Do Australia passport holders need a visa to visit Germany (Schengen)?

No visa needed. Australian ordinary passport holders can visit Germany visa-free for tourism for up to 90 days within any 180-day period across the Schengen Area. Germany is part of the Schengen Area, and Australia is a visa-exempt nationality for short stays. As of 30 May 2026, an Australian ordinary passport holder may enter Germany for tourism, business visits or family visits without a visa for up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period, provided they do not take up paid employment. The passport must be valid for at least three months beyond the intended date of departure from the Schengen Area and should have been issued within the previous 10 years. The 90-day limit is counted cumulatively across all Schengen countries, not per country. ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) is the new pre-travel authorisation that will eventually apply to visa-exempt visitors including Australians, but it is NOT yet required: it is expected to begin around the last quarter of 2026 with a transitional grace period, after which a EUR 20 online authorisation (valid up to 3 years) will become mandatory. The Entry/Exit System (EES) automated border checks are also being rolled out. Until ETIAS becomes mandatory, no advance application or fee is needed.