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GermanyVisit & tourismLast checked October 16, 2026

Schengen tourist & business visa

short stay, up to 90 days · Official name: Schengen visa (short-stay visa, type C) for Germany

Germany issues the uniform Schengen short-stay (type C) visa for tourism, business and visits to family or friends, valid for up to 90 days in any 180-day period in all Schengen countries. You apply to Germany when it is your main or only destination, normally in your country of legal residence, using the VIDEX online form. The core rules (fee, insurance, passport and timing) are set by the EU Visa Code and are the same in every Schengen state; Germany sets its own application channels, and has no fixed daily amount for means of subsistence (about EUR 45 per day as a guide).

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Visiting Germany

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Life in Germany

Money

3

Currency

Euro

EUR

Euro

Cost of living

81

Price level · US = 100

World Bank price levels, 2025

Tax

14–45%

Income tax (national)

VAT 19%

Basic allowance EUR 12,348; 42% from EUR 69,879 and 45% above EUR 277,825 (single); solidarity surcharge of 5.5% of the tax for high earners and optional church tax.

Official rates, 2026 · headline only

Living

1

Happiness

6.9

#16 of 145 countries

World Happiness Report 2025

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Who it’s for

Nationals of countries that need a Schengen visa who want to visit for tourism, business meetings or family and friends, for up to 90 days, with Germany as their main destination.

Eligibility

  • Short stay only

    The type C visa allows stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the whole Schengen area.

    90 days

    Stay limit

    • Covers tourism, business, or visiting family or friends
    • The 180-day period counts all Schengen countries together
    Official wording

    The uniform (type C) visa covers stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the whole Schengen area, for tourism, business, or visiting family or friends. The 180-day period is counted across all Schengen countries together.

  • Apply to the right country

    Apply to Germany if it is your only or main destination; otherwise apply to the country where you first cross the external border.

    • Main destination is set by length of stay or purpose
    • Several separate trips within two months count together
    Official wording

    Apply to Germany if it is your only destination, or your main destination by length of stay or purpose. If no main destination can be set, apply to the country whose external border you cross first. Several separate trips within two months count together.

  • Apply where you legally live

    As a rule, apply at the Germany consulate (or its service provider or representing country) covering the place where you legally reside. A consulate may accept an application from someone legally present but not resident there only if they justify it.

A sneak peek at what's inside

  • Next requirementPassport
  • Document checklistCompleted and signed Schengen visa application form
  • FeesSchengen visa fee, adult (age 12 and over)

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  • 6 more requirements
  • 11 documents
  • 6 fees
  • 8 steps
  • Processing times and conditions
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