Visa requirements: who needs a visa?
Generally speaking, third-country nationals require a visa to enter the Federal Republic of Germany.
An exemption applies to EU nationals and nationals of those countries for which the European Community has with the visa regulation of the European Union abolished the visa requirement for short stays of up to 90 days in a 180‑day period.
You can check here to see if you require a visa:
Table of countries whose citizens require/do not require visas to enter Germany
Issue of visas: where do I apply for a visa?
The Embassies and Consulates General (missions abroad) of the Federal Republic of Germany are responsible for issuing visas.
Ratione loci competence (local responsibility) for processing visa applications lies with the mission responsible for the area in which you have your ordinary residence or domicile. An overview of all missions abroad can be found here (in German only).
Please note that ratione materiae competence (subject-matter responsibility) lies with the mission of the Schengen state in whose territory the sole or main destination is situated. You can therefore submit your visa application at a German mission abroad, especially if you wish to travel to Germany.
As a matter of principle, Federal Foreign Office headquarters is not involved in decisions on individual visa applications.
How to Apply for a Germany Visa?
The first thing you need to do when applying for a German visa is to find the nearest German mission in your country, and then you can proceed with the following steps:
- Fill out the online visa application form.
- Prepare the required documents.
- Set up an interview date at the embassy/consulate.
- Attend the visa interview.
- Submit your fingerprints.
- Pay the visa application fee.
- Go to Germany.
Keep in mind that the application process for a German visa may be different depending on which country you apply from since each local German mission works differently.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Visa to Germany?
It takes up to 15 business days to process your Germany visa application. If you are applying for a long-term visa, your application’s processing time may take several months.
However, keep in mind that the time it takes to process your visa application is dependent on several factors such as the staff available at the visa office, the time when you apply for the visa (off-season or in-season), and whether you submit a completed application or not.
How Much Does a Germany Visa Cost?
A Germany short-stay visa costs €90 for the main applicant. However, the fees change based on what type of German visa you are applying for and how old you are. For example, if you have a child under 6, their visa application is free of charge, while for children between ages 6 and 12, the cost is reduced to €45.
You are usually required to pay the fee after you complete your interview; sometimes, you can complete the visa payment when you fill out the online visa application form- it depends from country to country.
It’s important to remember that the Germany visa fee is non-refundable, even if your visa application is denied. Also, please keep in mind that most foreign German missions do not accept payments from digital wallets such as Apple Pay or Google Pay; you are usually required to pay cash or by credit card (you must be the cardholder).