Airport transit visas (A visas)
An airport transit visa might be required if you fly via Germany to get to your final destination. The vast majority of travellers do not need a visa when transiting through Germany. For travellers who do require a visa please see below.
UK residents holding a valid UK Biometric Residence Permit do not require a transit visa any longer in order to transit through a German airport. The German missions in the UK will only accept visa applications from UK residents. If you are not a UK resident please apply through the German Mission in your country of residence or its Visa Application Centres.
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As of 28 June 2024, UK residents holding a valid UK Biometric Residence Permit do not require a transit visa any longer in order to transit through a German airport.
This exemption applies to holders of UK Biometric Residence Permits only. A valid UK visa does not exempt you from visa requirements for a transit through Germany.
Do I need a visa to transit through Germany?
If you do not require a visa to visit Germany you also do not require a visa to transit through Germany. This includes British citizens.
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British citizens do not require a visa to transit through Germany.
Irrespective of your nationality you do not need a visa to transit through Germany if hold a UK 1951 Convention Travel Document for Refugees or a UK 1954 Convention Travel Document for Stateless Persons.
Holders of UK Biometric Residence Permits do not require a transit visa in order to transit through a German airport. The UK Biometric Residence Permit must be sufficiently valid in order to allow your entry into the UK.
This exemption applies to holders of UK Biometric Residence Permits only. A valid UK visa does not exempt you from visa requirements for a transit through Germany.
Nationals of the following countries require an A-type Airport Transit Visa
- Afghanistan
- Bangladesh
- Cuba
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Eritrea
- Ethiopia
- Ghana (except holders of service passports)
- India
- Iran
- Iraq
- Jordan (exceptions apply for transit to and from Australia and New Zealand)
- Lebanon
- Mali
- Nigeria
- Pakistan
- Somalia
- South Sudan
- Sri Lanka
- Sudan
- Syria
- Turkey (except holders of service and special passports)
Even if you are a national of a country listed above you do not need an airport transit visa if
- You hold a valid visa issued by a Schengen member state, Cyprus, Ireland, Japan, Canada, the United States of America or a visa for certain overseas countries and territories of the Netherlands. You must, however, stay in the international transit area.
Important: A UK visa does not exempt you from visa requirements for a transit through Germany.
- You hold a valid residence permit issued by a Schengen member state or a valid residence permit for certain overseas countries and territories of the Netherlands. You must, however, stay in the international transit area.
- You hold a valid residence permit listed in Annex V of the Visa Code, issued by Andorra, Canada, Japan, San Marino or the United States of America, guaranteeing the holder's unconditional readmission. This exemption also applies to holders of valid Biometric Residence Permits (BRP) issued by the United Kingdom. You must, however, stay in the international transit area.
- You are a family member of a union citizen exercising your right to freedom of movement within the meaning of Article 2 (1) Visa Code (meaning that the union citizen resides in or travels to a Member State other than their country of origin). You must, however, stay in the international transit area.
We strongly advise you to check in advance with your airline whether you will be boarded without a visa otherwise required.
- You hold a Diplomatic passport. This rule applies irrespective of your nationality. You must, however, stay in the international transit area.
- You are both a flight crew member and a national of a contracting party to the Convention on International Civil Aviation dated 7 December 1944. You must, however, stay in the international transit area.
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Holders of UK Biometric Residence Permits do not require a transit visa in order to transit through a German airport. This exemption applies to holders of valid UK Biometric Residence Permits only. A valid UK visa does not exempt you from visa requirements for a transit through Germany.
All other passengers benefit from what is known as “transit privileges”. If during transit through a German airport, you do not leave the international transit area you do not need a transit visa. However, if for any reason you do need to enter the Schengen area during transit you may require a C visa.
The following five airports in Germany have an international transit area enabling you to transit without entering the Schengen area:
- Frankfurt International Airport (FRA)
- München / Munich International Airport (MUC),
- Berlin Airport (BER, 06:00am to 11:00pm only)
- Hamburg Airport (HAM, 04:30am to 11:30pm only)
- Düsseldorf Airport (DUS, 06:00am to 09:00pm only). Transit only possible if the carrier has arranged for transit facilities with the Federal Police beforehand. Please check with your airline!
You do need a C-type entry visa if
- Your final destination is within the Schengen member states.
- You have to pick up your baggage and/or have to check in again (please verify with your airline)
- You have to pass passport control (please verify with your airline)
- You are transiting through two or more airports in Germany or other Schengen countries (examples: London-Frankfurt-Munich-Mumbai or London-Paris-Frankfurt-Lagos)
- You do not hold a confirmed airline ticket for the journey to your destination.
