Vietnam Visa Requirements for German Citizens

Planning a trip from Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, or Frankfurt, or travelling on a German passport from another country? Vietnam is welcoming, affordable, and easier to visit than many people expect, and for a trip of up to six weeks you may not need a visa at all. This guide covers the Vietnam visa requirements for Germans: when you can travel visa-free, when you need a visa, what it costs, how long it takes, and how to apply without the stress.

Quick Answer

German passport holders can generally enter Vietnam without a visa for stays of up to 45 days. For longer stays, or for professional work such as journalism or filming, the easiest option is the Vietnam e-visa or another suitable visa. Always confirm the latest rules on the official Vietnam immigration and e-visa portals before you travel.

Do Germans Need a Visa for Vietnam?

For a trip of up to 45 days, usually not. Vietnam has granted German citizens a visa exemption under a government resolution, and it lets you stay up to 45 days, with the day you enter and the day you leave both counted. German government travel advice says a visa is needed if your stay is longer than 45 days, and that your passport must be valid for at least six months from the day you enter. The exemption is not meant for paid work, investment projects, or long-term stays, and it does not apply to journalists and filmmakers working professionally in Vietnam, who need a suitable visa.

Some sources say that each new entry starts a new 45-day period, without a waiting time between visits. Rules like this can change, so confirm the current rule on official sources before you plan stays back to back. This kind of exemption is also granted for a fixed period and may be renewed or changed, so check that it still applies when you book.

The exemption depends on your passport nationality, not on the country where you live. If you’re a German citizen living in Thailand, the UK, Switzerland, or anywhere else, travel on your German passport and don’t assume that a residence permit changes the rules. If you hold more than one passport, tell us, because the rules follow the passport you travel on. Some people of Vietnamese origin, and their spouses and children, may be eligible for a special visa exemption certificate, which has its own conditions. If you’re not sure what applies to you, contact us and we’ll help you check before you pay for anything.

Vietnam Visa Options for German Citizens

1. Visa-free entry (stays up to 45 days)

For stays within the allowance, you don’t need to apply for anything in advance. You show your passport at immigration, along with any documents the airline or officers ask for, such as your onward ticket and accommodation details. The visa-free stay can’t be extended from inside Vietnam, so plan to leave before your time runs out, and count the days carefully.

2. Vietnam e-visa (longer stays and other purposes)

If you plan to stay longer than 45 days, or you want more certainty, the Vietnam e-visa is the simplest route. It’s an electronic visa you apply for online, receive by email, and print before you fly. It’s valid for up to 90 days and available as single or multiple entry. A visa on arrival is another route some travellers use, but it adds a second fee and extra steps, and it only works at airports, so we recommend the e-visa.

3. Embassy or consulate visa

You can apply in person at a Vietnamese embassy or consulate, which may be useful if you need a visa type the e-visa doesn’t cover, such as a work or journalist visa. Vietnam has an embassy in Berlin. Contact details and opening hours can change, so please check the embassy’s official channels before you go. For most holiday and short business trips, the visa-free stay or the e-visa is quicker and saves you the trip.

Which one should you choose?

Vietnam E-Visa for Germans: How It Works

You fill in an online form, upload a photo and a passport scan, pay the fee, and wait for approval. When it’s ready, you download the e-visa, print it, and show it at the border. You must enter and exit through approved international checkpoints, so check that your arrival airport or border crossing is on the list.

Single or multiple entry?

• Single entry: one way in and one way out. If you leave Vietnam, even for a day trip, the visa is used up.
• Multiple entry: leave and return within the visa’s validity, which is perfect for side trips to neighbouring countries.

Documents and Passport Requirements

Have these ready, whether you travel visa-free or apply for an e-visa:

• A valid German passport in good condition, with blank pages. We recommend at least two blank pages to be safe. German government travel advice says a temporary passport is accepted, but an ID card (Personalausweis) is not.
• Enough validity. Your passport should be valid for at least six months from the day you enter Vietnam. Confirm the exact rule before you travel.
• Proof of onward travel. Airlines and immigration may ask to see your return or onward ticket.
• Travel details. Arrival date, entry point, and first night’s accommodation.

For an e-visa application, you will also need:

• A clear passport data page scan. The whole page, with no glare or cropping.
• A recent portrait photo. Looking straight at the camera, with no glasses.
• A payment card and an email address you check often.

