South Korea
Germany
Germany visa for South Korean citizens
Entry requirement
South Korean citizens can visit Germany without a visa for up to 90 days.
- Maximum stay
- 90 days
- Where to apply
- Nothing to apply for in advance
Checked 7 November 2026 · Passport Index · Confirm at seoul.diplo.de
For longer stays: study, work and residence
Germany: visa decisions in South Korea
| Year | Applications | Visas issued | Refused | Refusal rate | Multiple-entry share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 457 | 435 | 13 | 2.9% | 31.3% |
| 2024 | 706 | 627 | 67 | 9.6% | 15.6% |
| 2025 | 701 | 632 | 64 | 9.2% | 13.0% |
In 2025, Germany’s embassy and consulates in South Korea (Seoul) received 701 applications for short-stay Schengen visas and issued 632. 9.2% of applications were refused. In 2024 the rate was much the same, 9.6%. The number of applications was almost unchanged (706 in 2024).
For comparison, all Schengen states together refused 11.5% of the applications lodged in South Korea that year, from 3.6% at the consulates of Spain to 12.1% at those of France. Germany’s consulates worldwide refused 13.1%. Germany was the 3rd most applied-for Schengen state in South Korea.
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 South Korea, 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 South Korea
GermanySouth Korea Visa-free, 90 days South Korea 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 South Korea 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 South Korean citizens can stay in Germany
South Korean 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 South Korean 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 South Korean citizens
Switzerland, Poland, the Netherlands, Denmark, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Luxembourg, France and Austria admit South Korean citizens visa-free.
German citizens travelling to South Korea
German citizens can visit South Korea without a visa for up to 90 days. The rule is the same in both directions between South Korea and Germany.
Frequently asked questions
Do South Korean citizens need a visa for Germany?
South Korean citizens can visit Germany without a visa for up to 90 days.
How long can South Korean citizens stay in Germany?
South Korean 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 South Korea?
German citizens can visit South Korea without a visa for up to 90 days.
Can South Korean citizens enter Germany visa-free?
Yes, South Korean citizens can enter Germany without a visa and stay for up to 90 days.
Visa data: Passport Index via passport-index-data, as of 7 November 2026. Rules change, sometimes overnight. Confirm with the embassy or the official government portal before you book.