Stuttgart Entry Requirements
Visa, immigration, and customs information
Visa Requirements
Entry permissions vary by nationality. Find your category below.
Stuttgart, as part of Germany and the Schengen Area, follows EU visa policies. Requirements vary significantly based on nationality, with citizens of over 60 countries enjoying visa-free access for short stays, while others must apply for a Schengen visa in advance.
Citizens of EU member states, EEA countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway), and Switzerland can enter and stay indefinitely with freedom of movement rights
Only a valid national ID card or passport required. No visa or entry/exit stamps needed. Family members of EU citizens may have different requirements.
Citizens of these countries can enter the Schengen Area without a visa for tourism, business, or family visits
Passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond planned departure and issued within the last 10 years. Cannot work or study long-term. The 90-day limit applies to the entire Schengen Area, not per country. Must have proof of accommodation, sufficient funds, and return ticket.
From 2025, visa-exempt nationals will need ETIAS authorization before entering the Schengen Area
Cost: €7 (approximately $7.50 USD). Free for travelers under 18 or over 70.
Not yet implemented as of December 2024 - expected launch in 2025. Check official EU sources for implementation date. ETIAS is not a visa but a travel authorization. Once approved, valid for multiple entries.
Citizens of countries not listed in visa-exempt categories must obtain a Schengen visa before travel
Cost: €80 for adults, €40 for children 6-12 years, free for children under 6. Fees may vary for certain nationalities with visa facilitation agreements.
Apply at the embassy of your main destination country. If spending equal time in multiple Schengen countries, apply at the embassy of your first entry point. Visa allows travel throughout Schengen Area. Rejection rate varies by nationality and application quality. Travel insurance with minimum €30,000 coverage mandatory.
Arrival Process
Arriving in Stuttgart typically means landing at Stuttgart Airport (STR), though many travelers also arrive by train from other European cities. The immigration process is straightforward for most travelers, with modern facilities and generally efficient processing. EU/EEA citizens use automated gates or dedicated lanes, while non-EU travelers proceed through standard immigration control.
Documents to Have Ready
Tips for Smooth Entry
Customs & Duty-Free
Germany's customs regulations apply to Stuttgart as part of the EU customs union. Rules differ significantly depending on whether you're arriving from another EU country or from outside the EU. The German customs authority (Zoll) enforces these regulations to prevent smuggling, protect public health, and collect duties on taxable goods.
Prohibited Items
- Illegal drugs and narcotics - strictly prohibited with severe criminal penalties including imprisonment
- Counterfeit goods - fake designer items, pirated media, counterfeit currency or documents
- Weapons and ammunition - firearms, knives with blades over 12cm (with exceptions for specific purposes), martial arts weapons, tasers, pepper spray (varies by type)
- Endangered species products - items made from protected animals/plants under CITES (ivory, certain shells, coral, exotic leather, traditional medicines containing protected species)
- Certain food products - meat and dairy products from non-EU countries (with limited exceptions), plants and plant products without phytosanitary certificates
- Offensive materials - extreme pornography, materials glorifying violence or promoting illegal activities
- Certain chemicals and hazardous materials - without proper authorization and documentation
- Laser pointers above certain power levels - due to aviation safety concerns
Restricted Items
- Prescription medications - allowed in reasonable quantities with prescription or doctor's letter. Narcotics require special permit from German Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM)
- Professional equipment - cameras, laptops, and professional tools may require temporary import documentation (ATA Carnet) if high value and for business use
- Firearms for sporting purposes - require EU Firearms Pass, valid license, and prior notification to German authorities. Very strict regulations apply
- Cultural artifacts and antiques - may require export permits from country of origin and import permits for items of significant historical/cultural value
- Drones - allowed but subject to strict regulations. Registration required for drones over 250g. Flight restrictions apply near airports, government buildings, and crowds
- Plants and seeds - require phytosanitary certificates from country of origin. Soil is generally prohibited
- Animal products for personal consumption - limited quantities of certain products allowed from some countries with proper health certificates
- Large amounts of cash equivalent - over €10,000 must be declared but can be brought in with proper declaration
Health Requirements
Germany maintains high health and safety standards. While there are no mandatory vaccinations for most travelers entering Stuttgart, health insurance is strongly recommended and required for visa applicants. Health requirements may change based on global health situations, so always check current requirements before travel.
Required Vaccinations
- No vaccinations are mandatory for travelers entering Germany from most countries
- Yellow fever vaccination certificate required only if arriving from or having transited through a yellow fever endemic country (parts of Africa and South America) within 6 days prior to entry
Recommended Vaccinations
- Routine vaccinations (MMR - measles, mumps, rubella; DTP - diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis; influenza; COVID-19)
- Hepatitis A and B for travelers with specific risk factors
- Tick-borne encephalitis (FSME/TBE) if planning outdoor activities in rural/forested areas of southern Germany during spring/summer
- Rabies for travelers with extensive outdoor exposure or working with animals
Health Insurance
Travel health insurance is mandatory for Schengen visa applicants - minimum coverage of €30,000 valid throughout the Schengen Area, covering emergency medical treatment, hospitalization, and repatriation. Even for visa-exempt travelers, comprehensive travel health insurance is strongly recommended as medical costs in Germany are high. EU/EEA citizens should carry their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for access to state healthcare, though supplementary insurance is advisable. Germany has excellent healthcare facilities, but non-emergency treatment can be expensive for uninsured visitors. Emergency treatment is provided regardless of insurance, but you will be billed. Pharmacies (Apotheke) are widely available for minor health issues.
