Travel To Germany: What Americans Need To Know

Americans can travel to Germany for up to 90 days without a visa. However, from 2025, US citizens will need to apply for approval under the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) to enter Germany and other countries in the European Union. The ETIAS authorisation is valid for three years and costs €7, although it is free for those under 18 or over 70.

Travel Authorisation Requirements

US citizens travelling to Germany and other countries in the European Union will soon need to meet new documentation requirements. The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) will be operational from 2025, and Americans will need to apply for approval through the ETIAS before visiting.

The ETIAS is a visa waiver programme that covers travellers from 59 countries, including the US and Canada, who plan to stay in a participating country for 90 days or less in a 180-day period. The ETIAS travel pass will be valid for three consecutive years. Once your security check is completed and approved, your authorisation is good for up to three years. The ETIAS is linked to your passport, so if your passport expires within three years, you will need to apply for a new ETIAS travel authorisation.

The ETIAS application will ask for basic information such as name, address, passport information, current occupation, as well as information about past travel to conflict zones and criminal convictions. It will not require any health information or biometric data, like fingerprints. The application fee is €7 (or roughly $7.50), but applications for people under 18 or over 70 years old are free. The application can be completed on the official ETIAS website or via a mobile application.

Once approved for travel, the authorisation entitles visitors to stay in European countries that require ETIAS for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. Most applications should be processed within minutes, but in case an application takes longer, decisions will be sent within four days or up to 14 days if the applicant is asked to provide additional documentation. If an application is refused, the email will include the reasons for the decision and information about how to appeal.

If you are travelling to Europe via air or sea, the carrier you use will be required to verify that you have a valid ETIAS travel authorisation within 48 hours before departure. However, if you are travelling by train, train operators will not check for ETIAS authorisation. But, ETIAS will still be checked at the border, and people travelling from the UK by train will be checked by a border guard before boarding.

US citizens who do not meet the ETIAS requirements need a visa for Europe. Visa applicants need to make an appointment at the embassy or consulate of their European destinations. Documentation requirements depend on the type of visa requested but may include accommodation bookings, round-trip flight tickets, proof of sufficient financial means to cover the stay, travel insurance that covers medical care in the Schengen Area, and a recent passport-sized photograph.

Student Visa Requirements

As of May 2025, US citizens need to apply for ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) to travel to Germany for up to 90 days. This is an electronic travel authorisation or visa waiver, similar to the US ESTA, and it will cost €7, or roughly $7.50. Travellers must apply for ETIAS authorisation online and will need to provide the following information:

• Date, place, and country of birth
• Contact phone number
• Passport issue/expiry date
• Travel to conflict areas

ETIAS is valid for three years and allows travellers to stay in Germany for up to 90 days within any 180-day period.

If you plan to stay in Germany for longer than 90 days, you will need to apply for a student visa. The type of visa you need depends on your study programme:

• The Schengen visa (C visa) for short courses that last up to three months
• The national visa (D visa) for courses that last more than three months

The requirements for a German student visa are as follows:

• Visa application documents: Completed visa application form, valid passport, and recent passport-style photos
• Proof of financial resources: Proof that you have enough money to support yourself in Germany (minimum requirement is €11,904 per year)
• Proof of purpose of stay: Letter that confirms your acceptance to a study programme in Germany
• Previous academic qualifications: School-leaving certificate or university degree
• Health insurance: Required for the visa and to enrol at the university
• Proof of language proficiency: German or English at minimum B2 level
• Visa processing fee: €75 for adults, reduced fee for minors

Temporary Residence Permits

To stay in Germany for longer than 90 days, US citizens will need to apply for a residence permit. This can be done from the US before travelling, or once in Germany, at the local immigration office (Ausländerbehörde).

The Temporary Residence Permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis) is for shorter stays in Germany, usually for one year only, but it can be extended if the applicant's situation remains unchanged and they continue to fulfil the requirements. This type of permit is granted to foreign nationals who have a specific reason for staying in Germany, such as work, study, or family reunion. The permit specifies the purpose and duration of the stay, and the holder cannot engage in any activities that the permit does not allow.

For example, to qualify for a temporary residence permit for work, applicants must meet several requirements, including German language proficiency, and they and their employer must prove that the job position could not be filled by German citizens, EU citizens, or priority workers (those who have been in Germany for longer). They must also get approval from the Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur fur Arbeit). The employment contract determines the period of the permit.

