Overview
Germany's Federal Foreign Office runs an online application system called VIDEX (and, increasingly, a Consular Services Portal for certain visa types) — you fill in the harmonized Schengen application form yourself, print the generated PDF, sign it, and bring it to your appointment. Most German missions have delegated the document-collection and biometrics step to a private service partner (commonly VFS Global, TLS or the mission-specific VisaMetric) — these partners handle logistics only; the German diplomatic mission itself always makes the actual visa decision.
Visa categories
| Schengen Type C | Short-stay tourism, business or family visits up to 90 days in any 180-day period. |
|---|---|
| National Type D | Long-stay visas for work, study or family reunification — a separate process with different financial requirements (including blocked accounts for some categories). |
Documents checklist
- Valid passport, issued within the last 10 years, with at least 2 blank pages and validity beyond your Schengen stay
- Signed printout of your VIDEX-generated application form
- Recent biometric photo
- Travel/health insurance valid across Schengen, minimum €30,000
- Proof of accommodation and travel itinerary
- Bank statements showing sufficient funds
- Verpflichtungserklärung (formal sponsorship declaration), for sponsored travel
- Evidence of ties to your home country
Step-by-step application process
1. Determine where you must apply
You apply where you are ordinarily resident — you cannot apply for a German short-stay visa from a country where you yourself only hold a short-stay visa.
2. Complete the VIDEX (or Consular Services Portal) form
Fill in your details step by step, including your Schengen point of first entry.
3. Print and sign the generated form
German missions require the original signed paper version — an electronic submission alone isn't accepted.
4. Book your appointment
Book through the Consular Services Portal or directly with the assigned service partner (VFS Global, TLS or VisaMetric) for your location.
5. Attend in person
Submit your documents and biometrics (fingerprints may be waived if taken within the last 59 months for a Schengen application).
6. Wait for a decision
Missions generally aim for 15 calendar days on complete applications, longer in peak season.
Fees & processing time
| Application window | 6 months ahead at the earliest, at least 15 days before travel |
|---|---|
| Standard fee | €90 for a Schengen short-stay visa (per third-party guides — confirm on the official site) |
| Processing time | Around 15 calendar days for complete applications; longer during peak demand |
Sources reviewed: auswaertiges-amt.de (Federal Foreign Office), German mission consular pages (e.g. diplo.de subdomains). Service partners and requirements vary by country of application — always confirm with the German mission responsible for your place of residence.