Long-term stay

If you are planning a long-term stay in Germany, you are usually required to apply for a visa at the German diplomatic mission in your home country before entering Germany.

Exceptions to this rule are nationals of the member states of the European Union, nationals of the signatory states of the EEA and Swiss nationals. If you come from one of the aforementioned countries, you do not need a visa for a long-term stay in Germany.

In addition, if you are a national of the following countries, you do not need a visa to enter Germany either: Australia, Israel, Japan, Canada, South Korea, New Zealand and the USA. Please note, however, that in the case of visa-free entry you may only engage in paid employment after a residence permit has been issued. It follows that if you are planning to take up paid employment soon after entering the country, please obtain information regarding a visa from the responsible German diplomatic mission abroad before travelling to Germany, or contact us so that we can initiate the process of applying for a residence permit for you as efficiently as possible.

Nationals of the following countries are also allowed to enter Germany without a visa if they do not intend to engage in paid employment: Andorra, Brazil, El Salvador, Honduras, Monaco and San Marino.

If you are unsure whether you are allowed to enter Germany without a visa, please contact the German diplomatic mission in your home country.

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