Germany tourist visa requirements

The type of visa for stays of less than 90 days in Schengen countries is the type C visa, which is a short-stay visa. The airport transit (A type) visa should not be confused with a short-stay visa. If you are transferring to a non-Schengen country without leaving the international transit area and without passing passport control, you need to obtain an A type visa.

However, if you need to exit the international transit area at the airport and pass through passport control, you must obtain a C type Schengen visa.

There are subcategories within the short-stay visa. The categories of C type short-stay visas for Germany are as follows:

• Business travel
• Fair visit
• Participation in a cultural or sporting event or a conference
• Student trips
• Visit purposes
• Tourist purposes

The most commonly preferred category is, of course, the tourist visa. The Germany tourist visa offers a stay of up to 90 days in the country. If a multiple-entry visa is granted, you will also have the right to travel to other Schengen countries. You have free movement within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days. We remind you that you must leave the Schengen Area before your visa expires.

Did you know? In 2021, the number of visitors from Turkey to Germany was 124,785.

(Source: TÜİK Citizen Entry Survey)

Who needs a tourist visa for Germany?

If you are a citizen of a country outside the European Union and your country has not signed the Schengen visa exemption agreement, you will need a tourist visa for Germany.

How to apply for a tourist visa for Germany?

Germany Schengen visa applications are made through the authorized visa center iDATA.

1. It will be easier for you to fill out the visa application form before making an appointment at the iDATA center. There are two options for the Germany Schengen visa form:

• You can fill out the visa application form online

• You can download the application form and fill it out by hand. Then, print it out and deliver it in person on the appointment day.

If you wish, you can also obtain the application form at the visa section of the iDATA centers.

2. Prepare the necessary documents to include in your application file. Almost all Schengen countries require the same documents. However, some documents may vary depending on the applicant's situation. Therefore, make sure to check carefully which documents are required based on the visa type and the purpose of travel.

3. Make an appointment to submit your application file. The visa center charges a service fee for the appointment. Visa application processing times vary between 15 and 45 days. Therefore, we recommend making an appointment at least 6-7 weeks before your planned travel date. According to recent changes, it is now also possible to apply up to 3 months before the travel date.
4. Go on time for your appointment. If you have applied for a Schengen visa in the last five years and your fingerprint records are in the system, you do not need to go to the appointment in person. A third person with written authorization can submit your application.

5. Make sure there are no missing documents in your application file. You may be asked to provide information about your trip to the authorized person. After paying the visa fee and the additional service fee charged by iDATA, your photo and fingerprints, if necessary, will be taken.

NOTE: If you are traveling as a family, you must fill out a separate form for each family member. Each visa application is individual.

IMPORTANT! You must submit your visa application at the embassy or consulate of the country you will be traveling to.

If your trip covers multiple countries, you should apply for a visa to the country where you will spend the most time based on the purpose and duration of your trip. For example, if you are visiting Germany first (for five days) and then the Netherlands (for three days), you should apply for the Schengen visa to Germany since you will spend the majority of your time there. If the time spent is equal, you should apply for the visa in the country where you will first enter.

What documents are required for a Germany tourist visa application?

• A completed, signed visa application form in accordance with the procedure
• Your passport: It must have been issued within the last 10 years and should be valid for at least 3 months after the requested visa's expiration date. It must have at least 2 blank pages.
• A copy of the visas you have received in the last three years (Schengen, EU, United Kingdom, USA, Canada)
• 1 passport-sized photo: Taken within the last 6 months and sized 35 x 45 millimeters. The face and eyes must be clearly visible.
• Travel health insurance: Must have a coverage of at least €30,000, covering the transfer to the person's country of residence in case of illness or death, as well as medical treatment or hospital emergency costs. The insurance must be valid not only in Germany but throughout the entire Schengen area and cover the entire duration of your stay.
• Visa fee
• Flight or other transportation reservation details
• Accommodation details:
  • Hotel reservation and a document regarding the travel plan (if traveling to multiple countries, details of the travel plan including dates). 
  • If visiting family or friends, the original invitation letter (Verpflichtungserklärung) issued by the inviter in Germany, prepared by the immigration office.
• Proof of sufficient financial resources to support yourself during your stay in the Schengen area: Payslips, bank statement, rental income, etc.
• For minors under 18: Notarized travel permission from parents or legal guardians, or a document confirming sole custody (for example, in cases of divorce or if one parent is deceased)
• Official documents proving your employment, self-employment, retirement, or student status:
  • Employment certificate and leave certificate from the company
  • Social security document (Bağkur/SGK)
  • SGK registration certificate
  • Chamber of Commerce or Industry Registration Certificate
  • Copy of the Trade Registry Gazette
  • Tax plate
  • Retirement certificate
  • Farming certificate from the Agriculture Chamber
  • Student certificate, etc.

Important! You must prove that you have a financial source to spend at least 50-60€ per day during your stay in Germany.

Germany Tourist Visa Processing Time

The processing of your Germany tourist visa application takes between 15 and 45 days, provided that the documents in your file are complete and correct. During holiday periods such as public holidays, the processing time may be longer. Therefore, it is advised to apply as early as possible. When applying for a Schengen visa, the primary evaluation criteria will be your travel purpose, whether you have sufficient resources to support yourself, and your economic and family ties in Turkey, i.e., whether you will return to your home country before your visa expires and leave the Schengen Area.

What are the fees for a Germany tourist visa?

There are exceptions for visa fees for citizens of Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Cape Verde, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Russia, Serbia, and Ukraine. The exact amount you need to pay will be specified after the visa application.

You can pay the visa fee in cash in Euros. The service fee to be paid to the iDATA visa center is 1224 TRY. This amount can be paid in cash or by credit card in TRY.

Can I work in Germany with a tourist visa?

With a tourist visa, you do not have the right to work in Germany or any other Schengen countries. A tourist visa is short-term (maximum 90 days) and allows you to travel freely within the Schengen area. If you want to work in Germany, you need to apply for a National (D-type) visa.

Why should I choose AXA Schengen travel insurance for my Germany visa?

According to European law, everyone traveling must have health insurance covering their entire stay in Schengen countries. If you apply for a visa without travel insurance, we remind you that your application will be directly rejected.

AXA travel insurance is accepted for Schengen visa applications and meets all the required criteria.

The main points include:

• Medical expenses and emergency care with at least €30,000 coverage
• Coverage for all Schengen countries, not just Germany
• Covering transportation costs to the home country in case of illness or death
• The insurance must be provided by a company recognized by all consulates
• It must cover the entire duration of your stay in the Schengen area.

My visa was issued by the German consulate – can I use this visa to travel to other countries?

Yes. With a German visa, you can visit all 27 countries in the Schengen Area. However, if you do not travel to the country that issued your Schengen visa and instead go to other countries, be aware that this could cause issues with your future applications!

Where should I apply for a Germany visa?

You can apply for a short-term C-type visa or a long-term D-type visa through the iDATA visa center designated by Germany.

What happens if I am missing documents in my application file?

Your application may be delayed or even directly rejected. The visa center will warn you about any missing documents.