Germany will continue to allow citizens from 62 countries outside the European Union (EU) and Schengen Area to enter the country without a visa for short visits in 2026, according to the German Federal Foreign Office.
Under the visa exemption arrangement, eligible travellers can visit Germany for tourism, business engagements or family visits for a maximum of 90 days within a 180-day period.
However, the visa-free privilege does not allow visitors to engage in employment during their stay.
The list includes citizens from some of Germany’s key diplomatic and economic partners, such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand and Israel.
Additionally, citizens of some visa-exempt countries may be permitted to apply for specific residence permits after arriving in Germany, depending on the country’s immigration regulations.
Countries eligible for visa-free travel to Germany in 2026
The countries whose citizens can enter Germany without a visa for short stays include:
- Albania
- Andorra
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Argentina
- Australia
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Brazil
- Brunei
- Canada
- Chile
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Dominica
- El Salvador
- Georgia
- Grenada
- Guatemala
- Honduras
- Hong Kong
- Israel
- Japan
- Kiribati
- Kosovo
- Macao
- Malaysia
- Marshall Islands
- Mauritius
- Mexico
- Micronesia
- Moldova
- Monaco
- Montenegro
- New Zealand
- North Macedonia
- Nicaragua
- Palau
- Panama
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Samoa
- San Marino
- Serbia
- Seychelles
- Singapore
- Solomon Islands
- South Korea
- Taiwan
- Timor-Leste
- Tonga
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Tuvalu
- Ukraine
- United Arab Emirates
- United States
- Uruguay
- Vanuatu
- Vatican City
- Venezuela
Travellers from these countries are required to adhere to the 90-day stay limit within any rolling 180-day period.
Those intending to work in Germany or remain beyond the permitted period must obtain the appropriate visa or residence permit, subject to their nationality and eligibility under German immigration rules.