Germany has announced that citizens of 20 countries must obtain an airport transit visa before passing through its airports, even if they intend to remain inside the terminal. The affected travellers cannot use the transit privilege available to most foreign nationals whose flights connect through Germany to destinations outside the Schengen area. This new policy was published by the German Federal Foreign Office.
The 20 countries whose citizens are subject to the airport transit visa requirement are Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Mali, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, and Turkey. Nationals from these countries must apply for a Category A airport transit visa before travelling through Germany, regardless of their final destination.
Most foreign travellers can pass through Germany without a visa if they remain in the international transit area and their onward destination is outside the Schengen zone. However, citizens of the 20 listed countries do not qualify for that exemption. The German government has advised affected passengers to apply for the correct visa well ahead of their planned travel dates to avoid any disruptions.
Germany has confirmed that only five airports provide an International Transit Area where passengers can change flights without formally entering the Schengen area. These airports are Frankfurt/Main, Munich, Hamburg, Düsseldorf, and Berlin-Brandenburg. The transit facility at Hamburg Airport operates from 4:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. daily, while at Düsseldorf Airport, the facility is available from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., but only when the airline has made prior arrangements with the Federal Police.
Travellers who must enter the Schengen area during their journey may require a separate entry visa. This could apply when changing terminals or travelling to a final destination within the Schengen zone. The German government has urged passengers to check the requirements carefully and apply for the necessary visas in advance.
In a related development, Germany had previously identified eight countries whose citizens can enter the country without a visa and apply for residency after arrival. US passport holders are among those eligible, and they can approach the local immigration office to begin the residency application process without first visiting a consulate.
The new policy has been reported by various sources, including TUKO.co.ke, which provides news and information on travel and visa requirements. The article was written by Shillah Mwadosho, an accredited journalist and general news reporter at TUKO.co.ke.
Key points
- Citizens of 20 countries must obtain an airport transit visa before passing through German airports.
- The affected countries include Nigeria, Ghana, Ethiopia, and 16 other nations.
- Only five German airports have an International Transit Area where eligible travellers can connect without formally entering the Schengen Area.
