Sri Lanka
Germany
Germany visa for Sri Lankan citizens
Entry requirement
Sri Lankan citizens must obtain a visa before travelling to Germany.
- Where to apply
- 1 mission
- Visa guide
- Germany visa guide
Checked 7 November 2026 · Passport Index · Confirm at colombo.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 Sri Lanka
Germany has 1 mission in Sri Lanka, with its embassy in Colombo.
Germany: visa decisions in Sri Lanka
| Year | Applications | Visas issued | Refused | Refusal rate | Multiple-entry share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 4,527 | 2,722 | 1,702 | 38.2% | 94.9% |
| 2024 | 5,095 | 3,371 | 1,649 | 32.8% | 98.0% |
| 2025 | 4,454 | 3,832 | 602 | 13.6% | 99.8% |
In 2025, Germany’s embassy and consulates in Sri Lanka (Colombo) received 4,454 applications for short-stay Schengen visas and issued 3,832. 13.6% of applications were refused. In 2024 it had been 32.8%: the rate fell by 19.3 points, a clear improvement for applicants. Applications fell by 13% compared with 2024 (5,095).
For comparison, all Schengen states together refused 29.1% of the applications lodged in Sri Lanka that year. Germany’s consulates worldwide refused 13.1%. Germany was the 4th most applied-for Schengen state in Sri Lanka.
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 Sri Lanka, 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 Sri Lanka
GermanySri Lanka Visa on arrival Sri Lanka 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.
For a trip from Sri Lanka to Germany, the published travel advice reads as follows: 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 Sri Lankan citizens can stay in Germany
How long Sri Lankan citizens may stay in Germany is set by the visa issued, and the visa type must match the purpose of the trip.
How Sri Lankan citizens apply
In Sri Lanka, applications go to the German embassy in Colombo, 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 Sri Lankan citizens travel in all Schengen states; apply to Germany when it is the main destination of the trip.
Germany’s neighbours for Sri Lankan citizens
Switzerland, Poland, the Netherlands, Denmark, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Luxembourg, France and Austria require Sri Lankan citizens to obtain a visa in advance.
German citizens travelling to Sri Lanka
German citizens receive their visa for Sri Lanka at the border; it covers up to 30 days.
Frequently asked questions
Do Sri Lankan citizens need a visa for Germany?
Sri Lankan citizens must obtain a visa before travelling to Germany.
Where is the German embassy in Sri Lanka?
The German embassy in Sri Lanka is in Colombo.
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 Sri Lanka?
German citizens receive their visa for Sri Lanka at the border; it covers up to 30 days.
Can Sri Lankan citizens enter Germany visa-free?
No; Sri Lankan citizens need a visa for Germany obtained in advance.
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.