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Germany visit visa: Schengen tourist, business, and family
A Germany visit visa is the Schengen short stay visa that lets Indian travellers enter Germany for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. It covers tourism, business, visiting family or friends, and medical treatment, and lets you travel across the Schengen area. It does not allow work or long study. A border officer decides entry.
Data current as of June 2026
What the Germany visit visa covers
A Germany visit visa, the Schengen short stay visa, lets Indian travellers come to Germany for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. One visa type covers many purposes.
It covers tourism, visiting family or friends, business and trade fairs, and medical treatment. Because Germany is in the Schengen area, the same visa lets you travel across all the Schengen countries, so the key is showing your real purpose and that you will return to India.
The visit visa does not allow work for a German employer, earning money in Germany, or a long study program, which needs a national visa. Travel medical insurance of at least 30,000 EUR is mandatory. This page is a full guide: the options, the costs, the documents, the VIDEX and VFS steps, what to do before you fly, and what to do once you arrive.
One visa, the whole Schengen area
A German short stay visa is also a key to the Schengen area. The diagram shows how one visa, issued by Germany, lets you travel onward, while the 90-day limit stays shared.
The visit visa purposes explained
The Schengen short stay visa serves several purposes. Here is what each one means and what the consulate expects to see.
Tourist visit
A tourist visit is for holidays, sightseeing, and short personal travel, such as visiting Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt, and the Bavarian Alps, with onward trips to other Schengen countries. Show funds for the trip, a day-by-day itinerary, accommodation, insurance, and strong ties to India so the officer is satisfied you will return.
Business visit
A business visit is for meetings, conferences, trade fairs, and contract negotiations. You can travel for business but cannot work for a German employer or earn money in Germany. A company invitation and a meeting schedule strengthen the file, along with proof of your ties to India.
Family and friends visit
This is a common reason. You visit relatives or friends who live in Germany. If you pay for the trip yourself, an informal invitation letter helps. If your host covers your costs, they provide a Declaration of Commitment, the Verpflichtungserklaerung, from their local Foreigners Office.
Medical treatment
A medical visit is for treatment at a German hospital or clinic. Show an appointment confirmation from the German facility, an estimate of the cost, proof you can pay, and your plan to return home. A doctor’s letter from India explaining the condition helps the officer understand the visit.
Child or dependant
A child or dependant applies for their own Schengen short stay visa, often with a parent. Include a birth certificate, an application signed by both parents, and a consent letter where a minor travels with one parent or alone. Children under 6 are free and children 6 to 11 pay a reduced fee.
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Germany short-stay visa options compared
Most short visits use the same Schengen short stay visa for different purposes. This table compares the main options for Indian travellers.
| Option | Who it is for | Typical stay |
|---|---|---|
| Tourist visit visa | Holidays, sightseeing, travel | 90 days in 180 |
| Business visit visa | Meetings, conferences, trade fairs | 90 days in 180 |
| Family or friends visit | Visiting relatives or friends | 90 days in 180 |
| Medical visit visa | Treatment at a German facility | As approved |
| Child or dependant | Children travelling with family | 90 days in 180 |
| Schengen travel | Onward to 29 Schengen countries | Within the 90 days |
Source: German Federal Foreign Office and consular guidance, current for 2026. The tourist, business, family, medical, and child or dependant routes all use the Schengen short stay visa, which also allows travel across the Schengen area. The 90 days in any 180-day period is shared across all Schengen countries. Rules can change.
For most travellers one Schengen visa serves several purposes and many countries, so the key is showing your genuine reason and your funds. We match you to the right option.
Two things you cannot skip
Two requirements decide many German visa outcomes: mandatory Schengen insurance and clear proof of funds. Get both right and your file is much stronger.
Travel medical insurance must cover at least 30,000 EUR, be valid across all Schengen countries, and cover your whole trip from departure to return. Without it, the application is refused.
Show funds calculated at about 45 EUR per day, so a 14-day trip needs roughly 630 EUR plus travel costs. Use three to six months of bank statements, and avoid large unexplained deposits.
Source: German Federal Foreign Office and consular guidance, current for 2026. The 30,000 EUR insurance minimum is a firm Schengen rule, and the daily funds figure is the official German reference. A host who covers your costs can provide a Declaration of Commitment instead of you showing all the funds. Amounts can change, so confirm before you apply.
