Are you planning a trip outside of Germany and wondering about the travel requirements? Whether it’s a short trip or a long stay, understanding the current rules and regulations is essential. From visa-free travel to customs declarations, we’ve got you covered. Read on to discover everything you need to know about exiting Germany smoothly and securely.
Travel Requirements for Passport Holders from Germany – Map
Table of Contents
Passport and Visa Requirements
Passport Validity Requirements
One of the key requirements for travel is ensuring that your passport meets the validity requirements. Your passport must be less than 10 years old and have at least 3 months of validity remaining after your planned departure date from the destination country. This is crucial as many countries will not allow entry if these conditions are not met.
Visa-Free Entry for Short Stays
German passport holders can enjoy visa-free travel to many countries for short stays. This includes up to 90 days in any 180-day period for tourism, visiting family or friends, attending business meetings, cultural or sports events, and short-term studies or training. Always check the specific visa requirements for your destination before you travel.
Requirements for Longer Stays
If you plan to stay in a foreign country for more than 90 days, you will need to meet the entry requirements set by the government of that country. This often involves applying for a visa or residence permit. Make sure to start this process well in advance of your travel date to avoid any delays or issues.
Travel Providers and Documentation
Checking Passport and Document Requirements
Before you travel, your travel provider will check that your passport and other documents meet the necessary requirements. This includes ensuring that your passport is valid and that you have any necessary visas. It’s important to have all your documents in order to prevent any issues at the border.
Customs and Declarations
Customs Rules and Prohibited Goods
When traveling out of Germany, you need to be aware of the customs rules that apply. Certain goods are prohibited from being taken out of the country, and there are restrictions on others. Make sure to review these rules to avoid any penalties or confiscation of goods.
Declaring Goods and Paying Tax/Duty
As a traveler, you must declare any goods you are bringing into or taking out of Germany. This includes gifts, commercial items, and personal effects. You may be required to pay tax or duty on certain items, so it’s important to be prepared for this.
Schengen Area Regulations
Visa-Free Travel within Schengen Area
As a German passport holder, you can enjoy visa-free travel within the Schengen area. This allows you to travel freely between the 26 European countries that make up the Schengen zone. Remember that the 90-day rule applies, so keep track of your stay duration.
Passport Stamping
When entering and exiting Schengen area countries, your passport will be stamped. This helps authorities keep track of your stay and ensure compliance with the visa-free travel rules. Make sure your passport is stamped correctly to avoid any issues.
Additional Travel Tips
Showing Return or Onward Ticket
Many countries require travelers to show a return or onward ticket upon entry. This proves that you plan to leave the country within the permitted time frame. Always have your travel itinerary and tickets ready to present at border control.
Proving Sufficient Money for Stay
You may also be required to prove that you have sufficient funds to cover your stay. This can be done by showing bank statements, credit cards, or cash. Make sure you have proof of financial means to avoid any complications at the border.
Travel Requirements for Passport Holders from Germany – Countries list
Afghanistan - visa required
Albania - visa-free/90 days
Algeria - visa required
Andorra - visa-free
Angola - visa-free/30 days
Antigua and Barbuda - visa-free/180 days
Argentina - visa-free/90 days
Armenia - visa-free/180 days
Australia - eVisitors/90 days
Austria - visa-free
Azerbaijan - eVisa/30 days
Bahamas - visa-free/90 days
Bahrain - visa on arrival / eVisa/30 days
Bangladesh - visa on arrival/30 days
Barbados - visa-free/90 days
Belarus - visa-free/30 days
Belgium - visa-free
Belize - visa-free
Benin - eVisa
Bhutan - eVisa
Bolivia - visa-free/90 days
Bosnia and Herzegovina - visa-free/90 days
Botswana - visa-free/90 days
Brazil - visa-free/90 days
Brunei - visa-free/90 days
Bulgaria - visa-free
Burkina Faso - visa on arrival / eVisa/90 days
Burundi - visa on arrival/30 days
Cambodia - visa on arrival / eVisa/30 days
Cameroon - eVisa
Canada - eTA/180 days
Cape Verde - visa-free (EASE)/30 days
Central African Republic - visa required
Chad - visa required
