Do Germany passport holders need a visa to visit LK?
German passport holders need a Sri Lanka Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) for tourism, but as of May 25, 2026 the ETA is FREE for Germany (one of 40 eligible countries). It must still be obtained online before travel and grants a 30-day stay with double entry. A German (DE) ordinary passport holder traveling to Sri Lanka (LK) for tourism must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) in advance. Following an amendment published in the Government Gazette and effective 25 May 2026, Germany is one of 40 countries for which the tourist ETA fee has been waived to USD 0. The free tourist ETA grants a 30-day stay from the date of first arrival with double-entry permission (on the second entry only the balance of the 30 days remains). The ETA application itself is still mandatory and must be completed and approved online at the official portal (eta.gov.lk) before departure; visa-on-arrival is no longer available to German citizens. Sri Lanka is not in the Schengen area, so the Schengen 90/180 rule and ETIAS do not apply. Stays beyond 30 days require a paid extension through the Department of Immigration & Emigration. The passport should be valid for at least six months beyond arrival, and travelers must hold proof of onward travel and sufficient funds. While the fee is waived, this remains an ETA (advance electronic authorization) rather than true visa-free entry, so the verdict is "eta".
VISA REQUIREDTOURISMDOUBLE 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→