• EU and EEA (European Economic Area) nationals
• Non-EU and non-EEA (European Economic Area) nationals
• Bodies responsible for issuing visas
• Visa fees
• Time required to process a visa application
• Application procedure
• Requirements for the issue of short stay (Schengen) visas
• Requirements for the issue of visas for longer stays and/or stays entitling the holder to take up gainful employment
• Prospects for the future
• Statistics
• Legal provisions relating to the issue of visas (selection)

EU and EEA (European Economic Area) nationals

EU nationals do not require a visa to enter the Federal Republic of Germany.

Non-EU and non-EEA (European Economic Area) nationals

Generally speaking, all other foreigners require a visa for stays in Germany. A visa is not required for semi-annual visits of up to three months for nationals of those countries for which the European Community has abolished the visa requirement.

• Visa requirements - list of countries

Bodies responsible for issuing visas

Under German law (section 71 (2) of the Residence Act), responsibility for issuing visas lies with the missions of the Federal Republic of Germany, i.e. its embassies and consulates-general. In principle, the Federal Foreign Office is not involved in decisions on individual visa applications, nor does it have any knowledge of the status of individual applications being processed by the missions.

Visas are issued by the mission responsible for the area in which the applicant has his/her ordinary residence or domicile.

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Visa fees

The fee for a so-called national visa (person plans to stay within Germany for more than three months, e.g. for a course of study) is 60 euro.

Applicants wishing to stay in Germany for a period of more than 90 days but needing to travel to another Schengen country within the first three months of their stay (e.g. scientists) may obtain a so-called national "hybrid visa". The fee for a hybrid visa is 60 euro.

The fee for a Schengen visa (valid for travel to 24 Schengen countries, stay of up to 90 days) is 60 euro.

Exemptions may be possible. Please see our fees page for information.

• Germany visa application
• Germany Embassies
• Germany Ministry of Foreign Affairs