General information

The vast majority of foreign travellers benefit from the “transit privilege” - if during a stopover at a German airport, you do not leave the International Airport Area and if the destination is not in a Schengen country, you do not need a transit visa.

However, if for some reason you need to enter the Schengen area during your stopover (for example to change terminals or if the destination is in a Schengen country), you may require a visa.

Only five airports in Germany have an International Transit Area enabling you to transit without formally entering the Schengen area:

• Frankfurt/Main
• Munich
• Hamburg (4.30 a.m. - 11.30 p.m. only)
• Düsseldorf (6.00 a.m. - 9.00 p.m. only) and if the airline has arranged the transit beforehand with the authorities responsible for cross-border security (the Federal Police)
• Berlin-Brandenburg

Nationals of the following countries do not have the transit privilege and therefore require an airport transit visa (category A) for transit at a German airport:

Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Iran, Iraq, Jordan*, Lebanon, Mali, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Turkey*

* certain exceptions apply to these countries

Exceptions from the requirement to hold an airport transit visa:

• Holders of valid visas and national residence permits from EU and Schengen countries
• Holders of certain national residence permits from the following countries: Andorra, Japan, Canada, San Marino, United States of America
• Holders of valid visas from the EEA countries (the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland) and visas issued by Japan, Canada and the United States of America

Necessary documents

Please do not staple the documents!

• Completed and signed application form
  Please fill out the online application form, print it out, sign it and submit it along with the other documents. Please ensure that the barcode is printed in high quality.
  Only if the online application form is not available, you can print out this application form and fill it out by hand.
• Recent passport photograph (35 x 45 mm, front facial view, white background)
• Your national passport - original plus 1 copy of the data page
• Proof of visa status in Australia (VEVO) (if you are not an Australian citizen)
• Proof of flight booking (for the entire route to the country of destination)
• Entry permit for the country of destination (e.g. vaild visa)
• Prepaid registered mail envelope with your address (if you request return by mail). Please note that the German Missions will not be held responsible for any loss or damage of passports due to postal or courier service delivery.
• Visa fee: 90 EUR by credit card (VISA or MasterCard) or equivalent in cash (AUD). Other payment methods (e.g. with smart watch, mobile phone) are not accepted.

Please note that all documents other than in German or English must be translated into German language.

Please note that we can process only complete applications. If you hand in your application with one or several documents listed above missing, you will have to come again for a new appointment.

Please note that you may be asked to present additional documents.

Additional information

• If your children are going to accompany you, you must submit a complete set of application documents for each child. Please provide the original and one copy of the children's birth certificate.
• Once you have obtained your visa please check carefully that all entries are correct and in accordance with your application. Please inform the visa section immediately if there are any mistakes.

Appointment booking

Residents of any states and territories of Australia, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu or Nauru need to apply at the Consulate General in Sydney in person. You will have to prepare all the necessary documents (see above) and book an appointment online.