Plan your Germany application

Short stays and national visas use different digital pathsSee the common routes, understand the hand-offs, then confirm every requirement on the official website.

01 / ROUTES

Choose the route that matches your trip

These are starting points—not an eligibility decision. Open the official route before you apply.

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Schengen visa (C)
Short visits of up to 90 days in any 180-day period when Germany is the main destination.
↗
National visa (D)
Longer study, employment, training or family-reunification stays.

02 / JOURNEY

What the application journey usually looks like

The exact order can vary by visa, nationality and application location. “If asked” steps are conditional.

01
Choose C or D visa
Purpose and duration determine whether the Schengen or national route applies.
02
Open the correct official form
Schengen forms are prepared for the local mission; many national routes use the Consular Services Portal.
GUIDELENS HELPS HERE
03
Upload or prepare evidence
Follow the checklist of the mission responsible for your ordinary residence.
04
Book the responsible mission
Use the mission or its authorised provider’s appointment channel.
IF ASKED
05
Attend & give biometrics
Present originals if requested, give biometrics and pay the applicable fee.
06
Track the decision
The mission or portal provides status and next-step notices.

03 / BEFORE YOU START

Four things to know before you start

Short-stay form: Germany’s Federal Foreign Office says Schengen applications cannot yet be submitted through the Consular Services Portal.
National visas: Many study, work, training and family routes can be submitted online for preliminary review.
Responsible mission: Use the German mission responsible for where you ordinarily live, provided Germany is the correct main destination.
In-person step: Even after an online national application, an appointment is used for originals, biometrics and fees.

04 / PRACTICAL GUIDE

Germany visa details that change the workflow

Germany now offers a digital path for many national visas, while short-stay Schengen applications still follow the mission’s local process.

01
Do not confuse the two online paths
The Consular Services Portal supports many national visa categories, but Germany states that Schengen applications cannot yet be submitted there.
Federal Foreign Office · Visas for Germany ↗
02
National applications receive a preliminary check
For supported national routes, upload the form and documents first. The responsible mission can flag missing information before the in-person appointment.
German Consular Services Portal ↗
03
The responsible mission follows ordinary residence
Apply through the German mission responsible for your ordinary residence or domicile, while also ensuring Germany is the correct main destination.
Federal Foreign Office · Where to apply ↗
04
Keep the Schengen rule in view
For a multi-country trip, apply to the country that is the main purpose or longest stay. Use the first country only when stays are equal. The 90 days in any 180-day period are counted across the whole Schengen area.
European Commission · Applying for a Schengen visa ↗

05 / PREPARE

Information worth gathering before you open the form

Not every item applies to every route. Use the official checklist generated for your application.

Passport and previous travel-document details
Travel dates, itinerary and accommodation
Travel medical insurance for the Schengen stay
Evidence of funds and the purpose of the trip
Employment, study or sponsor information where relevant
Translations and route-specific documents requested locally

06 / OFFICIAL

Continue with the official authority

View current requirementsGerman Federal Foreign Office — visas for Germany

You remain responsible for reviewing and submitting your application.

Do not confuse the two online paths

National applications receive a preliminary check

The responsible mission follows ordinary residence

Keep the Schengen rule in view