Korea Electronic Travel Authorization, similar to US ESTA. When required or chosen voluntarily, apply online for KRW 10,000 plus payment fee; it is valid for 3 years or until passport expiry if sooner.

Up to 90 days per entry. In-country extensions are rarely granted for tourists.

Home/from/Germany/to/South Korea

🇩🇪Germany

🇰🇷South KoreaDE-KR

Germany to South Korea visa requirements

Q: Do Germans need K-ETA in 2026?

No for ordinary visa-free visits before Dec 31, 2026. South Korea extended the temporary K-ETA exemption through that date, though optional K-ETA remains available for KRW 10,000 plus payment fee.

Q: Do I need an e-Arrival Card?

If you enter without a valid K-ETA, submit the free e-Arrival Card within 3 days before arrival or complete the arrival declaration on arrival where available. Valid K-ETA holders do not submit the arrival card.

Q: Can I work on visa-free entry?

No - tourism and short business meetings only. Work requires a visa class (D-7, E-1 to E-7, H-1) with sponsorship.

Q: Direct flights from Germany?

Yes - Korean Air, Asiana, and Lufthansa serve FRA/MUC-ICN direct.

Q: What if my K-ETA is denied?

If you applied voluntarily and were denied, confirm your options with a Korean diplomatic mission before travel. If K-ETA becomes required after the exemption period, travel without K-ETA or a visa may lead to denied boarding or entry.

German ordinary passport holders can visit South Korea visa-free for up to 90 days; K-ETA is temporarily exempt through Dec 31, 2026, but travelers without a valid K-ETA should submit Korea's free e-Arrival Card within 3 days before arrival. German ordinary passport holders can enter South Korea visa-free for short tourism, visits, events, conferences, or non-remunerated business for up to 90 days. Germany is listed on the official K-ETA eligible-country page with a 90-day allowed stay, and the Auswärtiges Amt states that EU and Schengen-state nationals may enter visa-free for short stays of less than 90 days with no employment. K-ETA is normally the pre-travel authorization for visa-free travelers, but Korea's Ministry of Justice extended the temporary K-ETA exemption for currently exempt countries through Dec 31, 2026 (KST), and Germany's travel advice confirms German nationals do not need K-ETA to enter visa-free until that date. Travelers without a valid K-ETA should submit the free e-Arrival Card within 3 days before arrival or complete the arrival declaration on arrival where available; travelers who voluntarily hold a valid K-ETA are exempt from submitting the arrival card. A German passport must be valid at entry; the Auswärtiges Amt notes no minimum remaining validity under Korean rules, though airlines or transit points may apply stricter checks. Work, study, journalism, and stays of 90 days or more require the appropriate visa from a Korean diplomatic mission.

VISA-FREETOURISMMULTIPLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-06-20

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.

Policy alertWatch this route for rule changesSave this passport and destination for email summaries and optional browser notifications.Subscribe →Germany (PR)Living in Germany as a permanent resident? See PR-specific guidance→

/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-06-20

Visa type

Visa-free; K-ETA temporarily exempt

Maximum stay

Up to 90 days per entry

per entry

Entries

Multiple entries allowed

from issue date

Visa fee

No mandatory visa/K-ETA fee during the exemption; optional K-ETA costs KRW 10,000 plus online payment fee

consular fee only

Processing time

No K-ETA pre-approval required while exempt; free e-Arrival Card may be submitted within 3 days before arrival

standard track

Validity

K-ETA exemption through Dec 31, 2026 (KST); optional K-ETA valid 3 years or until passport expiry if sooner

from issue date

/02 — The process

How to apply

/01

Check passport validity

Your German passport must be valid when you enter South Korea. Korean rules do not set a minimum remaining validity for German travelers, but allow extra validity if your airline or transit point requires it.

· valid at entry· airline checks

/02

Confirm K-ETA exemption

German nationals entering visa-free are temporarily exempt from K-ETA until Dec 31, 2026. You may still apply voluntarily at k-eta.go.kr for KRW 10,000 plus payment fee if you want K-ETA benefits such as arrival-card exemption.

· K-ETA exempt to 2026-12-31· optional KRW 10,000

/03

Submit arrival declaration

If you do not hold a valid K-ETA, submit the free e-Arrival Card within 3 days before arrival, or complete the arrival declaration on arrival if using the paper option where available.

· free e-Arrival Card· 3 days

/04

Book onward/return ticket

Confirmed ticket out of Korea within 90 days; airlines may deny boarding without one.

· onward ticket

/05

Arrive at Incheon (ICN)

Use SeS auto-gates (eligible) or counters. Up to 90 days visa-free stamp issued.

· 90-day stamp

/06

Track your stay

Note the 90-day expiry; Korean immigration is strict on overstays.

· check stamp date

/07

Extend or exit

In-country extensions are rare for tourists; visa-runs disallowed. Exit before 90 days.

