canivisit.com
Beta — verify with official sources⌘K
Home/from/New Zealand/to/Germany
🇳🇿New Zealand
🇩🇪GermanyNZ-DE

New Zealand to Germany visa requirements

New Zealand ordinary passport holders do NOT need a visa for tourism in Germany. They may enter visa-free and stay up to 90 days within any 180-day period in the Schengen Area. ETIAS travel authorisation is expected to launch in late 2026 but is NOT yet required as of 30 May 2026. Germany is part of the Schengen Area, and New Zealand is a visa-exempt third country. NZ ordinary passport holders can travel to Germany for tourism, family visits or business without a visa for stays of up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period across the whole Schengen zone. The passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond the planned departure date and generally issued within the last 10 years. No work is permitted on this visa waiver. As of 30 May 2026, no electronic pre-authorisation is required — ETIAS (a €7 online authorisation valid 3 years) is scheduled to begin in the last quarter of 2026 with a transition period, after which NZ travellers will need to obtain it before departure. The EU Entry/Exit System (EES) is also being phased in, registering biometrics at the border in place of passport stamps; NZ citizens still enter visa-free under it. Travellers staying beyond 90 days, working, or studying need a national long-stay visa or residence permit.
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.
Policy alertWatch this route for rule changesSave this passport and destination for email summaries and optional browser notifications.Subscribe →
/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-30
Visa type
Visa-free (Schengen short-stay waiver)
Maximum stay
Up to 90 days in any 180-day period
per entry
Entries
Multiple
from issue date
Visa fee
NZD 0 (no visa fee)
consular fee only
Processing time
None — entry at border
standard track
Validity
Passport valid 3+ months beyond departure; issued within last 10 years
from issue date
/02 — The process

How to apply

/01
Confirm your passport meets Schengen rules
Ensure your New Zealand ordinary passport is valid for at least 3 months beyond your planned departure from the Schengen Area and was issued within the past 10 years.
· 3 months validity· Issued < 10 years ago
/02
Verify you are within the 90/180 allowance
Count days already spent in any Schengen country in the past 180 days. Your total stay across the zone, including Germany, must not exceed 90 days in any rolling 180-day window.
· 90/180 rule· Zone-wide count
/03
Prepare supporting documents for the border
Carry proof of onward/return travel, accommodation bookings, sufficient funds, and travel insurance. Border officers may ask to see these at entry.
· Return ticket· Proof of funds
/04
Check ETIAS status before you fly
As of May 2026 ETIAS is not yet required. From its late-2026 launch you must obtain an approved ETIAS online before boarding. Check the official EU portal close to your travel date.
· Not required May 2026· Check before departure
/05
Enter via passport control / EES
At a German port of entry, present your passport. Under the rolling-out Entry/Exit System your biometrics (photo, fingerprints) may be recorded; you still enter visa-free.
· Biometrics under EES· Visa-free entry
/06
Track your days and depart on time
Keep evidence of your entry/exit (stamps, boarding passes, hotel bookings). Leave before your 90-day allowance expires to avoid overstay penalties and future entry bans.
· Avoid overstay· Keep evidence
/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

11 items
Personalized checklist
New Zealand -> Germany · Visa-free (Schengen short-stay waiver)
0 / 11 complete
Deadline reminderAdd a date before export
RequiredNew Zealand ordinary passport valid 3+ months beyond departure
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
required
RequiredPassport issued within the last 10 years
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
required
RequiredReturn or onward travel ticket
Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates
required
RequiredProof of accommodation (hotel booking or invitation)
Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates
required
RecommendedProof of sufficient funds for the stay
Bank, income, or asset proof with clear name, date, and balances
recommended
RecommendedTravel/medical insurance covering the Schengen Area
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
recommended
RequiredDays remaining within 90/180 Schengen allowance
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
required
OptionalETIAS authorisation (only once it launches in late 2026)
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
optional
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 sourcesGerman Embassy Wellington – Visa requirements for New Zealand citizensGerman Federal Foreign Office – Visa requirements overview for entry to GermanyEuropean Commission – Official ETIAS portal
Application link included: German Embassy Wellington – Visa requirements for New Zealand citizens
Open link
/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate
Line itemAmountSource
Schengen short-stay visa feeNZD 0No visa required for NZ ordinary passport holders
ETIAS travel authorisationEUR 7Only from late-2026 launch; free for under-18s and over-70s
EES biometric registrationNZD 0No charge; biometrics captured at the border
Total estimateNZD 0 — NZD 0incl. all
/05 — The wait

Processing time

Visa-free entry at border
Immediate
No application or pre-authorisation needed as of May 2026; assessed on arrival by border officers.
ETIAS online (from late 2026)
Minutes to 96 hours; up to 30 days in rare cases
Online application required once ETIAS launches; most approvals are near-instant.
/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency
/01
Tourism and sightseeing
Visiting German cities, landmarks and attractions for leisure within the 90-day limit.
High
/02
Visiting family and friends
Short social visits to residents in Germany, permitted under the visa waiver.
High
/03
Business meetings and conferences
Attending meetings, trade fairs or conferences without taking up paid employment.
Medium
/04
Transit through Germany
Connecting through German airports to other Schengen or non-Schengen destinations.
Medium
/05
Short cultural or sports events
Attending festivals, exhibitions or events as a visitor.
Low
/07 — On arrival

After you land

/01
Border control
Carry your Schengen visa, itinerary, insurance, funds proof, and return ticket. Border officers can ask for the same evidence used for the visa.
/02
90/180 tracking
Your allowed stay is counted across the whole Schengen Area, not only Germany. Keep entry and exit dates recorded.
/03
Connectivity
EU roaming works for EU SIMs. Tourist SIMs and eSIMs are available at airports, stations, and electronics shops.
/08 — The history

Policy changelog

since 2024
2026-05-30
New Zealand to Germany route verified
Confirmed via the German Embassy Wellington and Federal Foreign Office that NZ ordinary passport holders enter Germany visa-free for up to 90 days per 180. Verified via the EU portal and NZ MFAT that ETIAS is not yet mandatory as of 30 May 2026 and is scheduled to launch in the last quarter of 2026.
/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Do New Zealanders need a visa to visit Germany?—
No. New Zealand ordinary passport holders can enter Germany visa-free for tourism and stay up to 90 days within any 180-day period in the Schengen Area.
How long can I stay in Germany without a visa?+
Do I need ETIAS to travel to Germany now?+
How valid must my passport be?+
Can I work in Germany on the visa waiver?+
What is the EES and does it affect me?+
/11 — Passport tools

Tools for the New Zealand passport

🇳🇿⇄
Compare the New Zealand passport
Stack it up against another passport→
🇳🇿◐
New Zealand visa-free map
See where this passport goes visa-free→
🇳🇿▤
New Zealand passport power
Global rank and destination breakdown→
See something wrong on this page?
Policies change. If something looks off, tell us — we review every report within 48 hours.