ground transport. These strikes can sometimes complicate travel and disrupt services.

• Consult local media to be aware of strikes that may affect your stay or travel plans
• In the event of a transport strike, plan extra time to get to your destination

Mountain activities

If you intend to go hiking, mountaineering or skiing:

• never do so alone and always hire an experienced guide from a reputable company
• buy travel insurance that includes helicopter rescue and medical evacuation
• ensure that your physical condition is good enough to meet the challenges of your activity
• ensure that you are properly equipped and well informed about weather and other conditions that may pose a hazard
• inform a family member or friend of your itinerary, including when you expect to be back
• obtain detailed information on trekking routes or ski slopes before setting out and do not venture off marked trails or slopes

Road safety

Roads conditions and road safety are excellent throughout the country.

Pedestrians should exercise caution when crossing dedicated bicycle paths, as bicycles have right of way.

We do not make assessments on the compliance of foreign domestic airlines with international safety standards.

Information about foreign domestic airlines

Every country or territory decides who can enter or exit through its borders. The Government of Canada cannot intervene on your behalf if you do not meet your destination’s entry or exit requirements.

We have obtained the information on this page from the German authorities. It can, however, change at any time.

Verify this information with the  Foreign Representatives in Canada .

• Schengen area

Canadian citizens do not need a visa for travel to countries within the Schengen area. However, visa-free travel only applies to stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Stays are cumulative and include visits to any Schengen area country.

If you plan to stay in the Schengen area for a longer period of time, you will need a visa. You must contact the high commission or embassy of the country or countries you are travelling to and obtain the appropriate visa(s) prior to travel.

Useful links

• Foreign Representatives in Canada

Temporary border controls

The German government has reintroduced internal border controls at certain border crossings. You may be required to pass through immigration controls when entering Germany, even if arriving from another Schengen area country.

Entry requirements vary depending on the type of passport you use for travel.

Before you travel, check with your transportation company about passport requirements. Its rules on passport validity may be more stringent than the country’s entry rules.

Regular Canadian passport

Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond the date you expect to leave the Schengen area.

Passport for official travel

Different entry rules may apply.

Official travel

Passport with “X” gender identifier

While the Government of Canada issues passports with an “X” gender identifier, it cannot guarantee your entry or transit through other countries. You might face entry restrictions in countries that do not recognize the “X” gender identifier. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Other travel documents

Different entry rules may apply when travelling with a temporary passport or an emergency travel document. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

• Foreign Representatives in Canada
• Canadian passports

Tourist visa: not required for stays up to 90 days in any 180-day period Business visa: not required for stays up to 90 days Student visa: required

Extension of stay

As a tourist, you can’t stay in Germany longer than 90 days. If you wish to stay beyond this 90-day limit, you must apply for a residence permit and provide a valid reason.

If you unexpectedly have to stay beyond the 90-day limit, contact the Foreigners’ Registration Office (Ausländerbehörde) in the district you are staying in to regularize your extended stay.

Registration

If you intend to reside in Germany for more than 3 months, you must register at the local Residents‘ Registration Office (Einwohnermeldeamt), usually within 7 days of your entry into the country.

If you don’t, you may be fined.

Other entry requirements

Customs officials may ask you to show them a return or onward ticket and proof of sufficient funds to cover your stay.

Yellow fever

Learn about potential entry requirements related to yellow fever (vaccines section).

Children and travel

Learn more about travelling with children .

Relevant Travel Health Notices

• Global Measles Notice - 13 March, 2024
• COVID-19 and International Travel - 13 March, 2024

This section contains information on possible health risks and restrictions regularly found or ongoing in the destination. Follow this advice to lower your risk of becoming ill while travelling. Not all risks are listed below.

Consult a health care professional or visit a travel health clinic preferably 6 weeks before you travel to get personalized health advice and recommendations.

Routine vaccines

Be sure that your  routine vaccinations , as per your province or territory , are up-to-date before travelling, regardless of your destination.

