Visa Guide: Which Countries Require a Visa?
With a German passport you can travel to over 190 countries without a visa. But not everywhere – and sometimes there are pitfalls. Here is the complete overview.
14 minutes · By the HolidayGenie editorial team · Updated:
Do I need a visa for my trip as a German citizen?
With a German passport you can enter more than 190 countries visa-free or with a simplified procedure – within the EU, even your ID card is enough. Some countries, however, require an online travel authorisation such as ESTA (USA) or eTA (Canada) or an eVisa (e.g. India, Turkey, Vietnam), while others issue a visa on arrival. Many countries also require your passport to be valid for at least 6 months beyond your travel dates.
How powerful is the German passport?
The German passport is among the strongest travel documents worldwide. It regularly ranks 2nd to 4th on the Henley Passport Index, granting visa-free or simplified access to over 190 countries.
Nevertheless, there are important differences – and pitfalls. The maximum length of stay varies considerably: from 14 days (some Pacific islands) to unlimited (EU/EEA/Switzerland).
Tip: Even when no visa is required, many countries demand a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond the travel date.
Which countries can I visit without a visa?
For visa-free countries, a valid passport (or within the EU an identity card) is sufficient.
Europe & Schengen Area:
- All 27 EU countries – free stay, only ID card needed
- Schengen-associated states: Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein
- Western Balkans: Serbia (30 days), North Macedonia, Montenegro, Bosnia, Albania, Kosovo (90 days each)
- United Kingdom: 6 months visa-free (separate regime since Brexit)
Americas:
- Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador – 90 days each
- Mexico: 180 days visa-free
- Canada: visa-free but eTA required – approx. 7 CAD
- USA: visa-free but ESTA mandatory – 21 USD, valid for 2 years
Asia & Oceania:
- Japan: 90 days visa-free
- South Korea: 90 days visa-free
- Thailand: 60 days visa-free (increased from 30 in 2024)
- Malaysia: 90 days, Singapore: 90 days
- Australia: visa-free with eVisitor (free) or ETA
- New Zealand: visa-free, NZeTA required
What is an eVisa and which countries require one?
The eVisa (electronic visa) is the modern alternative to the traditional embassy visa. You apply online and receive approval by email.
- India: eVisa for tourists, 30 days (25 USD) or 1 year/5 years (40/80 USD)
- Turkey: eVisa for 30 days, 50 USD, instant approval
- Vietnam: eVisa for 90 days, 25 USD
- Sri Lanka: ETA online, 50 USD, 30 days
- Cambodia: eVisa for 30 days, 36 USD
- Kenya: eTA for 90 days, free since 2024
- Egypt: eVisa for 30 days, 25 USD
Warning: Only apply for eVisas on official government websites! Numerous third-party sites charge significantly higher fees.
Which countries offer a visa on arrival?
With Visa on Arrival (VoA), you receive the visa directly upon entry.
- Indonesia (Bali): 30 days, 500,000 IDR (approx. 30 euros), extendable
- Egypt: 30 days, 25 USD
- Jordan: 30 days, 40 JOD – free with Jordan Pass
- Laos: 30 days, 40 USD, passport photo required
- Nepal: 15/30/90 days, 30/50/125 USD
- Maldives: 30 days, free
Important: Always keep clean USD banknotes of the right denomination ready.
How does the 90-day rule in the Schengen Area work?
The 90/180-day rule is enormously important for non-EU citizens to understand.
The rule states: within any 180-day period, you may stay a maximum of 90 days in the Schengen Area. The 180 days form a rolling window.
Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Greece, Austria, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Poland, Czechia, Hungary, Slovakia, Slovenia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Croatia, Bulgaria, Romania and Liechtenstein.
Tip: Non-Schengen EU countries such as Ireland or (since Brexit) the UK have separate entry rules. A stay there does NOT count towards the Schengen 90 days.
Which visa mistakes should I avoid?
