Transit Visa
Germany Transit Visa Types and Application Processes
A transit visa is a type of visa that international passengers will obtain if their travels to the destination country require entry into other countries. A Schengen transit visa is a short-term visa that is allocated to those who only need to enter the Schengen area on their way to another country.
A Germany transit visa is a type of visa required for travels to a country outside the Schengen area by stopping at airports in Germany, in cases where there is no current right to access the Schengen area.
A Germany transit visa does not grant permission to exit the airport.
In what cases is a Germany transit visa required?
A Germany transit visa is required for Turkish citizens to travel to a non-Schengen country via connecting flights in Germany.
Those who will transit through German airports; if they have a valid visa for one of the countries of USA, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus (Southern Cyprus), Ireland, Japan and Romania, or if they are returning to their own country from these countries, they do not need any visa for their transfer as long as they do not leave the transit area of the airport.
If citizens of the Republic of Turkey who will reach their final destination via a transfer from Germany need to stay at airports in Germany for more than 24 hours, these persons must apply for a Schengen visa instead of a transit visa.
Does Germany Require a Transit Visa?
A Germany transit visa is required for citizens of the Republic of Turkey who will reach their primary destinations via a transfer from German airports. Green and gray passport holders do not need a Germany transit visa for transfers from German airports. Those who have a valid Schengen visa or a residence permit in one of the countries in the Schengen area do not need a Germany transit visa.
The answer to the question of whether Germany requires a transit visa for crossings by land is yes, unless you have a Schengen visa.
Those who have a valid visa for the United States of America, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus (Southern Cyprus), Ireland, Japan or Romania, or those whose valid visas have just expired and are returning to their home country, do not need a Germany transit visa if they will not leave the airport.
Do I Need a Transit Visa for Connecting Flights to Germany?
A transit visa is required for flights connecting in Germany if the citizens of the Republic of Türkiye are ordinary passport holders and do not have a valid Schengen visa.
Those with a valid Schengen visa and green passport holders do not need a transit visa for connecting flights to Germany. Those with valid visas to the USA, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus (Southern Cyprus), Ireland, Japan and Romania do not need a transit visa for connecting flights to Germany.
For transit trips that require entry into the Schengen area; if it is necessary to leave the international transit area and pass through passport control due to a terminal change, a Schengen visa is required.
In what cases is it possible to travel through Germany airports without a visa?
The basic condition in which visa-free transit through a German airport is possible is that the country to which the transfer is made from Germany is a Schengen country and the traveler has a Schengen visa or a residence permit in a Schengen area country.
Those who have valid visas to the USA, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus (Southern Cyprus), Ireland, Japan and Romania, or who are returning to their home countries from these countries, can transit visa-free at German airports.
Green and grey passport holders do not need an airport transit visa when transferring from airports in Germany. Germany does not require a visa for green passport holders for trips not exceeding 90 days within a 180-day period.
What are the Required Documents for a Germany Transit Visa Application?
The documents required for a Germany transit visa application are listed below.
- Germany transit visa application form : The transit visa application form must be filled out completely and accurately and must be included in the visa application file.
- 2 photographs : 2 biometric passport photographs are required, meeting the Schengen visa photo criteria, 45 mm high and 35 mm wide, taken within the last 6 months.
- A valid passport : It must be a valid passport issued within the last 10 years, undamaged, and with at least two blank pages.
- Valid visa for the final destination : Documents indicating that there is permission to enter the final destination must be attached to the visa application.
- Financial documents : Proof of financial adequacy such as an approved, actively used, balanced account statement covering the last 3 months’ account information and pay slips must be attached to the application.
- Residence document : A certified document showing the residence address must be attached to the application.
What are the Supporting Documents for a Germany Transit Visa?
The documents considered as supporting documents for a Germany transit visa are listed below.
- Passport photocopy : A complete copy of your current passport and previous passports can be added to the Germany transit visa application as a supporting element.
- Reservations at the final destination : Booked tickets and reservations for accommodation in the country of travel can be added to the application as supporting elements.
- Travel cover letter : Details regarding the travel plan and the reason for going to the final destination can be added as supporting elements to the Germany transit visa application.
- Travel health insurance : Although travel health insurance is not mandatory for transit visas, it can be added to the visa application as a supporting document.
How to Apply for a Germany Transit Visa?
Before applying for a Germany transit visa, visa and passport procedures must be completed if necessary for the country to be transited through Germany. After obtaining the entry documents for the final destination, tickets and reservations for the flight and accommodation required for the planned journey must be documented in order to obtain a Germany transit visa.
After collecting all the documents required for a Germany transit visa, an appointment must be made for a Germany transit visa application from Idata, the Germany visa center intermediary institution authorized by the German foreign missions in Turkey.
For all visa applications to be made for Germany, those traveling to Germany must go to the Idata Germany visa application offices responsible for their regions or contact other accredited visa agencies. Germany transit visa Idata fees must be paid and the documents required for the Germany transit visa must be submitted to one of the Idata offices. Whether or not the Germany visa applications have been finalized can be followed on the Idata official website.
How Much Is a Transit Visa Fee in Germany?
Transit visa fees for Germany are given in the table below.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Germany transit visa fee | 80 EUR |
| Filling out the application form & petition | 30 EUR |
| Meeting | Free |
| Biometrics operations | 40 EUR |
| Consulting service | 30 EUR |
| Total | 180 EUR |
For detailed information about Germany transit visa fees, you can contact vizem.net.
How Many Days Does It Take to Get a Germany Transit Visa?
Germany transit visa application is finalized within two weeks at the latest from the application date.
What Activities Are Not Allowed with a Germany Transit Visa?
With a Germany transit visa, you can only be in the transit compartments of airports in Germany and you cannot leave the airport. If you need to go through passport control for any transaction at airports in Germany, this transaction cannot be done with a Germany transit visa. If you need to make more than one transfer in the Schengen area, you must apply for a Schengen visa instead of a transit visa.
With a Germany transit visa, you can stay in the transfer areas of airports in Germany for a maximum of 24 hours; those who need to stay in Germany for a longer period must apply for a Schengen visa.