Do I need a transit visa when connecting in Germany?

In some cases, passengers can transit through Germany without a transit visa by remaining within the airport's international transit area.

However, the possibility of visa-free transit depends on the passenger's nationality, the airport of transit, and the conditions of the itinerary.

Visa-free transit is generally possible if:

  • your next flight is to a country outside the Schengen Area;

  • you do not need to pass through passport control;

  • you do not need to collect and re-check your baggage;

  • you have boarding passes for your entire journey;

  • you remain within the airport's international transit area until your next flight departs.

For example:

Allowed: Istanbul โ†’ Munich โ†’ New York

In some cases, not allowed: Istanbul โ†’ Munich โ†’ Paris โ†’ New York

For this type of itinerary, you may need to enter the Schengen Area and therefore require the appropriate visa.

You may need a transit visa if:

  • you need to pass through passport control;

  • you need to change terminals or airports;

  • you need to collect and re-check your baggage;

  • your journey is booked on separate tickets;

  • you need to leave the transit area;

  • German regulations require a transit visa for citizens of your country.

Separate tickets and baggage

If your itinerary is booked as separate tickets, you may need to:

  • collect your baggage;

  • pass through border control;

  • check in for your next flight.

In this situation, a transit visa or another document allowing entry into Germany may be required.

Important

Not all airports in Germany offer visa-free transit for citizens of all countries. In addition, transit requirements may vary depending on your nationality and the details of your itinerary.

Before travelling, we recommend checking the requirements with:

  • your airline;

  • the German embassy or consulate;

  • official German immigration resources.

Important: It is the passenger's responsibility to ensure they have all visas and travel documents required for their journey.