Entering Germany from the USA: What US citizens need to know?

Every year, tens of thousands of US passport holders cross the German border. To do this, you need to know which formalities and documents are required for entry from the US to Germany. We clarify whether Americans need a visa for Germany and provide all US travelers with a checklist for smooth entry into Germany.

Table of Contents: 

• How many Americans live in Germany?
• Do Americans need a visa for Germany?
• When do Americans need a visa for Germany?
• Important documents for a short stay in Germany
• Important documents for a long-term stay in Germany
• Where do I apply for a visa for Germany in the US?
• How long does a visa application for Germany take in the US?
• Is travel insurance mandatory for Germany?
• FAQ on visas and entry into Germany

Nice to know: How many Americans live in Germany?

According to Destatis, a total of 121,420 US citizens lived in Germany in 2022. In addition, there were 38,000 American soldiers stationed in Germany in 2022 (Source: German Bundestag). US diplomats and their families are also included, who are not subject to the Residence Act and therefore are not recorded in the Foreigners' Registration Office.

Furthermore, Americans are among the most numerous tourists in Germany. In 2021, US citizens with 1.8 million overnight stays ranked fifth (behind the Netherlands, Switzerland, Poland, and Austria). Thus, the majority of Germany's tourists outside the EU come from the USA.

Did you know? The USA ranks third among the most popular countries for German emigrants (10,000 in 2022). But did you know that more people have been moving from the USA to Germany than the other way around in recent years? (Source: Destatis)

Do Americans need a visa for Germany?

Americans do not need a visa for travel to Germany. Under the Visa Liberalization Agreement, US passport holders can travel to Germany without a visa and apply for a residence permit on-site. However, if you want everything settled before your flight to Germany, you have the option to apply for a national long-term visa for Germany for extended stays. Let’s explore this in more detail in the next section.

When do Americans need a visa for Germany?

US citizens can travel to Germany for short stays for tourism, business, or visiting purposes for up to 90 days (within a 180-day period) without a visa. This means they do not need a residence permit during this time, and a valid US passport is sufficient.

If you plan to stay in Germany for longer than 90 days or want to work or study there, you must apply for a residence permit. In this case, you have two options:

• You can apply for a national visa for Germany (also known as a Schengen Visa Type D) before entering Germany. This is especially recommended if you plan to start a job shortly after entering Germany. (Source: Make it in Germany)

or

• You can apply for your residence permit at the Foreigners' Office in Germany after entering (without having obtained a visa beforehand). However, note that you must contact the local Foreigners' Office as soon as possible after your arrival in Germany to get an appointment in time. You must apply for a residence permit (which includes a work permit) within the first 90 days. Note that you will also need to present all the necessary forms related to the purpose of your stay. Additionally, you must register your new address with the German registration authority within 2 weeks of moving to Germany!

❗ Good to know: This privilege applies to US citizens as well as nationals from Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, and the Republic of Korea, based on a bilateral agreement between Germany and the USA. All other third-country nationals must apply for a visa for long-term stays before entering Germany at the appropriate German embassy or consulate.

Important Documents for Americans for a Short Stay in Germany

If you are an American traveling to Germany for tourism, business, or visiting purposes for a short stay of up to 90 days, you only need a valid U.S. passport. However, if you live in the U.S. but do not possess a U.S. passport, check our list of countries requiring a visa to see if you need a visa.

❗ Important to know: U.S. citizens do not need a visa for short stays, but starting in 2025, they will likely need the ETIAS entry authorization.

The ETIAS (English: European Travel Information and Authorisation System) is the new travel information and authorization system of the EU. Applications are made online, cost 7 euros, and are generally valid for three years (or until the expiration of the travel document registered at the time of application). You can find all information in English and German on the official ETIAS website of the European Union.

Also, remember to take out an appropriate travel health insurance for Germany and Europe. This is the only way to protect yourself from high costs in case of an accident, illness, or when being repatriated to the U.S.