Some of these vaccinations include measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, varicella (chickenpox), influenza and others.

Pre-travel vaccines and medications

You may be at risk for preventable diseases while travelling in this destination. Talk to a travel health professional about which medications or vaccines may be right for you, based on your destination and itinerary. 

Yellow fever is a disease caused by a flavivirus from the bite of an infected mosquito.

Travellers get vaccinated either because it is required to enter a country or because it is recommended for their protection.

• There is no risk of yellow fever in this country.

Country Entry Requirement*

• Proof of vaccination is not required to enter this country.

Recommendation

• Vaccination is not recommended.

* It is important to note that country entry requirements may not reflect your risk of yellow fever at your destination. It is recommended that you contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the destination(s) you will be visiting to verify any additional entry requirements.

About Yellow Fever

Yellow Fever Vaccination Centres in Canada

Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is a risk in some areas of this destination. It is a viral disease that affects the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). It is spread to humans by the bite of infected ticks or occasionally when unpasteurized milk products are consumed.

Travellers to areas where TBE is found may be at higher risk  during April to November, and the risk is highest for people who hike or camp in forested areas.

Protect yourself from tick bites . The vaccine is not available in Canada. It may be available in the destination you are travelling to.

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease. It can spread quickly from person to person by direct contact and through droplets in the air.

Anyone who is not protected against measles is at risk of being infected with it when travelling internationally.

Regardless of where you are going, talk to a health care professional before travelling to make sure you are fully protected against measles.

  Hepatitis B is a risk in every destination. It is a viral liver disease that is easily transmitted from one person to another through exposure to blood and body fluids containing the hepatitis B virus.  Travellers who may be exposed to blood or other bodily fluids (e.g., through sexual contact, medical treatment, sharing needles, tattooing, acupuncture or occupational exposure) are at higher risk of getting hepatitis B.

Hepatitis B vaccination is recommended for all travellers. Prevent hepatitis B infection by practicing safe sex, only using new and sterile drug equipment, and only getting tattoos and piercings in settings that follow public health regulations and standards.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious viral disease. It can spread from person to person by direct contact and through droplets in the air.

It is recommended that all eligible travellers complete a COVID-19 vaccine series along with any additional recommended doses in Canada before travelling. Evidence shows that vaccines are very effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalization and death from COVID-19. While vaccination provides better protection against serious illness, you may still be at risk of infection from the virus that causes COVID-19. Anyone who has not completed a vaccine series is at increased risk of being infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 and is at greater risk for severe disease when travelling internationally.

Before travelling, verify your destination’s COVID-19 vaccination entry/exit requirements. Regardless of where you are going, talk to a health care professional before travelling to make sure you are adequately protected against COVID-19.

 The best way to protect yourself from seasonal influenza (flu) is to get vaccinated every year. Get the flu shot at least 2 weeks before travelling.  

 The flu occurs worldwide. 

•  In the Northern Hemisphere, the flu season usually runs from November to   April.
•  In the Southern Hemisphere, the flu season usually runs between April and   October.
•  In the tropics, there is flu activity year round. 

The flu vaccine available in one hemisphere may only offer partial protection against the flu in the other hemisphere.

The flu virus spreads from person to person when they cough or sneeze or by touching objects and surfaces that have been contaminated with the virus. Clean your hands often and wear a mask if you have a fever or respiratory symptoms.

In this destination, rabies  may be present in some wildlife species, including bats. Rabies is a deadly disease that spreads to humans primarily through bites or scratches from an infected animal. 

If you are bitten or scratched by an animal while travelling, immediately wash the wound with soap and clean water and see a health care professional. 

Before travel, discuss rabies vaccination with a health care professional. It may be recommended for travellers who will be working directly with wildlife. 

Safe food and water precautions

Many illnesses can be caused by eating food or drinking beverages contaminated by bacteria, parasites, toxins, or viruses, or by swimming or bathing in contaminated water.