German travellers often connect through a European or Gulf hub on the way to Vietnam. German government travel advice says no transit visa is needed if you stay in the airport’s transit area, but check the rules for your connecting airport and for any change of airport.

Vietnam Visa Cost for Germans

Visa-free entry costs nothing. If you need an e-visa, your total has two parts.

Government fee. US$25 for single entry and US$50 for multiple entry. It’s non-refundable, even if the visa isn’t granted. The fee depends on single or multiple entry, not on whether you choose 30 or 90 days.

Service fee. If you apply through us, our service fee depends on your visa type and speed. Normal processing is included, and faster options add a small surcharge. You can see our full price list on the Vietnam e-Visa fees page. Prices are in US dollars, so the amount in euros depends on the exchange rate on the day, and you’ll need a card that can pay in US dollars.

How Long Does the Vietnam Visa Take?

If you need an e-visa, official processing is about 3 working days. Our normal service allows 5 working days to leave a safe buffer, and faster options start from 3 working days. Working days exclude weekends and Vietnamese public holidays.

A good rule of thumb: apply at least two weeks before you fly.

In a hurry? We offer faster options, from 3 working days down to a few hours, plus emergency help.

A quick note on time zones. Our urgent services run on Vietnam time, which is 6 hours ahead of Germany in winter and 5 hours ahead in summer. For example, a cut-off of 8:00 AM Vietnam time is 2:00 AM in Berlin in winter and 3:00 AM in summer. Check the time difference before you rely on a cut-off.

How to Apply for a Vietnam Visa From Germany

If you’re travelling visa-free, there’s nothing to apply for. If you need an e-visa, follow these steps:

1. Choose your visa. Pick your length of stay and single or multiple entry.
2. Enter your details. Copy everything exactly from your passport.
3. Upload your photo and passport scan.
4. Check and pay. Review every field before you confirm.
5. We review and submit. We catch small mistakes before they become delays.
6. Receive your e-visa by email. Download it, check the details, and print a copy.

The Date Mistake to Avoid

For an e-visa, your stay doesn’t begin when you land. It starts from the entry date you put on the application, even if you arrive later. Pick July 1 but fly in on July 6, and you lose five days. Set the entry date to the day you really plan to arrive.

If you travel visa-free, count both your arrival day and your departure day within the 45 days. If you enter with an e-visa, make sure the stay recorded at passport control matches the full validity of your visa, not just the 45 days given for visa-free entry. Write down your arrival date and your last day in Vietnam, and leave a small buffer before your flight home.

Common Mistakes Germans Make

• Travelling with an ID card. German government travel advice says only a passport (including a temporary passport) is accepted for entry, not a Personalausweis.
• Forgetting that entry and exit days both count. A trip that looks like 45 days on the calendar can be one day too long.
• Travelling with a passport that expires too soon. Check that it has at least six months remaining on your entry date.
• Assuming the exemption covers professional work. It doesn’t apply to journalists and filmmakers working in Vietnam, so ask us if your plans are different.
• Staying longer than the allowance. The visa-free stay can’t be extended inside Vietnam, so leave in time or get a visa first.
• Not checking whether the exemption still applies. It’s granted for a fixed period, so confirm before you book.
• Using look-alike websites. Apply on the official portal or through a licensed provider.
• Typos in passport details. One wrong digit can make an e-visa unusable. German names can include the letters ä, ö, ü, and ß, so use the spelling shown in the machine-readable lines at the bottom of your passport’s photo page, and ask us if you’re unsure.
• Applying too late. If you need an e-visa, even fast options work best with a buffer.

Entry Checklist Before You Fly

• Passport (not an ID card) with at least six months remaining and blank pages.
• Approved e-visa, printed, with a digital backup, if you need one.
• Pre-arrival declaration. Air travellers may need to complete Vietnam’s free online pre-arrival declaration before landing. Check the official government portal for current requirements, and avoid sites that charge for it.
• Return or onward flight details.
• First night’s accommodation details.
• Transit visas for any connecting country, if required.
• Travel insurance, which isn’t required for entry but is a smart idea.

Staying Longer Than Planned?

Neither the visa-free stay nor the e-visa can be extended on the spot inside Vietnam, so if you might stay longer, choose the 90-day e-visa from the start. Ask us about other options, such as a new e-visa after leaving the country.