Germany visa: types, requirements and how to apply

If you’re planning a trip to Germany, there are entry requirements for most travelers around the globe. Whether you’re spending a week in Berlin for fun or have to go to Munich for a conference, the first thing you need to make sure you understand is the same: do you need a Germany visa? The answer depends (mostly) on two things: Your nationality and how long you’re planning to stay. 

Germany is one of Europe’s most popular countries when it comes to foreign travelers. In 2025, nearly 1.3 million Schengen visas were issued by Germany. This guide will tell you the different kinds of visas you can apply for for Germany, the required documents, how much it costs, how long it takes, and how to apply. There’s also a dedicated section for applicants based in the US.

Do you need a visa to travel to Germany?

Whether or not you need a visa mostly depends on your nationality, how long you plan to stay in Germany, and why you’re traveling there. EU/Schengen country citizens can go to Germany without any visa. Passport-holders from around 60 visa-exempt countries also do not need to apply for a visa (this includes the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, and more), so long as they stay 90 days or fewer. Everyone else has to get a visa to visit. 

There is one thing that’s good to know that a lot of guides skip – if you have a valid residence permit or visa from another Schengen state, you can usually visit Germany without needing to apply for another visa, even if your nationality (such as Indian or Chinese) would normally require one. 

Do US citizens need a visa for Germany?

For stays of 90 days or under, no. This is because the US has something called a visa waiver agreement with the Schengen area (which Germany is a part of). This means that US citizens can travel to Germany for tourism, business, or to visit friends and family, so long as they don’t stay longer than 90 days in any given 180-day period. 

Now, if you are planning to start a job in Germany, study (in some cases), or stay longer than 90 days, you will likely need to apply for a visa before you visit. For stays of 90 days and longer, you need to look at Type D Long-Stay visas (they’re also sometimes called national visas). 

Which nationalities are visa-exempt?

In addition to EU, EEA, and Swiss passport holders, citizens of a long list of countries do not have to get a visa before traveling to Germany (again, for short stays). Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, the US, and the UK are all on that list. For them, the rule is the same. You can spend up to 90 ninety days for tourism, business, or to visit friends and family, but it isn’t a carte blanche to work or immigrate. 

Who still needs a visa?

Millions of people need a visa before they can visit Germany. If you hold a passport from a country that doesn’t have a visa waiver agreement, such as China, India, Nigeria, South Africa, and dozens of others, you need a Schengen visa (or national visa for longer stays), regardless of how long you want to stay and why.

German visa types

Germany, like all Schengen countries, offers two main categories of visas. Type C and Type D. It’s important that you apply within the right category. Luckily, the distinction between the two is pretty obvious. Type C visas are for stays under 90 days in length. Type D visas are for stays longer. 

The Schengen visa for short stays

The Type C visa is often referred to as a “Schengen visa”. It’s a broad term, but it means a visa that allows you to visit a Schengen country for up to 90 days. This is the visa that non-visa-exempt travelers apply for to visit family and friends, see the sights, attend a conference, or a business meeting, etc. It doesn’t allow you to start a job in Germany or start the residence process. It’s for short, temporary trips. For most travelers, a Schengen visa for Germany allows you to travel to any of the other countries in the Zone, too. 

The national visa for work, study and long stays

National visas, or Type D visas, are issued by Germany itself and allow for stays longer than 90 days. If you have to head to Germany for a long-term work project, training, to go to university, or to join a family member (such as a spouse), this is a common visa to apply for. All of this said, always check with the German Embassy or partnering visa processor to see exactly which visa you need to apply for.

Do you need an airport transit visa?

If you have a connecting flight in Germany, on your way to your final destination, some travelers need to apply for something called an airport transit visa. Airport transit visas allow obligated travelers the right to pass through Germany (while staying in the secure area of the airport) if it’s part of their flight itinerary. 

If you hold a passport from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria, Pakistan, and several other countries, you must apply for an airport transit visa before passing through Germany, even if you intend to never leave the airport. 

How to apply for a German visa step by step

Whether you’re applying from your home country or another country that you’re a resident of (such as the US), the process is essentially the same. First, you have to figure out whether you need a Type C or Type D visa. Next, you gather all of the required documents. Then, you book your in-person appointment, attend it, and submit your biometrics (fingerprints) and application! After that, all that’s left to do is wait for processing. 

German visa requirements and documents

The visa requirements depend on the specific visa you’re applying for. For Schengen visas (Type C), there is a core set of documents you need to include. 

Documents

For a short-stay application, you will need the following.

