German visa resources
Germany visa eligibility
Who can apply for Germany national long-stay visa routes. Short-stay Schengen eligibility follows the shared Schengen rules.
Official guidance Regularly updated
Important
This information is for general guidance only. Meeting the requirements does not guarantee your application will be approved.
Whether you need a Germany national long-stay (Type D) visa, and which route applies, depends on your nationality, the purpose of your stay and your circumstances, under rules set by Germany's authorities. Use the official EU visa-policy sources below and check Germany's embassy or consulate. Who needs a short-stay Schengen visa is covered by the shared Schengen eligibility guidance.
Next steps
Official sources
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official government sources.
Verified against official sources · last reviewed 2026-08-10. Information only — not legal advice.