🇺🇸United States

🇩🇪GermanyUS-DE

United States to Germany visa requirements

Q: When does ETIAS start for US passports?

ETIAS starts in the last quarter of 2026. No action is required yet. Once applications open, the official fee is EUR 20 for ages 18-70, free outside that range, and authorization is valid for 3 years or until the passport expires.

Q: Can I work in Germany on visa-free entry?

No. Visa-free short stay covers tourism, business meetings, conferences, and family visits, not starting paid work. U.S. citizens may usually apply for a residence permit after arrival, but may work only after a visa or residence permit explicitly authorizes it.

Q: What is Anmeldung and do I need it as a tourist?

Anmeldung is the residence registration required of anyone moving into a German residence. Tourists in hotels are exempt. If you move into housing for a long stay, register with the local authority within 2 weeks.

Q: Can I extend my 90-day stay inside Germany?

Tourism extensions are exceptional. If you qualify for a long-stay residence title, U.S. citizens may usually enter without a visa and apply at the local Ausländerbehörde within the first 90 days; otherwise leave Schengen before the 90-day count runs out.

Q: Does EES delete my biometrics?

EES retains biometric records for 3 years from your last exit. After that, you re-enrol on your next arrival.

Visa-free up to 90 days in any 180. EES is fully operational; ETIAS starts in Q4 2026 and will cost EUR 20. U.S. ordinary passport holders enter Germany and the wider Schengen Area visa-free for short stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period, provided no economic activity is pursued. The passport must be valid at least 3 months beyond the planned Schengen departure and must have been issued within the last 10 years. The biometric Entry/Exit System (EES) has been fully operational since 10 April 2026, replacing passport stamps. ETIAS starts in the last quarter of 2026; no action is required yet, and the official fee will be EUR 20 for applicants aged 18-70, with authorization valid for 3 years or until passport expiry. For stays beyond 90 days, study, work, or moving to Germany, U.S. citizens need a residence permit and may usually apply after arrival within the first 90 days, but they may not start employment until a visa or residence permit explicitly authorizes it.

VISA-FREETOURISMMULTIPLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-06-19

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 →United States (Green Card)Living in United States as a permanent resident? See PR-specific guidance→

/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-06-19

Visa type

Visa-free (Schengen short stay)

Maximum stay

Up to 90 days in any 180-day period

per entry

Entries

Multiple within 90/180 limit

from issue date

Visa fee

Free now; EUR 20 ETIAS when required

consular fee only

Processing time

On arrival

standard track

Validity

Passport rule; ETIAS valid 3 years or until passport expiry

from issue date

/02 — The process

How to apply

/01

Check passport validity

Your U.S. passport must be valid at least 3 months past the planned Schengen departure and issued within the last 10 years.

· 3 months past stay· issued <10y

/02

Track the 90/180 window

Days count across all 29 Schengen states on a rolling basis. Use the EU's Schengen calculator before booking back-to-back trips.

· rolling 180-day window

/03

EES enrolment on arrival

First-time arrivals enrol biometrics (face + fingerprints) at FRA, MUC, BER, DUS, or other entry airports. Subsequent visits use the stored record.

· EES biometrics

/04

ETIAS application (from Q4 2026)

No action is required before ETIAS opens. Once required, apply on the official EU site before travel; the fee is EUR 20 for ages 18-70, most decisions are quick, and the EU says to allow up to 96 hours or longer if additional checks are requested.

· ETIAS EUR 20· valid up to 3 years

/05

If >90 days: arrange residence permission

For study, work, family reunion, freelancer, Blue Card, or moving to Germany, U.S. citizens may usually enter without a visa and apply for a residence permit at the Ausländerbehörde within the first 90 days. Register your address within 2 weeks and do not work until the permit or a prior national visa authorizes it.

· residence permit· no work before authorization

/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

13 items

Personalized checklist

United States -> Germany · Visa-free (Schengen short stay)

0 / 13 complete

Visa typeTravel date

Deadline reminderAdd a date before export

RequiredU.S. passport

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

Valid 3+ months past departure, issued within last 10 years

RequiredConfirmed return or onward ticket

Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates

Carry proof in case airline or border officers ask

RequiredAccommodation evidence

Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates

Hotel bookings or host invitation / Verpflichtungserklärung

RequiredFunds evidence

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

Border officers may ask; Germany does not publish a fixed daily tourist rate

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