Germany Maintains Visa-Free Entry for 63 Countries in 2026

Germany will allow passport holders from 63 countries and territories outside the European Union and Schengen Area to enter without obtaining a visa in advance for short visits in 2026.

The exemption permits eligible travellers to remain in Germany for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. It generally covers short trips such as tourism, family visits and business engagements, but does not grant visitors the right to take up paid employment.

Germany’s Federal Foreign Office confirmed the entry requirements in an updated country-by-country visa table published on June 3, 2026. The list distinguishes between nationalities that require an entry visa and those that can travel without one.

Countries eligible for visa-free travel to Germany

The 63 countries and territories covered by the short-stay visa exemption are:

Albania, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, the Bahamas, Barbados, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominica, El Salvador, Georgia, Grenada, Guatemala and Honduras.

Others are Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Kosovo, Macao, Malaysia, the Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Nicaragua, Palau, Panama, Paraguay and Peru.

The list also includes Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, the Solomon Islands, South Korea, Taiwan, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Ukraine, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United States, Uruguay, Vatican City and Venezuela.

Visa-free access is subject to passport conditions in some cases. Citizens of countries including Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Ukraine generally require biometric passports to benefit from the exemption.

The waiver for Hong Kong and Macao applies to holders of Special Administrative Region passports, while eligible Taiwanese passports must contain an identity card number.

Visa-free entry does not permit unrestricted residence

Travellers covered by the exemption cannot use visa-free entry to relocate permanently or automatically begin working in Germany.

The general rule limits visitors to 90 days within a rolling 180-day period. Anyone planning to stay longer for employment, education, vocational training or family reunification will usually need a national visa or another appropriate residence authorisation.

Nationals of some countries, including Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, the United Kingdom and the United States, may be allowed to apply for certain residence permits after entering Germany. However, the conditions depend on the purpose of the stay and the traveller’s nationality.

Nigeria remains on Germany’s visa-required list

Nigerian passport holders are not covered by the visa waiver. They must obtain the appropriate visa before travelling to Germany, even for short visits.

Germany’s official entry table lists Nigeria among the countries whose citizens require a visa. Other African countries in the same category include Algeria, Angola, Cameroon, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Nigerians travelling for tourism, business or family visits will generally need a short-stay Schengen visa. Those travelling for employment, study or stays exceeding 90 days will usually require a German national visa.

Germany says visa applications are handled by its embassies, consulates and authorised service providers. The country has also introduced an online Consular Services Portal for several categories, including employment, study, vocational training and family reunification applications, although applicants may still need to appear in person to submit biometric information and original documents.

Travellers are advised to confirm the requirements attached to their nationality and passport type before booking a trip, as visa-free status does not remove other immigration and entry conditions.