Checklist for travel from the U.S. to Germany for up to 90 days:

• Valid U.S. passport (must be valid for at least three months beyond the intended departure date)
• ETIAS travel authorization (likely required from 2025)
• Appropriate travel insurance for Germany and Europe

❗ Good to know! If you are traveling from the U.S. to Germany, you can also visit other countries in the Schengen Area (such as Switzerland, Austria, France, etc.) for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. So, there’s nothing stopping you from taking a trip from Berlin to Paris or Barcelona.

Important Documents for Americans for a Long-Term Stay in Germany

For a long-term stay in Germany lasting more than 90 days, Americans, as mentioned above, have two options. You can either enter without a visa and then apply for a residence permit at the immigration office in Germany. Or you can apply for a national visa for Germany (also called Schengen Visa Type D or long-term visa) with the German authorities in the U.S., and have everything sorted before your departure.

Depending on the purpose of your travel from the U.S. to Germany (work, study, marriage, language course, etc.), you will need to present additional documents to the relevant German authorities. But typically, you will need the following documents to apply for a national visa for Germany in the U.S.:

Checklist for a visa application for stays over 90 days in Germany:

• Visa application:
  A fully completed and signed visa application. This can be accessed online via VIDEX or obtained at the German Embassy or Consulate in the U.S.
• Passport:
  The passport must be valid and valid for at least three months beyond the intended departure date from Germany.
• Biometric passport photos:
  Current biometric passport photos according to the German visa requirements.
• Proof of the purpose of stay:
  • For work stays: A work contract or a job offer from a German employer.
  • For study stays: An enrollment certificate from a German university.
  • For family reunification: Documents proving the family relationship, as well as possibly other required documents.
• Proof of sufficient financial means
  You must be able to prove that you are financially secure during your stay. This can be done through bank statements or other financial documents. If you do not have sufficient financial means, relatives or friends in Germany can sign a letter of commitment for you.
• Travel health insurance:
  For the visa application, you must prove that you have health insurance with a minimum coverage of 30,000 euros, valid for the entire Schengen Area.
• Possibly a police clearance certificate:
  Especially for longer stays, a police clearance certificate may be required.
• Possibly a stamped return envelope:
  Some German diplomatic missions require a stamped return envelope to send your documents back to you. The missions that require this will inform you in your appointment confirmation.

Depending on the purpose of your stay in Germany, you will need to add different proofs:

• Work visa (Blue Card, IT specialists, Au Pair, etc.)
• Student visa
• Family reunification visa
• Marriage visa
• Research visa

You can find the exact requirements for each visa type in English on the page of the German Embassy in the United States.

Where do I apply for a visa for Germany in the USA?

You apply for a visa at the country that is your main destination. If you intend to stay longer in Germany, work or study, or reunite with your family, you should apply for the visa at the German diplomatic missions or official service providers.

1. Application for a Schengen visa for a short stay in Germany
   Although Americans with a US passport typically do not need a Schengen visa for short stays, we still list this option because, for example, "Permit to Re-Enter" holders in the USA must apply for a visa. For a Schengen Visa Type C (short-stay visa), contact the official service provider BLS International to schedule an appointment (except for the Consulate General in Atlanta). If you live in the jurisdiction of the Consulate General in Atlanta, please schedule an appointment directly with the German consulate to apply for a Schengen visa (not through BLS).
2. Application for a national visa for a long stay in Germany
   For national visas, you should contact the consular department of the German Embassy or the German Consulates in the USA directly. Schedule an appointment through the appointment scheduling system of the German diplomatic missions and bring all necessary forms for your visa application. The consular departments of the German Embassy or the German Consulates can be found in the following US cities:
   • German Embassy in Washington
   • German Consulate General in Atlanta
   • German Consulate General in Boston
   • German Consulate General in Chicago
   • German Consulate General in Los Angeles
   • German Consulate General in Miami
   • German Consulate General in New York
   • German Consulate General in San Francisco

How long does a visa application for Germany take in the USA?

