Do Germany passport holders need a visa to visit CH?
No. German citizens do not need a visa to visit Switzerland. As EU nationals they enjoy full freedom of movement and may enter with just a valid passport or national ID card for any short tourist stay. Germany is an EU member state, and Switzerland (although not in the EU) is part of the Schengen Area and is bound to the EU by the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons (AFMP). German passport holders therefore enjoy full freedom of movement: they can enter Switzerland visa-free for tourism, business, or job-seeking with a valid passport or national identity card. For a pure tourist visit there is no registration requirement and effectively no fixed time limit on a short stay; however, anyone intending to stay and work or reside for more than three months must register with the local commune and obtain an EU/EFTA residence permit. Because German citizens travel under freedom-of-movement rules, the Schengen 90/180-day cap for third-country nationals does not restrict them, and they are exempt from ETIAS (the travel authorisation launching for visa-exempt non-EU nationals in late 2026) and from the new Entry/Exit System (EES). The verdict is solidly visa-free; the only practical advice is to carry a valid travel document and be prepared to register if the stay turns into longer-term residence or employment.
VISA-FREETOURISMMULTIPLE 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→