German National Visa: Travel To Schengen Countries?

If you are travelling to Germany for tourism, leisure, or to visit family and friends, and you intend to stay for less than 90 days, you will need a German Schengen visa. This will also allow you to visit all other Schengen countries during your trip. The Schengen area includes Germany, Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

Schengen visa validity and number of entries

A German Schengen visa is a short-term visa that allows you to stay in any country that is part of the Schengen area for up to 90 days for travel, medical reasons, short-term study purposes, or business reasons. The Schengen area consists of 26 countries, including Germany, Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

The validity and number of entries of a Schengen visa depend on the German embassy or consulate reviewing your application and can change on a case-by-case basis. However, once you extend your Schengen visa, you will be restricted to staying only in Germany, so you are not allowed to travel to other countries in the Schengen Zone.

German tourist and visitor visas are issued for a specific period and are very rarely extended. Extensions may be granted in very extreme circumstances, such as if you or a fellow passenger fall ill and are unable to travel, or in cases of natural disasters, unrest, or other situations outside of your control, which make it impossible for you to leave Germany in a timely manner. You cannot get an extension of your visa simply because you want to stay longer.

Schengen visa restrictions

A German Schengen visa is a short-term visa that allows you to stay in any country that is part of the Schengen area for up to 90 days for travel, medical reasons, short-term study purposes, or business reasons. The Schengen area consists of 26 countries, including Germany, Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

If you have a German national visa, you are restricted to staying only in Germany and are not allowed to travel to other countries in the Schengen Zone. However, if you have a German Schengen visa, you can visit all other Schengen countries during your trip. The visa is typically valid for 90 days in any 180-day period, and the validity and number of entries depend on the German embassy or consulate reviewing your application.

To obtain a German residence permit, you must have entered Germany with a German national D visa. In most cases, you cannot convert a Schengen visa to a German residence permit. However, there are a few exceptions, such as if you have a legal right to a residence permit under the German Residence Act, and this right was derived after your entry into Germany.

It is important to note that when applying for a visa to Germany, you must always show proof of travel insurance that is valid in all Schengen countries. German tourist and visitor visas are issued for a specific period and are rarely extended, except in extreme circumstances beyond your control, such as illness or natural disasters.

German residence permits

A German Schengen visa is a short-term visa that allows you to stay in any country that is part of the Schengen area for up to 90 days for travel, medical reasons, short-term study purposes, or business reasons. The Schengen area consists of 26 countries, including Germany, Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

In contrast, a German residence permit allows you to live in Germany long-term (for several months or years). In most cases, you cannot convert a Schengen visa to a German residence permit. To obtain a residence permit, you must have entered Germany with a German national D visa instead. You may be able to convert a German Schengen visa to a residence permit only if you meet the following three requirements: you have a legal right to a residence permit under the German Residence Act; this legal right was derived after your entry; and the legal right occurred inside the federal territory.

Citizens of certain countries can enter Germany without a visa and apply for a German residence permit at their local immigration office (Ausländerbehörde). These countries include Australia, Israel, Japan, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Everyone else needs to obtain a German national visa at the German embassy in their country of residence beforehand.

German tourist and visitor visas are issued for a specific period and are very rarely extended. Extensions may be granted in very extreme circumstances, such as if you or a fellow passenger fall ill and are unable to travel, or in cases where natural disasters, unrest, or other situations outside of your control make it impossible for you to leave Germany in a timely manner.

Travel insurance when applying for a German visa

If you are travelling to Germany for tourism, leisure, or to visit family and friends, and you intend to stay for less than 90 days, you will need a Schengen visa. This will allow you to visit all other Schengen countries during your trip.

When applying for a German visa, you must have travel insurance. This insurance must be valid in all Schengen countries and typically costs between €20-€30. The German tourist visa requires Schengen travel insurance, which can be purchased online. The insurance certificate is then required to apply for the German visa.

If you are applying for a Working Holiday Visa or Youth Mobility Visa, you need public, private, travel or expat health insurance. When you start working in Germany, you must switch to public or private health insurance. If you have a minijob, you can usually stay on expat insurance.

If you are applying for a National Visa, you need public, private or expat health insurance.

Converting a German Schengen visa into a residence permit

A German Schengen visa is a short-term visa that allows you to stay in any country that is part of the Schengen area for up to 90 days for travel, medical reasons, short-term study purposes, or business reasons. The Schengen area consists of the following countries: Germany, Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

In contrast, a residence permit allows you to live in Germany long-term (for several months or years). In most cases, you cannot convert a Schengen visa to a German residence permit. To obtain a residence permit, you must have entered Germany with a German national D visa instead.

However, there are exceptions. You may be able to convert a German Schengen visa to a residence permit only if you meet the following three requirements: You have a legal right to a residence permit under the German Residence Act; and this legal right was derived after your entry; and the legal right occurred inside the federal territory.

Frequently asked questions