General information

Please read the information on this website carefully.

Schengen visas allow people to stay in the Schengen area for up to 90 days every 180-days period for touristic, business and/or visitor purposes.  We are responsible for processing your application if Germany is your main destination.

Overview of visa requirements/exemptions for entry into the Federal Republic of Germany.

Only applications from residents of Romania can be accepted. 
You have to submit your application in person at the German Embassy in Bucharest which is competent for the whole country.
Please note that you may apply three months before the beginning of your stay at the earliest.
If you are just visiting Romania for a short time, you must apply for the visa at the German Embassy or Consulate in your home country.

Important changes as of 31 March 2024!

Internal air and sea border controls between Bulgaria and Romania and the countries of the Schengen area have been lifted as of 31 March 2024.

Holders of valid Romanian residence permits and national visas for long-term stay, are able to travel according to Art. 21 of the Convention Implementing the Schengen Agreement based on these documents as well as a valid and recognized travel document up to 90 days in an 180-day period within the Territory of the other Schengen states, as long as they fulfill the criteria of Art. 6 of the Schengen Borders Code. It is irrelevant whether they stay in the other States of the Schengen area for 90 days in a row or they enter and leave several times.

There is no change for holders of Romanian national short-stay visas issued until March 31, 2024. These entitle you to stay in Romania, Bulgaria and Cyprus. A standardized Schengen visa is still required for a stay in Germany.

 Not sure whether you need a Schengen visa or not? Please use this form for inquiries on specific questions.

Submitting your application

You'll have to book an appointment in order to submit your application in person. During this appointment, we kindly ask you to submit all of your application documents, pay the fee and answer questions about your planned trip. Your fingerprints will also be taken on this occasion.

Do not send us unrequested documents / invitation letters before the submittal of the application. All documents have to be presented by the applicant at the time of the appointment at the Visa Section.

Please understand that questions regarding the status of a visa application will not be answered.
If additional documents are required to process your application, the Consulate will contact you.

Please note: The German Embassy Bucharest does not charge fees for visa appointments. Any visa fees due will be charged on the day of your appointment. The Visa Section of German Embassy Bucharest does not offer consultation over the phone.

Required documentation

• Application form Schengen Visa   
• The validity of your passport has to extend the duration of your stay by at least three months.
  It has to contain at least two blank pages and it must have been issued within the last ten years
• The purpose of the trip to Germany must be plausible and comprehensible
• The applicant must be in a position to finance his/her living and travel costs from his/her own funds or income
• The visa holder must be prepared to leave the Schengen area before the visa expires
• Proof of travel health insurance with a minimum coverage of 30,000 EUR valid for the entire Schengen area must be provided
• Since 11 June 2024, the fee for Schengen visas has been increased to 90 EUR, to be paid upon submission of the application.

Data protection

Please print the information on data protection. Upon submitting your visa application you will be asked to acknowledge receipt.

Receipt of the information on data protection

Information on data protection

What happens during processing?

The German Embassy in Bucharest will review your application and make a decision on whether or not to grant you a visa. To this end, it will assess whether your application meets the legal requirements. Processing generally takes approximately two weeks. 

Return of your passport

As soon as a decision has been taken on your application, you'll get notified and your passport may be collected:

• by yourself
• by another person with a written authorization from you and a copy of the persons id
• by a courier of your choice. Please note: The Embassy is not responsible for payment or arranging the shipment

There are various reasons why your visa application may be rejected. The reasons will be stated in the notifying letter. You are welcome to submit a new application at any time with complete, informative and verifiable documentation.

Have a good trip! Information for visa holders

If all information on your visa label is correct, you are free to travel. Please check the information on the label as soon as your passport is returned to you. You should let us know immediately if there are any mistakes so that we can issue you a new visa. Your visa will state your full name and passport number and include your photo. It will also state the period of validity. This is the time period in which you can travel. In addition, it will state the maximum number of days you can stay in the Schengen area during the period of validity of your visa.

Please note that being granted a Schengen visa does not guarantee that you will be allowed to enter the Schengen area. The final decision on whether or not you will be allowed to enter the Schengen area will be made by the border police on your arrival.

When you arrive, the border police may ask you to present additional documentation alongside your passport and valid visa with information on your financial means, the length and purpose of your stay and your health insurance coverage. You should therefore take a copy of your visa documents (including an invitation from Germany, hotel reservation and travel health insurance) with you on your trip.