· exit on time

/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

10 items

Personalized checklist

Germany -> South Korea · Visa-free; K-ETA temporarily exempt

0 / 10 complete

Visa typeTravel date

Deadline reminderAdd a date before export

RequiredGerman ordinary passport

Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route

Valid at entry; extra validity may be needed for airline or transit rules

OptionalK-ETA status

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

Temporarily exempt through Dec 31, 2026; optional K-ETA costs KRW 10,000 plus payment fee

RequiredArrival declaration

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

Free e-Arrival Card within 3 days before arrival unless holding valid K-ETA

RequiredReturn/onward ticket

Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates

Confirmed flight out within 90 days

RequiredAccommodation details

Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates

Hotel booking or host address

RecommendedSufficient funds

Bank, income, or asset proof with clear name, date, and balances

USD 50-100/day recommended

RecommendedTravel insurance

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

Recommended though not required

ConditionalOfficial application form or online application

Official form; submit online or print and sign as instructed

Visa-free routes usually do not require a visa form; submit any arrival card or authorization if required.

RequiredFlight and hotel itinerary

Confirmed or agency-arranged itinerary when the route guide requires it

Use dates that fit the allowed stay and visa validity.

RecommendedTravel medical insurance

Policy certificate showing traveler name, destination, and coverage dates

Some destinations or agencies require it even when the core visa rule only recommends it.

Official sourcesK-ETA Official Portal - Notice on Extension of K-ETA Temporary Exemption (2025-12-23)K-ETA Official Application Guide - Eligible Countries / Applicants K-ETA Official Application Guide - Fee, Processing and Validity

Application link included: K-ETA Official Portal - Notice on Extension of K-ETA Temporary Exemption (2025-12-23)

Open link

/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate

Line itemAmountSource

Visa-free entryFreeUp to 90 days for tourism, short visits, events, conferences, or non-remunerated business

e-Arrival CardFreeSubmit within 3 days before arrival if you do not hold a valid K-ETA

Optional K-ETAKRW 10,000 (~USD 7-8) plus online payment feeValid 3 years or until passport expiry if sooner; K-ETA holders do not submit the arrival card

Visa extensionKRW 60,000Rarely approved for tourists; exit before stamp expires

Work visa (E-7)KRW 80,000+Sponsored by Korean employer; multi-month process

Overstay penaltyKRW 100,000-30,000,000Plus deportation and re-entry ban

Total estimateUSD 0 — USD 8 plus payment fee if choosing optional K-ETAincl. all

/05 — The wait

Processing time

Visa-free arrival

On arrival

No visa or K-ETA is required for German nationals while the temporary K-ETA exemption remains active.

e-Arrival Card

Within 3 days before arrival

Free online entry declaration if you do not hold a valid K-ETA; the official portal handles individual and group declarations.

Optional K-ETA

Usually within 72 hours

Apply at k-eta.go.kr only if you choose to hold K-ETA benefits, such as arrival-card exemption.

Extension request

Difficult for tourists

Most denied; visa-runs to Japan disallowed back-to-back.

Working visa

4-8 weeks

E-1 to E-7, H-1; requires sponsorship and degree/skills.

/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency

/01

Arrival declaration missing

Foreign nationals must submit an entry declaration form unless exempt, for example by holding a valid K-ETA.

Medium

/02

K-ETA exemption misunderstood

Germany's K-ETA exemption is temporary through Dec 31, 2026; check K-ETA before travel if entering after that date.

Medium

/03

Visa-run pattern

Frequent in-out trips raise immigration suspicion; secondary inspection possible.

Low

/04

Insufficient funds shown

ICN officers may request proof of accommodation and onward travel.

Low

/05

Overstay

Strict enforcement; multi-year re-entry bans common.

Low

/07 — On arrival

After you land

/01

Immigration

Carry your visa grant notice or visa-free group documents, hotel address, and return ticket. Entry remains at the border officer's discretion.

/02

Arrival forms

Complete any current arrival, health, or customs declaration required by your airline or Korean immigration before inspection.

/03

Connectivity

Airport SIMs, eSIMs, and transport cards are easy to buy at Incheon, Gimpo, Busan, and major convenience stores.

/08 — The history

Policy changelog

since 2024

2026-06-19

Reviewed by Claude Code

Second-pass review: re-verified the evidence chain against official sources; key facts confirmed and checked-date refreshed.

2026-06-20

Checked by Codex

Re-verified official Korean K-ETA and German travel-advice sources; refreshed the K-ETA exemption through Dec 31, 2026, e-Arrival Card guidance, passport-validity wording, sources, and checked date.

2026-05-27

Germany to South Korea route verified

Earlier check recorded 90-day visa-free entry and K-ETA guidance; superseded by the 2026 exemption update.

2021-09-01 · major

K-ETA introduced

K-ETA became the normal pre-travel authorization for eligible visa-free travellers, subject to active exemptions.

/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Do Germans need a visa for South Korea?—

No - German ordinary passport holders can enter visa-free for up to 90 days for tourism, short visits, events, conferences, or non-remunerated business.

Do Germans need K-ETA in 2026?+

What is K-ETA?+

Do I need an e-Arrival Card?+

How long can I stay?+

Can I work on visa-free entry?+

Direct flights from Germany?+

What if my K-ETA is denied?+

/11 — Passport tools