🇩🇪GERMANY

🏳BJDE-BJ

Do Germany passport holders need a visa to visit BJ?

Q: How much does the Benin eVisa cost for a German tourist?

EUR 50 for a 30-day single entry, EUR 75 for a 30-day multiple entry, or EUR 100 for a 90-day multiple entry, paid online on the official portal.

Q: How long does the Benin eVisa take to process?

Usually 24-96 hours. The official guidance recommends applying at least 7 days before your arrival date.

Q: What is the official website to apply for a Benin eVisa?

The official Government of Benin portal is evisa.bj. Avoid third-party agency sites, which add service fees.

Q: Do I need a yellow fever vaccination for Benin?

Yes. Benin requires proof of yellow fever vaccination for entry, so carry your international vaccination certificate.

Q: How long must my passport be valid?

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your arrival date and have at least one blank page.

German ordinary passport holders need a visa for Benin, obtained online as an eVisa before travel. There is no visa-free or visa-on-arrival channel for tourists. A Germany (DE) ordinary passport holder traveling to Benin for tourism must obtain a visa in advance. Benin does not grant visa-free entry to German or other EU citizens, and the previous visa-on-arrival option has been replaced by a mandatory electronic visa (eVisa). The eVisa is applied for online through the official Government of Benin portal (evisa.bj), with no embassy visit required for most travelers. Three tourist options exist: a 30-day single-entry visa (EUR 50), a 30-day multiple-entry visa (EUR 75), and a 90-day multiple-entry visa (EUR 100). The eVisa is normally issued within 24-96 hours, but the official guidance recommends applying at least 7 days before arrival. A passport valid for at least 6 months beyond arrival with a blank page is required, along with a return ticket and proof of accommodation. The eVisa is accepted at Cotonou (Cadjehoun) international airport and at designated land borders. Benin is in West Africa and is not part of the Schengen area, so Schengen 90/180 and ETIAS rules are not relevant to this route.

VISA REQUIREDTOURISMFLEXIBLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-05-30

For guidance only — visa rules change with little notice. Always confirm directly with the destination's embassy or foreign ministry before booking non-refundable travel. Information here applies to ordinary (non-diplomatic) passports unless noted.

Germany (PR)Living in Germany as a permanent resident? See PR-specific guidance→

/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-30

Visa type

Electronic visa (eVisa) - tourist/short visit

Maximum stay

30 days (single or multiple entry) or 90 days (multiple entry)

per entry

Entries

Single or multiple, depending on option chosen

from issue date

Visa fee

EUR 50 (30-day single), EUR 75 (30-day multiple), EUR 100 (90-day multiple)

consular fee only

Processing time

Typically 24-96 hours; apply at least 7 days before arrival

standard track

Validity

Used within the validity window shown on the eVisa; passport must be valid 6+ months from arrival

from issue date

/02 — The process

How to apply

/01

Confirm passport and document readiness

Ensure your German passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond your arrival date and has at least one blank page. Prepare a digital passport photo and a scan of the passport bio page.

· 6-month validity· Blank page

/02

Go to the official eVisa portal

Open the Government of Benin official platform at evisa.bj. Avoid third-party agency sites that add markup fees; the government portal is the authoritative source.

· evisa.bj· Official only

/03

Complete the online application

Fill in personal details, passport data, travel dates, and your Benin address or hotel. Select the visa type: 30-day single, 30-day multiple, or 90-day multiple entry.

· Choose visa type

/04

Upload documents and pay the fee

Upload the required photo and passport scan, then pay the visa fee by card. Fees are EUR 50, EUR 75, or EUR 100 depending on the option.

· Card payment· EUR

/05

Receive the approved eVisa by email

Wait for processing (usually 24-96 hours). The approved eVisa arrives by email as a PDF. Apply at least 7 days before travel to be safe.

· PDF by email· Apply 7+ days ahead

/06

Travel with a printed eVisa

Print the eVisa and carry it with your passport, return ticket, and accommodation proof. Present it on arrival at Cotonou airport or a designated land border.

· Print copy· Show on arrival

/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

10 items

Personalized checklist

0 / 10 complete

German passport valid 6+ months beyond arrival

required

At least one blank passport page

required

Approved eVisa (printed PDF copy)

required

Recent digital passport photo

required

Scan of passport bio page

required

Return or onward flight ticket

required

Proof of accommodation or host address

required

Yellow fever vaccination certificate

required

Means of payment for the visa fee (card)

required

Sufficient funds for the stay

recommended

Track your progress · save & email a copy

/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate

Line itemAmountSource

eVisa - 30 days, single entryEUR 50Standard tourist option for a short single visit

eVisa - 30 days, multiple entryEUR 75For multiple entries within 30 days

eVisa - 90 days, multiple entryEUR 100Longer stay with multiple entries

Priority / rush processing (optional)approx. EUR 50-60Optional faster processing add-on offered by some channels

Total estimateEUR 50 — EUR 100incl. all

/05 — The wait

Processing time

Standard eVisa processing

24-96 hours

Official portal processing; apply at least 7 days before arrival to allow margin

Priority / rush processing

1-12 hours

Optional expedited handling for an extra fee where offered

/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency

/01

Germany is not on Benin's visa-exempt list

Benin grants visa-free entry mainly to ECOWAS and a few bilateral partners; EU citizens including Germans are not exempt.

High

/02

Visa-on-arrival replaced by mandatory eVisa

Benin moved to a compulsory electronic visa system, so travelers must obtain the eVisa before boarding.

High

/03

Tourism is a standard eVisa-eligible purpose

Short tourist and visit trips fall squarely within the eVisa categories offered online.

High

/04

Yellow fever requirement

Benin requires proof of yellow fever vaccination for entry, an additional condition beyond the visa.

Medium

/05

Use of unofficial agency sites

Many travelers apply via third-party sites that charge extra; the official portal is evisa.bj.

Medium

/07 — On arrival

After you land

/01

Immigration

Keep your passport, visa or exemption proof, return ticket, and accommodation details ready for border inspection.

/02

Customs

Review the destination's customs rules before travel and declare restricted goods or large cash amounts when required.

/03

Connectivity

Check whether airport SIMs, eSIMs, or roaming are the best option for your route before arrival.

/08 — The history

Policy changelog

since 2024

2026-05-30

Germany to Benin route verified

Verified against the official Government of Benin eVisa portal (evisa.bj) and the Benin visa policy reference: German ordinary passport holders require an eVisa for tourism. Confirmed fees (EUR 50/75/100), 30/90-day stays, and 24-96 hour processing.

/09 — The questions