When it fits
Holidays, city trips, cultural visits and personal tourist plans. This category fits when Germany is your main destination and your total stay does not exceed 90 days.
GERMANY · TOURIST VISA
Germany tourist visa: a clear start to your application.
If you want to travel to Germany for a holiday, a cultural trip or a personal visit, you apply for a short-stay Schengen visa (type C). This guide explains the tourist application from Türkiye — the required documents, fees, processing times and steps — based on official sources.
Prepared for people applying from Türkiye for tourism. Conditions can vary with your citizenship, passport and place of residence; the decision and content of the application remain the applicant's responsibility.
GERMANY / DEUTSCHLAND
Confirm the purpose first, then complete the documents.
Short answer
A Germany tourist visa is a short-stay Schengen visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Applications are accepted only at the iDATA offices authorised by the German missions, by prior appointment. The visa fee is EUR 90; Turkish nationals under 12 are exempt. It is best to apply at the earliest six months and at the latest about 15 days before travel. Elite Leader is not an official application authority; this page is informational.
- Visa type
- Schengen C · short stay
- Maximum stay
- 90 days in 180
- Visa fee
- EUR 90 (Turkish nationals under 12 exempt)
- Processing time
- Usually 15 days, up to 45 in exceptional cases
- Where to apply
- iDATA (by appointment)
- Travel health insurance
- At least EUR 30,000 cover
Who is this page for?
A tourist visa calls for its own preparation; business, visit and study purposes are covered on separate pages.
When another page applies
A business visa for meetings and fairs, the family/visit page for visiting relatives in Germany, and a national (D) visa with the residence category for study or work beyond 90 days.
Assumptions
This guide assumes an applicant who is a Turkish citizen resident in Türkiye. If you are not a Turkish citizen or have a different residence status, additional documents apply; verify your own situation from the official source.
Settle these before applying
Main destination rule
If you travel only to Germany, you apply to Germany. If you visit several Schengen countries, you apply to the one where you stay the most by purpose and duration. If no main destination can be determined, the first country you enter is responsible.
Stay must not exceed 90 days
A tourist visa is for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. If you plan a longer stay, this category does not fit.
The right category matters
Applications filed in the wrong category are refused and require a new appointment in the correct category. If your purpose is not tourism, move to the relevant page.
Appointment and waiting time
Applications are taken by appointment. Depending on seasonal demand, the wait before an appointment can range from a few months to about a year; plan your trip early accordingly.
Application steps
Confirm the purpose and main destination
Confirm that your trip is for tourism and that Germany is the main destination. Make sure the total stay does not exceed 90 days.
Complete the application form (VIDEX)
Fill in the short-stay application form through the official VIDEX system online, print it and sign it by hand. A declaration under § 54 AufenthG is also signed with the application.
Register for an appointment
Register on iDATA's official waiting-list/appointment system. Appointments are assigned in order of registration date; confirmation comes by email. Applications are accepted only at iDATA offices.
Prepare the documents in full
Complete every item in the document matrix below, together with the add-ons for your profile. An incomplete application can be refused; documents sent in advance are not considered.
Attend in person and give biometrics
Attend in person on the day. Fingerprints are taken from applicants aged 12 and over; if given within the last 59 months they may not be taken again. The visa fee is paid in cash in EUR, the iDATA service fee in TRY.
Wait for processing
Processing usually takes 15 days; in exceptional cases up to 45 days. It can be longer around public holidays. Your passport is generally not returned within this period.
Required documents
The list below is based on the official core documents. For tourism, as a rule no further documents are required; depending on your profile, the add-ons in the table apply.
coredocuments
- Application form and declarationForm completed via VIDEX, signed by hand, plus the § 54 AufenthG declaration.
- PassportAt least 2 blank pages; issued within the last 10 years; valid for at least 3 months beyond the planned return date.
- Biometric photoOne biometric photo no older than 6 months, size 35 x 45 mm.
- Copies of previous visasCopies of Schengen/EU/UK/US/Canada visas held in the last 10 years, plus a copy of the passport.
