Short stays and Airport transit
Airport transit visa
If you fly via Germany to get to your final destination you might need an airport transit visa. The vast majority of travellers do not need a visa when airtransitting through Germany.
Tourist visa
If you are going to Germany for tourist reason for a duration not longer than 90 days and you are booked in a hotel you need to apply for a tourist visa.
Tourist visa
Business visa
If you are going to Germany for business or professional reason (not private) for a duration not longer than 90 days and you are in possession of an invitation letter from a German organization you need to apply for a business visa.
Business visa
Visitor visa
If you are going to Germany to visit your family or friends for a duration not longer than 90 days and you stay at their house you need to apply for a visitor visa.
Visitor visa
Convention refugees
Holders of a blue Canadian Travel Document (Convention of July 28th, 1951) do not need a visa for transit and/or short term stay (e.g. for tourism or business purposes) in Germany.
Blue Travel Document [pdf, 76,61k]
Schengen States
Germany is a member of the Schengen Agreement. A 90-day tourist, visitor or business visa issued by a consulate of any of the Schengen States is generally valid for travel to all Schengen States.
If you intend to visit only one Schengen country, you need to apply at the Embassy or Consulate of that particular country.
If you intend to visit several Schengen countries, you must apply for a visa at the Embassy or Consulate of the country which is your main destination.
If you intend to visit several Schengen countries but do not have a main destination, you should apply for a visa at the Embassy or Consulate of the country which is your first point of entry.
