Tourist visa for Germany: documents, fees and steps

Good to know

• Period for submissionConditions and details

  A Schengen visa application is submitted at the earliest six months before the trip and, as a general rule, at the latest 15 days before; the appointment can be made before that period.
• Germany, main destinationConditions and details

  The Schengen visa application is submitted to the mission of the trip's main destination country: for a stay mainly in Germany, to a German mission. The country of entry or exit is not decisive.
• No online submission for the Schengen visaConditions and details

  The Consular Services Portal is used for long-stay visas. According to the ministry, Schengen visa applications cannot yet be accepted online there: the tourist visa application is submitted on paper, at the appointment.
• Conditions examined by the missionConditions and details

  The mission must establish for each applicant: a plausible reason for the trip, that the stay and the trip are financed from their own resources or income, the willingness to leave the Schengen area before the visa expires, and travel health insurance valid throughout the Schengen area for the entire duration of the stay, with minimum coverage of 30 000 euros. It decides with a broad margin of discretion.
• Third-party sponsorshipConditions and details

  If the applicant cannot prove that they are financing the stay themselves, a third person can commit to it through a formal declaration of support (Verpflichtungserklärung, Articles 66 and 68 of the Residence Act). As a rule, this person submits it to the foreigners authority (Ausländerbehörde) of their place of residence.
• Private visit: invitationConditions and details

  For a private visit, an invitation is generally requested to confirm the purpose of the trip; no particular form is required. If the host covers the travel costs, a formal declaration of sponsorship (Verpflichtungserklärung) must accompany the visa application; the host may sign it with the local authorities at his or her place of residence (generally the Ordnungsamt or the Ausländerbehörde).
• 90 days out of 180, regardless of visa validityConditions and details

  The mission determines the period of validity and the number of days covered according to the documents submitted. A multiple-entry or long-validity visa does not allow exceeding 90 days of stay in any 180-day period.
• Refusal and appealConditions and details

  In the event of refusal, the reasons are communicated to the applicant and judicial recourse is open to the applicant. The remonstrance procedure (Remonstrationsverfahren), an optional appeal not provided for by law, has been abolished worldwide since 1 July 2025. A new application remains possible at any time.
• Extension only in exceptional casesConditions and details

  The validity of a visa can be extended only in certain exceptional cases, and only by the foreigners authority (Ausländerbehörde) at the holder's place of residence in Germany. Neither the Federal Foreign Office nor its missions abroad can do so.
• Fee exemptionsConditions and details

  All Schengen States exempt in particular pupils, students and accompanying teachers on study or training trips, representatives of non-profit organisations aged 25 or under who participate in certain events, researchers within the meaning of Directive (EU) 2016/801, and the replacement of a valid visa in a new travel document. Also exempt are the spouses, registered same-sex partners and unmarried minor children of German nationals, the parents of minor German children, as well as family members and relatives of EU or EEA nationals who benefit from free movement.
• Visa facilitation agreementsConditions and details

  The facilitation agreements concluded with Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cabo Verde, Georgia, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Ukraine apply to nationals of those countries who are not exempt from the visa requirement. They provide for exemptions for certain categories of persons (for example a visit to a family member lawfully residing in a Schengen State, students). The reductions are partially suspended for Belarusian nationals and fully suspended for nationals of the Russian Federation.
• External provider fees cappedConditions and details

  An external service provider may charge a service fee, proportionate to the costs of its services. The Visa Code caps it at half of the regular visa fee, namely 45 euros, regardless of any reductions or exemptions from the visa fee. In third countries where the competent State has no consulate to receive applications and is not represented by another Member State, this cap is in principle 80 euros.
• Individual questionsConditions and details

  The headquarters of the Federal Foreign Office does not take part in decisions on individual applications. Questions about the fees of a particular case should be addressed to the German mission responsible for the application.
• Entry checksConditions and details

  During the entry check in Germany, the fingerprints recorded when applying for the visa are verified electronically. The traveller must also be able to substantiate the purpose and conditions of the stay, and to have sufficient means for its entire duration and for the return to the country of origin.
• Entry/Exit System (EES)Conditions and details

  The Entry/Exit System (EES) digitally records the entry and exit of third-country nationals: personal data, photograph, fingerprints and dates, instead of the stamp in the passport. Entry is not possible without this registration. The traveller can view their data to find out how much longer they can stay in the Schengen area.