Not sure your funds or insurance qualify?
Get a free assessment and we will check your insurance and calculate the funds for your trip.
Documents you need for a Germany visit visa
A complete, consistent file is the single biggest factor you control. This table shows the core documents and the extras for each purpose.
| Document | Who needs it | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Passport and photos | All applicants | Two blank pages, two biometric photos |
| Signed VIDEX form | All applicants | Completed online, printed and signed |
| Travel insurance | All applicants | Min 30,000 EUR, all Schengen, whole trip |
| Funds and itinerary | All applicants | About 45 EUR per day, round-trip and stay |
| Invitation or commitment | Family and business visits | Invitation, or host Declaration of Commitment |
| Birth certificate, consent | Child or dependant | Both parents sign; consent where needed |
Source: German Federal Foreign Office and VFS Global checklist guidance, current for 2026. Documents not in English or German need a certified translation. Funds of about 45 EUR per day, shown with three to six months of bank statements and tax returns, are expected. Large unexplained deposits are a common refusal trigger. Confirm the current checklist before you apply.
Strong, consistent documents that match your itinerary are what officers reward. We build and review your full file so it tells a clear, genuine story of your visit.
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Germany visit visa fees
Government fees for a Germany visit visa are set under Schengen rules and paid at VFS. The table shows the main charges to plan for.
| Charge | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Schengen visa fee, adult | EUR 90 | Non-refundable, even if refused |
| Child 6 to 11 | EUR 45 | Reduced fee; under 6 are free |
| Travel insurance | From about EUR 30 | Min 30,000 EUR cover, mandatory |
| VFS service charge | Varies | Service and biometrics at VFS Global |
| Other costs | Varies | Photos, courier, translations |
Source: German Federal Foreign Office and VFS Global fee guidance, current for 2026. The Schengen visa fee is EUR 90 for adults and EUR 45 for children 6 to 11, with under 6 free, all non-refundable. Travel insurance, the VFS service charge, courier, and translations are extra and vary. Charges can change, so confirm current amounts before you apply.
Budget for the visa fee, the VFS service charge, and mandatory Schengen insurance for your trip. We give you a clear, current cost picture before you apply.
What to do before you travel to Germany
A smooth trip starts before you fly. Get your documents, money, and plans in order so the border officer sees a genuine, well-prepared visitor.
Pack these
- Passport valid for your trip, with your visa sticker.
- Schengen insurance certificate for at least 30,000 EUR.
- Itinerary, accommodation, and return ticket.
- Funds proof and your invitation or commitment letter.
Check these
- Your total Schengen days stay within 90 in 180.
- Your insurance covers the whole trip and all Schengen.
- You declare cash over the limit and restricted goods.
- You carry printed copies for the border officer.
Want a pre-travel checklist for Germany?
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The Germany visit visa application process
You complete the VIDEX form online, then submit your passport and biometrics at VFS. Follow the steps in order so nothing is missed.
1. Complete the VIDEX form
Fill the online Schengen application, then print and sign it. Details must match your documents.
2. Buy Schengen insurance
Buy travel medical insurance of at least 30,000 EUR before you submit. It is mandatory.
3. Gather your documents
Funds proof, itinerary, accommodation, and a cover letter, all consistent with each other.
4. Book a VFS appointment
Book at the VFS Global centre that serves your area. Slots fill up in peak season.
5. Give biometrics and pay
Attend in person, give fingerprints and a photo, pay the fees, and submit your file.
6. Collect your passport
Track the application online, then collect your passport with the visa sticker if approved.
Source: German Federal Foreign Office, VFS Global, and consular guidance, current for 2026. Steps and fees are set under Schengen rules and can change, and processing usually takes about 15 days, extending to around 45 days in busy periods. A visa does not guarantee entry, since a border officer decides at arrival. Confirm current details before you apply.
Worried about VIDEX or the documents?
We prepare your application, insurance, and file, then guide the VFS submission so nothing slips.
Germany visit visa dos and donts
Small mistakes cause many refusals. These dos and donts keep your application honest and strong.
Do the right things
- Show genuine funds of about 45 EUR per day.
