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Vietnam to Germany visa requirements

Yes, a visa is required. Vietnamese ordinary passport holders must obtain a Schengen short-stay (type C) visa before traveling to Germany for tourism. Germany is a member of the Schengen Area, and Vietnam is on the list of nationalities that require a visa to enter. The German Federal Foreign Office explicitly lists Viet Nam as "visa required." There is no visa-free, visa-on-arrival, or eVisa option for Vietnamese ordinary passport holders. You must apply for a Schengen type C short-stay visa in advance, normally through the official partner VFS Global in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City or Da Nang. The visa allows a stay of up to 90 days within any 180-day period across all Schengen states. ETIAS does NOT apply to Vietnamese nationals, because ETIAS is only for currently visa-exempt nationalities; Vietnam remains visa-required even after ETIAS launches, which the European Commission says is expected in the last quarter of 2026. The standard fee is EUR 90 for adults, EUR 45 for children aged 6 to under 12, plus the VFS service fee; processing normally takes about 15 days and can extend to 45 days if extra review or documents are needed.
VISA REQUIREDTOURISMFLEXIBLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-07-01
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.
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/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-07-01
Visa type
Schengen short-stay visa (type C), required
Maximum stay
Up to 90 days within any 180-day period
per entry
Entries
Single, double or multiple (as granted)
from issue date
Visa fee
EUR 90 adult; EUR 45 child age 6 to under 12; plus VFS service fee
consular fee only
Processing time
Normally ~15 days; up to 45 days if extra review is needed
standard track
Validity
As granted; aligned to travel dates within the 180-day window
from issue date
/02 — The process

How to apply

/01
Confirm the visa type
For tourism, apply for a Schengen short-stay (type C) visa for Germany. Germany must be your main destination or first point of entry.
· Type C· Tourism
/02
Book an appointment via VFS Global
Create an account and book an appointment at the official German visa application centre (VFS Global) in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City or Da Nang. Apply up to 6 months before travel.
· VFS Global· 3 centres
/03
Prepare and complete the application
Fill in the Schengen visa application form, gather supporting documents, and obtain travel medical insurance with at least EUR 30,000 coverage valid across the Schengen Area.
· Insurance EUR 30,000· Supporting docs
/04
Attend the appointment and give biometrics
Submit your documents in person, pay the visa fee and VFS service fee, and provide fingerprints and a biometric photo (unless valid prints are on file).
· Biometrics· In person
/05
Wait for processing
Normal processing is about 15 days; it may extend to 45 days if additional checks or documents are needed. Applications submitted in Da Nang generally need about two extra transfer days. Track status online via VFS Global.
· ~15 days· Track online
/06
Collect passport and verify visa
Collect your passport, check the visa sticker for correct dates, number of entries and duration, and carry supporting documents when you travel.
· Check sticker· Carry docs
/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

12 items
Personalized checklist
Vietnam -> Germany · Schengen short-stay visa (type C), required
0 / 12 complete
Deadline reminderAdd a date before export
RequiredPassport valid 3+ months beyond departure, issued within last 10 years, 2 blank pages
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
required
RequiredCompleted and signed Schengen visa application form
Official form; submit online or print and sign as instructed
required
RequiredOne recent biometric passport photo (35x45mm, white background)
Use the official size, background, and recency rules for this route
required
RequiredTravel medical insurance, minimum EUR 30,000 coverage, valid in Schengen
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
required
RequiredRound-trip flight reservation covering entry and exit
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
required
RequiredProof of accommodation (hotel bookings or invitation/formal obligation letter)
Official form; submit online or print and sign as instructed
required
RequiredProof of sufficient funds (bank statements for the last 3 months plus financial background evidence)
Bank, income, or asset proof with clear name, date, and balances
required
RequiredProof of employment / business / study and travel purpose (cover letter, itinerary)
Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates
required
RequiredVisa fee EUR 90 plus VFS Global service fee
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
required
RecommendedPrevious visas / travel history (if any)
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
recommended
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.
Application link included: German Federal Foreign Office - Visa requirements overview (03.06.2026)
Open link
/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate
Line itemAmountSource
Schengen visa fee (adult)EUR 90Standard short-stay type C fee; payable in VND equivalent
Schengen visa fee (child age 6 to under 12)EUR 45Children under 6 are exempt
VFS Global service feeEUR 28.13Mandatory per application; paid in VND equivalent at the applicable rate
Travel medical insurance~EUR 20-50Minimum EUR 30,000 coverage required
Total estimateEUR 138.13EUR 170+incl. all
/05 — The wait

Processing time

Extended review
Up to 45 days
May apply when a more detailed examination or additional documents are required.
Da Nang transfer buffer
~2 extra days
Applications lodged in Da Nang are sent to the competent mission in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City.
/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency
/01
Vietnam is a visa-required nationality for Schengen
The German Federal Foreign Office lists Viet Nam as requiring a visa for any entry, including short tourist stays.
High
/02
No visa-free or visa-on-arrival option
Germany does not offer visa-free entry, eVisa or visa-on-arrival to Vietnamese ordinary passport holders.
High
/03
ETIAS does not cover Vietnam
ETIAS applies only to visa-exempt nationalities. Vietnam remains visa-required, so a full Schengen visa is still needed after ETIAS launches.
Medium
/04
Underestimating processing time
Travelers often apply too late; extra review or additional document requests can extend processing up to 45 days, and Da Nang submissions add transfer time.
Medium
/05
Insufficient supporting documents
Refusals commonly stem from weak proof of funds, unclear travel purpose, or missing insurance.
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
2026-07-01
Reviewed by Claude Code
Second-pass review: re-verified the evidence chain against official sources; key facts confirmed and checked-date refreshed.
2026-06-29 · major
Reviewed by Codex
Codex rechecked the route against official German and EU sources, refreshed checked-date, and updated VFS centre coverage, service fee, checklist and processing notes.
2026-05-30
Vietnam to Germany route verified
Confirmed via the German Federal Foreign Office that Vietnam remains visa-required for Germany (Schengen type C). Verified ETIAS does not apply to Vietnamese nationals and the EUR 90 fee / ~15-day processing through VFS Global.
/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Can Vietnamese citizens enter Germany without a visa?
No. Vietnamese ordinary passport holders must obtain a Schengen short-stay (type C) visa before traveling to Germany. There is no visa-free, visa-on-arrival or eVisa option.
Does ETIAS apply to Vietnamese travelers?+
How long can I stay in Germany on this visa?+
Where do Vietnamese citizens apply?+
How much does the visa cost?+
How early should I apply?+
/11 — Passport tools

Tools for the Vietnam passport

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