Germany Schengen Visa for a Tourist or Visitor

Planning a visit to Germany? We have all the information you need to apply for a Germany Schengen visa. Over 80 million people visit Germany each year. You also can be one of them.

For citizens of many countries who will be visiting Germany, a Germany Schengen visa is required, whether the purpose of traveling is for tourism or short visit. If you intend to visit Germany for a less than three months, you should find out if you need a Schengen visa.

Germany Schengen visa for a Tourist or Visitor

When you apply for a Schengen Tourism / Visitor visa to Germany, you will be able to visit Germany as well as other Schengen member countries. You should be aware that Schengen visa for tourism or visiting family and friends only serves the purpose for which it is named. You can use it only for traveling and sightseeing in the Schengen area, not for work or study.

Citizens of countries that can enter Germany visa free

If you fall among citizens of the categories of nations below, then you do not need a visa in order to enter Germany:

• You are a citizen of the Schengen Area
• You are a citizen of one of the countries that have established visa-free regime with the Schengen states (Note you will need to apply for ETIAS starts 2021)
• You are currently in the Schengen Zone with:
  • a Schengen Visa valid for the whole Schengen territory
  • a National Visa issued by one of the member states
  • a Permanent residency of one of the member states

Citizens of countries that need a visa to enter Germany

If you fall among citizens of the categories of nations below, then you do need a visa in order to enter Germany:

• You do not have a visa liberalization agreement with the Schengen member states

You can find list of countries who need a Schengen visa here

Requirements for Germany Schengen Visa for a Tourist or Visitor

In order to process your Schengen tourist or visitor visa to Germany, you will need the following documents:

• Application form completed in English or German
• Declaration of Accuracy of Information
• Passport size photographs
• Valid national passport
• Personal bank statements for the last three months
• Schengen Travel Insurance.
• Proof of accommodation.
• Proof of flight reservation
• Proof of financial means. This may be:
  • A bank statement not older than three months or
  • A letter of sponsorship by another person
• Leave letter fromof your company (if employed)
• No-objection certificate.
  • If you are a student, your school or university should issue this certificate to you.
  • If you are an employee, your employer or the company where you work at should issue this letter to you.
  • If you are not a student and you do not work either, this certificate is not required.
• A Cover Letter explaining the reason why you wish to visit Germany and for how long you will stay.
• A letter of invitation from the person you are visiting in Germany. The invitation letter should include the address, period of stay and contact details of the host.
• Proof of civil status. That could be a marriage certificate, birth certificate of children, death certificate of spouse, ration card (if applicable), etc.
• Your driver’s license and/or utility bill in your name. This is required as proof of residence in the consular where you plan to apply for the visa
• For minors:
  • If travelling unaccompanied by parent(s), consent letter signed by both parents
  • Form signed by both parents
  • Copy of the parent(s)’ passports data page

Where and when to apply for a Germany Schengen Visa

If you plan that Germany will be your only or main country of visit in the Schengen area, you can apply for your tourist or visitor visa at the German consulate or embassy in your country. Some countries also have visa centres where you can apply for the visa.

If you only intend to visit Germany as part of your tour in the Schengen areas, then you will have to apply for visa at the embassy of the country of your main destination during your Schengen tour.

You can apply for a tourist or visitor visa to Germany not more than three months prior to your visit and not later than two weeks before your visit. The maximum number of stay in a Schengen area is 90 days and it is subject to consulate approval.