China
Germany
Germany visa for Chinese citizens
Entry requirement
Chinese citizens must obtain a visa before travelling to Germany.
- Where to apply
- 6 missions
- Visa guide
- Germany visa guide
Checked 31 October 2026 · Passport Index · Confirm at china.diplo.de
Which Germany visa?
Schengen visa (type C) for tourism
Key facts
- Maximum stay
- Up to 90 days in any 180-day period
- Fee
- €90
- Processing time
- Usually 15 days after the mission receives the file, up to 45 days in individual cases; any waiting time for an appointment comes on top.
For the tourist visa, Germany’s official sources give a standard fee of €90, and applications are made on videx.diplo.de. Processing time, as Germany states it: Usually 15 days after the mission receives the file, up to 45 days in individual cases; any waiting time for an appointment comes on top. Longest stay on the tourist visa: Up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
German missions in China
- Embassy of Germany in Beijing
17, Dong Zhi Men Wai Da Jie, Chaoyang District, Beijing, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100600 100600 北京, 朝阳区
- Consulate General of Germany in Shanghai
Yongfu Rd. 181, Shanghai
- Consulate General of Germany in Guangzhou
天河路 208号14层, 广州市
- Consulate General of Germany in Chengdu
Western Tower, 25th Floor, No. 19, 4th Section Renmin Nan Road, Chengdu.
- Consulate General of Germany in Shenyang
21F CR Building, Qingnian Dajie 286, Heping District, 110004 Shenyang
- Consulate of Germany in Shanghai
Tongren Lu 8/F SOHO Donghai Plaza 299, 200040 Shanghai
All missions of Germany in China
Germany has 6 missions in China, with its embassy in Beijing. Consulates: Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu and Shenyang.
Germany: visa decisions in China
| Year | Applications | Visas issued | Refused | Refusal rate | Multiple-entry share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 160,479 | 155,950 | 3,784 | 2.4% | 98.5% |
| 2024 | 263,088 | 253,505 | 8,050 | 3.1% | 96.5% |
| 2025 | 281,570 | 270,116 | 10,381 | 3.7% | 97.4% |
In 2025, Germany’s embassy and consulates in China (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu and Shenyang) received 281,570 applications for short-stay Schengen visas and issued 270,116. 3.7% of applications were refused. In 2024 the rate was much the same, 3.1%. Applications rose by 7% compared with 2024 (263,088).
For comparison, all Schengen states together refused 4.0% of the applications lodged in China that year, from 1.3% at the consulates of Luxembourg to 19.3% at those of Malta. Germany’s consulates worldwide refused 13.1%. Germany was the 3rd most applied-for Schengen state in China.
You apply to the Schengen state that is your main destination (the longest stay or the main purpose; the state of first entry only when there is none), so a lower rate elsewhere is no reason to apply there. The figures cover applications lodged in China, by any nationality: mostly citizens, but also residents from other countries.
Source: European Commission, Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs, visa statistics for consulates 2023–2025 (© European Union, reused under CC BY 4.0). Short-stay (type C) visas. How these figures are made
German citizens travelling to China
GermanyChina Visa-free, 30 days China visa for citizens of Germany
Travel advice for Germany
- US State Department Level 2: Exercise increased caution
- UK Foreign Office (FCDO) No advice against travel
What the US, British and German foreign ministries tell their own citizens about travelling there, in each ministry’s own terms.
Before travelling from China to Germany, it helps to know the official travel advice: the US State Department rates Germany at Level 2, exercise increased caution (updated 12 May 2025) and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office does not advise against travel to Germany (updated 11 August 2026). The advice is aimed at each government’s own nationals.
Good to know
How long Chinese citizens can stay in Germany
How long Chinese citizens may stay in Germany is set by the visa issued, and the visa type must match the purpose of the trip.
How Chinese citizens apply
In China, applications go to the German embassy in Beijing and the consulates in Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu and Shenyang, or to a visa centre acting for Germany; fees, documents and processing times are published by Germany.
Germany and the Schengen area
A Schengen visa issued by Germany lets Chinese citizens travel in all Schengen states; apply to Germany when it is the main destination of the trip.
Germany’s neighbours for Chinese citizens
Switzerland, Poland, the Netherlands, Denmark, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Luxembourg, France and Austria require Chinese citizens to obtain a visa in advance.
German citizens travelling to China
China admits German citizens without a visa for stays of up to 30 days.
Frequently asked questions
Do Chinese citizens need a visa for Germany?
Chinese citizens must obtain a visa before travelling to Germany.
Where is the German embassy in China?
The German embassy in China is in Beijing; there are also consulates in Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu and Shenyang.
How much does the Germany tourist visa cost?
Germany’s official sources give a standard fee of €90 for the tourist visa. Processing time: Usually 15 days after the mission receives the file, up to 45 days in individual cases; any waiting time for an appointment comes on top.
Do German citizens need a visa for China?
China admits German citizens without a visa for stays of up to 30 days.
Can Chinese citizens enter Germany visa-free?
No; Chinese citizens need a visa for Germany obtained in advance.
Visa data: Passport Index via passport-index-data, as of 31 October 2026. Rules change, sometimes overnight. Confirm with the embassy or the official government portal before you book.