Germany visa requirements 2026: essential documents and tips for 90-day stays

(GERMANY) — Germany implemented the European Union’s Entry/Exit System (EES) on October 12, 2025, shifting border checks for many travelers to automated passport scans, fingerprints and photos.

German travel to the country in 2026 is also set to change again in late 2026, when the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) is due to begin requiring online pre-authorization for visitors who currently enter without a visa.

Germany’s visa process tightened after July 1, 2025, when the remonstration procedure for visa rejections ended, meaning rejected applicants no longer have that appeal route.

Who can enter freely and who needs a visa

• EU, EEA and Swiss nationals: May enter freely with an ID.
• Non-EU citizens:
• Citizens of 62 nations: short-stay exemptions — up to 90 days in any 180-day period (tourism, business, visits).
• Citizens from over 100 countries: Require visas for any entry.

Some exemptions have technical requirements that affect border eligibility. Examples:
– Biometric passports mandatory for nationals of: Albania, Bosnia, Georgia, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Ukraine.
– Hong Kong and Macao SAR passports: Entry under exemption allowed but cannot work.
– Taiwan passports: Require an ID number.
– Nationals of Afghanistan, Algeria, Bangladesh, China, India, Nigeria, Pakistan, Russia, Turkey, and others must apply for visas for all entries.

EES and ETIAS: What changed and what’s coming

• EES (in effect Oct 12, 2025):
• Fingerprinting and photo capture at the border for visa-exempt travelers.
• Replaced passport stamps for many travelers and logs entries/exits across participating countries.
• Uses automated kiosks to scan passports and capture fingerprints/photos.
• Overstays detected quickly.

• ETIAS (planned Q4 2026):

• Online pre-authorization required for visitors who currently enter without a visa.
• Will require a €7 online fee, valid for 3 years.
• Linked to a Valid passport (passport must be valid for 3 months post-trip).
• Rejection bars entry; approvals expected to be fast in most cases (guidance states around 96% instant).
• Travelers urged to pre-plan for peak periods when delays could spike.

Important: Under ETIAS, a rejection prevents entry. ETIAS adds a mandatory online step even for travelers from countries that remain exempt from short-stay visas.

Visa categories and rights inside Germany

• Short-stay Schengen C-visas:
• Cover travel up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
• Allow multi-country travel within Schengen.

• Long-stay national D-visas:

• Intended for residence in Germany (work, study, settlement).

• Come with limited Schengen mobility (restricted travel within Schengen compared to C-visas).

• Airport transit A visas:

• Separate category applying to 20 specific nationalities (examples: Afghanistan, Congo).
• Apply even for airside transit without formally entering the country.

Basic paperwork and technical requirements (2026)

Biometric collection has been mandatory since 2015, so precision matters.

Typical submission points:
– German embassies and consulates
– VFS Global centers

Core requirements (general):
– Valid passport
– Biometric photos
– Application form
– Travel medical insurance
– Flight itinerary
– Accommodation proof
– Financial evidence
– Purpose-specific letter (job offer, invitation, etc.)

Specifics for Schengen C-visa:
– Completed VIDEX online form — must be downloaded and printed.
– Passport must be 3+ months post-stay, have 2 blank pages, and be less than 10 years old.
– Two biometric photos sized 35×45 mm.
– Travel medical insurance covering at least €30,000 for the entire Schengen stay.
– Round-trip flight itinerary and accommodation proof (hotel booking or host declaration).
– Evidence of financial means — guidance cites 3x daily subsistence of around €45/day.
– Supported by bank statements or a sponsor affidavit.
– Cover letter detailing purpose and itinerary.

Visa fees (2026):
– €80 for adults
– €40 for children
– Waivers are described as rare.
– Business applicants may need a company invitation and agenda.

Health checks:
– No medical requirement for short-stay travel (except treatment visas).
– Long-stay cases may require medical checks.

Long-stay routes and the Chancenkarte (Opportunity Card)

• Long-stay D-visas: Cover work, study, and settlement.
• Germany’s 2026 guidance highlights job seekers and skilled workers as a priority for labor-market routes.

Chancenkarte (Opportunity Card):
– Launched 2024; active in 2026.
– A points-based option for non-EU skilled professionals.
– Allows up to 1 year to search for a job and then convert to residence.
– Points based on qualifications, experience and German language skills.
– Threshold described as 6+ score.
– Summary notes “50,000+ issuances” of the Chancenkarte during 2024–2026, aimed at IT professionals, engineers, and Blue Card paths; exact 2026 stats pending BAMF reports.

Students and language-course applicants:
– Must show enrollment and financial backing.
– Blocked account figure cited at around €11,208/year.

Family reunion visas:
– Remain available.
– Checklist emphasizes proof of ties to German residents and financial guarantees.

Processing times, planning and operational notes (2026)

• Suggested application windows:

1. Short-stay visas: apply 3–6 weeks early.
2. Long-term cases: apply 2+ months early.

• Typical processing time: 10–15 working days.
• Complex cases: can take 30–60 days.
• Prepare documents 2–4 weeks before submission appointment; appointments may include an interview and fee payment at time of biometric capture.

Operational change after July 1, 2025:
– Remonstration procedure ended, increasing the importance of submitting correct paperwork the first time.

EES operational note:
– Post-2025 EES glitches occurred but were resolved by mid-2026.

Border enforcement, overstays and extensions

• EES logs entries/exits across 29 countries; data sharing means violations affect travel across Europe.
• Overstaying consequences:
• Fines of €500+
• Deportation
• Schengen bans of 1–5 years
• Entry is not guaranteed even with correct paperwork—officers assess intent and funds.
• Extensions are rare and must be sought before expiry at the Ausländerbehörde.

Passport validity and visa span:
– If a passport expires mid-visa, carry both documents.
– Multiple-entry visas allow repeated trips until visa expiry.

ETIAS application details for visa-exempt travelers

• Moves process from consulates to an online pre-screening.
• Requires:
• Personal details
• Passport information
• Education and occupation
• Criminal history
• Travel plans
• Fee: €7, valid 3 years
• Linked to a passport valid 3 months post-trip
• Approvals expected to be fast (around 96% instant per guidance)

Key takeaways and traveler priorities

The combined effect of EES and ETIAS: streamlines legitimate travel while tightening enforcement. The systems put a premium on clear documentation and evidence of the purpose of travel.

Practical priorities for travelers in 2026:
– Verify requirements via official sites — rules can change.
– Prepare complete, precise documents the first time.
– Allow extra time for processing during peak seasons.
– Expect fingerprinting and photos at the border under EES.
– For visa-exempt travel after Q4 2026, complete ETIAS pre-authorization before travel.

Germany’s 2026 guidance frames the changes as balancing facilitation for legitimate travelers with stronger detection and penalties for overstays, while also highlighting labor-market routes such as the Chancenkarte for skilled professionals.