Saudi Arabia to Germany visa requirements

Yes, a visa is required. Saudi Arabia ordinary passport holders must obtain a Schengen short-stay (Type C) visa before traveling to Germany for tourism. Saudi nationals are not visa-exempt for the Schengen Area, so ETIAS does not apply to them. Germany is a Schengen Area member state, and Saudi Arabia is not on the EU's visa-exempt list. A Saudi Arabia ordinary passport holder therefore needs a Schengen short-stay (Type C) visa to visit Germany for tourism. In Saudi Arabia, Germany's visa applications are handled by the external service provider TLS Contact (acceptance centers in Riyadh, Al-Khobar, and Jeddah), and the application is decided by the German Embassy/Consulate. The standard adult visa fee is 90 EUR (effective since 11 June 2024), payable in addition to a TLS Contact service fee. Applicants must appear in person to give biometrics (unless fingerprints were collected within the last 59 months), provide travel medical insurance with at least 30,000 EUR coverage, proof of accommodation, financial means, and a return/onward ticket. Standard processing is up to 15 calendar days but can take longer in peak periods, so applying early (up to 6 months ahead) is advised. A Schengen visa permits stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period across the whole Schengen Area. Since April 2024, the EU offers GCC nationals, including Saudis, a 'cascade' regime granting long-validity multiple-entry visas (up to 5 years) to applicants with a good visa history. ETIAS is a travel authorization only for visa-exempt nationalities and does not replace the Schengen visa requirement for Saudi passport holders.