Do Germany passport holders need a visa to visit KP?

German ordinary passport holders need a visa to enter North Korea (DPRK). There is no visa-free, eVisa, or visa-on-arrival option. A visa requires a Korean-side invitation, which for tourists is arranged exclusively through a state-authorized tour operator; independent travel is not permitted. Note that as of mid-2026 general tourism remains largely suspended, so confirm operating status before booking. A German citizen on an ordinary passport cannot travel to North Korea without a visa, and cannot obtain one independently. Tourist entry is only possible by joining a guided tour run by an operator registered with the State General Bureau of Tourist Guidance, which secures the required Korean invitation and submits the application (typically to KITC). The visa is issued either as a separate tourist card / paper slip handed to travelers at the pre-tour meeting in China, or as a sticker at the DPRK embassy in Berlin. Germany's Federal Foreign Office strongly advises against all travel to North Korea, states a visa is required (normally via the Berlin embassy), and notes processing of at least four weeks plus the need for a personal appearance and a Korean invitation. As of May 2026, North Korea remains largely closed to international tourism, with only very limited categories of foreign visitors admitted; standard tourist visas are not being broadly issued. Travelers should treat any trip as conditional on the borders being open and on a licensed operator confirming availability. North Korea is not in the Schengen area, so Schengen 90/180 and ETIAS rules do not apply.