• Learn more about food and water precautions to take to avoid getting sick by visiting our eat and drink safely abroad page. Remember: Boil it, cook it, peel it, or leave it!
• Avoid getting water into your eyes, mouth or nose when swimming or participating in activities in freshwater (streams, canals, lakes), particularly after flooding or heavy rain. Water may look clean but could still be polluted or contaminated.
• Avoid inhaling or swallowing water while bathing, showering, or swimming in pools or hot tubs. 

Insect bite prevention

Many diseases are spread by the bites of infected insects such as mosquitoes, ticks, fleas or flies. When travelling to areas where infected insects may be present:

• Use insect repellent (bug spray) on exposed skin
• Cover up with light-coloured, loose clothes made of tightly woven materials such as nylon or polyester
• Minimize exposure to insects
• Use mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors or in buildings that are not fully enclosed

To learn more about how you can reduce your risk of infection and disease caused by bites, both at home and abroad, visit our insect bite prevention page.

Find out what types of insects are present where you’re travelling, when they’re most active, and the symptoms of the diseases they spread.

Animal precautions

Some infections, such as rabies and influenza, can be shared between humans and animals. Certain types of activities may increase your chance of contact with animals, such as travelling in rural or forested areas, camping, hiking, and visiting wet markets (places where live animals are slaughtered and sold) or caves.

Travellers are cautioned to avoid contact with animals, including dogs, livestock (pigs, cows), monkeys, snakes, rodents, birds, and bats, and to avoid eating undercooked wild game.

Closely supervise children, as they are more likely to come in contact with animals.

Person-to-person infections

Stay home if you’re sick and practise proper cough and sneeze etiquette , which includes coughing or sneezing into a tissue or the bend of your arm, not your hand. Reduce your risk of colds, the flu and other illnesses by:

•   washing your hands often
• avoiding or limiting the amount of time spent in closed spaces, crowded places, or at large-scale events (concerts, sporting events, rallies)
• avoiding close physical contact with people who may be showing symptoms of illness 

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) , HIV , and mpox are spread through blood and bodily fluids; use condoms, practise safe sex, and limit your number of sexual partners. Check with your local public health authority pre-travel to determine your eligibility for mpox vaccine.  

Medical services and facilities

Health care is excellent. Service is available throughout the country.

Private healthcare is expensive. Care providers usually require upfront payment. If you need a detailed breakdown of expenses for a Canadian insurance claim, make sure you clearly request it, as German hospitals don’t usually provide one.

Make sure you get travel insurance that includes coverage for medical evacuation and hospital stays.

Travel health and safety

Keep in Mind...

The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety.

Be prepared. Do not expect medical services to be the same as in Canada. Pack a   travel health kit , especially if you will be travelling away from major city centres.

You must abide by local laws.

Learn about what you should do and how we can help if you are arrested or detained abroad .

Transfer to a Canadian prison

Canada and Germany are signatories to the Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons. This enables a Canadian imprisoned in Germany to request a transfer to a Canadian prison to complete a sentence. The transfer requires the agreement of both Canadian and Germany authorities.

This process can take a long time, and there is no guarantee that the transfer will be approved by either or both sides.

Identification

Local police may ask to see your identification at any time.

• Carry adequate identification at all times, such as your passport or residence permit
• Keep a photocopy of your passport in a safe place, in case it is lost or stolen

Penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs are severe. Convicted offenders can expect jail sentences or heavy fines.

Drugs, alcohol and travel

Illegal activities

There are strict laws regarding the diffusion of propaganda material and the use of symbols from the Nazi party or other organizations linked to fascism and the Third Reich.

Illegal activities may include:

• diffusing or sharing propaganda, including online
• producing, importing or exporting memorabilia
• publicly wearing, using or display symbols and greetings related to these organizations

Convicted offenders can expect jail sentences or fines.

Dual citizenship

Dual citizenship is legally recognized in Germany.