- Buy Schengen insurance of at least 30,000 EUR.
- Prove strong ties to India, such as a job, family, or property.
- Give a clear day-by-day itinerary that matches bookings.
- Complete the VIDEX form honestly and apply early.
- Respect the 90 days in any 180-day period rule.
Do not do these
- Do not work in Germany or earn money there.
- Do not overstay the 90 in 180 limit.
- Do not give false information or fake bookings.
- Do not hide a past visa refusal from any country.
- Do not make large unexplained deposits before applying.
- Do not travel without valid Schengen insurance.
Source: German Federal Foreign Office and Schengen guidance, current for 2026. False information or overstaying can lead to refusal and a ban across all Schengen countries. Rules can change, so confirm current details. Following them protects your record.
What to do once you are in Germany
A visit visa lets you do more than sightsee, within clear limits. Here is what you can and cannot do as a visitor.
You can
- Travel, sightsee, and visit family and friends.
- Attend meetings, conferences, and trade fairs.
- Take a short course during your stay.
- Get medical treatment you have arranged.
- Travel onward to other Schengen countries.
- Stay within 90 days in any 180-day period.
You cannot
- Work for a German employer.
- Earn money in Germany.
- Study a long or degree program.
- Stay beyond your 90 in 180 limit.
- Treat the visa as permission to settle.
At the border, an officer asks about your visit and checks your documents, so keep them ready. Track your time so your total stay across all Schengen countries stays within the 90 in 180 rule.
Source: German Federal Foreign Office and Schengen guidance, current for 2026. The 90 days in any 180-day period applies across the whole Schengen area. Activities must match your visa. Rules can change, so confirm current details before you rely on them.
Plans changing while in Germany?
Get a free assessment and we will explain your options and the right national visa for a longer stay.
How long you can stay and the 90 in 180 rule
A Schengen short stay is limited and shared across the whole area. This table explains the stay, entry types, and the cascade for frequent travellers.
| Item | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum stay | 90 days in 180 | Shared across all Schengen countries |
| Entry type | Single, double, multiple | All trips combined stay within 90 days |
| Validity | Set by the consulate | Often the trip dates plus a buffer |
| Frequent travellers | Cascade visas | 2-year, then 5-year for clean history |
| Extension | Rare cases only | Humanitarian or force majeure reasons |
Source: German Federal Foreign Office and Schengen guidance, current for 2026. The 90 days in any 180-day period is calculated across the whole Schengen area, not just Germany. Applicants with clean recent travel may receive a longer multiple-entry visa under the cascade policy, assessed by the consulate. Extensions are rare. Rules can change.
The short stay visa is for short visits, not for settling. If you want to work, study long term, or stay longer, a national visa is needed. We explain the cascade and the right path for your plans.
What officers look for, and refusal reasons
A Germany visit visa is approved when you show a genuine short visit, enough funds, valid insurance, and strong ties to India. Knowing what the consulate checks helps you prepare.
Common refusal reasons include weak or inconsistent proof of funds, missing or short insurance, an unclear purpose or itinerary, gaps in accommodation, unclear ties to India, or large unexplained deposits. Concerns that you may not leave on time also matter. Many cases can be reapplied with a stronger file.
A Germany visit visa is the Schengen short stay visa, applied for via the VIDEX form with biometrics at VFS, costing EUR 90 for adults. It needs travel insurance of at least 30,000 EUR and funds of about 45 EUR per day, covers tourism, business, family, medical, and child or dependant travel, and allows up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen area. It does not allow work or long study.
Factual overview, verified against German Federal Foreign Office and consular guidance, current for 2026. Fees, stay periods, and rules are set under Schengen rules and can change at any time. A visa does not guarantee entry.
Meeting the criteria improves your chances, but the final decision rests with the consulate and the border officer. We give you a realistic view and help you build the strongest possible application.
Speak with BestMigrationConsultant.com about your Germany visit visa
Our immigration experts guide Indian applicants through every Germany visit visa, from tourist, business, and family visits to medical, child, and dependant applications, including the VIDEX form, fees, Schengen insurance, and documents. Call +91-7670800002 or visit BestMigrationConsultant.com, and start with a free assessment today.