The most common visa mistakes:
- Passport not valid long enough: Many countries require 6 months' residual validity.
- No empty pages in passport: Some countries need 1–2 completely blank pages.
- Forgetting ESTA/eTA: The USA and Canada require prior registration despite visa-free travel.
- Confusing transit and entry: In the USA you must go through immigration even for connecting flights.
- Visa-free does not mean unlimited: Overstaying can lead to fines or entry bans.
- Missing return ticket: Many countries require proof of a return or onward flight.
- Children without their own passport: Since 2012 every child needs their own travel document.
How long does a visa take to process?
One of the biggest stress factors with visas is the processing time.
| Visa type | Processing time | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| ESTA (USA) | Usually instant – 72h | 1 week before |
| eTA (Canada) | Usually instant | 1 week before |
| eVisa (India) | 3–5 working days | 2–3 weeks before |
| eVisa (Vietnam) | 3 working days | 2 weeks before |
| China visa | 4–10 working days | 6–8 weeks before |
| Russia visa | 10–20 working days | 8–12 weeks before |
| New passport | 4–6 weeks | Check 3 months before |
| Express passport | approx. 72 hours | Emergency solution |
Important: During peak travel season (June–August) processing times can be significantly longer.
What is a working holiday visa?
Germany has Working Holiday agreements with numerous countries.
- Australia: 12 months (up to age 35), 640 AUD, extendable to 3 years
- New Zealand: 12 months (up to age 30), 455 NZD
- Canada: 12 months (up to age 35), 357 CAD, lottery system
- Japan: 12 months (up to age 30), free
- South Korea: 12 months (up to age 30), free
- Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil: 12 months
Requirements (vary): proof of funds (approx. 2,500–5,000 euros), return ticket, health insurance.
Which countries offer digital nomad visas?
More and more countries offer special Digital Nomad Visas (DNV).
- Portugal: D8 visa, 12 months, min. income 3,040 euros/month
- Spain: Startup Law visa, 12 months, approx. 2,520 euros/month
- Croatia: 12 months, 2,540 euros/month, no local tax
- Estonia: Digital Nomad Visa, 12 months, 4,500 euros/month
- Thailand: DTV, 5 years, 180 days/entry
- Indonesia (Bali): B211A Remote Worker Visa, 6 months, free since 2024
- Costa Rica: 12 months, 3,000 USD/month
Tip: Check the <strong>tax implications</strong> before applying. In many countries you become tax-resident after 183 days.
Which countries require a traditional visa?
For some countries there is no alternative to a traditional visa application at the embassy:
- China: Visa required (exception: 144h transit), approx. 125 euros
- Russia: Visa required, approx. 80–150 euros (currently restricted)
- Saudi Arabia: eVisa available since 2019
- Bhutan: Visa + daily fee (100–200 USD/day)
- Turkmenistan: Visa + invitation letter, very restrictive
For these countries, begin the application process at least 6–8 weeks before departure.
Do I need a transit visa for a stopover?
Even for a mere connection, a transit visa may be required:
- USA: No airside transit possible. ESTA required even for connections
- Canada: Transit without visa possible at certain airports, but eTA needed
- China: 24–144h visa-free transit at selected airports
- UK: Airside transit without visa possible for EU citizens
- Australia: Transit visa (Subclass 771) needed for long layovers
Practical tip: If you book flights separately (not as a through-ticket), you are generally not considered a transit passenger and must formally enter the country.
Where can I find up-to-date visa information?
Visa requirements change regularly. Here are the most reliable sources:
- Foreign Ministry of your country: The official and most reliable source.
- IATA TravelCentre (iatatravelcentre.com): The database airlines use.
- Timatic: The system used at check-in counters.
- Embassies and consulates: For detailed questions and special cases.
Tip: Never rely on a single source or on travel forum posts older than 6 months.
Found your destination? Then plan your trip!
