Japan
Germany
Germany visa for Japanese citizens
Entry requirement
No visa is needed by Japanese citizens for Germany, for stays of up to 90 days.
- Maximum stay
- 90 days
- Where to apply
- Nothing to apply for in advance
Checked 31 October 2026 · Passport Index · Confirm at japan.diplo.de
For longer stays: study, work and residence
Germany: visa decisions in Japan
| Year | Applications | Visas issued | Refused | Refusal rate | Multiple-entry share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1,808 | 1,696 | 93 | 5.2% | 33.7% |
| 2024 | 1,875 | 1,726 | 118 | 6.4% | 33.7% |
| 2025 | 1,633 | 1,416 | 188 | 11.7% | 27.2% |
In 2025, Germany’s embassy and consulates in Japan (Tokyo and Osaka) received 1,633 applications for short-stay Schengen visas and issued 1,416. The refusal rate was 11.7%. The refusal rate rose by 5.3 points from 6.4% in 2024, a sharp increase. Applications fell by 13% compared with 2024 (1,875).
For comparison, all Schengen states together refused 5.8% of the applications lodged in Japan that year. Germany’s consulates worldwide refused 13.1%. Germany was the 4th most applied-for Schengen state in Japan.
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 Japan, 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 Japan
GermanyJapan Visa-free, 90 days Japan 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 Japan 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). Each ministry writes for its own citizens.
Good to know
How long Japanese citizens can stay in Germany
Japanese citizens may stay in Germany for up to 90 days. Days in Germany count towards the Schengen limit of 90 days in any 180-day period across all member states.
Germany and the Schengen area
Visa-free stays of Japanese citizens in Germany count towards the Schengen limit of 90 days in any 180-day period, shared with every other member state.
Germany’s neighbours for Japanese citizens
Switzerland, Poland, the Netherlands, Denmark, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Luxembourg, France and Austria admit Japanese citizens visa-free.
German citizens travelling to Japan
German citizens do not need a visa for Japan: stays of up to 90 days are visa-free. The rule is the same in both directions between Japan and Germany.
Frequently asked questions
Do Japanese citizens need a visa for Germany?
No visa is needed by Japanese citizens for Germany, for stays of up to 90 days.
How long can Japanese citizens stay in Germany?
Japanese citizens can stay in Germany for up to 90 days, within the Schengen limit of 90 days in any 180.
Do German citizens need a visa for Japan?
German citizens do not need a visa for Japan: stays of up to 90 days are visa-free.
Can Japanese citizens enter Germany visa-free?
Yes, Japanese citizens can enter Germany without a visa and stay for up to 90 days.
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.