There’s probably more than just one reason to travel to Germany. From its vibrant and artistic cities to its quaint and offbeat countryside, Germany is a lovely country to map your next trip to. Home to events like the Oktoberfest and the Berlin Film Festival, it’s a famous hub of all the arts as well. 

But, before you go ahead and start painting your travel dreams - apply for the Germany visa and then, well, the sky’s your limit.

Yes, Indian passport holders need a Schengen visa for Germany. With this, you can visit 26 other countries in the Schengen area as well. After getting the visa, Indian nationals are allowed to stay for a maximum period of 90 days only. However, ensure your passport is valid for at least 3 months from your date of arrival in Germany.

No, Germany and other European countries do not offer a visa on arrival. Indian nationals need a pre-approved visa for tourists who wish to travel to Germany.

Yes, travel health insurance is mandatory for all Schengen visa applicants and since Germany is an Schengen country, you must obtain a travel insurance for Germany. The insurance must cover emergency medical treatment, hospitalisation, and repatriation in case of illness or accident.

While applying for a Schengen visa for Germany, you will need the following documents:

Visa Application Form:

Complete, sign, and download from the embassy/consulate website of your destination country.

Valid Passport:

Must have at least 3 months validity beyond your stay, not older than 10 years, and 2 blank pages.

Photographs:

Two recent passport-sized photos (35mm x 45mm, white background) meeting Schengen photo specifications.

Travel Medical Insurance:

Minimum coverage of €30,000 for medical emergencies during your stay.

Proof of Accommodation:

Provide hotel bookings, rental agreements, or an invitation letter from a host.

Proof of Financial Means:

Recent bank statements, salary slips, or sponsorship documents showing sufficient funds for the trip.

Proof of Employment:

HR letter with your job details, leave approval, and confirmation of return after the trip.

Flight Itinerary:

Round trip flight details and transportation plans within the Schengen area.

Cover Letter:

Explain the purpose, dates, and funding of your trip, and mention any missing documents.

Additional Documents:

Based on specific cases (minors, business, retired, self-employed, or students), provide relevant documents like invitation letters, pension statements, business registrations, or enrollment certificates.

The procedure to apply for the Germany tourist visa is simple, as follows:

1. Select the Visa Type for Your Germany Visa:

Decide on the visa type, such as a long-term or short-term tourist visa for Germany.

2. Visit the Visa Application Center Website to Apply for Germany Visa Online

Go to the VFS Global website or the respective visa application centre for the country you are applying to. This step helps you confirm the visa requirements for your trip.

3. Complete the German Visa Application Form

Fill out the Schengen visa application form online. This will include your personal details, travel itinerary, purpose of visit, and other required information.

4. Book an Appointment for Document Verification for Germany Tourist Visa

Schedule an appointment through VFS Global for document submission and biometric registration (fingerprints and photographs).

5. Submit Documents and Pay Germany Visa Fees

On the day of your appointment, visit the visa application centre to submit your documents and pay the visa fee.

6. Track Your Visa Application

Once the application is submitted, you can track its status online. Processing times are generally around 15 days but may take longer during peak travel seasons.

The Germany Tourist visa takes about 15 days in processing. But in some cases, it might even extend up to 30 days.

• Before travelling to Germany, ensure your Schengen visa is valid and carry key documents like your passport, travel insurance, and accommodation details. 

• Familiarise yourself with local laws, particularly public conduct and smoking restrictions. 

• Basic German phrases can help in daily interactions. 

• Germany’s efficient public transport system is easy to navigate but plans ahead. 

• Keep Euros handy, as not all places accept cards. 

• Also, make sure your travel insurance covers health emergencies, 

• Save important numbers like 112 for medical help and 110 for police assistance.

If your visa application for Germany gets rejected, don’t worry—you’ll be informed of the reason when you collect your passport. If you feel the rejection was unfair, you can actually appeal the decision by writing and submitting a visa refusal appeal letter to the embassy.

Remember, there's usually a set deadline for filing the appeal. If you miss that window, you lose the chance to contest the decision. So, it's important to act fast if you think the rejection needs to be reconsidered!

To avoid rejection, it’s essential to follow these key tips:

1. Ensure Accuracy in Application:

Double-check all the information on your application form to match exactly with your official documents, like your passport. Any mismatches, even small ones, can lead to rejection​.

2. Refer to the Country-Specific Checklist:

Use the Germany visa checklist provided by VFS Global to ensure that you submit all the required documents. Missing even one document can cause delays or refusal​.

3. Submit Attested Financial Proof:

Make sure your bank statements are not only submitted but also attested (if required) to demonstrate your financial ability to support your stay​.

4. Apply Early:

Submit your visa application well in advance of your travel date to allow for any potential delays. Aim for at least 15 days before your trip​.

5. Provide Accurate Sponsor Information:

If you’re being sponsored, ensure the details about your host in Germany are correct and up-to-date​.

Yes, you can extend your Schengen visa while in Germany, but only in specific cases, such as:

• Humanitarian reasons (e.g., health emergencies).

• Serious personal reasons.

• Unforeseen events that prevent leaving the country.

However, the decision to extend a visa is made on a case-by-case basis by the German immigration authorities, and you must apply before your current visa expires.

As per the Schengen visa requirements, a travel insurance for Germany is mandatory for all Indian travellers. However, that shouldn’t really be your reason to get one! After all, no matter how much we plan- some things just happen. A  travel insurance for Germany will be your saviour in such situations- to protect you against all unforeseen circumstances. These circumstances could be anything from something as small as a flight delay to bigger mishaps like medical emergencies or trip cancellations.

Following are some circumstances you could be faced with, and how a travel insurance could protect you from any losses due to the same:

Cancellation of Trip:

In situations when you cannot complete or begin the trip and have to make the necessary cancellation, your travel insurance will help by paying for the nonrefundable expenses of your trip.

Missed Connecting Flight:

Suppose you miss your connecting flight, your travel insurance could come in by filling in for the losses occurred due to the same.

Injury or Sickness:

In the case where you’re either under the weather, or have fallen into an accident during your trip; your travel insurance will compensate for all medical expenses of the same.

Loss of Baggage or Delay in Baggage:

In case your luggage never arrives, or comes in a little too late. While both time or your lost luggage can’t always be brought back- your travel insurance would still compensate you with an amount.

Loss of Passport:

In an unfortunate case where you lose your passport while travelling, your travel insurance will help you with securing a new one whilst covering for losses that come in because of the same.

Emergency Medical Evacuation:

In an extremely unfortunate case of a medical emergency, if you or a family member needs to be evacuated from Germany, your travel insurance will take care of the same.

Check out the below-mentioned benefits we give you with Travel Insurance to Germany:

Adventure Activities Covered:

Our coverage includes activities such as bungee jumping, skydiving, etc. (provided the duration is one day)

Smartphone-enabled claims process:

It’s all smart with a smartphone-enabled claim process. No paperwork, no running around. Just upload your documents when you make a claim.

Missed Call Facility:

Give us a missed call, and we’ll call you back in 10 minutes. No more international calling charges!

Immediate Monetary Compensation for Flight Delays:

If your flight is delayed, we give you monetary compensation to ease your inconvenience.

Worldwide Support:

We’ve partnered with the world’s largest health & travel insurance network Allianz, to support you seamlessly across the globe. T&C apply*