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Schengen visa; application

Citizens who require a visa for a short stay in Germany or the Schengen area must apply for one in good time before entering the country at one of the German diplomatic missions abroad.

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Procedure details

If you are a national of a country listed in Annex I of the Visa Regulation of the European Union (Regulation (EU) 2018/1806), you need a visa for short stays of up to 90 days per 180-day period in the Schengen area. You can find the regulation including Annex I in the Legal basis section.

If Germany is your only destination or main destination (in the Schengen area), you can apply for a visa at a German mission abroad (embassies and consulates); the same applies if you do not have a main destination but intend to enter the Schengen area via Germany's external borders.

The German diplomatic mission abroad to which you must submit your application depends on your place of residence. In many countries, the application can also be submitted to a service provider. In countries where Germany does not have a diplomatic mission, it may be possible to apply for a visa to travel to Germany at another Schengen partner.

The visa generally entitles the holder to stays of up to 90 days within a period of 180 days, for example for visits, business and tourist stays.

EU agreements with individual third countries make it easier for their nationals to apply. Information on this can be found on the list of countries with visa facilitation.

If you are a national of a country listed in Annex II of the Visa Regulation of the European Union (Regulation (EU) 2018/1806) and you do not wish to pursue gainful employment, you do not need a visa to enter the Schengen area.

  • You will need a valid travel document.
  • You must submit a completed and signed application form.
  • You must be able to credibly demonstrate the purpose of your trip and the conditions of your stay.
  • You must be able to demonstrate that you are leaving the Schengen area before your visa expires.
  • You must not be the subject of an alert for refusal of entry in the Schengen Information System (SIS).
  • You must not pose a threat to public policy, internal security, public health or the international relations of one or more member states of the Schengen area.

  • Required Documents
    • Application for a Schengen visa, category C
    • a valid travel document, for example passport
    • biometric photograph
    • a completed and signed application form
    • proof of adequate and valid travel health insurance
    • proof of the purpose of your trip and the conditions of your stay in Germany
    • Proof that you will be able to pay for your stay and your return journey
    • Details of the documents required for a visa application can be found on the website of the relevant German mission abroad and in the information sheets posted there

As a rule, you must submit the application documents in person:

  • You can find the application form and detailed information on which documents you must enclose with the application on the website of the German diplomatic mission in your place of residence.
  • Please book an appointment for the application in good time.
  • You can submit the complete application form and the required supporting documents either directly to the German diplomatic mission abroad or to an external service provider.
  • When you submit your first application, your fingerprints will be taken (these must be saved every 5 years).
  • The visa will be affixed to your passport in the form of a label.
  • Only if you cannot be granted a visa will you receive a written decision, which will also inform you of the legal remedies available to you against this decision.

If a visa facilitation agreement applies, lower fees may apply. In certain cases, the fee may be reduced or waived entirely. A service fee is charged if the application is submitted to a service provider.
Fee: EUR 80

Reduced visa fee for children between the ages of 6 and 12. If a visa facilitation agreement applies, lower fees may apply. In certain cases, the fee may be reduced or waived entirely. A service fee is charged if the application is submitted to a service provider.
Fee: 40 EUR

Free of charge for: Children under 6 years of age Pupils, students and participants in postgraduate courses and accompanying teaching staff who wish to enter the country for study or training purposes Representatives of non-profit organizations up to the age of 25 who are taking part in seminars, conferences, sporting, cultural or educational events, organized by non-profit organizations Researchers travelling for research purposes or to participate in an academic seminar or conference "Replacement" of an old, still valid visa in a "full" travel document (without blank pages) with a new visa with the same period of validity in a new travel document

You can submit the application at the earliest 6 months (for seafarers: 9 months) before the planned start of the trip.

As a rule: 15 calendar days after submission (0 to 15 days)

Persons listed in Article 6 of the EU Visa Regulation (e.g. holders of diplomatic passports, civilian flight or ship personnel) are exempt from the visa requirement.

  • Remonstration (to be lodged with the German diplomatic mission or consular post deciding on the Schengen visa application)
  • Complaint (to the Berlin Administrative Court)

Status: 07.08.2024
Editorially responsible for prodecure description: Bundesministerium des Auswärtigen
Source: Federal Portal
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