Do Germans Need A Visa For Vietnam In 2025?

If you're asking yourself: do Germans need a visa for Vietnam, the answer depends entirely on how long you plan to stay. As of 2025, German citizens can enter Vietnam without a visa for up to 45 days, including the day of arrival and departure. But if you're planning to stay in Vietnam for more than 45 days, or your travel is for purposes beyond tourism or short-term business, then yes—you will need a visa to Vietnam. This guide is designed to walk you through each scenario—clearly, logically, and with specific actions and official data

1.  Quick Answer: Visa Rules for Germans Visiting Vietnam in 2025

Here’s the fast-track info for those packing their bags already!

• German passport holders DO NOT need a visa to Vietnam for stays up to 45 days. This visa exemption applies to both tourists and short business visitors.
• Planning to stay in Vietnam longer than 45 days? You’ll need a visa. But no stress—Vietnam now offers a 90-day e-visa for German citizens that can be applied online.
• New in 2025: More international airports are accepting e-visa entries, making it easier than ever to enter Vietnam through Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, and more.

2. Who Qualifies for Visa-Free Entry?

Let’s break down the visa requirement for short stays:

• German citizens holding a passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry, and with at least 2 blank visa pages, are eligible.
• You may be asked for proof of onward travel (e.g., return flight ticket).
• Yes, you read that right: the 45-day visa-free stay resets with each entry. You can leave and re-enter without needing a specific interval between stays.
• This Vietnam visa exemption applies to tourism or business purposes only.

So, if someone asks, “do Germans need a visa for Vietnam?” the answer depends on how long you plan to stay in Vietnam!

3.  Planning to Stay Longer than 45 Days? Here Are Your Options

Vietnam has made long stays easy for you—just plan smart:

• Apply for a 90-day Vietnam e-visa directly through the Vietnam Immigration Department. This multiple entry visa allows you to come and go during your approved time.
• Or, do a visa run—exit Vietnam (to Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, etc.) and re-enter for another 45-day visa-free period.
• Caution: Visa runs are becoming more regulated. Avoid doing them during holidays or peak tourist seasons to reduce entry complications.

Still asking “do Germans need a visa for Vietnam?” If it’s longer than 45 days—yes, and this e-visa is your best friend!

4.  How to Apply for the Vietnam E-Visa as a German Citizen

Here’s the step-by-step visa application roadmap:

Where to Apply

• Official government site: evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn
• Or via trusted agencies (though costs may be higher)

Required Documents

• A passport scan (valid for at least 6 months)
• A passport-style photo
• Entry port selection (e.g., Ho Chi Minh City Airport, Da Nang Airport)
• A valid payment method (credit/debit or PayPal)

Processing Time

• Standard: 3–5 working days
• Express: 1–2 working days (if applied via service providers)

Fees

• Government fee: $25 (single entry), $50 (multiple entry)
• Service fee (if using an agent): varies

Apply early to avoid stress—and double-check every field on the application form. If your visa gets delayed or denied, please contact the Vietnam Immigration Department or your trusted travel service.

5.  Vietnam Visa Germany Types: Which One Fits Your Trip?

If your trip involves working in Vietnam, an internship, or long-term stay—choose the Vietnam business visa or consult the Vietnamese Embassy in Berlin or Frankfurt.

6.  When and Why You Might Need a Visa at the Vietnamese Embassy

While the e-visa is the easiest route, you might prefer or need the embassy route in cases like:

• You require a multiple-entry visa with custom dates beyond e-visa limits.
• You’re visiting for non-tourism purposes such as work, volunteering, or study. In these cases, you’ll need an approval letter from a host in Vietnam.
• You're applying for a Vietnam business visa requiring special documentation and invitations.

You can submit your application in person or by mail at either the Vietnamese Embassy in Berlin or the consulate in Frankfurt.

Expert Travel Tips for German Visitors to Vietnam

• Always double-check visa rules before your flight—Vietnam’s policies evolve.
• Apply for the e-visa at least 2 weeks in advance, especially during holiday periods.
• You may face fines or entry bans if you overstay your visa (don’t!).
• Vietnam’s tropical climate is quite different from Germany’s—pack smart!

