Information on Visa

Information on Visa Requirments

Please read on to find the following information:
1. Do I need a visa for Germany?
2. What type of visa do I need?
3. Where should I apply for a visa?
4. Visa Application forms
5. Information on the Working Holiday Visa
6. Private Health Insurance for Travel to Germany


1. Do I need a visa for Germany?

Depending on their nationality, foreigners may be obliged to obtain a visa prior to entering the Schengen Area.

Not all foreign nationals must have a visa when travelling to Germany.

Australian citizens can enter the Schengen area (which Germany is a part of) as tourists or on business for up to 90 days (within a period of six months!) without a visa. Please note that you are not permitted to work in Germany.

The following countries belong to the Schengen area:
Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden.

More Information on the Schengen Agreement
Further Information

Citizens from countries other than Australia should contact the competent German diplomatic mision and enquire whether they need a visa. Alternatively, you could check the following table provided by the German Foreign Federal Office to find out whether or not you require a visa:
TABLE OF COUNTRIES WHOSE CITIZENS REQUIRE VISAS TO ENTER GERMANY


2. What type of visa do I need?

Basically there are two types of visas:

Short term Schengen Visas that allow the holder to move freely throughout the entire Schengen Community for up to 90 days within a period of 6 months and provided that he or she does not intend to work. Schengen Visas must be applied for at the diplomatic or consular mission of the country of your main destination.
Long term Residence Permits that are issued by an individual member state. They are generally linked to a specific purpose (e.g. study, work) and entitle the holder to remain in this state's particular territory for an extended period of time. However, with a Residence Permit you can also travel the rest of the Schengen Area for up to three months.

The following will give you an overview of the various visa categories. Should you have further questions or if you are in doubt which one to choose, please contact the the Embassy's passport and visa section at info1@germanembassy.org.au or Ph: 02 6270 1911.

VISA CATEGORIES:

Information on Schengen Visa for tourists:
Further information

Information on Schengen Visa for business purposes:
Further information

Information on Residence Permit (Long Term Visa / National Visa)
Further Information

Information on the Working Holiday Visa
Further Information

Information on Transit Visa (Schengen Visa Category A, Airport Transit)
Further Information

Information on Transit Visa (Schengen Visa Category B)
Further Information

Information on Au Pair Visa
Further Information


3. Where should I apply for a visa?

The German Embassy will accept visa applications from residents of the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory.
Address, opening times & how to contact the Embassy

Residents of Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia should contact our Consulate-General in Melbourne (www.melbourne.diplo.de).
Residents of New South Wales and Queensland apply at the Consulate-General in Sydney (www.sydney.diplo.de).

Citizens of Papua New Guinea should contact the German Consulate General in Sydney to apply for a visa:
e-mail: info@sydney.diplo.de

Citizens of Vanuatu, Solomon Islands or Nauru should contact the German Embassy in Canberra to apply for visa:
e-mail: info1@germanembassy.org.au

4. Visa Application Forms (Downloads):

Download the correct visa application form as a pdf file.

Please check before handing in your visa application which German mission is responsible for you - depending on your place of residence.
Please do not glue the photo onto the form, just attach it with a paperclip or hand it in seperately !

Visa application form (Schengen visa)

Visa application form (Residence Permit & Working Holiday Visa)

5. Working Holiday Visa

Young australian citizens who are between 18 and 30 years of age can take part in the Working Holiday Visa Programme. To find out more about the Working Holiday Visa for Germany please click here.

Information on the working holiday agreements and how to find work in Germany is also available from the Federal Foreign Offices Website:
Further information

6. Private Health Insurance for Travel to Germany recommended

We strongly advise you to take out a health insurance policy for the duration of your holiday in Germany.
more information