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South Korea Visa for Germany Citizens 2026

Visa Free

German citizens can enter South Korea visa-free for up to 90 days for tourism or business; Germany is currently exempt from the K-ETA electronic travel authorization requirement.

Guide last updated October 14, 2026. Always verify with official sources before travel.

What you need

  • Passport valid for the duration of the stay
  • Return or onward ticket
  • Proof of accommodation
  • Proof of sufficient funds (rarely checked but can be requested)
  • K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization): not required for German passport holders under the current exemption - verify status shortly before travel, as exemption periods are renewed periodically by the Korean government
  • No visa application, photo, or advance biometrics required; fingerprints and a facial photo are taken at immigration on arrival for all foreign visitors aged 17 and over
  • Travel health insurance recommended

Visa types

  • Visa-free tourist/business entry: free, granted on arrival for stays up to 90 days, covers tourism, business meetings, and short family visits
  • Working holiday visa: separate category for Germans aged 18-30 (or up to 35 under some agreements), allowing paid work during an extended stay, applied for at the Korean embassy in Berlin
  • Long-term visas (study, work, marriage): require full visa applications through the embassy or consulate, with documents specific to the purpose

Entry conditions

  • German citizens may stay in South Korea for up to 90 days without a visa
  • Paid employment is not permitted under the visa-free entry, except under the separate working holiday visa
  • Germany is on Korea's current K-ETA exemption list, so no pre-travel electronic authorization is required - confirm this status close to your travel date, since the exemption has historically carried renewal deadlines
  • Extensions beyond 90 days are generally not granted for tourist stays; travelers needing more time should apply for an appropriate visa before the 90 days expire

Fees & processing time

  • Visa-free entry: no fee
  • K-ETA (if the exemption lapses before your trip): approx. KRW 10,000 (~USD 7.50), processed online in 24-72 hours
  • No VFS/BLS fee for the standard visa-free entry
  • Standard entry processing: immediate, at the immigration counter on arrival
  • No express service needed given the visa-free process

Tips for Germany travelers

  • Check the current K-ETA exemption status for German citizens shortly before departure, since exemption periods have been extended multiple times but are not guaranteed indefinitely
  • Carry proof of accommodation and return travel, as immigration can ask for them, especially for stays close to 90 days
  • If interested in working during your stay, look into the Korea-Germany working holiday visa program rather than the visa-free tourist entry
  • South Korean immigration is efficient but strict about overstays - fines and future entry bans apply for exceeding 90 days
  • Register for Korea's Smart Entry Service (SES) if visiting frequently, to speed up future immigration processing

Official links & resources

Always confirm requirements with government or embassy sources before applying.

This guide is for information only. Visa policies change without notice. Travel Visa Stack is not an immigration authority. Always verify with official government or embassy sources before making travel plans.