If you are a Canadian citizen, but also a citizen of Germany, our ability to offer you consular services may be limited while you're there. You may also be subject to different entry/exit requirements .

Travellers with dual citizenship

International Child Abduction

The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction is an international treaty. It can help parents with the return of children who have been removed to or retained in certain countries in violation of custody rights. The convention applies between Canada and Germany.

If your child was wrongfully taken to, or is being held in Germany, and if the applicable conditions are met, you may apply for the return of your child to the German court.

If you are in this situation:

• act as quickly as you can
• contact the Central Authority for your province or territory of residence for information on starting an application under The Hague Convention
• consult a lawyer in Canada and in Germany to explore all the legal options for the return of your child
• report the situation to the nearest Canadian government office abroad or to the Vulnerable Children’s Consular Unit at Global Affairs Canada by calling the Emergency Watch and Response Centre

If your child was removed from a country other than Canada, consult a lawyer to determine if The Hague Convention applies.

Be aware that Canadian consular officials cannot interfere in private legal matters or in another country’s judicial affairs.

• List of Canadian Central Authorities for the Hague Convention
• International Child Abduction: A Guidebook for Left-Behind Parents
• Travelling with children
• The Hague Convention - Hague Conference on Private International Law
• Canadian embassies and consulates by destination
• Emergency Watch and Response Centre

You must be at least 18 years old to drive a vehicle in Germany.

You can use your valid Canadian driver’s licence for up to 6 months. After 6 months, you must exchange your Canadian licence for a German one. Allow up to 6 weeks for German authorities to exchange your licence.

You must always carry written permission from the registered owner of the vehicle if the vehicle doesn’t belong to you.

Winter tires are mandatory during icy conditions.

Speed limits

Speed limits vary considerably in Germany. On the highway network (autobahn), limits are generally much higher than the ones in Canada. On certain sections, there are no speed limits.

• Drive carefully
• Be mindful of speed regulations

Low-emission zones

Certain cities have put in place low-emission zones (Umweltzone) to reduce air pollution.

Access to these zones is restricted. You may need to obtain a permit to prove that your vehicle responds to environmental standards.

Personal light electric vehicles

Drivers of light electric vehicles, such as electric scooters and e-skateboards, must follow the rules of the road. Insurance is mandatory.

To drive such vehicles, your blood alcohol limit must not exceed 0.05%. New drivers and individuals under 21 years of age must not have any alcohol in their system. Convicted offenders can face heavy fines and have their licence confiscated on the spot. Authorities may ask for the fine to be paid right away.

You cannot drive on pedestrian walkways and in pedestrian zones.

• More about driving in Germany - European Commission
• Low-emission zones in Germany - German Environment Agency
• Personal Light Electric Vehicles  - Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure

The currency of Germany is the euro (EUR).

If you are carrying €10,000 or more, or the equivalent in other currencies, you must make a declaration to customs when you enter or leave the European Union. It includes sums in:

• banknotes and coins
• bearer negotiable instruments such as cheques, travellers’ cheques, promissory notes and money orders
• bonds, shares
• gold coins with a gold content of at least 90 %
• gold bars, nuggets or clumps with a gold content of at least 99.5 %
• any other convertible asset

This does not apply if you are travelling within the European Union or in transit to a non-EU country.

EU cash controls - European Commission

Flooding and landslides

Heavy rains, particularly in spring and summer, can cause severe flooding and landslides. Roads may become impassable and infrastructure damaged.

• Exercise caution, particularly in areas around major rivers
• Stay informed of the latest regional weather forecasts
• Download the Nina warning app to receive important alerts from German authorities
• Follow the advice of local authorities, including evacuation orders
• Emergency preparation - Federal Office for Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance (in German)
• Nina warning app - Federal Office for Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance (in German)

Forest fires may occur, particularly during summer months.

The air quality in areas near active fires may deteriorate due to heavy smoke.

