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Do Japanese need a visa for Germany?

What Japanese need to enter Germany: visa, ETIAS and Schengen rules.

Allowed, with conditions

No visa needed, but Japanese need ETIAS from 2027 (expected)

Japanese can visit Germany visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. From 2027 (expected) an ETIAS travel authorization is required before boarding any Schengen-bound flight. ETIAS is not yet in operation.

Cost €20
Validity 3 years or until passport expires
Apply for ETIAS

From Japan to Germany

Flying from Tokyo to Germany, here's what to expect:

Direct flight time
7h 30m
Distance
5,354 km
Currency
1 EUR ≈ 183 JPY

Flight times vary by airline and routing. Most travelers connect via a regional hub airport.

Entering Germany: what you need to know

Germany applies the standard Schengen 90/180 rule: up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day window across the entire Schengen Area combined. Days in Germany count against the same quota as days in France, Italy, Spain or anywhere else Schengen.

German border police (Bundespolizei) at Frankfurt, Munich and Berlin Brandenburg enforce entry rules strictly — expect questions about purpose of visit, proof of accommodation, return ticket, and the Schengen-mandated travel insurance (€30,000 coverage). EES biometric entry/exit is rolling out at major airports.

Tips for Japanese traveling to Schengen

Japanese passport holders travel visa-free to the Schengen Area for short stays (up to 90 days per 180-day period) under the world's #1 ranked passport. ETIAS is not live yet; when it launches, ETIAS authorization (€20, 3-year validity, online application) becomes mandatory.

Practical notes for Japanese travelers to Schengen:

  • Direct flights from Tokyo (NRT/HND), Osaka (KIX) and Nagoya (NGO) to Paris, Frankfurt, Helsinki, Amsterdam, Munich, Vienna, Rome, Madrid and Zurich. JAL, ANA, Lufthansa, Air France, KLM, and Finnair operate the corridor
  • Proof of funds rarely requested in practice for Japanese travelers, but technically €100/day applies. JCB, Visa and Mastercard from major Japanese banks (MUFG, Mizuho, SMBC) work universally; activate overseas use in banking apps before travel
  • Travel insurance with €30,000 medical coverage is Schengen-mandated. Tokio Marine, Sompo Japan and AIG Japan all offer Schengen-compliant policies. Many Japanese credit cards include included travel insurance — verify coverage limits
  • Working Holiday Japan has Working Holiday agreements with France, Germany, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Czechia, Italy, Iceland, Estonia, Hungary, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Slovakia, Netherlands and Austria — 12 months work-travel for 18–30 year olds
  • Quiet-traveler note — Japanese travelers generally face minimal border friction in Schengen; preparing a printed itinerary is standard but rarely scrutinized

Top Schengen destinations for Japanese visitors are France (Paris), Italy (Rome, Venice, Florence, Milan), Germany (Munich, Frankfurt), Spain (Barcelona), and Switzerland. Long-stay options include the EU Blue Card, French Talent Passport, and Japanese-EU economic partnership programs.

Passport rule: Japanese passports must be valid for the duration of your Schengen stay (Japan-EU agreement waives the standard 3-month rule). The 10-year ePassport is universally accepted. Renew via Ministry of Foreign Affairs (typically 6–8 business days at city offices).

Must-see cities in Germany

Explore all of Germany
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Essentials for your trip to Germany

Everything Japanese should sort before travelling to Germany.

  • Travel insurance

    Medical and trip cover for Europe, compared. The €30,000 minimum applies to visa applicants.

    Compare cover

  • Mobile data eSIM

    Stay connected in Germany and across Europe, no roaming bills.

    Check plans
  • Free account

    Money for your trip

    Get euros at the real exchange rate and skip your bank's foreign transaction fee

    4.3
    Open a free account

  • 90/180 day tracker

    Plan your stay within the Schengen 90 days in 180 limit.

    Open calculator

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Common questions for Germany

How long can Japanese stay in Germany?

Up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period across the whole Schengen Area, whether you travel visa-free or on a short-stay Schengen visa.

What is ETIAS, and will Japanese need it?

ETIAS is a €20 online travel authorization for visa-free visitors to the Schengen Area. It has not launched yet, and the EU has not set a start date. It is not a visa. Visa-required nationalities apply for a Schengen visa instead. Check the answer box above to see which applies to Japanese.

How long does a Schengen visa take to process?

Most short-stay Schengen visa decisions take around 15-45 days. You can apply up to six months before travel, so apply early in peak season.

Can Japanese stay longer than 90 days in Germany?

Not as a tourist. Beyond 90 days you need a national long-stay visa or residence permit. If you work remotely, Germany may offer a Digital Nomad Visa worth checking.

Plan the rest of your Germany trip

Explore Germany

Top cities, must-see attractions and things to do across the country.

Schengen 90/180 calculator

Work out exactly how many days you can stay across the Schengen Area.

ETIAS travel authorisation

What it costs, who needs it and when the new EU system starts.

Travel insurance for Europe

Medical, cancellation and baggage cover compared before you book.

90 / 180 rule

180-day rolling window

Or stay longer

13 European countries offer a Digital Nomad Visa

Each one unlocks 12 to 60 months of legal stay — without touching your Schengen 90/180 days.

Compare all 13 DNVs

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