Chile - visa-free/90 days
China - visa-free/15 days
Colombia - Arrival Card/90 days
Comoros - visa on arrival/45 days
Congo - visa required
Congo (Dem. Rep.) - eVisa/90 days
Costa Rica - visa-free/180 days
Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) - pre-enrollment/90 days
Croatia - visa-free
Cuba - tourist card/90 days
Cyprus - visa-free
Czech Republic - visa-free
Denmark - visa-free
Djibouti - visa on arrival / eVisa/90 days
Dominica - visa-free/180 days
Dominican Republic - E-Ticket/30 days
Ecuador - visa-free/90 days
Egypt - visa on arrival / eVisa/30 days
El Salvador - visa-free/180 days
Equatorial Guinea - eVisa
Eritrea - visa required
Estonia - visa-free
Eswatini - visa-free/30 days
Ethiopia - visa on arrival / eVisa/90 days
Fiji - visa-free/120 days
Finland - visa-free
France - visa-free
Gabon - eVisa/90 days
Gambia - visa-free/90 days
Georgia - visa-free/360 days
Ghana - visa required
Greece - visa-free
Grenada - visa-free/90 days
Guatemala - visa-free/90 days
Guinea - eVisa/90 days
Guinea-Bissau - visa on arrival/90 days
Guyana - visa-free/90 days
Haiti - visa-free/90 days
Honduras - visa-free/90 days
Hong Kong - visa-free/90 days
Hungary - visa-free
Iceland - visa-free
India - eVisa/30 days
Indonesia - visa on arrival / eVisa/30 days
Iran - visa on arrival / eVisa/30 days
Iraq - visa on arrival / eVisa/30 days
Ireland - visa-free
Israel - visa-free/90 days
Italy - visa-free
Jamaica - visa-free/90 days
Japan - visa-free/90 days
Jordan - visa on arrival / eVisa
Kazakhstan - visa-free/30 days
Kenya - eTA/90 days
Kiribati - visa-free/90 days
Kosovo - visa-free/90 days
Kuwait - visa on arrival / eVisa/90 days
Kyrgyzstan - visa-free/60 days
Laos - visa on arrival / eVisa/30 days
Latvia - visa-free
Lebanon - visa on arrival/30 days
Lesotho - visa-free/14 days
Liberia - visa required
Libya - eVisa
Liechtenstein - visa-free
Lithuania - visa-free
Luxembourg - visa-free
Macao - visa-free/90 days
Madagascar - visa on arrival / eVisa/90 days
Malawi - visa-free/30 days
Malaysia - Digital Arrival Card/90 days
Maldives - visa on arrival/30 days
Mali - visa required
Malta - visa-free
Marshall Islands - visa-free/90 days
Mauritania - visa on arrival
Mauritius - visa-free/90 days
Mexico - visa-free/180 days
Micronesia - visa-free/90 days
Moldova - visa-free/90 days
Monaco - visa-free
Mongolia - visa-free/30 days
Montenegro - visa-free/90 days
Morocco - visa-free/90 days
Mozambique - visa-free/30 days
Myanmar - eVisa
Namibia - visa-free/90 days
Nauru - visa required
Nepal - visa on arrival / eVisa/150 days
Netherlands - visa-free
New Zealand - eTA/90 days
Nicaragua - visa-free/90 days
Niger - visa required
Nigeria - eVisa/90 days
North Korea - visa required
North Macedonia - visa-free/90 days
Norway - visa-free
Oman - visa on arrival / eVisa/30 days
Pakistan - eTA/30 days
Palau - visa-free/90 days
Palestinian Territories - visa-free
Panama - visa-free/90 days
Papua New Guinea - eVisitors/60 days
Paraguay - visa-free/90 days
Peru - visa-free/90 days
Philippines - visa-free/30 days
Poland - visa-free
Portugal - visa-free
Qatar - free visa on arrival/90 days
Romania - visa-free
Russian Federation - eVisa/15 days
Rwanda - visa on arrival / eVisa/30 days
Saint Kitts and Nevis - visa-free/90 days
Saint Lucia - visa-free/90 days
Samoa - visa-free/90 days
San Marino - visa-free
Sao Tome and Principe - visa-free/15 days
Saudi Arabia - visa on arrival / eVisa/90 days
Senegal - visa-free/90 days
Serbia - visa-free/90 days
Seychelles - tourist registration/90 days
Sierra Leone - visa on arrival / eVisa/30 days
Singapore - visa-free/90 days
Slovakia - visa-free
Slovenia - visa-free
Solomon Islands - visa-free/90 days
Somalia - visa on arrival/30 days
South Africa - visa-free/90 days
South Korea - visa-free/90 days
South Sudan - eVisa
Spain - visa-free
Sri Lanka - eTA/30 days
St. Vincent and the Grenadines - visa-free/90 days
Sudan - visa required
Suriname - tourist card/90 days
Sweden - visa-free
Switzerland - visa-free
Syria - eVisa
Taiwan - visa-free/90 days
Tajikistan - visa-free/30 days
Tanzania - visa on arrival / eVisa
Thailand - visa-free/60 days
Timor-Leste - visa-free/90 days
Togo - eVisa/15 days
Tonga - visa-free/90 days
Trinidad and Tobago - visa-free/90 days
Tunisia - visa-free/120 days
Turkmenistan - visa required
Tuvalu - visa-free/90 days
Türkiye - visa-free/90 days
Uganda - eVisa
Ukraine - visa-free/90 days
United Arab Emirates - visa-free/90 days
United Kingdom - visa-free/180 days
United States of America - eTA/90 days
Uruguay - visa-free/90 days
Uzbekistan - visa-free/30 days
Vanuatu - visa-free/120 days
Vatican City - visa-free
Venezuela - visa-free/90 days
Viet Nam - visa-free/45 days
Yemen - visa required
Zambia - visa-free/90 days
Zimbabwe - visa on arrival / eVisa/90 days