In case of a major fire:

• stay away from affected areas, particularly if you suffer from respiratory ailments
• monitor local media for up-to-date information on the situation
• follow the advice of local authorities

There is a risk of avalanches in mountainous regions, especially following heavy snowfalls. Some have resulted in deaths.

Be particularly careful in the alpine areas of Bavaria.

Avalanche forecasting and warnings - European Avalanche Warning Services (EAWS)

Local services

In case of emergency, dial:

• police: 110
• medical assistance: 112
• firefighters: 112

Consular assistance

For emergency consular assistance, call the embassy of Canada to Germany, in Berlin, and follow the instructions. At any time, you may also contact the Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa.

The decision to travel is your choice and you are responsible for your personal safety abroad. We take the safety and security of Canadians abroad very seriously and provide credible and timely information in our Travel Advice to enable you to make well-informed decisions regarding your travel abroad.

The content on this page is provided for information only. While we make every effort to give you correct information, it is provided on an "as is" basis without warranty of any kind, expressed or implied. The Government of Canada does not assume responsibility and will not be liable for any damages in connection to the information provided.

If you need consular assistance while abroad, we will make every effort to help you. However, there may be constraints that will limit the ability of the Government of Canada to provide services.

Learn more about consular services .

Risk Levels

  take normal security precautions.

Take similar precautions to those you would take in Canada.

  Exercise a high degree of caution

There are certain safety and security concerns or the situation could change quickly. Be very cautious at all times, monitor local media and follow the instructions of local authorities.

IMPORTANT: The two levels below are official Government of Canada Travel Advisories and are issued when the safety and security of Canadians travelling or living in the country or region may be at risk.

  Avoid non-essential travel

Your safety and security could be at risk. You should think about your need to travel to this country, territory or region based on family or business requirements, knowledge of or familiarity with the region, and other factors. If you are already there, think about whether you really need to be there. If you do not need to be there, you should think about leaving.

  Avoid all travel

You should not travel to this country, territory or region. Your personal safety and security are at great risk. If you are already there, you should think about leaving if it is safe to do so.

What are you looking for?

A visa to travel to other Schengen countries must be applied for at the respective Schengen state.

General Information

THE VISA SECTION OF THE GERMAN CONSULATE TORONTO DOES NOT OFFER CONSULTATION BY PHONE.

• Visa appointments can be booked subject to availability.
• Please read the information on the website carefully and use the contact form for inquiries to specific questions only. If the information requested is readily available on our website, we may not reply to your message.
• Please understand that questions regarding the status of a visa application will not be answered. If additional documents are required to process your application, the Consulate will contact you.
• ​​​​​​​ Comprehensive information is provided in the respective categories for your stay. In cases where you seek additional information not provided on the website you may contact the Visa section via our contact form (click here: Contact in consular matters )

PLEASE NOTE: The German Missions in Montreal, Ottawa and Vancouver DO NOT ACCEPT visa applications. Please find more information on where to submit your application instead .

The German Consulate Toronto does not charge fees for visa appointments. Any visa fees due will be charged on the day of your appointment. Overview of visa fees

Visa Navigator

Short stays/ schengen visa, long stays/ national visa, work and travel in germany with the youth mobility visa, canadian citizens, convention refugees, visa information for eu citizens, etias information, fees for visa applications at the consulate general toronto.

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What are you looking for?

Visas to germany, general information.

• You will find information on where to apply for your visa in the respective category. Visa appointments for applications which have to be submitted at the Consulate General in Sydney can be booked online and are subject to availability. No special appointments are available outside our online booking system. Please make sure that you book in the visa category. Incorrect bookings in other categories will be deleted without prior notice.
• Please read the information on the website carefully and use the contact form for enquiries to specific questions only. If the information requested is readily available on our website, we will not reply to your message.
• Please do not send any documents to the Visa Section unless requested to do so, particularly not before you have applied for a visa. We are not able to store such documents and will not know which application they belong to. Please always bring all the necessary documents with you to your appointment.

