The right connections for your life and business.
If you fly through Germany to another country, staying in the airport's international transit zone and actually entering the country through passport control require different visas. This guide explains the difference between an airport transit visa (type A) and a normal Schengen visa, the routing scenarios and the documents, based on official sources.
Prepared for travellers transferring through Germany from Türkiye to another third country. Transit obligations depend on your passport, nationality and route; the same rule does not apply to everyone.
TRANSIT / TRANSFER
Turkish nationals (ordinary passport) need an airport transit visa (type A) when they transfer through the international transit zone of a German airport to another non-Schengen country and do not pass through passport control. However, if you have to leave the transit zone and pass passport control — for example to change terminals — you need a normal Schengen (C) visa instead. An airport transit visa does not permit entry into Germany. The fee is 90 EUR, and no appointment is required for this application.
The transit obligation depends on whether you enter the country at the airport. Telling the two cases apart is decisive.
When you fly from Türkiye and transfer to another non-Schengen country while remaining in the international transit zone of a German airport, without passing passport control. Turkish ordinary-passport holders need a type A visa in this case.
If you have to change terminals, leave the transit zone and pass passport control, this is an entry and requires a normal Schengen (C) visa rather than a type A visa. Clarify in advance whether your route requires this.
Certain groups may be exempt, such as diplomatic/service passport holders; holders of a valid Schengen or Bulgaria/Ireland/Croatia/Romania/Cyprus visa or residence permit; or holders of a Canada/Japan/USA visa or residence permit with unconditional readmission. Verify your own situation from the official source.
If you stay in the transit zone and do not pass through, type A applies; if you pass through for a terminal change or another reason, type C is required. This distinction determines the type of application.
Staying in the transit zone is only possible at Frankfurt and Munich; at Hamburg, Düsseldorf and Berlin-Brandenburg there are time restrictions. If you need to move to a different airport, plan your route carefully.
For a transit application you are expected to document that you can enter the destination country you travel to after the transfer (if that country requires a visa/residence permit).
The document set for a transit application differs from a normal short-stay application in some points (e.g. copies of previous visas cover 3 years).
No appointment is required for an airport transit visa; you apply with the documents at the responsible iDATA centre during regular hours. Document lists can be updated by the official source.
The airport transit visa fee is the same as a normal Schengen visa.
| Item | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Visa fee | 90 EUR | The same for Schengen and airport transit visas; paid in cash in EUR. |
| iDATA service fee | 39.92 EUR | Paid in TRY at the application. |
See the visa fees page for the full breakdown. Do not pay anything beyond the official items.
Turkish ordinary-passport holders need an airport transit visa (type A) when they transfer through the international transit zone of a German airport to another non-Schengen country without passing passport control. If entry is required, for example for a terminal change, a normal Schengen (C) visa is needed.
No. A type A airport transit visa is only for staying in the transit zone and does not permit entry into Germany. If you need to pass passport control to go into the city or for baggage handling, a normal Schengen visa is required.
An appointment is currently not required for a genuine airport transit visa application. You can apply without an appointment at the responsible iDATA centre during regular hours, with the required documents.
The airport transit visa fee is 90 EUR (the same as a Schengen visa), plus an iDATA service fee of 39.92 EUR.
The official pages below were checked on 3 November 2026.
Elite Leader Consultancy · last official check: November 3, 2026
Let us clarify whether your transfer requires entry and which visa type is correct; you file your application yourself through the official channel.
Discuss your route