Visit Germany from India
From the Schengen visa and the 90/180-day rule to iconic destinations, transport, and practical tips for Indian travellers.
Germany at a Glance
What a Germany Trip Costs
Plan your budget before you apply — embassies also want to see you can fund the trip.
A 7-day trip from India, per person
Mid-range estimate including return flights from India.
Approximate 2026 mid-range estimate. Christmas-market season and summer peaks cost more; book flights 3–6 months ahead.
Daily budget by travel style
On-the-ground spend per day (excludes flights).
Munich, Frankfurt & Hamburg sit at the higher end; Leipzig, Dresden & smaller towns are cheaper.
How to Apply & the 90/180 Day Rule
Indian passport holders need a Schengen Type C visa. Apply through VFS Global — and understand the 90-day rule before you book any travel.
Step-by-Step Visa Application
The 90/180 Day Rule, Visualised
You may stay a maximum of 90 days in any rolling 180-day window across the entire Schengen area — not just Germany. This is NOT a calendar year reset.
💡 Key Tips for Indian Tourists
- • Buy travel insurance from providers like AXA, Allianz, or HanseMerkur (required for Schengen visa)
- • Keep all bank statements showing regular income and balance above ₹3-5 lakhs
- • Book refundable flights & hotels for visa application
- • Germany is usually the first entry point for German visa. Enter Germany first if you have a German visa.
- • With a valid German visa, you can travel to all 27 Schengen countries
Schengen Tourist Visa (Type C)
Tourism, visiting family/friends, business trips
- Valid passport (min. 3 months beyond return date)
- Completed Schengen visa application form
- Biometric passport photos
- Travel itinerary & hotel bookings
- Flight reservations (inbound & outbound)
- Travel health insurance (min. €30,000 coverage)
- Bank statements (last 3-6 months)
- Leave letter / proof of employment
- Invitation letter (if visiting family/friends)
- Visa fee: €90 (adults), €45 (6-12 years), free under 6
💡 Apply at the German Embassy or consulate in your jurisdiction. VFS Global handles appointments for most cities.
Which Consulate to Apply At?
Apply at the German Embassy/Consulate in your jurisdiction (based on where you live in India):
🥗 Food for Indians
- •Indian restaurants in every major city
- •Döner kebab, very popular, vegetarian options available
- •Most supermarkets (REWE, Edeka) have international sections
- •Halal and vegetarian options widely available
- •Bring your own masalas — spice variety is limited
💳 Money Tips
- •Germany is still largely cash-based, always carry cash
- •Notify your bank before traveling to avoid card blocks
- •Avoid airport currency exchange — use ATMs instead
- •Avoid Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) at ATMs
- •Revolut / Wise cards work great for low-fee forex
📱 Connectivity
- •Buy a prepaid SIM at the airport (Congstar, Aldi Talk, Lebara)
- •Or get an eSIM from Airalo, Holafly before departure
- •Free WiFi at most train stations, McDonald's, cafes
- •Download offline Google Maps for Germany before you land
🧳 Packing Tips
- •Pack for cold weather even in summer (can get cold at night)
- •Comfortable walking shoes, German cities are very walkable
- •Power adapter for Type F sockets
- •Carry your travel insurance documents (both digital and print)
- •Carry medicines from India — German pharmacies are expensive
City Highlights for Indian Tourists
Deutsche Bahn (DB)
TrainBook 3-6 months ahead for Sparpreis. Download the DB Navigator app.
Visit websiteDeutschlandticket
Pass€63/month for unlimited regional trains and public transport. Great for tourists staying 1+ month.
Visit websiteCity Public Transport
LocalU-Bahn (subway), S-Bahn (light rail), tram and bus in all major cities. Get a day/week pass.
Visit websiteMietwagen (Car Rental)
CarAutobahn has no speed limit on many sections! International Driving Permit from India needed.
Visit websiteGetting Around Cities
All major German cities have excellent public transport. Here's what you'll find:
Apply for Schengen Type C visa (tourist), required for most Indian passport holders
VFS Global →Get travel insurance — mandatory for Schengen visa, min. €30,000 medical cover
Compare travel insurers →Book flights (Lufthansa, Air India direct; or Emirates, Qatar, Turkish via hub)
Book accommodation and have confirmation letter (needed for visa application)
Notify Indian bank to enable international transactions
Get €200–300 Euros in cash, Germany is still very cash-dependent
Download apps: DB Navigator (trains), Google Maps with Germany offline maps
Go through passport control — have visa, return ticket, hotel confirmation ready
Buy a tourist prepaid SIM at the airport kiosk (Congstar, Aldi Talk, Lebara)
Withdraw Euros from an ATM (avoid currency exchange counters, worse rates)
Buy DB/S-Bahn ticket to city centre (app or ticket machine)
DB tickets →Always carry your passport — legally required to have ID on you at all times
Validate public transport tickets before boarding (machines on platform or inside bus)
Save emergency numbers: 112 (emergency), 110 (police), 116 117 (non-emergency doctor)
Remember: most shops are CLOSED on Sundays, do your grocery shopping on Saturday
Observe quiet hours (Ruhezeit) — no loud noise after 22:00 or on Sundays
Recycle Pfand bottles, take plastic bottles with ♻ symbol to supermarket for €0.25
Verify you have not exceeded 90 days in any 180-day period across all Schengen countries
Keep all receipts if you want VAT refund at the airport (Tax Free Shopping form needed)
Confirm your return flight and check-in online
Pack any purchased medicines — German pharmacies are expensive; stock up if needed
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