Short-term visa for Germany

A Schengen visa is required if you wish to stay in the Schengen territory for up to 90 days within a 180 day period for business, visitor and/or tourist purposes, and you do not attempt to work.

National visa

If you wish to stay in Germany for more than 90 days, please apply for a German National visa. National visas are sometimes also referred to as “long-term visas” or “D visas”.

Visa for applicants from Papua New Guinea

Starting February 2020, Schengen visa applications from Papua New Guinea may be handed in at an application center of the Service Provider VFS in Port Moresby. The applications are processed by the…

Visa Navigator

Which visa do I need for Germany? I want to travel to Germany as a tourist, on business, for my studies, to work, or to join family members who live there. Which visa should I apply for?

FAQ - Frequently asked questions

Please read the information on our website carefully. We do appreciate that it might be easier for you to ask questions. However, we do not have sufficient staff capacity to respond to every query. Please understand that we will not respond to questions already answered on our website.

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Here's Every Destination Americans Can Travel To Without A Visa In 2024

Post may contain affiliate links; we may receive compensation if you click links to those products. This has no impact on how offers are presented. Our site does not include all offers available. Content on page accurate as of posting date.

Americans are back to traveling in droves now that the travel landscape is back to normal, excluding, of course, the state of conflict in some countries and the unpredictable realm of geopolitics, which keeps changing unpredictably by the minute.

Lucky for the average U.S. passport holder looking to escape the daily humdrum, there are very few limits as to where they can go.

Most countries now welcome them with open arms and are easing visa rules further, but that does not apply to all .

In fact, Americans need visas or electronic travel authorizations (ETAs) to travel to a number of popular destinations, including Australia, where an ETA is required, and Egypt, where a visa must be purchased on arrival, and that's only two examples.

The days of travel restrictions may be in the past, but that does not mean international travel is always completely seamless.

So, if you are wondering where Americans can travel to without any pre-existing requirements simply by holding a valid passport, this list may prove useful to you :

Let's start with the most restrictive continent for travelers: though Africa is widely known among Americans for transformative journeys, a wild undisturbed nature, and unmatched ethnic diversity, it is perhaps the hardest region to travel .

A majority of African countries still require Americans to obtain visas or eVisas in advance, an arduous process that may involve accessing outdated websites that are not fully functional, traveling to the nearest Consulate, paying expensive fees (as high as $200), and stressful border crossings.

There are only 15 destinations U.S. citizens can access completely visa-free, and interestingly enough, the continent's leading attraction is not one of them: arriving in Egypt, Americans must purchase a physical single or multiple-entry visa at the airport, with prices starting from $25.

Home to Mount Kilimanjaro, a bucket list African landmark, and the UNESCO-listed Zanzibar island, Tanzania, too, requires Americans to pay a visa fee for entering, at an even higher rate of $50; even global safari capital Kenya has eVisa arrangements in place.

Fortunately, not all African countries make it harder and more bureaucratic for U.S. citizens to enter, with subtropical Morocco, an Arab country straddling both the Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts and the cultural hotspot that is South Africa allowing them to enter without visas.

The full list can be found below:

• Central African Republic
• Sao Tome and Principe
• South Africa

Traveling Africa may prove challenging for most Americans, unless they a bunch of pre-obtained visas in hand, and plenty of blank passport pages to use up, but if it's any consolation, exploring their own continent couldn't be easier.

There is only one country in the whole of the mainland Americas where they cannot enter unless holding a valid tourist visa, and that is Venezuela , which in recent years has not exactly had friendly relations with the United States or most of its Southern neighbors, for that matter.

As for every other destination in the New World, Americans may come and go as they please, seeing they are not bound by restrictive entry rules and visa requirements, be in the form of entry authorizations or Consulate-issued permits.

From sunny Mexico down to tropical Colombia, they are eligible for hassle-free entry provided they carry a U.S. passport, and in these two countries in particular, their permitted length of stay can be as long as six months , sure to make slow travelers and digital nomads happy.

