Who Needs a Visa?

In principle, all non-EU nationals need a visa to enter Germany. However there are exceptions for several countries.

Nationals of some non-EU countries may stay in Germany for up to three months without a visa for semi-annual visits. The Federal Foreign Office (Auswaertiges Amt) provides a country list with entry requirements into Germany for nationals from all countries.

EU nationals do not need a visa to enter Germany. They only have to register at the local registration office (Einwohnermeldeamt), which issues a declaratory residence permit.

Citizens of Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland* are likewise exempt from visa requirements since these countries have signed the Schengen Agreement with the EU. Citizens of Liechtenstein*, Monaco, Andorra, San Marino, and the Holy See are de facto participating in the Schengen Agreement due to the absence of border controls to their neighbouring Schengen countries.

• implementation expected to take effect from end of 2008 on

Entry requirements into Germany for different countries:
www.auswaertiges-amt.de

Types of Visas

There are different types of visas available depending on length and purpose of your stay in Germany. Visas for short term stays in or transit through Germany are regulated by the Schengen Agreement. Visas for long term stays in Germany are provided and regulated according to national law.

Schengen Transit Visa (Type B Visa)
With the Schengen Transit Visa you may pass through the territories of the Schengen States once, twice or several times en route to a third State. Since this visa is meant for transit purposes, you may stay in Germany for only up to five days when passing through on the way to another country.

Schengen Travel Visa (Type C Visa)
The Schengen Travel Visa permits travel and residence in all Schengen States. However it does NOT grant permission to take up work. It is valid for a total stay of up to three months per half year either as a continuous stay or in successive visits. The Schengen Travel Visa can be issued for up to 5 years in advance.

National Visa (Type D Visa)
This visa is a long-term national visa meant for stays in Germany exceeding three months. German national visas (residence permit and settlement permit) enable their holders to:

• take up temporary or permanent residence in Germany
• for the purpose set out in the visa, and
• to transit through other Schengen States in order to reach Germany
  

Where to Apply for a Visa?

a. Applying Abroad

For most foreign nationals, visas should be obtained prior to entering Germany. A visa must be applied for in person at a German Embassy or German Consulate General. These German missions abroad offer visa application forms in various languages and free of charge. They are responsible for receiving applications and issuing the visa. To facilitate the application process, the Federal Foreign Office (Auswaertiges Amt) also offers online application forms in several languages.

Applications for short term visas for up to three months may also be submitted online via the application service of the Federal Foreign Office.

Online visa application form provided by the Federal Foreign Office (Auswaertiges Amt):
www.auswaertiges-amt.de
Online visa application service of the Federal Foreign Office (Auswaertiges Amt):
http://service.diplo.de

b. Applying in Germany

Some foreign nationals may apply for any required visa after entering Germany. This includes all nationals of:

• EU member states, including their family members (receiving only a decleratory right of residence certificate or EU residence permit)
• other signatory states of the European Economic Area (EEA)
• Switzerland, Australia, Israel, Japan, Canada, New Zealand, South Korea, and the Unites States.

Visas are issued by the local Foreign Citizens Office (Auslaenderbehoerde).

How Long Does it Take to Issue a Visa?

A visa for a short-term stay will usually be issued within about two to ten working days.

For long-term visas or visas permitting the holder to work in Germany, a processing time of a few months should be expected.

Fees
Embassies and Consulates General charge a handling fee:

• For Schengen Visas: EUR 60
• For National Visas: EUR 60
• For Hybrid Visas (Schengen and National): EUR 60

Where is One Allowed to Travel with the Visa?
A visa for Germany usually permits to travel to the other Schengen States. In order to travel to those EU states that are not signatory states to the Schengen Agreement, a separate visa may be required.

However, travel options may be limited if the visa issuing authority deems this necessary.

What Prerequisites Need to be Met for a Visa?
When applying for a visa you are obliged to prove that you have:

• a health insurance policy valid for all Schengen States and providing medical coverage equivalent to at least EUR 30,000 (including return transport)
• a passport valid for another three months after leaving Germany
• documents verifying the intended purpose of the stay in Germany
• sufficient financial means to cover all costs of the trip to and stay in Germany

Is an Extra Work Permit Required?
Citizens of the EU, the EEA, or Switzerland can work in Germany without any restrictions.

Transitional restrictions are still in place for non-self-employed workers from the new eastern European EU member states: Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia (until 2011 at the latest); and Bulgaria and Romania (until 2014 at the latest). It is possible that the transnational time frames will be reduced from the currently foreseen dates. Until then, these EU citizens are still required to have work permits in order to work in Germany.

Nationals from all other countries require a work permit before they are able to legally work in Germany.

One-Stop-Government
The work permit, when issued, is part of the visa itself. The visa contains a statement as to whether and to what extent work will be permitted. Foreign nationals no longer have to apply separately for a work permit at the employment office.