Check visas and entry requirements before you travel

• Entry requirements depend on your passport, destination, length and purpose of stay, and sometimes also on transit countries.
• An electronic application is not automatically a visa and must be fully approved before you travel.
• Your name, date of birth, and passport number should match across your application, booking, and authorization.
• Processing times, validity periods, and permitted lengths of stay may differ.
• When traveling to multiple countries, check each transit and destination country separately.
• A copy can help when making contact, but it does not replace your passport or any required authorization.

Start by mapping out your complete route. This includes not only your departure and destination, but also stopovers, airports, land borders, cruise ports, and planned stays outside your main destination. A direct flight can raise different questions from a connection involving an airport change or a stay that requires you to leave the transit area. The Entry and documents section helps you check passports, authorizations, and transit as separate requirements.

The travel document you will use also matters. A German passport, a temporary passport, a national identity card, and a travel document for foreign nationals may each be subject to different rules. Depending on the destination, children may also need their own documents. Check the requirements against the document you will actually use, not just the country where you booked your trip.

For up-to-date information, the travel and safety advice issued by the German Federal Foreign Office is a useful starting point. The destination country's embassy, consulate, or relevant immigration authority may also publish its own requirements. Always follow the guidance of the authority responsible for your specific nationality and itinerary.

Before applying, carefully copy your name, date of birth, passport number, issue and expiry dates, and planned dates of stay. Even a minor typo can mean that an authorization does not match your booking or passport. Depending on the destination, you may be asked for a photo, insurance, an invitation, a return ticket, or proof of accommodation and financial means. Gather such documents only in accordance with the current official application checklist.

Start your application early enough to allow for questions, public holidays, additional documents, and resubmission. Paying for a booking does not guarantee that your application will be approved. For an electronic application, save and print the confirmation, and keep an additional copy available offline. Check the validity period separately from the permitted length of stay: a document may remain valid for longer than you are allowed to stay on any one visit.

For a connection, check whether you can remain in the transit area throughout, whether your baggage will be transferred automatically, and whether you need to check in again. Changing terminals, airports, or modes of transport may lead to additional checks. If you have separate tickets, you also face a greater risk if the first leg is delayed. The travel checklist and itinerary can help you sort out these questions by timing and priority before departure.

Keep your personal documents accessible throughout your journey. Compare your passport and personal documents against your booking and current itinerary; you can also make digital copies available offline using Back up travel documents digitally. If your itinerary changes, do not assume that an existing authorization will still be sufficient.

If names or place names are difficult to read while traveling, language and communication resources can help with local spellings, addresses, and translations. Save the information before your trip rather than trying to find it at the border.

During the final week, check the validity, spelling, entry route, transit, and return journey against one another again. Changes to your passport, nationality, purpose of travel, or length of stay may mean that you need to check the requirements again. If your connection changes, contact the relevant authority before continuing your journey. For routes to the airport and between terminals, see Getting there and transport.

Keep originals in accessible carry-on luggage. Store copies and contact details separately and securely. If you are traveling with children, someone who needs care, or special medication, check in advance whether additional documents are required. Travel safely offers further guidance on dealing with loss, illness, and unexpected changes. For other practical arrangements, see Practical information.

Is an electronic application the same as a visa?

No. Depending on the country, it may be an authorization, a registration, or a preliminary check. The relevant authority can tell you which one applies to your specific trip.

How far in advance should I apply?

Apply early enough to allow for processing, follow-up questions, and the possibility of submitting additional documents. The deadline depends on the destination, document, and procedure.

Do I need a visa for every connection?

Not automatically. It depends on the transit country, airport, transit area, baggage arrangements, ticket, and personal documents.

Is a copy of my passport enough?

No. A copy can help with identification and contacting you, but it does not replace the original or any required authorization.