Processing national visa applications (over 90 days) typically takes about 1 to 3 months, according to the Foreign Office, depending on the complexity of the application. With few exceptions, you must submit your application in person at the scheduled appointment. Once all required documents are submitted in the USA, the application will be forwarded to the Foreigners' Authority responsible for your intended place of residence in Germany. Only with the approval of the Foreigners' Authority and possibly the Federal Employment Agency will a German visa be issued in the USA. The Foreigners' Authority requires all visa holders to register upon their first arrival. A final residence permit will be issued after arrival in Germany.

Do I need to purchase travel insurance for Germany as an American?

It is only required if you apply for a visa for Germany in advance. For the visa application, a travel health insurance with a minimum coverage of €30,000 valid in all Schengen countries is necessary.

For all other American travelers, it is optional to purchase travel insurance. However, the Foreign Office strongly recommends obtaining health insurance for the duration of your trip. Imagine having an accident or falling seriously ill during your stay in Germany and needing hospital treatment. With suitable travel health insurance, you can protect yourself from expensive medical costs. Therefore, please carefully check whether your US health insurance covers the cost of emergency medical treatment abroad.

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FAQ: Visa and Entry from the USA to Germany

1. Where can I find helpful links if I want to move to Germany from the USA?
   All information regarding entry and visas can be found in English on the page of the German missions in the USA. If you plan to work, study, or stay long-term in Germany, you may be wondering about the Skilled Worker Immigration Act and why IT specialists can now enter Germany more easily. Everything you need to know for foreign professionals and students is summarized on the Make it in Germany website.
    
2. Which other Schengen countries can I visit besides Germany?
   As an American, you can travel visa-free for up to 90 days within a 180-day period to the following Schengen Area countries: Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Croatia, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, the Czech Republic, and Hungary.
    
3. Can I travel to Germany from the USA with a "Permit to Re-Enter"?
   Normally, you must present your national passport to enter. However, in rare cases, a "Permit to Re-Enter" (Form I-327) from the USA may be accepted if it is clear that you cannot obtain a national passport from your home country. Permit to Re-Enter holders must apply for a visa. Please note that processing of visa applications from Permit to Re-Enter holders may take up to two weeks.
    
4. Can I travel to Germany from the USA with a “Travel Document for Refugees”?
   Holders of a “Travel Document for Refugees” (Form I-571), issued by the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS), do not need a visa to enter the Federal Republic of Germany for business or tourism purposes, or to visit friends, if they stay no longer than 90 days. The document must be valid for at least three months upon entry into Germany.
    
5. I want to work in Germany as an American. How can I apply for a residence and work permit?
   You must first find an employer in Germany. Once you have a job offer, it is best to apply for a work visa for Germany from the USA so you can start directly on-site.
    
6. I am currently visiting the USA with a B1/B2 visa and want to travel to Germany. Where do I apply for a German visa?
   The German Embassy in the USA can only accept visa applications from foreigners with legal residence in the USA. If you are just visiting, you must apply at the German Embassy or Consulate in your home country.
    
7. I plan to move to Germany with my German wife. What do I need?
   You need a US marriage certificate and an Apostille. The immigration office will check whether your American marriage certificate is an official document. An Apostille is required for confirmation.

These articles might also interest you

• What types of visas are there for Germany and the Schengen Area?
• What is the Schengen Multi-Visa?
• How do I apply for a visa for Germany?
• What is needed for a marriage visa for Germany?

How much does a visa for Germany cost in the USA?

• Schengen Visa Type C (up to 90 days stay): 80 Euros for adults
• Schengen Visa Type D (over 90 days stay): 75 Euros for adults
• ETIAS (expected from 2025) for visa-free entry: 7 Euros

How long must my passport be valid when I apply for a German visa?

Your passport should be valid for at least 3 months after the end of your trip.

My US employer is sending me to Germany for a few years. Can my wife and children accompany me?

Yes, in general, this is possible. Foreign nationals who receive a residence and work permit can be accompanied by their family members. Please present your marriage certificate and your children's birth certificates when applying for the residence permit.