In most countries around the world, the passport must have at least six months validity from the date of the return flight.
The immigration authorities of certain countries may deny entry into their territory if the passport's validity does not meet these conditions. The airline may also refuse entry if your passport does not meet the requirements or if you do not have the necessary entry visa.
We have compiled a list of countries that have specific requirements for the validity of the ID or passport and entry visa for entry from Germany. The information pertains to entry with a German ID card or passport.
Please be sure to check the latest entry and health regulations as well as information about the destination on the website of the Federal Foreign Office www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en before departure. If you are not traveling with a German passport, please check with your Ministry of Foreign Affairs the entry requirements of your destination and transit country.
Country | Identity card/passport minimum remaining validity | Entry visa is required / additional comments |
Austria | All travel documents except the temporary ID card must have expired for a maximum of one year. | Entry is possible with an identity card or passport. |
Australia |
Travel documents must be valid for the entire duration of your stay. During a stopover in an Asian country there is often one Mindestgültigkeit des Reisepasses von sechs Monaten vorgeschrieben. |
To enter Australia you need a visa or an ETA. The application must be made before the start of the trip and cannot be made upon entry. Entry is only possible with a passport. |
Ukraine | All travel documents must be valid on the day of entry. If a passport expires on the day of departure, a fine may be imposed. |
No visa is required for entry and stays of up to 90 days out of 180 days. Entry is only possible with a passport. |
United Arab Emirates | All travel documents must be valid for at least 6 months. |
A visa is not required to enter the UAE for tourism, business (non-employment) or visit purposes for a maximum period of 90 days within 180 days. Entry is only possible with a passport. |
Italy | All travel documents except the temporary ID card must have expired for a maximum of one year. | Entry is possible with an identity card or passport. |
England/UK | All travel documents must be valid on the day of entry and exit. |
Starting April 2, 2025, European passport holders will need an ETA entry permit for England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland. Starting March 5, 2025, it will be possible to fill out an application, the permit will be valid for two years (currently costs about 10 pounds). |
USA | All travel documents must be valid for the entire duration of your stay and for the day of departure. |
A visa is not mandatory if the following points are met: Have an electronic passport, a valid Electronic Entry Authorization (ESTA) and a valid return or onward flight ticket. Otherwise a visa is required. Entry is only possible with a passport. |
Bulgaria | All travel documents must be valid upon entry and exit. | Entry is possible with an identity card or passport. |
Georgia | All travel documents must be valid upon entry and exit. Entry with a passport is recommended. |
No visa is required to enter the country and stay for up to 360 days. Entry is only possible with a passport. |
Israel | All travel documents must be valid for at least 6 months after the day of departure. |
German citizens born after January 1, 1928 do not need a visa for a stay of up to 3 months. Entry is only possible with a passport |
South Africa |
All travel documents must be valid for the entire duration of your stay and at least 30 days after the day of departure. Important: The passport must have at least two free pages |
In principle, a visa is not required for short-term tourist, visiting or business trips to South Africa. Entry is only possible with a passport. |
India |
All travel documents must be valid for at least six months. Important: The passport must have at least two free pages. |
A visa is required for entry. The visa must be applied for before entry at an Indian mission abroad or as an e-visa. Visas upon arrival are not possible. |
Hungary | All travel documents must be valid upon entry. | Entry is possible with an identity card or passport. |
Netherlands | All travel documents except the temporary ID card must have expired for a maximum of one year. | Entry is possible with an identity card or passport. |
Turkey |
All travel documents except the temporary ID card must have expired for a maximum of one year. However, it is recommended to enter with valid identification documents. Important: If you enter the country with your passport, it must have at least one free page. |
No visa is required for entry and stays of up to 90 days out of 180 days. Entry is possible with an identity card or passport. |
Greece | All travel documents, other than the temporary ID card, must have expired for a maximum of one year. | Entry is possible with an identity card or passport. |
Japan | All travel documents must be valid for the duration of the intended stay. |
No visa is required for entry and a tourist stay of up to 90 days. Entry is only possible with a passport. |
Mexico |
All travel documents must be valid for the duration of the intended stay. Important: The passport must be in good condition, otherwise entry may be refused. |
No visa is required for entry and a tourist stay of up to 180 days. Entry is only possible with a passport. |
Morocco | All travel documents must be valid for the entire duration of your stay and for the day of departure |
No visa is required for entry and a tourist stay of up to 90 days. Entry is only possible with a passport. |
China |
All travel documents must be valid for at least six months. Important: The passport must have at least two free pages. |
Entry usually requires a visa, which must be applied for in person at the Visa Application Service Center before entry. For all further information and exceptions, please contact the Federal Foreign Office. |
Spain | All travel documents except the temporary ID card must have expired for a maximum of one year. | Entry is possible with an ID card or passport. |
Poland | All travel documents must be valid for the duration of the entire stay. | Entry is possible with an ID card or passport. |
Portugal | All travel documents except the temporary ID card must have expired for a maximum of one year. | Entry is possible with an ID card or passport. |
Peru | All travel documents must be valid for at least six months. |
No visa is required for entry and a tourist stay of up to 90 days per 180 days. Entry is only possible with a passport. |
Czech Republic | All travel documents must be valid at least until the end of the trip. | Entry is possible with an ID card or passport |
France | All travel documents except the temporary ID card must have expired for a maximum of one year. | Entry is possible with an ID card or passport. |
Cyprus | All travel documents must be valid on the day of entry and exit. | Entry is possible with an ID card or passport. |
Costa Rica |
All travel documents must be valid for at least six months. Important: The passport must be in good condition, otherwise entry may be refused. |
No visa is required for entry and a tourist stay of up to 90 days. Entry is only possible with a passport. |
Canada | All travel documents must be valid for the duration of the entire stay. |
No visa is required for entry and stays of up to six months for tourist or business purposes or for transit. Entry is only possible with a passport. |
Switzerland | All travel documents except the temporary ID card must have expired for a maximum of one year. However, it is recommended to enter with valid identification documents. | Entry is possible with an ID card or passport. |
Romania |
All travel documents must be valid for the duration of the entire stay and for the day of departure. Important: It is not possible to leave the country with expired identification documents. |
Entry is possible with an ID card or passport. |
Russia |
All travel documents must be valid for at least six months after the day of departure. Important: The passport must be in good condition, otherwise entry may be refused. |
A visa or residence permit is required for entry, exit and transit. The visa must generally be applied for at the relevant Russian diplomatic mission before entering the country. Entry is only possible with a passport |
Thailand | All travel documents must be valid for at least six months on the day of entry. |
No visa is required for entry and a tourist stay of up to 30 days. Entry is only possible with a passport. |
We would like to point out that the information in the table does not replace or constitute professional advice. Please be sure to check the Federal Foreign Office website www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en before departure for the latest entry and health regulations as well as information about the country you are traveling to. If you are not traveling with a German passport, please check the entry requirements with your foreign ministry and the diplomatic mission of your travel country and transit country