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Special Situations
Additional requirements for specific circumstances.
Children must have their own passport (or be included in parent's passport if issued before 2012, though separate passports are recommended). Minors traveling without both parents should carry a notarized parental consent letter signed by absent parent(s), including contact information and copy of absent parent's ID. Letter should state permission for travel, dates, destination, and accompanying adult's details. Single parents should carry child's birth certificate and, if applicable, custody documents. Divorced/separated parents may need court orders showing custody rights. For children traveling with adults who aren't parents/legal guardians, notarized authorization from both parents is essential. Adoption papers should be carried for adopted children. Same visa rules apply to children as adults, though fees may be reduced or waived for minors. EU citizens' children are EU citizens with freedom of movement rights.
Pets entering Germany from EU countries need: EU pet passport, microchip identification (ISO 11784/11785 compliant), valid rabies vaccination (at least 21 days before entry, not expired). From non-EU countries: health certificate issued by official veterinarian (within 10 days of travel), microchip, rabies vaccination with antibody titration test (for most countries), tapeworm treatment for dogs (1-5 days before entry). Maximum 5 pets per person for non-commercial travel. Dangerous dog breeds face restrictions or bans in Germany (Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Bull Terrier, and crossbreeds). Airlines have specific pet policies - check before booking. Some accommodations don't accept pets. Young puppies/kittens (under 15 weeks) have special requirements. Birds require veterinary health certificates and comply with avian disease regulations. Exotic pets may require CITES permits. Check German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture website for complete current requirements.
Tourist/visa-free stays are limited to 90 days per 180-day period in Schengen Area and cannot be extended for tourism purposes. For stays longer than 90 days, you must apply for appropriate visa/residence permit BEFORE entering Germany: Work visa requires job offer from German employer; Student visa requires university acceptance; Family reunion visa for joining family members; Job-seeker visa allows 6 months to find employment (for qualified professionals); Language course visa for intensive German courses. Apply at German embassy/consulate in your home country - cannot change from tourist to long-term status while in Germany (with rare exceptions). EU/EEA/Swiss citizens can stay indefinitely but should register at local Bürgeramt (residents' registration office) within 14 days of arrival if staying over 3 months. After 90 days, must leave Schengen Area for at least 90 days before returning on visa-free basis. Working on tourist visa is strictly prohibited. Residence permits (Aufenthaltstitel) are issued by local Ausländerbehörde (foreigners' office) in Stuttgart and require extensive documentation, proof of health insurance, and financial means.
Business visitors can enter on tourist visa/visa-waiver for short business activities: attending meetings, conferences, trade fairs, contract negotiations, and site visits. Cannot engage in gainful employment or provide services for payment. Should carry: invitation letter from German company (with company details, purpose, duration of visit), conference registration if applicable, business cards, proof of employment with home company, and evidence of business relationship. For extended business activities, frequent visits, or actual work, may need specific business/work visa. EU/EEA/Swiss citizens can work freely. Professional equipment may require temporary import documentation (ATA Carnet) to avoid duties. Keep detailed records of business days spent in Germany for tax purposes - extended business presence may create tax obligations. Some professions require recognition of qualifications. Check if your business activities constitute 'work' requiring work authorization.
Students planning to study in Stuttgart need student visa (unless EU/EEA/Swiss citizen). Apply at German embassy with: university admission letter, proof of financial means (€11,208/year via blocked account, scholarship, or parental guarantee), health insurance, academic records, and language proficiency proof (German or English, depending on program). Student visa allows part-time work (120 full days or 240 half days per year). Researchers and academics may qualify for special EU Researcher visa with hosting agreement from German research institution. Must register at local Bürgeramt within 14 days. Student residence permits issued for duration of studies plus job-seeking period. Can apply to extend or convert to work permit after graduation. Au pairs have separate visa category with specific requirements. Language students need language course visa if course exceeds 90 days. Participants in exchange programs may have facilitated procedures.
If connecting through Stuttgart Airport to non-Schengen destination without leaving international transit area, most nationalities don't need visa (airport transit). However, nationals of certain countries require Airport Transit Visa even for airside transit - check with German embassy. If transit requires leaving airport or overnight stay, normal entry requirements apply. When arriving from non-Schengen country and connecting to another Schengen destination, you clear immigration in Stuttgart (first Schengen entry point), not final destination. Ensure sufficient connection time for immigration and security. Keep all boarding passes and don't check luggage if possible for short connections. Transit passengers should still meet passport validity requirements. If transit exceeds 24 hours, consider if hotel stay requires entry visa.
If you hold German citizenship plus another nationality, you must enter and exit Germany using your German passport/ID card - this is German law regardless of which country issued your other passport. Dual nationals with EU citizenship can use either EU passport. If one nationality is visa-exempt and other requires visa for Germany, use the visa-exempt passport for travel. Some countries don't recognize dual nationality - check both countries' policies. Dual nationals may face complications if one nationality is from a country with travel restrictions. When booking flights, ensure passport details match reservation. If German passport expired while abroad, contact German embassy for emergency travel document. Children born abroad to German parents may have dual nationality with specific retention requirements.