Students can obtain a temporary residence permit for the length of their program, and can work full time for 120 days or half-time for 240 days. After completing their degree, students can extend their temporary permit for another 18 months to find a job in Germany.

The EU Blue Card is similar to the Temporary Residence Permit but targets a specific group of people and has a longer validity. It is for foreign nationals of non-EU countries who are highly skilled in a profession and want to work in Germany. To qualify, applicants must have completed a higher education degree, such as a bachelor's or master's degree, and have a job in Germany that allows them to practice the skills they gained during their degree. The job must be in the same field as their educational qualifications, and they should earn a minimum of €45,300 per year. The EU Blue Card is valid for four years, and holders can get permanent residence if they maintain their jobs. They qualify for permanent residence after 33 months, but if they know German sufficiently, they can get it after 21 months.

Travel Insurance

US citizens travelling to Germany and other European countries will need to apply for a new travel authorization, the ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System), from 2025. This will allow Americans to continue to travel visa-free to Europe for short stays. However, one crucial aspect of travel to Germany (and Europe) is to ensure that you have adequate travel insurance.

Travel health insurance is one of the first things you should get when planning a trip to Germany. It will cover any medical costs that may arise from sudden sickness or accidents during your trip. Even if you do not need a visa to enter Germany, it is still highly recommended to get health insurance as passport control officers may ask to see it before letting you through.

Requirements for German Travel Insurance

If you are applying for a German tourist visa, you will need to get Schengen travel insurance, which has the following basic requirements:

• Coverage amount: A minimum of €30,000 for medical emergencies and evacuation/repatriation.
• Covered area: All Schengen States.
• Duration: The entire duration of your trip.

Cost of German Travel Insurance

The cost of travel health insurance for Germany depends on the following factors:

• Length of your trip.
• Amount of coverage required.
• Whether you require additional benefits.

A basic policy for a one-week trip can be as low as €18 per person, with most prices ranging from €20-€30. The older you are, the higher the price of insurance tends to be.

What German Travel Insurance Covers

German travel insurance covers medical emergencies, including doctor consultations, emergency room visits, hospitalisation costs, prescription medication, ambulance transportation, medical evacuation, and repatriation in the event of death. It is important to note that travel insurance does not cover regular or routine medical check-ups.

Exclusions in German Travel Insurance

There are several exclusions to German travel insurance policies:

• Pre-existing medical conditions are generally not covered unless there is a sudden recurrence of symptoms.
• Medical treatment due to participation in adventure sports or high-risk activities is excluded.
• Medical treatment resulting from intoxication or substance influence is not covered.
• Travel to high-risk areas or conflict zones is typically excluded.
• Non-emergency treatment, such as visiting a doctor or hospital for non-urgent reasons, is not covered.

Recommended Travel Insurance Providers for Germany

When choosing a travel insurance provider for Germany, it is essential to select a reputable company that offers comprehensive coverage. Some recommended providers include:

• DR-WALTER
• Europ Assistance
• Allianz Travel Insurance
• AXA Travel Insurance
• PROVISIT-VISUM

Tips for Choosing Travel Insurance

When purchasing travel insurance, it is important to consider the following:

• Coverage level: Ensure your policy has comprehensive coverage, especially for medical emergencies, trip cancellation, and lost/damaged items.
• Cost: Use insurance comparison websites or brokers to find the best value for your needs.
• Additional benefits: Include benefits for adventurous activities if applicable.
• Coverage length: Ensure your policy covers the entire duration of your trip.
• Provider review: Check reviews and eligibility, including customer feedback on claims filed.

Travel Costs

The cost of travel from Germany to the United States varies depending on the origin and destination airports, the time of booking, the time of travel, and the airline.

For example, a one-way flight from Berlin to New York can cost as little as $219, while a one-way flight from Munich to New York can be as cheap as $264. However, the same route can cost up to $708.

A round-trip flight from Frankfurt to New York can cost anywhere between $471 and $1,909.

The cheapest month to fly to the United States from Germany is February, with January being the second-cheapest. According to one source, Wednesday is the cheapest day of the week to fly, and Sunday is the most expensive. Noon is the cheapest time of day to fly, while afternoon flights tend to be pricier.

It is worth noting that some airlines, such as Lufthansa, offer premium economy seats with more legroom and better-quality seats.

Frequently asked questions