With that being said, Brazil, the largest South American country is now mulling over introducing a tourist visa for Americans, that would in theory make it impossible for them to visit unless holding a pre-obtained authorization, though that is not yet being enforced .

For 2024, these are all the North and South American countries U.S. nationals can visit without visa restrictions:

• El Salvador

Asia is the perfect spot for Americans looking to immerse themselves in an entirely different culture and escape their mundane Western worries, but unfortunately for blue passport holders, unlike Africa, the list of visa-free countries in the continent of friendly smiles is not as limited.

The most obvious odd one out is China, which requires U.S. nationals to apply for a physical visa in order to enter, a bureaucratic process that typically involves a visit to a Consulate, where applicants must present documentation and be interviewed unless they are merely transiting through.

Fortunately, a majority of destinations across Asia are open to hosting Americans bureaucracy-free , and though there may be an entry form or an eVisa to be filled out here and there, these can be easily obtained online by paying a fee and with minimal hassle.

One such example is Vietnam, where U.S. travelers are not allowed to enter unless holding a valid eVisa.

On the brightside, the maximum length of stay for visa applicants traveling to the Southeast Asian gem in 2024 has been extended from 30 days to 3 months.

Exercising sovereignty over Bali, a popular wellness retreat and paradisaical island, Indonesia also requires Americans to purchase a visa, either online in advance or upon arrival at the airport, as does Cambodia and Laos; thus, they do not qualify for the list.

• Philippines
• South Korea

The Caribbean

Going abroad, there is truly nowhere most Americans would rather be than the tropical Caribbean, a turquoise-blue ocean littered with paradisaical islands, some of which are countries in their own right and others that are autonomous territories of larger states.

With the exception of Cuba , they are free to roam around the territory freely, usually by presenting a valid passport. In the communist state, however, they are officially discouraged from visiting by U.S. authorities, and those who do must purchase a ‘Tourist Card'.

Similarly to a visa, a Cuban Tourist Card can be obtained at a Cuban embassy or consular mission, or at the airport prior to departure, though the latter option is not advised as not all airlines and service providers are licensed to issue the document.

In some cases, the travel agency you book your Cuba trip with could be the one applying for the card.

As you might suspect, this requirement makes Fidel Castro's homeland the hardest country for U.S. tourists to enter in the Caribbean.

• Antigua and Barbuda
• Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba
• British Virgin Islands
• Cayman Islands
• Dominican Republic
• French West Indies
• Puerto Rico*
• St. Kitts and Nevis
• St. Maarten
• St. Vincent and the Grenadines
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Turks and Caicos Islands
• U.S. Virgin Islands*

Out of all the continents, Europe is easily where Americans will find it easier to travel around, with all but three countries granting them visa-free entry: in fact, a majority of Europen states is a member of the European Union, one of the United States' most trusted partners.

Whether they're off to Italy to chase Mediterranean sunsets and rugged drives as they eat gelato, or they're ticking off fairytale German castles off the list, U.S. passport holders do not have to worry about obtaining entry permits in advance ( at least for now ).

In the future, the EU will require them to apply for a travel authorization before flying, and that's still not a visa – it's an online form that needs to be filled coupled with a small, symbolic fee that actually exempts them from a regular visa – but as of this year, travel is still completely bureaucracy-free.

As for the exceptions, perhaps it's not a surprise that Russia and Belarus would bar entry to American travelers unless they've been pre-screened at a Consulate and have obtained a visa in advance, and it's not like there are many travelers going to these war-raging countries these days, anyway.

The third European – or marginally European – country that is not listed under the visa-free agreements is Azerbaijan , the southernmost of the Caucasus states, a region between Eastern Europe and Western Asia: in order to enter, Americans must apply for an eVisa valid for only 30 days .

• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Liechtenstein
• Netherlands
• North Macedonia
• Switzerland
• United Kingdom
• Vatican City

Middle East

The Westernmost part of Asia, the Middle East is often treated as its own subcontinent, and similarly to the wider continent, it can be trickier to navigate if you're an American, not only due to complex visa rules, but also conflicts or anti-American sentiment.

Visiting Iraq, Jordan or Kuwait, you will be required to apply for a visa on arrival, with prices and passport requirements varying between countries, and even some of the visa-free destinations, like Lebanon and disputed Palestine, carry their own significant risks.

The war between Israel and Hamas has made the Jewish state equally high-risk for Americans to travel, especially now that Iran is weighing in .

We would definitely not encourage you to visit Iran, where Americans have been known to be arbitrarily arrested and accused of crimes despite being innocent and being aware of the multiple kidnapping cases, and only cross the Yemeni border at your own risk.

That being said, there are plenty more Middle Eastern countries that are risk-free .

These include visa-free Turkiye , home to the fascinating cross-continental city of Istanbul and the coastal resort of Antalya, the United Arab Emirates , with its futuristic Dubai, and the increasingly trendy Saudi Arabia: they are all formally neutral in the conflict, and they all warmly welcome American tourists.

• Saudi Arabia
• Turkiye (formerly spelled Turkey)
• United Arab Emirates

Yet another subcontinent – not formally a continent, but rather a geopolitical concept – Oceania is arguably the most peaceful territory on Earth in 2024, with no wars , low levels of crime, and limited travel restrictions imposed.

Americans can travel visa-free to most sovereign Oceanic states and self-governing, non-independent islands, including French Polynesia and New Caledonia, which are part of France, and the Cook Islands, which belong to New Zealand.

They even enjoy freedom of movement across State-Governed collectivities.

The two ‘big' countries in Oceania, Australia and New Zealand, do not grant unrestricted entry to Americans on the basis of holding a U.S. passport alone: applicants must have an Electronic Travel Authorization before boarding.

This is an easy requirement to fulfill, however, as it is easily obtained online, and it does not equal a visa. As for the rest of the Oceanic destinations, bar three – Papua New Guinea, Tuvalu, and Nauru – presenting an American passport at the border is generally all the documentation you need.

• American Samoa*
• Australia**
• Cook Islands (New Zealand)**
• Eastern Island (Chile)
• French Polynesia (France)
• New Caledonia (France)
• New Zealand**
• Marshall Islands*
• Pitcairn Islands (United Kingdom)

Vinicius Costa

Vini, our senior lead writer at Travel Off Path, has over 60+ countries under his belt (and currently weaving tales from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative stories that will have you packing your bags.

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Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.

The post Here’s Every Destination Americans Can Travel To Without A Visa In 2024 appeared first on Travel Off Path .

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Us issues travel warning for germany: ‘terrorist groups keep planning attacks’.

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The United States has issued a travel advisory to Germany over fears of terrorism .

On Wednesday, the Department of State upgraded Germany to Level 2 out of four — an edict to “exercise increased caution” — with the stark warning that “terrorist groups keep planning attacks in Germany.”

The US government added that tourist locations and transportation hubs are frequently targeted, along with hotels, restaurants, clubs, places of worship, parks, and both sporting and cultural events.

“Terrorists may attack with little or no warning,” the State Department noted.

In late March, Canada also advised travelers to “exercise a high degree of caution in Germany due to the threat of terrorism.”

The United Kingdom’s foreign travel advice additionally cited incidents of terror in Germany in recent years.

These include a killing and severe injury from a knife attack in Dresden in 2020, as well as two mass shootings at bars in Hanau that killed eight in the same year.

In 2019, two people were fatally shot near a synagogue in the city of Halle.

The State Department advises travelers to “identify safe areas” to turn toward in the event of an attack.

“Formulate a plan of action. Know where you will go if a terrorist attack or security incident takes place.”

Germany is the only European nation to have an elevated travel warning from the US in 2024, except for Ukraine bordering Moldova, which is on the same level two status due to Ukraine’s war with Russia.

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