• A completed and signed application form
• A valid passport issued within the last ten years (and with a minimum of 3 months of remaining validity beyond your intended date of departure from Germany). 
• Two recent biometric photos adhering to ICAO standards
• Proof of travel insurance meeting Schengen requirements
• Proof of accommodation (hotel booking, invitation, etc.)
• Proof of sufficient funds (bank statements, pay stubs, etc.)
• A return or onward travel ticket (called a flight itinerary)

The travel insurance requirement

It can seem counterintuitive to buy your travel insurance before you even know if your visa is approved, but with Schengen visa applications, you have to. German visa authorities will reject a visa application that doesn’t include it. For your visa application, you need to take out a policy that covers you across the entire Schengen Zone, not just Germany. This is true even if you’re not planning on traveling to other countries. It also needs to meet specific guarantee requirements. For instance, it needs to provide at least 30,000 euros in emergency medical, as well as repatriation. Lastly, it needs to cover you for the entire duration of your trip. A Schengen-compliant policy from a specialist provider like Insurte can issue you the certificate that consulates need to see. 

Booking an appointment and attending in person

Once you’re sure you meet the requirements and have all your documents in order, you need to book an in–person appointment at either a visa application center or a German consulate. The one you choose depends on the country you live in. 

This table shows where to apply for Type C visas in a few different countries. Make sure you look up where to apply in your country of residence, as it varies.

At your appointment, a visa officer will look over all of your documents to make sure everything required is present. Then, if the file is deemed complete, your biometrics will be collected (fingerprints).

Make sure you bring everything to your appointment, and follow the official checklist that is provided to you by the center or consulate closely. 

Germany visa fees: how much does it cost?

The fee depends on the type of visa you’re applying for. Do keep in mind that visa fees for Germany are non-refundable, whether your visa is approved ot not. 

Schengen and national visa fees

Type C Schengen visas (for short stays) cost 90 euros per adult person, 45 euros for children ages 6-11, and are free for anyone under the age of 6. Currently, national visas (Type D, long stays) cost 75 euros per adult and 37.5 euros for minors. 

If you apply through a visa application center like BLS, TLScontact, or VFS Global, you’ll also need to pay any applicable service fees. 

How long does a German visa take to process?

Short-stay applications have a pretty quick processing time, but it can still take longer than expected depending on things like seasonality or whether or not authorities need to see more information from you. Longer stay visas typically have longer processing times. 

Processing times for short and long stays

Schengen visas (short stay) usually take around 15 days to process. National visas vary greatly in processing time because it depends on the visa type, seasonality, etc. It can take anywhere from a month to multiple months. This is why it’s important to start the application process early, well before any trips you have, so you can ensure there’s enough time for the decision-making process to take place. 

Depending on where you live, it can be difficult to get visa appointments, especially during peak travel seasons. The slots can book up incredibly quickly. 

What can delay your application?

Missing documents or key pieces of information can delay the decision-making process. It’s also possible that German authorities will need to see more information from you. If this is the case, they will inform you, and you’ll need to provide them with the requested documents before your application can move forward. 

Applying for a German visa from the USA through BLS International

If you’re applying in the US, you’ll need to apply through Germany’s partnering visa processor: BLS International. BLS International is a trusted, authorized partner and facilitates the visa application process on behalf of the German Government. There is one small exception – residents who live in the Atlanta consular district are able to apply directly at the German Consulate General in Atlanta.

What BLS International does and does not do

BLS runs the application centers for German visas (in the US). You book your appointment with them, and they collect your documents/application file, as well as your biometrics. Then, they pass all of that information along to the consulate for processing and decision-making.

Once they submit the application on your behalf, their part of the process ends. They have no influence or “vote” as to whether or not your file is approved or denied. They also aren’t able to rush your application or “move it to the top of the pile”. They simply conduct the appointment, review that the application is complete, collect your biometrics, and pass the information along to who does make the decision: German authorities at the consulate. 

How to avoid unauthorized visa agents

BLS regularly warns against fraudulent companies trying to resell appointments or pose as BLS. Make sure that you’re booking your appointment directly with BLS International. Anyone charging you to secure a slot outside of the official channel isn’t legitimate. 

German visas, the Schengen area and ETIAS

Germany is a Schengen country, which means their entry conditions are harmonized with the other countries in the Schengen Zone. 

Can you travel across Europe with a German visa?

Many countries, yes. A German Schengen visa allows most holders to move freely across any and all of the 29 Schengen countries. France, Spain, Italy, you name it. Make sure you abide by the expiration dates on your visa. Moving from country to country doesn’t “reset the clock”.

Also, keep in mind that several countries in Europe are not in the Schengen Area. This means that if you want to travel to the United Kingdom or Ireland, for example, you may need separate visas depending on your nationality. 

What is ETIAS and who will need it?

ETIAS, the European Travel Information and Authorisation System, isn’t a visa, but it is a new entry requirement. US, Canadian, UK, and Australian citizens (among dozens of others) will soon have to apply for ETIAS before visiting Germany. It’s scheduled to begin in late 2026 and will cost 20 euros per adult traveler between the ages of 18 and 70. Minors and seniors (over 70) are exempt from paying, but still must apply. 

If you hold a Schengen visa, a German visa, or any long-stay visa in the Schengen area, you are also exempt, regardless of your nationality.

You can learn more in our Germany ETIAS Guide

Germany visa FAQ

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