7. Exceptions and Special Cases Germans Should Know

Phu Quoc Island – 30 Days Visa-Free Paradise

German travelers can enter Phu Quoc island without a visa for up to 30 days, even if they’ve previously stayed 45 days on mainland Vietnam. This special visa exemption applies as long as:

• You enter Vietnam directly through Phu Quoc international airport or via transit at another Vietnamese international airport where immigration transfers you directly.
• You stay only on the island for the entire duration.

Entry into Border Economic Zones or Special Administrative Areas

Under current Vietnamese law, foreigners can also enter certain border economic zones or coastal administrative areas for up to 15 days without a visa, provided:

• They enter directly into the zone (not via another part of Vietnam).
• The zone is listed as a designated entry area with simplified procedures.

However, these zones are limited, and conditions vary. Always check in advance with the Vietnam Immigration Department or the Vietnamese embassy in Berlin or Frankfurt.

Entry Restrictions: When Visa or Visa-Free Entry May Be Denied

Even if you’re traveling under visa-free rules or holding a valid visa to Vietnam, entry may still be refused at the border under these conditions:

• Minors under the age of 14 traveling without their legal guardian or authorized person.
• Individuals flagged due to criminal records, suspected immigration violations, or incomplete documentation.
• Those failing to show proof of sufficient funds, accommodation, or outbound travel plans.

In these cases, travelers are urged to please contact the Vietnamese embassy well before travel, or work with a trusted visa agency to ensure compliance.

8. How Much Does a Vietnam Visa Cost for Germans?

Embassy Visa (applied at Vietnamese embassies in Germany)

 

These prices were confirmed by the Vietnamese Embassy in Berlin in early 2025. You’ll need to submit your application by post or in person along with your application form, passport, photo, and possibly an approval letter depending on your visa type.

E-Visa (applied online via government portal)

If you use a visa agent, expect to pay between 60–105 USD total, including service fees, depending on your chosen processing time (from 5 days down to 2 days in urgent cases).

Visa on Arrival

This requires a pre-arranged approval letter and applies only when entering through international airports in Vietnam.

 

 

This route is only advisable when e-visa options are unavailable or urgency demands it. It’s best used with support from a reliable travel agency.

9. Pro Travel Tips for German Visitors

Apply Early

Always apply at least 2 weeks before your departure, especially if you're using the official e-visa system. Delays are rare, but they can happen.

Avoid Common Mistakes

• Don’t select the wrong port of entry on your visa application.
• Ensure your passport is valid for 6+ months and has blank pages.
• Never overstay. If you need to stay in Vietnam longer than permitted, understand clearly how to extend Vietnam visa through the Vietnam Immigration Department or embassy support.

Understand the Climate

Vietnam is a tropical country with high humidity, monsoon seasons, and varied temperatures across regions. Expect rain in the south from May to October, and cooler weather in the north from November to February. Pack accordingly!

10. Useful Contacts & Links for German Citizens

Here are the most reliable sources of information for travelers asking do Germans need a visa for Vietnam, or those beginning a visa to Vietnam process:

Vietnam Immigration Department

• Website: https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn
• Phone: +84 24 38264026
• Email: foreigners@immigration.gov.vn

Vietnamese Embassy in Germany – Berlin

• Address: Elsenstraße 3, 12435 Berlin-Treptow
• Phone: +49 30 53630 102/108
• Email: visaberlin2011@yahoo.com

Trusted Application Services

• VFS Global Vietnam Visa – For in-person assistance and guided processing
• Licensed Vietnam travel agencies – Useful for approval letter services or complex itineraries

11. Conclusion

So, do Germans need a visa for Vietnam in 2025? The short answer is no—if you’re staying 45 days or less, you’re in luck. But if your travel plans extend beyond that, or involve multiple entries, business travel, or custom purposes, you’ll absolutely need a Vietnam visa—and this guide has shown you every path available.