- Civil registry extractFull civil-registry extract (Tam Tekmil Vukuatlı Nüfus Kayıt Örneği) from e-Devlet with barcode/QR code.
travelandaccommodation
- Travel/flight reservationRound-trip flight reservation, other transport proof or a travel plan.
- Proof of accommodationA hotel booking or other proof of accommodation.
- Travel health insuranceValid across the whole Schengen area, at least EUR 30,000 cover; original policy covering illness and repatriation costs.
financialmeans
- Bank statementsAccount statements for the last 3 months.
- Proof of incomePayslips for the last 3 months; pension statements where applicable.
Document lists and details can be updated by the mission; check the relevant official page before you apply. Sample petitions and letters of intent are not official documents — they are only examples to help you prepare.
Additional documents by profile
In addition to the core documents, the following are requested depending on your work and residence status.
| Profile | Additional documents |
|---|---|
| Employee (salaried) | Original employer letter and SGK documents (employment entry / service record). |
| Self-employed / company owner | Trade-register records and tax certificate. |
| Student | Enrolment certificate showing current studies. |
| Minor (under 18) | Notarised parental consent; further documents depending on who accompanies the child. |
| Non-Turkish applicant | Proof of legal residence in Türkiye, valid for at least 3 months beyond the Schengen exit date. |
Fees and charges
The visa fee and the application-centre service fee are separate items. The binding amount is set by the mission, shown on the receipt in the returned passport.
| Item | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Visa fee (adult) | EUR 90 | Paid in cash in EUR. Turkish nationals under 12 are exempt. |
| iDATA service fee | EUR 39.92 | Paid at application in TRY, in cash or by credit card. Not charged for children under 6. |
| Biometric photo (optional) | Variable | iDATA offices have paid photo booths; you may also bring your own photo. |
Forms, leaflets and appointment booking are free. Pay nothing beyond the official fee and service charge; be careful with third parties asking for extra payment.
Points to watch
- Official channel onlyApplications are made only through the German missions and the authorised application centre iDATA. Do not pay unofficial sites or share your personal documents with them.
- TimingYou can apply at the earliest six months before travel; an application less than 15 days before travel usually does not finish in time. Processing time does not include the pre-appointment waiting period.
- After a refusalFrom 1 July 2025 the objection (remonstration) procedure was abolished worldwide. The ways to respond to a refusal are stated in the refusal letter; a new application is assessed separately.
- No guaranteeComplete documents do not guarantee approval. The mission decides; no consultancy can promise a definite outcome.
Tourist visa questions
How long does a Germany tourist visa take?
Processing usually takes 15 days; in exceptional cases up to 45 days. It can take longer around public holidays. There is also a pre-appointment waiting period that can run to several months, so early planning matters.
How much is the tourist visa fee?
The visa fee for adults is EUR 90, paid in cash in EUR. Turkish nationals under 12 are exempt from the fee. An iDATA service fee of EUR 39.92 is also paid in TRY.
Where do I get the application form?
The short-stay application form is completed online through the official VIDEX system; it is printed and signed by hand. The mission also offers a printed form. Forms and leaflets are free.
In which city can I apply?
Applications are taken at iDATA offices. iDATA operates eight application centres in Türkiye (Istanbul European side, Istanbul Asian side, Bursa, Ankara, Trabzon, Gaziantep, Izmir, Antalya). Which mission you belong to is set by your place of residence.
Are fingerprints taken at every application?
Fingerprints are taken from applicants aged 12 and over and kept in the EU Visa Information System for 5 years. If you gave fingerprints within the last 59 months, they may not be taken again. Children under 12 generally do not give fingerprints.
Is travel health insurance mandatory?
Yes. The insurance must be valid across the whole Schengen area and cover illness and repatriation costs with at least EUR 30,000. This applies even if you travel only to Germany; the original policy is shown.
Sources and verification
The official pages below were checked on 2 November 2026. Verify their current state before you apply.
- Visa for tourist travel — German missions in Türkiye Current information and application (fee, time, iDATA) General information on Schengen visas (passport, photo, insurance) Schengen visa FAQ VIDEX — online application form iDATA — authorised application centre
Elite Leader Consultancy · last official check: November 2, 2026
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