If you are planning a trip to Germany, one of the first questions you may have is which visa category you should apply for. Travelers who want to visit Germany for a short period usually apply for a Schengen short-stay visa, which allows them to stay in Germany and other Schengen countries for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
However, many applicants are unsure whether they should apply for a Germany Tourist Visa or a Visit Visa for Family and Friends. Both visas fall under the Schengen short-term visa category, but they serve slightly different purposes.
In this guide, we will explain the difference between a Germany tourist visa and a family visit visa, the requirements for each category and how to decide which visa is the right choice for your situation.
What is the Schengen Area?
Germany is part of the Schengen Area, a group of European countries that allow travelers to move between them without internal border controls.
The Schengen countries currently include:
Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
A Multi-Entry Schengen visa issued by Germany generally allows travelers to visit other Schengen countries during their trip, provided that Germany is the main destination of the visit.
Types of Short-Stay Visas for Germany
For short visits to Germany, there are two common visa categories:
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Tourist Visa
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Visit to Family & Friends Visa
What is a Tourist Visa?
A tourist visa for Germany is issued to travelers who want to visit Germany for tourism purposes. This includes activities such as sightseeing, exploring cultural attractions, attending events, or traveling through Germany as part of a European trip.
Applicants must usually provide a travel itinerary showing their planned trip, including accommodation bookings and travel reservations.
Typical purposes for a tourist visa include:
- Traveling through Germany as part of a European holiday
- Exploring German culture and history
- Participating in popular tourism events and festivals, like the world-renowned Oktoberfest
What is a Visit to Family & Friends Visa?
A visit to family and friends visa is issued to travelers who plan to visit family, relatives or friends who live in Germany.
In this case, the host living in Germany usually provides an invitation letter confirming that the visitor will stay with them during the visit. Sometimes the host may also provide a sponsorship declaration (known as Verpflichtungserklärung in German) to support the visa application.
Unlike a tourist visa, applicants may not need to provide a detailed travel itinerary because the visit is based on an invitation from the host. In addition, this visa allows travelers to visit other Schengen countries listed above and explore the gems of Europe while spending time with their family and friends in Germany.
Typical purposes for a visit to family & friends visa include:
- Children studying or employed in Germany
- Friends or extended family members
Key Differences Between Tourist Visa and Visit to Family & Friends Visa
| Questions | Tourist Visa | Visit to Family & Friends Visa |
| Who can apply for respective visa category? | Anyone with the purpose to travel | Anyone with the purpose to travel or visit family or friends residing in Germany |
| Is Travel Itinerary necessary for visa application? | Yes required | Not required |
| What would be the maximum duration for which visa is granted? | Depends on the number of days itinerary provided (max 90 days within a 180 day period) | Depends on the number of days mentioned in the invitation letter (max 90 days within a 180 day period) |
| Is Sponsorship letter required from the person sponsoring & living in Germany? | Not required | Yes required |
| Can the Visa for multiple years be granted? | Not possible | Possible for up to 5 years |
Which Visa Category Should You Choose?
Choosing the right visa category depends on the purpose of your trip.
If the sole purpose of your visit is tourism,sightseeing and exploring Germany, then the Germany tourist visa is the most suitable option. But, if you have a friend, sibling, son or daughter living in Germany and they can provide an invitation letter or accommodation, then applying for a visit to family & friends visa may be the better choice. Many travelers who plan to visit relatives frequently may benefit from a multiple-entry visit visa, which allows them to enter Germany several times within the visa validity period.
Now that you have all the information required to apply for a specific visa category go ahead and apply for that particular category.
To obtain accurate and up-to-date information, it is recommended to visit the official website of the German embassy or consulate or contact them directly for the latest visa requirements and categories.
Yes. A Germany tourist visa is a Schengen visa that allows you to travel to other Schengen countries within the permitted stay period.
Travelers can stay in Germany and the Schengen area for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
Extensions are only granted in exceptional situations such as medical emergencies or unforeseen circumstances.
Generally, tourist visas cannot be converted into long-term visas while staying in Germany.
A Germany tourist visa is issued to travelers who want to visit Germany for tourism purposes such as sightseeing, cultural exploration, or attending events. A visit visa for family and friends is issued to applicants who plan to visit relatives or friends living in Germany and usually requires an invitation letter from the host.
The processing time for a German Schengen visa is usually 15 working days after submitting the application. However, it can take longer depending on the embassy, the country of application, and the time of year.
A Visit to Family and Friends visa is a short-term Schengen visa that allows travelers to visit relatives or friends who reside in Germany. The applicant typically needs an invitation letter from the host and may also provide proof of relationship or accommodation during the visit.