Going to Germany: all entry formalities

NAME: Axel Strauss 
DATE: Feb 2, 2024 

Scientist and former politician Angela Merkel once said “Germany has become a country that many people abroad associate with hope.” And the country’s first female chancellor was right — Europe's fifth most visited country is indeed a fascinating place. But if you’re hoping to discover first-hand what makes Deutschland so unique, you’re still going to need the proper paperwork to get there. In which case, AXA hopes we can help. 

• Do I need a visa to visit Germany?
• What documents do I need for a tourist visa for Germany? 
• How much does the visa for Germany cost? 
• If I don’t need a Schengen Visa for Germany, what documents do I need? 
• What about ETIAS? 
• How can AXA help? 

Do I need a visa to visit Germany?

Whether you need a Schengen visa or not depends on where you’re coming from. Because two decades before electing their first female chancellor, Germany also made history by becoming one of the five founding members of the Schengen area (along with Belgium, France, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands). And as such, Germany these days — like its 26 current Schengen neighbors — may require you to have a Schengen visa to enter its borders.

Which travelers are required to apply for a Schengen visa for Germany?

You’ll need a Schengen visa if you’re a citizen of a country that has not signed a visa waiver agreement with the European Union. This includes countries such as China, Russia, India, most of Asia and the Middle East, and all of Africa, for example. 

A Schengen visa allows you to stay in the Schengen Zone for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. And while you can use it to travel in/between all 27 Schengen countries, you need to apply for it with your main destination country. 

PRO-TIP 1: AXA can help you figure out whether you need to apply for a Schengen visa for Germany with German efficiency.

Which travelers don’t need a Schengen visa to come to Germany (for stays of less than 90 days)?

You don’t need a visa for Germany if you are a national of the Schengen area and/or one (or more) of the European Union member countries. You also don’t need one if you’re a citizen of one (or more) of roughly 60 non-EU countries and territories that have signed visa exemption agreements with the EU. 

This includes, for example, citizens of Australia, Brazil, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, Macao, Mexico, Taiwan, the U.K.,* and the U.S. 

*NOTE: If you are a U.K BRP (i.e., biometric residence permit) and/or IRL (i.e., indefinite leave to remain) holder, then whether you need a Schengen visa for Germany or not depends on the country where you hold citizenship. So consult the UK Government’s Official Website’s Travel to the EU/Schengen section to make sure you have all the latest info. 

PRO-TIP 2: The European Commission provides full lists of the countries exempt from and those that need a Schengen visa here. And you should also consult the Official Website of the EU — and that of your home country — just in case.

What documents do I need for a tourist visa for Germany?

The specific documents you need may vary depending on your nationality, your country of origin, and the purpose of your trip. At the very least, you should have: 

• Your passport (issued within the last 10 years, with a validity of more than 3 months after the planned date of exit from the Schengen area) 
• A German Schengen visa application form (duly completed and signed). 
• Two recent passport photos 
• Your itinerary 
• Travel insurance (NOTE: Travel insurance is mandatory and must meet several criteria in order to be accepted with your visa application — but more on that below) 
• Proof of sufficient funds* (if applicable) 
• Proof of the purpose of the trip such as a letter of invitation (if applicable)
• Your residence permit and/or resident card (if applicable) 
• Proof of accommodation (if applicable) 
• Proof of socio-economic and professional stability (if applicable) 
• For minors — certified parental or guardian authorization 

If you’re traveling for business, you might also need: 

• a schedule of your stay with your business contacts and/or a signed letter of invitation from a German company (if applicable) 
• documentation linked to your business operations (if applicable)

*In terms of means of subsistence for your Germany Schengen Visa, you’ll need to show that you have (at least) €45 per day to spend during your trip. 

PRO-TIP 3: AXA can tell you exactly how to apply for a German Schengen visa here if you do need one. And if you’re hoping to apply for a German work visa — we got your back too. 

NOTE: But while AXA continuously strives to provide the most reliable info regarding travel to the Schengen Zone, our specialty remains quality travel insurance. And because Schengen embassies/consulates may modify their visa rules and regulations at any time, we recommend you always double-check with Germany’s Federal Foreign Office’s official website for the latest requirements. As well as with the German embassy/consulate in your home country. And Germany’s Federal Foreign Office can help you find an embassy or consulate here.

