If you’re planning a short trip for sightseeing, business, or to visit before moving to Germany, chances are you’ll need a Schengen visa for Germany. It’s the most common visa type for short stays in Germany and other European countries within the Schengen Area.
This guide covers everything you need to know about the Germany Schengen visa, including:
- Who needs a Schengen visa to visit Germany
- How long you can stay in Germany with a Schengen visa
- The step-by-step application process and required documents
- Detailed Schengen visa requirements, including health insurance
- Work and study limitations on a Schengen visa
What is the Schengen area?
The Schengen Area is a group of 27 European countries that have agreed to abolish passport and border controls at their mutual borders. This means you can travel freely between these countries without needing additional visas or border checks, much like moving between states in the U.S.
The Schengen countries include popular destinations like Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Austria, and the Netherlands.
What is a Schengen visa?
The Schengen visa is a short-stay visa that allows you to travel within the Schengen area for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. If your primary destination is Germany, you must apply for your Schengen visa at the German embassy or consulate in your home country.
The German Schengen visa is typically issued for:
- Tourism
- Visiting family or friends
- Business trips
- Attending short courses or conferences
- Medical treatment
- Cultural or sports events.
The Schengen visa does not allow you to work or study in Germany long-term. If that is your intention, then you would need to apply for a long-stay visa instead.
Who needs a Schengen visa to visit Germany?
Whether you need a Schengen Visa depends on your nationality.
You need a Schengen visa if you are a citizen of:
- Most African countries
- Most Asian countries
- Russia
- India
- Turkey
You do not need a Schengen visa if you are a citizen of:
- The EU or EEA
- The USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and a few other countries (for stays up to 90 days).
How long can you stay in Germany with a Schengen visa?
You can spend up to three months in Germany or any other Schengen country within the Schengen visa’s 180-day window. Days can be continuous or spread out over multiple entries into the country, depending on whether you receive a single-entry or multiple-entry visa.
Once you reach the 90-day limit, you must leave the Schengen area. Overstaying your visa can result in fines, deportation, and difficulties re-entering the Schengen zone in the future.
Schengen visa requirements: what you’ll need to apply
When applying for a Schengen visa, the German embassy will ask you to submit several documents to verify the purpose of your trip, your financial situation, and your insurance coverage:
Completed visa application form
You can download the Schengen visa form directly from the website of your local German embassy or consulate. Be sure to fill it out carefully, sign it, and prepare two copies.
Valid passport
Your passport must be valid for at least three months beyond your intended stay and have at least two blank pages for visa stamps.
Passport photos
You’ll need to submit two biometric passport photos that meet official Germany visa photo requirements.
Reason for travel
Depending on why you’re visiting Germany, you will need to provide:
- A travel itinerary (including flight bookings and hotel reservations)
- An invitation letter for visiting family or friends
- Confirmation of conference, seminar, or event attendance
- Business meeting invitations, if applicable.
Travel health insurance
Travel health insurance is essential for Schengen visa approval. Your policy must:
- Be valid for all Schengen countries
- Cover the entire duration of your stay
- Include emergency medical care and repatriation
Feather’s expat insurance is perfect for Schengen visa applications.
Proof of financial means
You must prove that you can financially support yourself during your stay. This can include:
- Recent bank statements
- Payslips
- A formal declaration of sponsorship (if someone in Germany is covering your expenses).
Proof of accommodation
As part of your Schengen visa application, you must also provide evidence of where you’ll be staying during your visit, such as hotel reservations or a written invitation from your host.
Proof of return
As this is a short-term visa with an expiry date, you should be prepared to show a return flight reservation or, at least, proof that you plan to leave the Schengen area before your visa expires.
How to apply for a Schengen visa: step-by-step
- Find your local German embassy or consulate. Each embassy may have slightly different procedures, so be sure to check the specific instructions on their website.
- Book your visa appointment. Appointments can fill up quickly, so it’s always best to book well in advance, ideally at least two to three months before your planned trip.
- Prepare all required documents. Double-check the list from your embassy to ensure that nothing is missing before attending your appointment.
- Submit your application in person. You will hand in your documents, pay the visa fee (around €80 for adults), provide biometric data and possibly attend a brief interview too.
- Wait for processing. Schengen visa processing typically takes 15 calendar days, but it can take longer during busy periods. Allow a further two to three working days for the return of your passport. Don’t leave it all until the last minute!
- Receive your visa. Once approved, your visa will be stamped into your passport, indicating the validity period and the number of entries you are allowed.
What you can and can’t do on a Schengen visa
It’s important to be absolutely clear about what the Schengen visa covers you for before applying.
You can:
- Travel within Germany and other Schengen countries
- Attend business meetings, conferences and short courses
- Visit family and friends
- Receive emergency medical care
- Explore tourist attractions and cultural sites
You can’t:
- Work for a German employer
- Enrol in long-term study programs
- Extend your stay beyond 90 days without special approval (more on this below)
- Apply for permanent residence using a Schengen visa
Trying to work or stay beyond the allowed period can lead to serious legal consequences and may impact your ability to obtain future visas.
How to extend your Schengen visa
Extending a Schengen visa is challenging but possible under specific circumstances.
If you find yourself needing to be in Germany for more than 180 days due to exceptional reasons such as medical emergencies, flight cancellations or other unforeseen events, you may apply for an extension at the immigration office (Ausländerbehörde).
It is crucial to do this before your visa expires, ideally as soon as the need for an extension becomes clear.
To apply, you will need to provide strong documentation supporting your request, such as a medical certificate, proof of financial means, travel insurance, and a valid reason that complies with the acceptable grounds for extension. Visa extensions are not guaranteed, and overstaying without permission can lead to penalties or entry bans.
How to prepare for your visit to Germany
A little bit of preparation goes a long way in making your time in Germany smooth and stress-free. Here are a few essentials to get sorted before or shortly after you land:
Choose a SIM card
Staying connected is key. Germany has several major mobile providers like Telekom, Vodafone and O2, each offering prepaid and contract options. For short stays or flexibility, prepaid SIMs from brands like Aldi Talk or Lebara are affordable and easy to set up.
Open a EUR bank account
Having a euro bank account makes everyday payments and rent much easier. Digital banks like N26 and Revolut are great for newcomers, offering fast online setup and English-language support. Traditional banks like Deutsche Bank or Commerzbank are great for longer stays.
Find short stay accommodation
Temporary housing options are plentiful in Germany. For budget travellers, Hostel World is a good place to start. For private stays or shared flats, try Airbnb, Wimdu or Booking.com. It’s best to book early during peak times and always check reviews to ensure a reliable experience.
Travel to Germany with confidence
The Germany Schengen visa is your key to exploring Germany and the rest of Europe for up to 90 days. The process may seem complex, but by carefully following each step, preparing the right documents and securing compliant health insurance you can make your application smooth and successful.
Whether you’re visiting family, attending a conference or simply taking in the beauty of Berlin or Munich, Feather can help you stay protected and stress-free with trusted health insurance that’s perfectly tailored for Schengen visa applicants.
