Summary
German citizens do not need a visa for Germany. If you have since taken another nationality, you travel on your new passport and the entry rules for that nationality apply instead.
Who this page is for
- 01People who previously held German citizenship.
- 02People of German origin now travelling on a foreign passport.
Do former German citizens need a visa?
Germany recognises the passport you hold today. Citizens travelling on their own German passport need no visa to enter their own country.
If you have naturalised elsewhere, check the requirement for your current nationality instead — that is the rule border officers apply. Some countries also operate an origin-based card for former citizens; where Germany does, the authorities publish the eligibility rules.
Eligibility, fees and processing times are decided by the destination government and can change without notice. This page is general information, not legal advice.
What you need to travel
General travel requirements
- A passport valid well beyond your travel dates.
- Entry permission matching the nationality of the passport you now hold.
- Proof of onward travel and accommodation where requested.
Documents commonly required
- Current passport (bio-data page).
- Previous German passport, if you still hold it.
- Proof of your current citizenship.
Applying for a Germany visa online
eVisas.io prepares, checks and submits online visa applications for the routes we cover. Tell us the passport you now hold and we will confirm which Germany entry route applies to you.
See every Germany entry route we handle.
Questions travellers ask
Do German citizens need a visa for Germany?
No. A country never requires its own citizens to hold a visa to enter. This page exists for people who once held German citizenship and now travel on a foreign passport.
I changed nationality. What applies when I visit Germany?
You are treated as a national of your new country, so you check the entry requirement for that passport. Eligibility, fees and processing times are decided by the destination government and can change without notice. This page is general information, not legal advice.