How much does the visa for Germany cost?

Schengen visa costs are universal. So a Schengen visa for Germany will cost one adult €80. 

For children between the ages of six and twelve, the fee is €40. 

And children under the age of six can get a Schengen visa for free.* 

*In certain cases, the visa fee may also be waived for: 
- participants in certain seminars, conferences, sporting, cultural, and/or educational events (25yo or under);
- students/teachers on study and/or training trips; 
- certain professionals traveling for the purpose of scientific research.

NOTE: You’ll also likely have to pay some extra administrative and/or service fees associated with your visa center and/or the respective officials. And visa fees are not reimbursed if your visa is refused.

If I don't need a Schengen Visa for Germany, what documents do I need?

If you don’t need a Schengen visa for Germany, then you have a lot less clicking, printing, and waiting to do. But you’ll still need (at the very least): 

• A biometric passport (issued no more than 10 years prior to and valid for at least 90 days after the planned date of departure from the Schengen zone) and/or other Valid Travel Document. 
• Your itinerary. 

And since safety remains a concern in Europe, you should also: 

• Not come up as “reported for non-admission” in the Schengen Information System (SIS)
• Not pose a threat to the public order, internal security, public health, or international relations of any of the countries Schengen 
• Have sufficient resources 

PRO-TIP 4: Germany’s Federal Ministry of the Interior and Community is a great resource to learn more about entry and residence in Germany too.

What COVID restrictions does Germany have?

COVID-19 unfortunately seemed to be making a bit of a comeback in Germany (and the rest of Europe) in the winter of 2023-2024. So while digital travel certificates remain a thing of the past for now, we recommend you stay informed regarding COVID in Germany via the World Health Organization, the official website of the EU, and Germany’s official immigration website BAMF.

What about ETIAS?

And then there’s ETIAS. It’s not paperwork in the literal sense but rather a new digital application process — proposed by the European Union in 2016 — to make travel to Europe more safe and efficient. And that includes to Germany too. 

Short for the European Travel Information and Authorization System, ETIAS is set to go into effect in “mid-2025.” That’s according to the official ETIAS website above. However, since its inception, it has already been postponed a few times. For now, AXA can tell you more about ETIAS.

How can AXA help?

And the best way AXA can help you is by ensuring that your trip to Deutschland is a safe one. And that’s not only by providing another crucial document you might need but — more importantly — by providing the first-class, top-quality travel insurance said document represents. Because if you’re applying for a Schengen Visa for Germany (or any of its 26 Schengen neighbors), having the proper travel insurance is mandatory. 

But even if you don’t need a visa, having a comprehensive travel insurance plan is never a bad call. And here are just a few ways how AXA can make your trip to Germany a lot more worry-free. 

First off, all three of AXA’s plans (Low-Cost, starting at as little as €22/week, Europe Travel, and Multi-Trip) meet the necessary travel insurance requirements for being granted a Germany Schengen Visa. Just in case, these requirements stipulate that your plan: 

• has a minimum coverage of €30,000 (in case of medical care, hospitalization, and/or medical repatriation); 
• is accepted by all 27 countries within the Schengen zone (not just Germany); 
• is valid for the entire duration of your trip/stay. 

Oh, and if your Schengen visa for Germany happens to be denied, AXA’s plans are refundable in most cases — so long as you provide the appropriate documentation (i.e., an official explanation as to why your visa was refused by the relevant embassy, consulate, or visa application center). 

Furthermore, AXA’s plans also have no age restrictions. 

Getting an AXA plan is quick, easy, and can all be done online in a matter of minutes. 

The AXA travel insurance certificate can then be downloaded (and printed) online instantly too. 

AXA certificates are accepted by all Schengen embassies and consulates around the world (including the German ones). 

And, finally — no matter how much or how little paperwork you need to travel to Germany — the right AXA travel insurance plan will help guarantee you and your family are safe, healthy, and have 24/7 support once you get there (and throughout the entire duration of your trip). 

So as you gather those documents and prep for your trip, make sure to compare our 3 comprehensive plans too. 

RELATED ARTICLES 

• How to apply for a Schengen Visa (in general) 
• How to choose the best Schengen travel insurance 
• How safe is it to travel to Germany? 
• How safe is Europe to visit?